#Supermamas – Interview with Daniela from Twinkle Star Travel Toys

What are my Supermamas interviews about?

Over the upcoming weeks around Mother’s Day I’m going to run a weekly interview series featuring mums, who have given up their professional life after becoming a parent and decided to do something completely different for living. In these interviews real women are telling me about their journey of becoming a mother how they have changed their way of thinking about work, pursuing dreams and making money.

I came up with this idea when I realised that I’m lucky to know so many wonderful women. I really am surrounded by #supermamas. Most of all: my own mama. She started an evening course at the university and she was reading law when she was pregnant with me. By the time I was in pre-school, she graduated summa cum laude and became a lawyer! And others too: friends, blogging buddies and creative business owners I have met lately. They are juggling it all: looking after the children, having a newly found profession, running a new business and inspiring us. Their stories are a real inspiration to everyone.

I truly believe when a child is born, a mother is born too. And so we change. We grow, learn and become stronger. We should embrace all these changes and use their power to nurture, create and find our passion. So these mums took risks, pushed themselves, overcame self consciousness, challenged themselves again and again until they found their very own path to balance. My Supermamas Interviews are about them.

Supermamas Interview Series: Introducing Daniela from Twinkle Star Travel Toys

Daniela and her daughter from Twinkle Star Travel Toys

Can you please introduce yourself?

Hello. My name is Daniela Clark. I am 41 years-old, mum of two. My children are Jessica, who is 3 years-old and Lucas who is only 5 months old. I am from Brazil, but have been living in the UK for over 15 years. It has been so long that this is definitely where home feels like now. I am a full time ‘stay at home mum’ who works from home. I run my own small business, a toddler travel toys company trading inspiring educational toys from ethical and sustainable toys manufacturers.

What did you want to be when you grew up?

As a child I wanted to be a ballet dancer and I spent years studying classic and modern ballet. When I finished my A-levels my parents became less supportive of my dance career as they understandably wanted me to go to university and choose a more financially stable profession. The pressure made me focus on my studies and I went to university for a Bachelor Business Administration degree.

What did you do before becoming a mum?

Before becoming a mum, I was a working professional with a background in purchasing and office/project management. I have worked for some large organizations for the last 24 years. I have always enjoyed the corporate environment; opened plan offices, shiny shoes and suits, but being a mum is something I have oddly always inspired to be from a young age. My entire lifestyle prior being a parent could have been easily summarized as: work, fitness, social events and personal shopping. A little self-centered I know, but I am glad that spent years caring for myself prior doing it to others.

Why did you leave that job?

Getting pregnant with my first daughter took us an unexpected four long years. Jessica was born as a NAIT baby (Neonatal Alloimmune Thrombocytopenia) which is a disease that develops when platelets in the pregnant mother and her baby become incompatible and cannot exist together. Jessie’s platelets count was severely low at birth and she was born very poorly, requiring weeks of intensive care. She is now a perfectly healthy child but the traumatic start of my daughter’s life made me re-evaluate my professional and personal goals. After finishing my year of maternity leave, I embraced the opportunity of becoming a stay at home mum.

What do you do now?

I have always wanted to be an entrepreneur and knew that my degrees and working experience would take me there. I never felt very career driven while working for other companies. When my daughter turned 2, I decided that I needed a project of my own and the idea of setting up my business grew stronger. I looked into what I was passionate about, what I had experienced and did a lot of research. I found there was a demand and market for travel toys aimed to children at toddlers’ age. Twinkle Star Travel Toys was formally born in January 2017.

What are you passionate about?

About my family and travelling. I wish I could travel the whole world with my family.

Where do you find inspiration?

I find inspiration from successful people who achieved great things in life despite adversity. Oprah Winfrey and J.K. Rowling are two good well-known example of this.

Did you learn to say no?

Yes I have, but it has been tough as I hate letting people down.

How did you overcome uncertainties and self-doubt?

 I think that age has given me the wisdom to accept who I am and stop worrying about what other people’s perceptions are. I was never the one afraid of speaking up and going against the crowd but by doing that I am often misinterpreted and misjudged. However this no longer bothers me and if I feel I have a cause I will go for it. There will be always someone to doubt you, mainly because people are themselves dealing with their own issues and insecurities. I recognise and select those that act as positive influencers in your life is emotionally healthy.

Did you have to convince your family about making the leap? Or did they support you from the very beginning?

My husband has also been my biggest supporter. He believes in everything I do and from the word “go” he has backed me up with no hesitation.

What’s your latest project?

Creating and promoting my company’s website www.twinklestartraveltoys.co.uk . There is a lot of work ahead of me this year, it feels daunting and exciting.

Name a thing (or two) you used to give a shit about – but not anymore:

My hair and making time for fair-weather friends. My life is just too busy to spend time doing either.

Fill in with the first word comes to your mind:

I believe in…what goes around, comes around.

My super power is…determination.

Being ethical means to me….morally everything.

Right now I’m most excited about….seeing my children grown up.

My dream job is…the one that will allow me to be my own boss.

The most important thing I can teach to my child is….perseverance and kindness.

Find Daniela and her travel toy shop here:

Twitter  https://twitter.com/TwinkleStarToys

Facebook https://www.facebook.com/toddlerstraveltoys

Website: www.twinklestartraveltoys.co.uk

Read another interview from my #Supermamas interviews: Interview with Kristie Prada from Mamma Prada