Interview with Author & Director of Mini First Aid, Kate Ball

Kate, a mum of 6 (including 2 sets of twins), is and entrepreneur and author.  She worked for over 10 years in Learning, Development & HR and when on maternity leave in 2014 set up Mini First Aid.

Kate wanted to change the perception of First Aid Training and make it more accessible and memorable for parents and carers. Thus, their 2 hour class was born. Mini First Aid now trains 1000+ parents carers and children per week in life saving first aid.

Kate’s first award winning children’s book ‘The Mini Adventures of Freddie’ teaches basic first aid through a story of Freddie who experiences a number of bumps and scrapes, and most importantly learns to dial 999 in an emergency.

This summer Mini First Aid are launching a safe eating campaign ‘Sit Chop Chew’ designed to educate parents, carers and children alike on choking awareness and safe eating.  This is supported by the launch of Kate’s second book ‘Sit Chop Chew’.

 

Describe a typical day for you?

The day starts some where in the small hours, managing newborn twins, the 19 month old twins wake at 7 and shout all the family names until someone goes and gets them from their cots. The big children (7 & 5) get ready for school, fight and eat breakfast. Our nanny arrives and contributes extra hands to the madness.

The day then flits between working in the Mini First Aid office (we run our company from home), feeding babies, sending emails, social media updates from my phone in a great big cycle, eat, drink too much coffee, and try hard to get to bed early to gain some sort of sleep. This is family, work life all mixed into one – balanced. Nope.

 

What do you feel are your biggest achievements?

Mini first aid was my kitchen table business idea to bring short first aid lessons to busy parents and carers. We now have over 50 franchises across the UK. I’ve also grown 6 babies, (including 2 sets of twins) last year I was named the Natwest/Daily Mail Mumpreneur of the year – photos all over the media and lots of attention for the business and my children thought they were famous!

 

What’s in your handbag/ satchel?

Purse, sunglasses (when I can find them) business cards, phone, L’Occitaine handcream (my indulgence) baby wipes and a nappy.

 

What are your ambitions in life?

Big family (tick). Good health and to have a business recognised for its values and contribution to making a difference to both our customers and to the family life of those who work for Mini First Aid.

 

What do you wish you’d known at the start of your career you now know?

Some of the worst people you meet in business can actually positively help shape the person that you are. They teach as much as what not to be as those that inspire teach you what you want to be.

 

What do you wish you’d known about motherhood before having kids?

Not to use social media as a representation of how ‘other mothers’ seem to be coping. Everyone can add a filter. Honesty is a much better policy.

 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?

Surrounded by crazy children, getting more sleep (hopefully), still surrounded by amazing friends and family and living in our same house (we are so mortgaged up we are never leaving & we love it!)

 

What advice would you give an entrepreneur

Starting a business and balancing with family is not easy. Do your maths on costs, investment, potential income, making sure you put you and your family first and then work out if the sums add up.

Spending time with your children is not something you have to apologise for. Nor, is going to work. What is important is balance for you and your mental health.

 

Finally, happiness is…

Healthy babies & children playing or sleeping, and me with a really cold glass of wine with my hubby.

 

Website: www.minifirstaid.co.uk
Shop: ww.minifirstaid.co.uk/shop
Facebook – @minifirstaid
Instagram – @minifrstaid
Twitter – @minifirstaidUK

 

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