Interview: Angie Hilton Pictures: Louisa Jones
Name: Hannah Goodgame
Job: Owner of Projekt Frankie beads
Age: 33
Hubby: Brett Goodgame, Emu Australia general manager
Children: Flynn, 4, and Alfie, 2
Lives: Highton
Originally from Ballarat, you moved to Geelong in 2011. What do you love about G-Town?
Well coming from Ballarat one of the obvious things is the climate in Geelong. A few extra degrees warmer in winter really does make a difference. On the whole, I feel Geelong really has a positive, happy feel. I really love being closer to the ocean. Just knowing the water is there makes you feel more relaxed.
Okay, straight to the gory details – how were your births?
This may sound sick to some people, given the amount of pain you go through, but I seriously loved everything about it. I loved being pregnant and I loved giving birth. It’s such a profound moment – like the whole world stopped for those precious hours and nothing else mattered.
I was determined to have natural births, as I was petrified of having a caesarian or epidural. Flynn was pretty much smooth sailing – seven hours, a little gas and some suction.
Alfie was an unplanned water birth. I’d never even contemplated a water birth but when I jumped in the bath, I found it relaxed me so much I just couldn’t get out. It turned out to be an experience I will cherish forever.
Any more babies?
I would love one more but my husband needs a lot more convincing. I always wanted a little girl called Frankie – hence I gave birth to my business instead and called it Projekt Frankie – closest I’m going to get to a baby girl I think (laughs).
Five words to describe Flynn’s personality:
Busy, chatty, affectionate, cautious, cheeky.
Five words to describe Alfie’s personality:
Laidback, cruisy, daring, funny, affectionate.
What do you love about being a mum?
The cuddles by far! The cheeky companions I have 24/7 and being able to comfort and console those little faces when needed is the most rewarding feeling as a mum.
What’s the most challenging thing about being a mum?
Ooh, self-doubt. I second-guess myself all the time, whether I’m making the right decisions for my boys, taking the right approach, being the best parent I can, whether I have the work/family balance right.
I think overall we’re surviving and smiling … most of the time!
What inspired you to create your business, Projekt Frankie?
I was working in retail and juggling the children. I always had in the back of my mind that I’d love to have a business I could fit in around my children rather than the other way around. One day I was feeling creative and decided to make myself a necklace out of clay beads.
I completely overdid it with the amount of beads and it was then that I had a bit of an ah-ha moment! I found making the beads quite therapeutic and started to wonder if I could turn it into a business. The rest is history.
What exactly is Projekt Frankie?
It’s a jewellery and homewares label made predominantly from clay and timber. The range consists of necklaces, keyrings, earrings, kids necklaces and garlands. Each clay bead is hand rolled and colours mixed by hand in my home studio to create unique and original designs. I mainly sell through my online store but have also branched out into wholesaling for retailers across the country.
What does a typical day in the life of Hannah look like?
The world doesn’t start until I have coffee. Don’t even talk to me!
It’s then all the usual Mummy stuff – washing, cleaning, cooking, going to the park, play dates, cafes and posting beads. When Alfie has his day sleep I work on my business. If I’m desperate to get some beads done when the kids are awake, I turn it into craft time and they make beads too (not sure I can sell the beads they create, unfortunately).
The boys are in daycare one day a week so I literally turn into crazy-bead-making-lady. I can cram so much in to that one day.
How many beads would you roll a week?
At a guess, around 600. I often joke that my oven sees way more clay than food!
Golly, you must dream beads!
(Laughs) I don’t dream beads but I definitely wake up at strange hours with ‘brilliant ideas’ for my next product or new release.
What would you say to other Mums thinking of starting an online business?
Being self-motivated is the key. And you really have to have a passion for what you’re doing. I love the process of watching the business grow. I started May 2014 and it’s now in 30 retailers across the country as well as growing rapidly through my online store.
I think the trickiest part when it’s your own business, is finding the work/life balance, as no-one is there to tell you to clock on and clock off.
I often find myself up until 2am rolling beads but then I try to balance it out with extra downtime around the kids.
I’ve also had to learn to stop working in the evening so my husband and I can still have good quality time together. He throws beads at me if I work too much (laughs) just kidding!
What’s the best parenting advice you’ve been given?
My best friend has steered me through a few ugly parenting moments with, ‘this too shall pass’. It’s a great mantra when you’re going through things like teething, tantrums, lack of sleep, etc.
Where are your favorite places to take the kids in Geelong?
We spend a lot of time at the beach in warmer months.
My husband loves coffee and rarely makes it through the weekend without several cafe stops and this has definitely rubbed off on our boys. We like visiting The Farmers Place in Freshwater Creek, lots of fun for the kids with the animals and outdoor area. Little creatures is always fun and our local 63 Degrees in Highton is a favourite.
If you had a full child-free day to yourself what would it look like?
So simple: a good book and a glass of wine, while sitting in the sunshine.
Do you have a quote or motto you live by?
Life begins after coffee!
See Hannah’s beads at projektfrankie.bigcartel.com
