Taking the leap: How two women followed their dreams
Donna Cardona (left) and Amy Camilleri Zahra
Every four years we get an extra day - February 29. It’s a bonus day that can act as a reminder or a nudge - to take that leap. We spoke to two women who did just that: they overcame hesitation, self-doubt and other obstacles and just went for it. They share their story as well as some tips to encourage others to do just that: take the leap.
“It was now or never” - Donna Cardona
The idea to set up MyMama had been knocking at Donna’s mind for years. Then, in 2020, Donna decided to listen to that voice and took the leap. For her, it was “now or never”. She set up MyMama to fill a gap she had experienced when she first became a mother. She wanted to create a platform where to access consultations and services, courses and events to support families throughout pregnancy and parenthood.
What led to you taking the leap to start your business?
MyMama had been forming in my mind for quite some time. When I fell pregnant with my eldest two twin girls there were no childcare centres. I enjoy being creative and doing things outside the home. As much as I liked being there for my girls, the lack of adult contact was quite isolating.
I would research and read about parenting and child development. The information I needed was all over the place. Fast forward to when I had my youngest two children, and the issues were the same – there was no platform to find all the resources as a new parent.
Back then I used to work in product development in the food industry, so the product development way of thinking was always there. The idea of developing a platform for pregnancy and parenthood was one of the ‘product’ ideas I had. But it remained an idea.
Then four years ago when I fell pregnant with my fourth daughter, I felt I could not grow any further at work. I had some savings. I was three months pregnant and 36 years old. It was now or never. I left my full-time job to start building MyMama.
“Then four years ago when I fell pregnant with my fourth daughter, I felt I could not grow any further at work. I had some savings. I was three months pregnant and 36 years old. It was now or never. I left my full-time job to start building MyMama.”
How long did it take to move from idea stage to reality?
While I was building it I took on freelance work and eventually even a full-time job in business development to get a different take on business in general.
When I was happy with the business plan I drew up, I applied for a Malta Enterprise grant, left my job and had everything ready to kickstart my business. Initially, it was meant to be a brick-and-mortar business.
Then Covid hit and I had to change my plans drastically and re-skill myself. The concept evolved to a one-stop-shop online platform. I had to learn how to build a website and completed a digital marketing diploma. I put a team together to do online consultation and courses and launched in 2020 – about a year and a half after first drawing up the business proposal.
What is the biggest “secret” to acting on an idea, rather than letting it fade away?
It’s about keeping in mind that our time is not infinite. I’m the type of person who would hate to live with the regret of not having tried or acted on something. I’d rather have tried and failed, than been too scared to try.
“It’s about keeping in mind that our time is not infinite. I’m the type of person who would hate to live with the regret of not having tried or acted on something. I’d rather have tried and failed, than been too scared to try.”
Image: Donna with some MyMama team members.
If an idea just stays in your mind, it's not very useful to anyone. Being excited about new projects is a quality that helps with actioning ideas. There are plenty of ideas that I have had that got shelved. But the ones that stay there and that I remain excited about are the ones worth trying. So filtering through ideas is also important.
How did you find the time and energy - in between work, family life and everything in between?
Enthusiasm trumps everything. It gives you energy and an extra boost to work at nighttime and manage deadlines. That - and how certain you are about your concept - are key. If you have faith that you are going in the right direction, it helps you find the time. It's not only about time, but also about energy and determination.
Were there times throughout this journey when you second-guessed yourself? How did you push through?
Every single day I doubt myself. Imposter syndrome is something I still really struggle with. Probably the fact that I'm more of a jack of all trades, and I'm new at entrepreneurship as opposed to having years of experience, doesn't help. But I often question if I’m doing the right thing.
“You always have the opportunity to change direction. This is not the final decision you will ever take. Even if you’re doubting yourself it can be edited – based on feedback.”
I second-guess myself and, when that happens, I remind myself that even though the progress feels slow, I have to remember the achievements and milestones. The progress is there – clients are positive. I take constructive criticism on board and I’m very open to clients and our community being part of this journey. This helps when I am doubtful as to if I am going in the right direction. Time will tell if this is the right direction and, if not, you pivot.
You always have the opportunity to change direction. This is not the final decision you will ever take. Even if you’re doubting yourself it can be edited – based on feedback.
What were the toughest parts?
There is no financial security when starting a business. Especially in the first few years. You have to plan euro by euro and, ideally, have a Plan B. Also, if it all fails, you have to be ready to go back to an alternative.
What advice would you give to women/mothers who have an idea brewing in their minds but fear the big leap?
