I had to look 5 times - Ausmumpreneur Finalist

"You deserve it, you’ve done an amazing job".

Those were the words from my husband Andy after reading all about the AusMumprenuer Awards. It honestly sounded amazing, but how would I fare against the other businesses being nominated?

Yes, I dreamed of being a part of it. Yes, I imagined my name there and being seen amongst the other amazing businesses but never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined that I would have made top 12! Top 12! I am a finalist!

I remember the night I put together my application. I was simply speaking from the heart and sharing my journey thus far. It wasn’t hard to put together the words and share how we got to this point. As I was typing, I had no idea that the judges would see something special in my business, and my journey that has now become my whole world.

I started William Ready to first help my son. My beautiful boy William. My first born. The one I had waited years to meet.

2 years to be exact. I went through quite a few complications after suffering from PCOS and Endometriosis. IVF was our path and the day of the IVF counselling, I decided to do a pregnancy test, and would you believe it was POSITIVE!

Fast forward to the moment William was in my arms, I instantly felt blessed. He was perfect. How did I get this lucky? He was all I ever wanted, and I was so happy to finally have him in my arms.

As the years went on, and the happiness and love grew deeper and stronger, I soon began to realise that William was a little different.

Looking back, these differences were what made him so unique, and have now become his superpowers.

Other times, he really struggled though. I didn’t understand, and he simply didn’t know how to express his feelings to me.

He would struggle with things that his peers did with ease. He would stare at objects like they were the most fascinating thing on the planet. Loud, sudden noises were horrendous for him, and he had a terrible time going to people he didn’t know.

The day William was diagnosed is a day that will always stay fresh in my mind. I remember it clearly. I also remember the mixed emotions I went through, and my mind suddenly went to ‘where do we go from here?’

William was diagnosed with Autism and Global Developmental Delay at 22 months and little did we know; at that point our lives would be forever changed. This diagnosis would shape and define our family life forever.

I had heard of Autism, but never did I think it would be a part of my life, and that I would need to understand every little thing about it when it came to my son.

You know the amazing thing though? it has completely opened up my world for the better.

After going through our first real rejection in the school system, I approached my amazing sister/best friend who also happens to be a wonderful primary school teacher. I asked her if she would help prepare William for the transition to Primary School.

From there, we started designing and manufacturing our own educational products. First to help William and now we see them reaching all children in the school and home environment and that honestly brings nothing but joy to my heart.

We have a saying at William Ready being ‘Small Steps Lead to Great Outcomes’ with William being proof of that every day. He sure is a constant reminder to us that being unique is something to be treasured and celebrated, and we want to make sure all children believe that too.

To receive the email that I had become an AusMumprenuer finalist has already made me feel like a winner. I am absolutely delighted to be attending the AusMumpreneuer Awards Gala in September and be surrounded by so many other passionate and amazing women.

The AusMumprenuer awards celebrate and recognise Australian mums in business achieving outstanding success in areas such as business excellence, product development, customer service and digital innovation and I am extremely proud, excited and thankful to be recognised.

The winners of the 2019 AusMumpreneur Awards will be announced in Melbourne on Friday 6 September 2019.

For more information about the awards, visit: www.ausmumpreneur.com

For more information about William Ready, visit: https://www.williamready.com.au/