Catherine did some quick thinking and came up with the concept -- fortunately it was a case of right time, right place with the organic movement continuing to grow globally.
In the beginning she was working from home in America -- it wasn't until she and her husband returned to Hawke's Bay and found a little shop space in Taradale that business and family life became separate.
Though in reality she's always on call, all hours of the day, especially when organising the production of her clothing overseas. "The hours that I work are unpredictable, I'm going to Auckland tomorrow ... last night I was up until 11.30 Skyping my factory in India. I never know when I am going to be a mum and vice versa."
A work landline is switched over to her cell phone so she can do business on the go -- one way of getting around other family commitments.
Fortunately a lot of the people she deals with on a day-to-day basis are mothers, adding mutual understanding into the mix.
"I can be in the car or at a football match, expectations are funny and often someone else is calling me from their child's football game."
Right now her outlet space on Devonshire Place in Taradale is open from 10am to 2pm Monday through Thursday and gives Catherine "somewhere to be in the morning".
Her two boys Luke, 8, and Makena, 6, understand the boundaries between when Mum's working and off duty.
"It's about finding whatever balance works for you and not being bothered by what other people think and say.
"I have always said the best thing I can do is set a good example for my kids ... my kids are well adjusted, life is an adventure [my husband and I] haven't compromised, we still travel and we are both following our dreams."
You learn folding the washing is not important -- I'm lucky my husband picks up a lot of slack where I'm not as good.Tessa Flowers-MorrellTessa Flowers-Morrell balances parenting with a growing business.PHOTO/PAUL TAYLOR
MUM IS just one hat worn by Tessa Flowers-Morrell.
She is also owner/director of child friendly cafe Lulu & Max, photographer, kids' clothing designer, party planner, product buyer, event organiser, wife, and waitress -- at a stretch.
There are also plenty of things she's not, because, as a busy mother of three with another on the way, some things have got to give.
"You learn folding the washing is not important -- I'm lucky my husband picks up a lot of slack where I'm not as good," she says, moving around the house as we speak.
Running a business and being on hand for the children is a matter of multi-tasking, but thankfully her workplace is flexible.
It even caters for icecream-loving 2-year-old Ihaia and cookie-chomping Charlee, 8, who are resident customers at the cafe.
Older child Wesley, 15, is based in Hamilton and returns to the Bay for regular holidays.
Despite being 24 weeks pregnant with a little girl due in August, Tessa's brain is constantly in overdrive with fresh inspiration including a baby and child expo which she hopes to launch with a friend in September.
Specialising in newborn photography, animated portraits of children and families, she also branches out into weddings when there's time.
Lulu & Max recently started offering princess pamper sessions, which are proving to be a hit with glitter-loving girly girls.
Each child gets a mini manicure and pedicure, followed by a natural face mask and basic makeup before heading into the studio for a photoshoot.
"They absolutely love it, we are really booked up for birthdays. I have loads of other ideas in the pipeline but it's just finding the time to do it."
One such plan is introducing kids activities and programmes -- something she hopes will be up and running by winter time.
So what's the secret to being a supermum? Actually Tessa doesn't see herself to be anything special, she's just had to adapt.
It helps having stand-in babysitters including grandparents and an understanding husband.
"I think for families in general it's a luxury to stay at home with the children, there's nothing I would love more than to do that, but I have a dream and working hard to make that happen is a small sacrifice in the long run."
She has learned a lot since the birth of her first child who proved a steep learning curve, much like the first year in business.
These days she takes a fairly relaxed approach to parenting, and, with so much on the go, taking her newborn to work is not out of the question.
"Babies are pretty adaptable, but developmental stages are very important, that's why I want to introduce activities and brain activities."
