How to Succeed in Business AND Parenting – Abbott Lyon Founders Reveal Their Formula!
From what started as a dream to what’s now become a £50 million company, Abbot Lyon founders Jezz and Asha reveal the importance of finding fulfilment as both successful business leaders and as parents.
With parenthood already being complex, running your own business on top of this can feel overwhelming and daunting. However, Jezz and Asha ensure they prioritise family time, as well as putting their all into the business. From having little to no time for anything other than work to now finding a healthy balance, Jezz and Asha have shared tips to help other young founders feel fulfilled as successful business leaders, whilst also being parents.
1. Separate work from home
Especially after their daughter Tilly was born, Asha said, “It’s all about setting boundaries—work is important, but so is making time for each other and our daughter.” Before this, Asha and Jezz we were working late every evening and even on weekends but now make a rule to stop work at weekends to focus on spending time as a family.
2. Stick to a routine
Jezz speaks on the importance of routine and tells us, “I put Tilly to bed every night and then, if necessary, pick up a bit of work later. It’s a balance, but we’ve found ways to manage it, even during busy seasons.”
3. Find a balance
With a two-year-old daughter, being parents has definitely influenced Jess and Asha’s approach to work and their priorities. “Suddenly, you’re not just working for yourself anymore, you’re doing it for your family. It’s given me a new sense of purpose and a bit more discipline when it comes to time management.”
4. Find inspiration in personal life
Abbott Lyon started as a fashion watch brand, but as trends evolved, so did they. The birth of their daughter inspired new product lines, such as thumbprint necklaces, demonstrating how these important personal experiences can drive business innovation.
“It’s definitely shifted our perspective. She’s also inspired some of our jewellery designs, like our thumbprint necklaces. When you become a parent, you start to understand why people want personalised jewellery—it’s so meaningful to have your child’s name or birthstone close to you.”
5. Keep goals in mind
Abbott Lyon has already grown a lot, but the goal is to keep that family-owned feel. “We want to keep innovating and pushing the boundaries of personalisation, but at the same time, we’ll always stay grounded in who we are—a family business that cares about our customers and their meaningful moments”, Jezz says.