It's almost Mother's Day, so I've accumulated a list of ideas for the special women in your life!

Cleverhand Print

Cleverhand is owned and operated by the lovely Emily Wilson who lives in Sydney, Australia.
I've purchased two custom prints from her and they are both my favourite pieces of art we have in our home.

A nice idea would be to get your Mum's favourite quote/song or to have all the members of your family written (like the image below).

HOT TIP: ALL MOTHER’S DAY ORDERS TO BE PLACED BY MIDNIGHT ON FRIDAY 3RD MAY. ORDERS SENT ON WEDNESDAY 8TH MAY.

Joco Reusable Cup

JOCO reusable glass coffee cups are so nice, ergonomic and eco-friendly. I LOVE mine which I got as a promo from The Source Bulk Foods in Rhodes, NSW. I love it so much in fact, that I actually went back and got my husband one as well! These would be great for the eco-conscious Mum, Mum-to-be or MIL.... and you could even fill them with some healthy homemade treats or goodies from The Source Bulk Foods. 
HOT TIP: Other reusable cup brands here.
​

Black Chicken Remedies Skincare Travel Set 

This Travel Set is an excellent way to introduce your Mum to the benefits of low-tox beauty. You get 7 of their outstanding products in a cute black and teal travel kit.

What's inside? Their oil cleanser, exfoliating polish, toning mist, facial serum, multi-purpose balm, body oil and their all-natural deodorant. All of these items are to die for, all-natural, cruelty free and toxin free!
​

Notes To My Future Daughter

Catie Gett is the author of Notes To My Future Daughter, and this would be an incredibly thoughtful gift for a a Mumma-to-be that knows she is expecting a girl, or any Mum for that matter.
HOT TIP: Check out her Instagram, it is all kinds of wonderful.

GoodnessME Box Gift Subscription

Looking for a fun, unique gift that will keep them on their toes?
Gift a GoodnessMe Box for three months, and it's only $85! Each box has 7-10 health products and samples that have been hand picked and curated by a team of nutritionists, naturopaths and doctors. If need be, you can even set dietary requirements for the gifted boxes (for example: gluten free, dairy free, vegan, gluten and dairy free).

​GoodnessMe also offer free shipping Australia wide which is always a bonus in my book since I think everything should be free shipping!

Sorry that this post wasn't up sooner!
​All the best on the hunt for the perfect present!

EMK x

There is something about being pregnant that seems to lift a lot of people's proverbial filter, am I right?

The uninvited belly touching, the crazy personal questions, it's enough to make your head spin, exorcist style. I'm lucky mine have been quite tame this time around. Here are my top asked questions thus far, with my answers attached as well:

​
1. Are you going to find out the gender?

Yes!


2. Would you prefer a boy or a girl?

I'd love to give my husband the boy he has always dreamed of.
I wanted my firstborn to be a boy, but I was so happy once I give birth to and met my baby girl!


3. How far along are you?

24 weeks.


4. Are you going public or private for the birth?

Private.


5. Where are you having the baby?

Westmead Private, Westmead in their brand new maternity suite which opens in March 2019.
It's like a 5 star hotel, I'm so pumped!


6. Have you chosen a name?

We don't have a boy name yet, and we have nearly decided on a girl's first name.


7. Do you have any cravings?

Spicy food, asian food, fish tacos, Indian food and bao buns.
None of which I really eat funnily enough- except for the occasional homemade asian fusion dishes.


8. Are you going to get an epidural?

No thanks! I always aim for as natural a birth as possible. 

9. How do you think your daughter will adjust to having a new sibling?  
She is so excited to be a big sister! She kisses my tummy all the time and her fav book at the moment is "There's a House Inside My Mummy."


10. How do you feel about giving birth again?

I'm excited I guess. I know I'll hate the waiting game in the final few weeks, but I had a really good birth experience with my daughter....  even though it didn't remotely go to plan (read my birth story here) and we had some big hiccups.
​I can't wait to grow our little family and introduce our little bubba to her sister, and the world.
​

11. What are your favourite green beauty brands to use during pregnancy?

Black Chicken Remedies: 1. All natural deodorant  2. The skin complexion polish and
3. The nocturnalist night serum
For an even complexion: La Mav Organic BB cream (medium shade)
For added face hydration: Biologi, Bf Hydration body serum 
For sunscreen: Simple as That, SPF 30
For my belly and my daughter's skin too: Byron Baby macadamia oil
(I'll do another blog post about these and more later on)
_____

Are you pregnant too? Tell me in the comments below the craziest thing you've been asked!

