SPONGEDROP Entrepreneurs tell their stories

Danielle Cubis says owning Spongedrop has been a roller-coaster ride. Photo/supplied

Cake shop owner will be among several high-profile contributors at indulge Speaker Collective, in association with Craigs Investment partners

Not too long ago I was chatting to someone about being in business and they referred to me as an "entrepreneur". This took me by surprise. It wasn't a comfortable fit, seeming too grandiose for a girl running a cake shop.

Even though I have been operating my own business, Spongedrop, for more than three years I hadn't really considered myself an entrepreneur until they pointed out to me that I was one. I felt that title should be reserved for "real" business people, tech-start-ups and well, people who know what they're doing!

When you are running a business it's hard to find the time to stop and look at what you've achieved from an outside perspective. You're constantly multi-tasking, juggling what has to happen now and what should be happening tomorrow.

Starting up and running my own business has been one of the toughest challenges of my life.

Forgive the old analogy but it really is like a roller-coaster of emotions, adrenalin, highs and lows.

There is constant pressure to achieve but, as much as it consumes a ridiculous amount of my life, it also returns on investment in the form of satisfaction, joy and pride. Only on the very odd (and brief) occasion have I found myself daydreaming about my old life in advertising, only to quickly remember how much I love what I do and how lucky I am to be doing it.

On Wednesday, October 7 I'll be joining two fellow local entrepreneurs, Rachelle Duffy of Little Big Events, and Shaye Woolford, of On My Hand Props, Styling & Flora, at the indulge Speaker Collective for a Q&A session. These two successful woman, who are also close friends of mine, have been immensely supportive of my business from the beginning.

I often reach out to them for advice, to vent, to bounce ideas off and to gain inspiration.

If you are a local business owner or you're dreaming of becoming one, come along to the indulge Speaker Collective and hear from us first-hand. You'll also walk away inspired by Claire Turnbull (nutritionist), Jane Hastings (CEO of NZME) and Diane Maxwell (Retirement Commissioner), three incredibly successful women who will be sharing their own stories.

Danielle Cubis is owner of Spongedrop Cakery, 10 Salisbury Ave, Mount Maunganui. www.facebook.com/spongedropbakes