Build a little bit of a net, for example, six months' worth of savings. Work on your idea part-time while still in employment. Have a Plan B to have something to fall back on - at least you would have tested your idea and tried to make it work. Look and seek mentors – don’t try to do it alone.
“You need to push yourself” - Amy Camilleri Zahra
This year Amy Camilleri Zahra completed her PhD. During the eight-year journey a lot happened. Amy’s beloved father passed away, she became a mother and there was a global pandemic. Covid forced her to remain indoors due to her medical vulnerability: brought about after she contracted bacterial meningitis at the age of 21, which led to the amputation of her legs and fingers and a kidney transplant. Amy remained determined to move on with her life. She went back to university and read for a degree in Psychology, obtained her Masters in Disability Studies, and now completed her doctorate.
What led to you taking the leap and signing up for your PhD? How long did it take?
There were multiple reasons. One of the main ones is that I like the process of conducting research. When I got sick in 2006, I was reading for a degree in mechanical engineering. But, after that, I started reading for a degree in psychology where there is a strong element of research. I also enjoy broadening my knowledge about issues I am interested in. It was also a natural step in my career to obtain a permanent teaching post at the University of Malta.
It took eight years. I submitted my proposal in 2015. Earlier that year I had lost my father, who I was very close to, and the proposal was a way of coping.
Doing a PhD is not a linear process. Life happens. There are lots of highs and lows. In my case, I was pregnant, had my son, spent a few weeks in hospital before and after giving birth. Then I planned to send him to nursery when he was two and a half. But Covid happened. I had to change the data collection method from face-to-face interviews, as I am medically vulnerable as I had a kidney transplant. It took longer because of all these things. But somehow, I managed.
How did you find the time and energy - in between work, family life and everything in between?
I’m not sure. I think the last two years were the hardest as I had to set a tight deadline for myself. Also, as a mum, I had to juggle extracurriculars and holidays. In fact, I’m replying to you while I wait for my son in the car to finish an extracurricular activity.
It boils down to time management and good organisational skills. I work with a lot of visual plans so I would draw up a calendar of the month and try to stick to it as much as possible.
“It boils down to time management and good organisational skills. I work with a lot of visual plans so I would draw up a calendar of the month and try to stick to it as much as possible.”
Image: Amy’s desk
You can’t just work when you feel like, you have to be disciplined. You can’t rely on feeling motivated. Sometimes you have to push yourself.
Having said that, I was adamant on not neglecting my family time so I rarely worked on Sundays as I did not want to start resenting my PhD for taking me away from my family. I was strict with my time.
There is that feeling that you are never ready with your research and I did struggle with that. You have to draw a line and this is where your supervisor helps a lot.
To some people medical issues or disabilities result in them limiting their dreams. What kept you growing?
I’ve always been of the belief that, very often people with medical issues or disabilities are not hindered by their own impairment, but by society and the barriers they encounter. It’s important to have ambitions no matter what your medical issues or disabilities.
They are what keep us living. If we set limits for ourselves, what is the point? Work keeps me busy and motivates me and drives me. You always have to work with what you have but you have to keep dreaming.
“Gianni was also a motivation. I wanted to show my son that, if you start something you finish it no matter how long it takes you or how hard it is. Things don’t always come easy – you have to work hard at things.”
During this journey, were there times when you wanted to throw in the towel?
There were plenty of times when I wanted to throw in the towel, especially towards the end. There were so many times I wanted to give up. Sometimes I went down the road of: ‘Why am I putting myself through all this stress and work, when I’ve been through enough in my life?’
But I did not allow myself to dwell too much on those thoughts. I would take a little break and wake up tomorrow feeling fresher.
Apart from this, what really helped, was that I had a lot of support from my husband, my mother and my in-laws with meals and watching Gianni.
What kept you going?
I’m very much the type of person who wants to finish what I start. I hate leaving things half-baked. There was also an element of pride. Telling people I’m doing a PhD made it real, so I had to finish it.
I was also adamant on not missing out on fun things. Of course, towards the last year I had to give up on things and I had to say ‘no’ to a lot of things as I needed the time.
Gianni was also a motivation. I wanted to show my son that, if you start something you finish it no matter how long it takes you or how hard it is. Things don’t always come easy – you have to work hard at things.
“I would encourage other women or mothers to further their education. Furthering your knowledge is something you do for yourself and no one can take it away from you.”
Image: The day of Amy’s Viva.
What advice would you give to women/mothers who wish to study further?
I would encourage other women or mothers to further their education. Furthering your knowledge is something you do for yourself and no one can take it away from you.
It’s important to be organised - allocate specific time, and work even when you don’t feel like. Having a good support network helps and make sure you have a good balance to avoid getting burnt out.