EMK x

Meet Ayda.

Girl Boss.
Property tycoon. 
CEO.
Spiritually tuned in.

Ayda had to create her own empire, single handedly. She wasn't a trust fund baby, and she wasn't handed the reins to any of her companies through nepotism. From a very young age Ayda learned that hard work was a necessity if you wanted to have financial freedom.

Ayda's family left the revolution in Iran to seek a better life in Australia where they were granted residency through her father's skilled working visa as a successful engineer. Ayda was only 4 years old when she landed Down Under and didn't speak a lick of English. Ayda distinctly remembers the routine of boarding the bus with her mother weekly to attend English classes in the CBD. One particular memory that has seared into Ayda's memory is witnessing her mother's helplessness due to her lack of an education. Yet, her mother persisted and continued to board their bus, with a prejudice bus driver no less, in an attempt to make Ayda's life better.  

Ayda gets goosebumps sharing this story to this day. It most definitely fueled the fire in her belly to be hungry for knowledge, and subsequent freedom to be given the opportunity to do whatever she set her mind to. 

The adversity didn't stop there though, as Ayda found herself treading though her tumultuous teenage years where she lacked the stability of a steady home life. When many others would have succumb to complacency, Ayda decided to carve a path for her future, and she landed her first job at Hungry Jacks (Burger King) making $7.50 a hour. This job allowed Ayda to move out of home at the age of 16 years old where she became entirely self-sufficient and started saving her cash. Keeping her nose to the grindstone, and deep in her school books, meant that Ayda was able to purchase her first property at the ripe age of 18!

Ayda has been working in property ever since and has founded multiple seven figure companies and boasts a property portfolio worth over 10 million dollars. She's ambitious, determined and passionate about making other GenY men and women property owners too. 

In order to help facilitate​ this, Ayda has co-founded a company called Grow Group. Their aim is to help clients from all walks of life source and purchase property easily. All the consultants own property and are successful investors in their own right, so you know you're in good hands. In order to introduce more people to the road to property ownership,  Ayda and her team host an introductory workshop via Grow Group, and I had the pleasure of attending one of their events last week. The evening was hosted at their swanky office in Pyrmont and included bubbles, food and an opportunity to mix socially with the other guests. The workshop itself was fascinating with a lovely introduction from Ayda and an easy to understand powerpoint presentation plus a complimentary learn as you go notebook to help you answer some important questions. There were loads of boogie breaks to dance out any restless legs and the team were such gracious hosts. I highly recommend attending a workshop in person if you can. Keep your eyes peeled because they are available in Brisbane, Sydney AND Melbourne!

But, now I want to share more about the woman behind all the magic! So thrilled to have you on today sharing with our readers Ayda!
Let's dive in:

If there was only one thing that you could share with those who aren't familiar with who Ayda Shabanz is, what would that be?

Mmmm. I'm not sure I understand this question, but I would probably say:
Looks can be deceiving. I've been judged on who I am my whole life because of how I look, but that doesn't define who I am. 

I am Strong. I am independent. I am wild and free spirited. I am down to earth. I am adventurous. I am courageous. 

I've been through many struggles, and I'm sure there are more to come. 
I believe that my life has unfolded in such a way so that I can understand and empower people to show the world what we are capable of.
(Oh wow, that was uplifting. I almost stood up off my chair with my fist to the sky - ha ha!)


You talked a lot about your WHY during the workshop; (the motivating factor that propelled you into this line of work and property ownership). How crucial is this step of carving out a WHY if a client wants to achieve financial success and freedom?

I feel like the journey through life is a constant search for meaning after meaning.  You don't have to know the reason for life today, I just want to stress that point. Many people struggle with this idea and it creates a lot of stress. Your WHY is more in relation to having a clear picture of what you want your life to look like in 5 years  to 10 years. If you can't define that clearly, your basically walking through life blindfolded with no real idea where you're headed.  So many people don't spend enough time with themselves to figure this part out for themselves.

In terms of investing, it's critical because having an idea of where you want to be allows you to make proper decisions on what type of investment or investing can help achieve your goals. For example, you'd need to know how much money to save, how much you'd need to earn and what types of investments are available to you. So many people get this part wrong or leave it out!

Also, it's OK if it things change along the way - hence why you review your plans annually.  

Some people may not know that you are also a successful business coach. What does a business coach do exactly, and when should a business owner take the step to recruit one themselves?  

