How Far North mums make money working from home

Far North mums are quickly jumping on this unconventional business trend to rake in up to $1m a year while staying at home and taking care of their kids. See how they’re doing it and how you can too.

Far North mums are quickly jumping on this unconventional business trend to potentially rake in up to $1m a year while staying at home and taking care of their kids.

Cardwell mum of two Nicole Skerman took the plunge into starting her own online business Sacred Skin Co and offering hair and beauty services from home shortly after having kids.

“My background is in mining, after having kids I couldn’t go back into being an exploration driller,” she said.

“I decided to do a course on beauty and did beauty at home and finished an apprenticeship on hairdressing.

“I started my own skincare too and sold out in 45 minutes.”

Nicole Skerman is a Cardwell mum of two who runs multiple businesses from her home. Picture: Nuno Avendano

Scheduling, time management and a supportive partner make it possible for Ms Skerman to service every aspect of hair including perms, keratin and colours, facials, spray tans, waxing, massages and lash extensions from home.

“I get up, get the kids breakfast, get them ready, drop them off at school, settle down and then 8.30am to 9am is a typical day start and then beauty until 2.30pm, pick up my son at 3pm and work from 3pm to 5.30pm … then I work late nights. I do a lot of late-night studying,” she said.

“When you are a business owner and so high in demand it’s easy to forget about the important things … and then being a mum is such a hard job you criticise yourself.

“Work-life balance is important.”

Nicole Skerman and Petina Tieman at Complete Business Solutions and Cairns Business Hub developing a greater online presence for Sacred Skin Co. Picture: Nuno Avendano

Now, Ms Skerman has plans to grow her skincare line’s online presence and start offering perfumes and hair-care products online.

She encourages women to take the leap into their passions and the rest will fall into place.

Home and online businesses have surged as a result of Far North women’s drive to contribute financially, be intellectually stimulated and caring for the home and family, according to Petina Tieman, managing director Complete Business Solutions and Cairns Business Hub.

“Women seem to be moving away from the traditional working for others, or being a stay-at-home mum, to instead become independent, motivated and driven to succeed,” she said.

“Approximately 80 per cent of the business owners I coach are women and at least 40 per cent of those are home-based start-ups and micro businesses focused on selling product and/or service online.”

Petina Tieman managing director of Complete Business Solutions and Cairns Business Hub . Picture: Supplied

These businesses are not only becoming increasingly popular in Cairns, Ms Tieman said, but were also a huge cash grab if done successfully.

She said out of the hundreds of women she’s coached, at least 30 per cent are now generating more than $1m per year turnover.

“Online businesses have very little overheads such as business premises rent, staff or business loans, resulting in a healthy net profit often by the end of their first year trading,” she said.

“(It’s) typically low cost to establish, minimal resources or equipment required, and you can have a wider customer base than just your local community making it an overall low-risk venture to explore.”

Originally published as How Far North mums make money working from home