Just a week and a couple of days in action Burnadine McIvor is glowing when she talks about her Marton business "Peggy and Lils Cafe''.
She laughed as she said when people know she has six children their eyebrows rise and they wonder how she does it.
"I've always wanted to run a small business like this so this a dream come true for me.''
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Her cafe is open five days a week Monday to Friday from 8.30pm to 3pm.
"I need to be home in the weekends for my two small sons who are still at school.''
Daughter Alice, 22, is working with her widowed mum until she heads to Police College later in the year.
Her older sister Deva is in her final year of law degree at Victoria University in Wellington.
Both mum and daughter love preparing food and baking, they said.
"We're both flat out in the kitchen every morning.''
The little cafe in Follet St is a popular foodie place in Marton with locals constantly in and out grabbing a coffee and food.
Gorgeous fat sandwiches are a must daily, Burnadine said.
"I think sandwiches need to be really substantial. You need to be able to see all the filling stacked inside.''
And the cabinet food includes large stuffed sausages which are already very popular with the fillings including cheese, capsicum, corn and tomato.
Huge wedges of sumptuous quiche are stacked alongside gluten-free stuffed kumara with shelves of mouth-watering cake and muffins as well.
Burnadine has lived in Marton for nearly 20 years and said she would never leave the small, friendly town.
"My late husband and I loved it here and we'd always planned to run a small business one day.''
When the small cafe came up Burnadine said she knew it was perfect for her.
"It's exactly the business I would have chosen.''