 I love helping other business people. It's all about making better decisions and getting faster results. 
 
There are many different types of coaches and their ultimate goal is to help you get a better result to achieve your aspirations. In terms of business coaching, this is in relation to one's specific business. A business coach will keep you accountable and help you formulate your goals into a set strategy and implement them into results. They should provide experience and insight in business areas beyond your level of experience. Business coaches also act as a sounding board around questions and/or decision making as well as opening you up to a network of people that can help you achieve your goals.

I have, and continue to have, all types of coaches in my life (business, life and spiritual), and in my opinion everyone should have one. Especially if your business is slowing your own growth because you're trying to do it all on your own. In a start-up phase it's even more crucial to do it right and get the correct guidance.


Did you know that your Persian derived name, Ayda, means, “Visitor, returning, inside the moon, happy, angel of love?"

Yeah, it has lots of meanings which are all amazing and around bright light. I do believe I have a big purpose here. x

The different meanings of the name Aida are:
Arabic meaning: visitor, returning.
Swahili meaning: advantage, reward.
Persian meaning: shining like a moon or beautiful as a moon.
Turkish meaning: a special flower that grows beside the river.

You shared an outstanding quote during the workshop from Warren Buffet, which reads, "Be fearful when others are greedy and greedy when others are fearful."
Can you tell us about a time in your last 16 years of business that this rang true for you? 

I've seen this many times in my 16 years, but more specifically in terms of GFC or times of financial crisis. I've seen many people ready to benefit when times are down and many people make fearful mistakes.

For example, we purchased loads of property for clients in 2003-2008 in Sydney when the market was so flat people thought it would never recover. So, we took the opportunity, and as a result, our clients reaped the benefits when the market boomed. It's all cycles, you just have to trust your own numbers and hold on for the ride.  


What is it about Gen Y that makes them an ideal target audience for Grow Consulting Group? 

I'm a Gen Y gal and I've been in business for 16 years.  I've seen so many people do it wrong, and I want to help everyone. But now, more then ever, I want to help my generation because I understand what we've been through (and are going through). 
 

Work/life balance is: possible, or a myth?

It's always a matter of priority. I think balance is possible, but that comes with making tough choices. For example, saying no to certain things you want so that you can give yourself the things you need, or saying no to watching TV because you want to exercise. These kinds of choices can make having a reasonable balance possible. 
 

Finish this sentence: Social media is...
an opportunity to reach and help more people if you are authentic and real. 


Owning multiple properties has allowed me to ___________________, which has changed my life for the better because _______________________ . 

 Owning multiple properties has allowed me to have choices, which has changed my life for the better because now I have the opportunities to grow myself, my business, and do more of the things that I love.


What is your definition of success? 

Loving who you are, loving what you do with your time and making a positive impact on the people you touch and the world. 
... ALL with a big smile on your face, and light flashing off your aura (I know I'm strange). 


What is the first thing you do every single morning?
 
I make my bed, then make a tea or celery juice, light a candle and meditate.


At a few of your speaking engagements I've heard you discuss the importance of meditation. How does this mindfulness practice enhance your day to day life?

It helps me to reconnect with myself and my purpose. Busy lives make us disconnect from our spirit. 

As a busy business woman with a hectic schedule, how do you practice self-care? Or, is this an unnecessary indulgence in your opinion?

Self-care is putting yourself first when you need to. I totally have to do this because I give a lot of energy every day to my work, meetings and staff. I practice self-care a few different ways:
meditation, walking outdoors, cooking, reading and sleeping when I need to. Oh, and listening to beautiful music as well.  


What is your 2019 forecast for the Australian property market?
I see opportunity for those willing to not get sucked into the negative talk. 


What do you do to get the creative juices flowing? 

Listen to music. I prefer jazz or classical tunes.
Getting outdoors and exploring nature. 
Getting out of the city and working in creative places. 
Listening to uplifting YouTube videos. 


Who is your greatest inspiration and why?
Oprah. She fought many obstacles in her life, but she's a resilient and empowered black women who accomplished things people couldn't even begin to imagine. She has stayed true to her values, who she is and has never changed. She inspires so many people from her life and her struggles. Recently, I also love Lady Gaga.

Give us your fast five:
I'm listening to: Jay Shetty.
I'm loving: exploring new walking tracks. 
I'm reading: Ray Dalio, The Principals.
I'm eating: I'm always cooking new things. Currently I'm eating a lot of homemade, organic paleo based food. 
I'm loathing: the businesses that serve no purpose in Sydney.