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This is a picture of the same sneakers that I just bought. It’s a Brooks Maximus sneaker which was professionally fitted by Athelete’s Foot. So I definitely know that it fits well! 

The whole process was very relaxing and professionally done. I got my feet properly measured – width and length. And I walked across this sensor pad which mapped out the areas of pressure and any rolling when you walk. The lady told me that I am very heavy footed with a slight roll (but nothing too serious). I completely agreed with her – I do feel like I sometimes stomp around and my husband definitely thinks I should walk more ‘lady like’!

But it was an expensive exercise. I was in two minds whether I would just write down the sneaker model that they recommended and then buy it somewhere else, but in the end I decided that the money was worth the time and effort that they spent on me.

Which made me think about their business model and how well it was working. They only have sales twice a year and everytime I walked past one of their stores, there are always lots of people inside. It proves that people are willing to pay for expertise and time spent, rather than just hunting down the cheapest model that appears to fit them. Of course, it helps if you can afford it, but the number of people in their stores is a testament to their ‘point of difference’.

So what is your point of difference in your business? Do you have something that sets you aside from your competitors? 

Something that holds you in good stead even in these tough times?

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As a first time mother I am finding that I am dealing with guilt on a fairly regular basis.

Am I spending enough time with my daughter?

Is she learning enough from myself and my husband?

Are we doing enough activities to facilitate her development?

Am I right in going back to work and putting her into childcare?

Trying to get a few businesses off the ground plus juggling being a mother and a wife comes with its challenges. There are so many competing pressures from society to do everything and do it well, that we sometimes can feel like our efforts are not sufficient.

Speaking to other mothers, we all seem to face the same questions, the same issues. And the same guilty feelings. And I have to keep reminding myself that I’m not alone in facing these pressures. It’s how we deal with these pressures that is important. 

And I have decided that I am going to do things "my way". Not society’s way, or the way that other people may think that I should do things. But my way. And as long as I try my best to do what is right for my family, then that the is the best that I can do. I may crash and burn doing it, but at least I would have given it a shot under my rules. I am going to shut my ears to the naysayers and to the people who ’think’ they are giving me good advice and do what I believe in. This way I stay true to myself and what I believe in.

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