Claire Fielding is a multi-award winning business owner for the following categories in our 2020 AusMumpreneur VIC-TAS Awards
- Silver winner – Regional Business
- Silver winner – Food & Beverage Business
- Bronze winner – Emerging AusMumpreneur
Claire Fielding is the business owner and operator, in partnership with husband Paul, of 2 (soon to be 3) cafes/restaurants. She is also first and foremost the proud mother of 4 absolutely beautiful little girls aged 2, 5, 8 and 10.
Claire & Paul opened their first cafe, Marion Storm Cafe, in May 2019, as well as an offsite production kitchen. A short 10 months later were forced to close due to a Covid outbreak. At this time they swiftly introduced their home catering packages and were run off their feet keeping up with orders! They had to let go of all of their staff bar two, which left the four of them to keep an income and a new business venture up and running in the middle of a pandemic. The plan worked, and as soon as they could reopen the cafe, they did. Claire & Paul then turned their production kitchen into a Mexican bar/restaurant, which is now booming, and the cafe is an established part of their community. This month, exactly two years after opening, they have signed a lease on a 3rd venue in a bigger town and can’t wait to give it another crack!
When did you start your business?
May 1st 2019.
What was the inspiration behind starting this business?
Taking a golden opportunity and putting our life skills towards our own business and building a more financially secure future for our family.
What are you most excited about in your business?
Creating a place that is part of the community where people come back time and time again because they like what we do.
What has been the most challenging thing about starting your business?
Transitioning from a stay at home Mum into a full time working Mother. And the juggle of trying to be at work enough, but also trying to be there for my beautiful children more than enough. Outside of family and on the job however, my biggest challenge has been finding the right balance between being the boss and being a friend to my staff.
What advice would you give to other women thinking about starting a business?
Keep family first. Don’t lose sight of the long term goal. Don’t stress the little things. With an open and patient mind, things will fall into place. Always treat others with respect and consideration and do right by them as well as your family.
Why did you enter the AusMumpreneur Awards?
I was nominated unexpectedly by a fellow AusMumpreneur…..my amazing sister! A hard working woman who could see how hard I work, while still putting my little girls first.
What did you enjoy the most about being part of the awards?
Hearing so many amazing stories of other women in similar shoes. As well we realizing how much I actually do to as a mother and business owner. I did not stop to think about how much I do achieve every day until being nominated and going through the process of the awards.
What surprised you most about the awards?
Absolutely how inspiring it was and just how many women were a part of it.
How did the awards help you in your business?
Being a place winner in 3 categories meant that we could utilize the awards for influential marketing. It got us into the local newspaper, which had a big impact on getting new customers that never knew we had opened the previous year.
What advice would you give to others mums thinking about entering the awards?
DO IT!!! 100% do it. It’s the most inspiring thing I have ever experienced. It will motivate you and give you confidence to continue to do whatever it is you do!!
What’s happening next in your business? Any big plans for the future?
We are opening our 3rd and 4th venue after only starting our business 2 years ago. Alongside and as a very similar format, we are just about to open a lounge bar / restaurant in Launceston , and then only a few weeks later potentially taking on a pub/restaurant/music venue in Burnie as well. Definitely a bit crazy but we may as well do it all now while we are still young and while we have the other business to support the new ventures!
To learn more about Marion Storm Cafe, please visit the website, Facebook or Instagram.
All images featured here are from Marion Storm Cafe.
2021 GLOBAL BUSINESS MOTHERS AWARDS
The 2021 Global Business Mothers Awards recognise the best and brightest mothers in business globally, acknowledging success in business & innovation.
>> Nominations are OPEN! Nominate an incredible mother in business here <<
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