From Dora the Explorer, to the mummy must have – coffee, we get to know our newest retailer – Flat Out Mum – Olivia Anderson, businesswoman, blogger, mum to 4 boys and partner to AFL legend Shane Crawford.

1 How long have you been in business?

My Flat Out Mum blog started at the beginning of 2015 but my online store is brand new!

2 What did you do before you started your business?

My background is in marketing so I have worked in advertising agencies for about 15 years, plus I have been a marketing consultant since having babies. I am one of those lucky people who love my job so I have continued to work in some way throughout all of the 4 children.

3. What makes your business unique?

Flat Out Mum is all about making every day a little bit easier for busy mums. Whether that is through an interesting article shared on Facebook or my blog that aims to show a very realistic side to parenting, warts and all. So, my store continues on this philosophy as I only stock a small range of products that I genuinely believe in and that I think make life easier for families.

4. What do you love most about what you do?

I work with mums and for mums. Nothing makes me happier than when I receive an email from a reader of my blog who tells me how my honest words have made their day just a little brighter. Motherhood is amazing, but it is also hard work, so if I can help mums find products that lighten the load a little, that is very satisfying.

5. What’s your favourite time of the day?

I do love having my first coffee in peace before the kids wake and planning my day a little before the chaos starts.

6. What’s the best piece of parenting advice you’ve ever received?

Don’t sweat the small stuff. I really think you need to pick your battles and always look forward, not backwards. Don’t beat yourself up if things didn’t go as you planned, just learn from it & move on.

7. If you could become any character from a children’s story, who would you be and why?

I must say I have watched plenty of episode’s of Dora the Explorer over the past 9 years to know that she is a brave girl who loves adventure. Plus she always has an eclectic mix of crazy friends along with her for the ride and I love that.

8 Who inspires you?

Really it is the every day mums just doing their best to raise happy, healthy children and have fun in the process. Some of my friends have amazing career’s while juggling children, others have started innovative businesses themselves. I love positive people who just do their best with what they have each day.

9. Who lives under your roof?

My partner Shane Crawford and our 4 little dudes – Charlie (9), Benjamin (6) & our twins Jack & Harry who are 3. Plus our amazing black labrador and often an international traveller staying temporarily to help as an Au Pair.

To follow more of Olivia’s day to day adventures, be sure to join her page on Facebook: www.facebook.com/flatoutmum

*Picture courtesy of Herald Sun