Emma Chidlaw from embroidery company Revco opens up to unLTD feature writer Brogan Maguire about the challenges of being a woman in business – and how she juggles running a workwear, embroidery and print company with being a mum-of-four.
Emma Chidlaw, who co-owns Sheffield-based embroidery company Revco with her husband John, isn’t 100 per cent sure.
But what she is sure about is that being a mother, a wife, a business owner and a member of staff – as well as trying to have a life of your own – is not easy for anyone.
Running a company is a busy job no matter what, but Emma doesn’t just co-own the business – she also works hands-on in the warehouse, getting involved in the printing, embroidering and packaging of all the products.
She says: “I run the warehouse side of things, so I manage all the staff in there, as well as doing my own embroidery… oh, and all the quality checks! When I say it like that, it does sound like a lot, doesn’t it?”
The good news is that Emma loves the work she does and feels very passionate about it, even if it can be exhausting.
She adds: “We’ve got a few other businesses and I’ve always done our uniforms and sorted our logos so it’s really exciting that now I get to do that for other people.
“What really helps is that I love being busy, and I really do love this business with all my heart.”
It’s a good job she enjoys being busy, as the business has gone from strength to strength over the last year and the team often have large numbers of orders to get out to their customers on a tight deadline.
But another thing that helps Emma and her staff with their stress levels is making sure they never get too bogged down in the heavy workload to have a laugh and enjoy their time at work.
“All the girls in my team, including my sister, tell me they love coming to work, which is lovely to hear,” she says.
“Of course, we do have times when we have a big order to get out and we just have to get our heads down, but there’s no reason why you can’t have fun while you do it.
“There have been people within the business who have specifically requested to be part of my team and I think that’s a testament to what I’m doing. It’s so important to have a good work culture and make people feel valued.”
It’s clear this is a company that champions women – with a fully-female team working in the warehouse – and one that understands the challenges they face.
With four children of her own, Emma is all too familiar with the difficulties that come with balancing motherhood and full-time work.
Whether it’s picking up a poorly child from school unexpectedly, having to shoot off early to get to parents evening or a mad dash to drop off a forgotten PE kit at the school gates, being a working mum comes with plenty of problems to solve.
It’s for that reason that she and John are flexible with their staff and always encourage them to speak up if they are struggling.
Emma says: “I think it’s really important to be all ears with your staff and let them know that you’ve got their back.
“We’re not scary, we’re humans who have been through all the same issues and want to help as much as we can.
“All we ask is that people talk to us and let us know what they need. We’re always really flexible about shifts and try our best to work around them.
“As long as everything gets done and all the orders go out that’s all that counts, so there’s no reason we can’t work around our staff.”
Although her children are a little bit older now, Emma still remembers how challenging it has been over the years to juggle being a mum and running a business.
From school runs to dentist appointments to business meetings halfway across the country, balancing all of her daily tasks has not always been an easy job.
In fact, there’s one particular memory that stands out for her when summarising what life as a working mum is like.
“I remember when Bella was about six months old, I had to get up at 4am and go to Manchester to check on some of our warehouses,” she recalls.
“I was exhausted as I was always up in the night feeding her but there wasn’t another way for me to do it, so I just got on with it. It’s amazing what you can do when you put your mind to it.
“Having said that, it has definitely been a struggle and there have definitely been times when I haven’t known how I was going to get it all done. It really is so much harder when they’re younger.
“Luckily it is a little bit easier now the kids are older as they are a bit more independent and it gives me a bit more freedom. There was a period where they got a bit too used to having me at home all the time so we have had to have some conversations about everyone doing their bit around the house more, but we’re in a good place with that now, thankfully!”
And she couldn’t have done it all without John by her side, her partner in more ways than one.
“I know we don’t always see eye to eye on everything but somehow we just work,” she adds. “Having a husband is a full-time job within itself but I really couldn’t imagine life any other way. We’re such a good team.”
Despite the challenges and the often hectic days, Emma says following her business dreams has always been worth it, and that she’d always encourage anyone else to do the same.
Her advice to other women and mothers who are in a similar position is simple: if you want it, you can have it.
She says: “People say life is too short, so I say go and do it, even if your kids are still young. If there’s something you want to achieve then don’t let anything stop you, because even though it can be difficult it’s so rewarding.
“When they grow up and fly the nest you don’t want to be left wondering ‘what now?’ and having to start from scratch.
“I know it’s easier said than done and that I’ve been in quite a lucky position but make the most of your support networks and just be honest with people about what you need, because nine times out of ten they’ll understand.”
But whether you have children or not, go out to work or not, have a husband or not, there is one thing every woman has in common in Emma’s eyes – they’re all heroes.
She adds: “I take my hat off to every woman out there, no matter what position she’s in, because it’s so hard trying to juggle everything and fit everything in.
“Women do the most amazing job and I am so proud of every single one of them. It’s an honour to have so many wonderful ones in my team.”
To find out more about Revco and their products, call 0330 333 0707 or email hello@revcouk.com
