Local Mum and founder of Hudson & Kingsley The Label chats to us about raising three boys and running a business!
Where and how long have you lived in the Sutherland Shire and what do you love about it?
I’ve lived & breathed The Sutherland Shire since birth- grew up in Lilli Pilli & am now located in the sunny depths of South Cronulla.
Tell us about yourself and your family:
Mumma of 3 beautiful boys (5,4 & 9 months old). I consider myself preeeetty lucky to have 3 very loving mini men to shape & mould into respectful men just like their daddy, my hubby Joel. He owns a local building company, Arcadia Projects (shameless plug haha). We’ve been married for 8 years, are still in love & still renovating our homes together (those two words together “love & renos” don’t typically tend to get used in the same sentence).
I am the founder & have owned local candle business Hudson & Kingsley The Label for 4 years but recently acquired my beautiful business partner Beth to join me on my crazy adventure. Beth also has 3 boys of similar ages to mine so it’s such an amazing connection for our families. She’s been the best decision for this business- having someone to share the physical workload with & at the same time we have the BEST time together!
My family loves to travel so much but we’ve obviously have been forced to stay local as of late & I am actually really enjoying slowing down & enjoying our little family in this beautiful suburb we are lucky enough to live in, Cronulla.
Favourite park and why:
You’ll often see us at Shelly Park gated park, particularly for the “gated part” or Oak Park rock pool exploring & finding shells on the beach. We have so many lovely local parks but a walk along the beach or even just building “fire pits & collecting sticks” is sometimes more fulfilling than swings for my kids. I’m pretty happy to go along with that- whatever drains their batteries for the day!
Favourite kid-friendly cafe and why:
Prior to lockdown we spent lots of time at Little Feet (sadly closed down due to Covid). I really want someone to open up a low key smaller cafe/kids equipment play area that’s not ginormous, so you can have a convo with a girlfriend over a coffee without having to run in 5 different directions catching kids off a slide in another room… A great business idea for someone who’s game haha! I have my hands full right now.
Favourite restaurant or favourite night-spot and why:
SeaLevel has always been & will always be my fave spot!!! Love the location/food/service & cocktails there. Even had home delivered seafood platters during lockdown, because why not??
Favourite Mothers Group location:
I’m lucky enough to have a solid “mums club” as we call it, run by local mumma & influencer Amy Gerard (possibly the funniest person I know, if you don’t already follow her do yourself a solid), all welcome to join us as soon as we are out of lockdown on Tuesdays! We all have different ages of kids who love hanging out but our love of wine really brings us all together nicely, we love a night out! Bring on dance floors once more!
Favourite wet weather location:
The cinema is a big hit for my kiddies but I now have a 9-month-old so that’s how long it’s been since I last went haha! Other than that we strap on gumboots & embrace the muddy puddles.
What do you like to do when you have time to yourself:
What even is time to yourself anymore?? Haha. To be honest I try to make time to go out with my girlfriends to have some “me time” away from the kiddies even if it’s for dinner or a cocktail (or 10). It’s smart to recharge every now & then when you’re so busy with kiddies & work every day, it’s good for your soul!
But during my alone time when they go to bed, I like to slap on a face mask, do some shameless Insta scrolling & enjoy an icecream on the lounge with the hubby watching some sort of Netflix series we binge-watch. I took a drive the other night to just get out of the house after a full-on day with music right up to release all the bad energy. It ended up with a drive through Maccas McFlurry (yum) run, and yes I brought one home for hubby too because I’m a good wife!
Work or SAHM (Stay at Home Mum):
I am the founder & now, co-owner of Hudson & Kingsley The Label, which is all things candles & oil diffusers plus an ever-expanding hand & body range. Our studio is currently set up in a room connected to my home but once out of lockdown we are looking to break out of our studio & move into an offsite warehouse (we are very much busting at the seams!!) I also have 3 children to look after, so it’s a pretty hectic work/life balance- but I wouldn’t have it any other way!
Motherly advice on how to stay sane:
Honestly, particularly in these current times, you need to remember to laugh… watch a funny YouTube video, tell a stupid joke, engage in a comedy movie when the kids go to bed… because the less serious you take the small losses of a day (perhaps a toddler who takes 10 hours to put his shoes on) the less it will play on your mind at night & affect you. Always remember tomorrow is a fresh start!
What’s something not many people know about you?
I was a Cheerleader in the NRL for 10 years (go you mighty Dragons!), which also allowed me to travel with the NRL & Coke Zero all over Australia for most major events & then was offered a dancing contract to join the IPL (Indian Premier League) with The Deccan Chargers (including the likes of Adam Gilchrist in our cricket team) travelling the entire country for probably the most rewarding and eye-opening trip into a 3rd world country as a fairly naive 21-year-old. An amazing country with amazing people, I highly recommend going!
Favourite local shop/online store or Instagram business:
I mean, if I didn’t plug my own business I’d be silly 😉
Hudson & Kingsley The Label for all things candles, oil diffusers, natural bath & body products. use code: shireship for free shipping within the Sutherland Shire too!
What’s the best product/service you can recommend since becoming a mum? (for baby/kids or you)
Mr Consistent cocktail mixers (obviously for adults only) really helps me with most of the tougher mum days… haha! My gorgeous friend sells them in her boutique store in Miranda, Raw Edge Boutique. Highly recommend the cosmo mix.
How have you changed since becoming a mum?
I think my appreciation of patience has come leaps & bounds since having toddlers who are learning to put their own shoes on. I will never understand why these events tend to be the longest & most painful moments in our day (still to this day with a nearly 6-year-old who moves at a snail’s pace every time!)
What is the greatest challenge you have faced since becoming a mum?
Recently I had major spinal surgery on an olllllld dancing injury that’s been giving me grief for 20 plus years… 6 weeks of recovery spent barely able to walk, with 3 kids including a 7-month-old that I couldn’t lift or hold, was by far the HARDEST thing I’ve ever had to manage while being a mum. Luckily, I have the world’s best husband & an amazing support network around me that helped me get through it. Post-surgery I’ve realised it was one of the best things I’ve ever done and I’m now kicking myself that I didn’t do it earlier!
If you would like to feature as our next Local Mum please tell us about yourself here.
