“Sleep deprivation can be utterly debilitating and to be able to solve that for someone is amazing,” says Rosey Davidson, founder of Just Chill Baby Sleep. Here, we talk mornings, motherhood and sleep…
Rosey Davidson, 36, lives in Barnet, north London, with her husband Dan and two daughters: Daisy, six, and Lola, two.
What’s your home like?
We moved into our Victorian semi four years ago. It hadn’t been touched since the 70s so we have really made an impact. We are lucky to have a larger garden than most, which is amazing for the kids.
What time are you up in the morning?
6.30/7am.
What wakes you up?
If I have gone to bed at a decent hour, I tend to wake up naturally. If I have had a later night then one of the girls will wake me.
How do you feel?
Content, but my mind starts buzzing immediately with my to-do list.
What do you do first thing?
I come downstairs, put the kettle on and check for any messages from my one-to-one sleep clients.
In three words, describe mornings in your home?
Happy, busy, lovely.
Tea or coffee?
Always coffee.
How might the rest of your day pan out?
After the school run I settle down to answering emails and preparing for client calls, or I will be travelling to a home visit.
What’s your workspace like?
At present I work out of our kitchen. Luckily, it’s a lovely big open plan extension full of light. We are starting a loft conversion soon so I will finally get my own office. I am super excited to design my very own working space.
Where are the kids when you’re working?
Daisy is at school and Lola is with her lovely nanny who works for us until it’s time to pick Daisy up from school.
Tell us about your business: when did you launch, and how/why did it come about?
I am an infant sleep consultant. I started the business ‘unofficially’ around five years ago. I helped many of my friends and family with their babies. It wasn’t until I was pregnant with Lola that I trained to teach baby massage and yoga, and went on to get a certification in sleep consultancy. I launched my Instagram page when Lola was a baby. This has given me a great platform to engage with and help a huge number of parents. It has also given me the flexibility of being my own boss and working flexible hours.
What’s the greatest challenge when running your own business?
Learning to switch off and make time for myself. To acknowledge and release myself from guilt that I should be knuckling down all the time, when actually sometimes I need rest.
What makes it all worthwhile?
The immense satisfaction of changing lives. Sleep deprivation can be utterly debilitating and to be able to solve that for someone is amazing. As my own boss I also love being able to drop everything and be there cheering Daisy on at her sports day.
Are there aspects of the production that you delegate to others; do you enjoy, for instance, the creative side but not the accounts?
I am very lucky to have the support of my dad (a CFO) who is far too qualified to be my accountant, but he is! I also have the support of an amazing team who I have recruited over the past year whose support mean I can focus on the bits that I am best at – face to face practical help.
Are you a happy lone worker, or do you enjoy the buzz of a shared workspace?
I need interaction with people but I get that every day through my clients, and remotely through my team.
What’s the secret to career success?
Trusting your gut, taking risks.
Is the juggle real for you… do you find it difficult balancing parenting/relationship/me-time/time for friends/career?
It isn’t easy. Last summer was hectic to say the least. I hadn’t prepared properly for the school holidays and started drowning in my work. I have since learned to plan out my time. It is very prescriptive but I do have to plan time with my husband in advance. I lack a bit of spontaneity with my friends and family but the time we do have is quality and doing things we enjoy.
Describe an ideal weekend?
A leisurely breakfast, a sunny day and trip to Parliament Hill Lido with my family. A meal out and a few cocktails with my husband and our friends.
If you could wake up anywhere tomorrow, where would it be?
It would be exactly where I am now, in my lovely home. I pinch myself every day that I have managed to carve out the business that I have.