Female Figures #6 - Carmen Strong

By Joey AzmanAugust 27, 2021

SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!

What better way to bring in the new sunnier and cheerful season with some good spring cleaning inspiration? Our next guest is an expert at home organisation and has been featured in various magazines and the news on her decluttering and home organising strategies. If you haven't come across Carmen, check out her page - her before-after shots will blow your mind! Please welcome Carmen Strong of Little Strong Home!

1. Tell us a bit about yourself and how you came into business? Have you always wanted to be in business?

Carmen: I’m Carmen Strong! I'm a professional home organiser & interior stylist. I’m a Mama, a maker and a home creator. I have an amazing husband and two beautiful little children. We live on the beautiful Central Coast of NSW in Australia. I work full time in the retail industry by day & do my home organisation/styling consultations by night. Organising and styling is my passion project. I have a great eye for detail and love the inner calm that organising brings.

I kinda fell into the industry after sharing my home on the gram with my friends and family and then so many people would ask me if i could help them and here I am. I have always wanted to be my own boss, but in what industry I never knew.

2. How are you finding your Moodyboard and has it helped in any way with your line of work?

Carmen: It helps inspire me and my designs, it's a space for me to stay on top of things and keep important info in one location. I love that it's aesthetically pleasing which I'm all about. I love it when design meets practicality.

3. What does your typical work day look like?

Carmen: I work full time in the retail industry by day, then in the evening I spend it with my family and raising my beautiful children. Once they're down I use that time to focus on my business and organise consultations with my clients to help them transform their spaces. There's no time for TV here.. My hobbies are my organising and helping my clients.

4. As a mum, what are the challenges you face when running a business, and what do you do to overcome those challenges ?

Carmen: The constant juggle, it's real and it feels like a hamster on a wheel day in day out.. But it's all about planning, overcoming mum guilt and remembering I'm doing it for them. I grew up with amazing parents who have an incredible work ethic and I want that for my children. I want my children to know they can do or be anything they want. Not just show up to work every day in the same job and get no satisfaction out of it. Life is for living the best life you have not a mediocre one.

5. What advice do you have for people who love to keep things ( a.k.a Hoarders.. I'm guilty here! lol!)

Carmen: Does it bring you joy? Have you used it in the last 6 months? if not get rid of it. You can't take it with you, and someone else may find it super helpful.

6. As a business owner, what tips do you have for others who are just starting out/ thinking of starting a business?

Carmen: Start, always just start... Otherwise you'll miss an opportunity. Be original and also make it about your customer not you.. what are you doing for them?