Confidence Issue: Katie Barclay

24/03/2019

This week in our confidence issue we catch up with Katie Barclay a mum, business owner and someone we can all relate to. Katie talks to us about being your own worst enemy, turning a hobby into a full time job you’re passionate about and why purpose & goals are so important to her..

Who is Katie Barclay?

I am 26 years old. Wife, of almost five years, to my husband Rob and together we have our gorgeous little fire cracker Zoe, who is two and a half. I own a floristry and styling business called Little Leaf Florals, until recently we have been Auckland based, but we are now in the process of opening up a studio in my home town of Whangarei! I am incredibly family orientated, creative at heart and addicted to a good coffee.

What made you want to get involved in floral design and styling?

In all honesty it isn’t something I consciously thought about, it just sort of happened! I trained in event management and design and when I had my daughter I wanted a hobby to keep my mind ticking and it just organically grew into my full time business. I actually started out with one of my best friends in a little business called Flora and Foto, however her daughter became incredibly unwell so we had to put on the brakes with F&F and so Little Leaf became my sole focus.

How has self-confidence impacted your journey as a business owner and a mother?

Self confidence is huge. A huge part of both owning and starting a business and being a mum. No matter what you do, there will always be people in both scenarios that think your doing it wrong, I remember vividly someone asking me how I was supposed to make a successful business in floral design and styling, that moment was so significant for me. The self doubt came flooding in until I stopped and thought “I’ll show you how”. It was the fuel I needed to start my fire so I’m really grateful for that vocalised doubt now. I often go through little dips of “what am I doing?” “am I doing the right thing?” which I think is completely normal and a big part of reflection, but I find just talking to my husband and close friends about these confidence and motivation lulls pulls me back on track and I rediscover my purpose if you like.

What does confidence mean to you and how do you approach this in your everyday life?

Being content and fulfilled in all aspects of my life makes me confident. For me, confidence has almost nothing to do with physical appearance but more the feeling of satisfaction that I get through achieving both my personal and business goals. Of course, I always feel good when I get up and throw on a nice outfit and some makeup but I feel like my confidence comes from a far deeper place than that. It has taken me a long time and a lot of self work to get me to this point, but I am now so sure of myself as an individual and the direction that I am headed. Surrounding yourself with people who you value as good, strong, successful and kind individuals also helps so much. My Dad always used to tell me “you are what you associate yourself with” and I have found as I have gotten older, that this holds so much truth. Having a purpose is also vital. Reminding yourself everyday of your purpose and your goals is key, as you then strive to achieve something in your day that gets you closer to your end goals.

What knocks your confidence down and how do you deal with this?

Mostly myself to be honest. I am my own worst enemy at times in the sense that I often take on board peoples comments about myself, my parenting style and my business and I really take them to heart. I am very much a verbal reassurance type of person so it does hit me hard if someone doesn’t agree with what I’m doing. I have become very good at talking myself out of these moods, I have to remind myself that you can be the juiciest peach in the world and there will always be someone who doesn’t like peaches. It’s not a reflection on me, it’s that persons individual opinion, and that is completely fine. If someone is continuously dragging me down or having a negative influence on either myself or my work then I try and just distance myself from them. I really do believe that the type of person surrounding you has a massive influence on your success and ability to reach your goals.

What empowers you as a woman?

Self acceptance. Realising my strengths and utilising them, working on my flaws to better myself in all areas of my life. I try to continually learn and grow, not necessarily just in relation to my work and being a mum, but being a better person is a huge one, a better listener, a better friend and wife, all of these things are so important to me and aspects that I am continually trying to better myself in. I feel as though appearance holds a lot of woman back from empowerment, which I think is sad. I think that we all have superficial things we wouldn’t mind changing about ourselves, but realising your strengths and personality traits that you have that make you a good person, and doing something to help someone else and expecting nothing in return is very empowering.

What piece of clothing do you feel confident to take on the world in?

Its gotta be a nice handbag and a good pair of shoes!

Do you think your style has evolved as you’ve become more confident within yourself?

Absolutely, my style is so simple now that I am so content. I love to just rock around in a good T and a comfy pair of jeans or culottes. or a nice simple no patterned dress etc if I am going out.

What women inspire you?

As soon as I read this there were three that sprung to mind. As cheesy as it is, my mum. Through her life she has been through more than most and she’s come out the other side smiling, successful and loving. My older sister is also a huge one for me. Our family has been through some incredibly tough times and she has always taken a lot of the weight off of me, often to the detriment of herself. She inspires me in the way that she is so selfless and so empathetic, she unknowingly challenges and inspires me everyday to be a better person, to see other peoples struggles and to try and help them in anyway that I can. And thirdly one of my best friends. She has been faced with one of the hardest life curveballs that anyone could face in having a really, properly ill child, instead of collapsing into a heap she got up and she fought, she showed her daughter how to be strong and how to be kind and loving at the same time. I really have no words for these three woman. They aren’t celebrities, and to most, they are just everyday people. But they are all so inspiring and such amazing people and I am just blessed that they are all such a huge and important part of my life.

What advice would you give to our customers about self-confidence and believing in themselves?

There’s a reason why we are called individuals, we’re not supposed to be the same. Find your passion and run with it. Put in the work and you will achieve whatever it is that you want to achieve. Nothing good ever comes to those who wait, be the master of your own destiny, and the confidence I promise will follow suit.

What’s your favourite piece from The Borrowed Collective & why?

The new Cascade Crush Gown! It’s such a gorgeous colour and would be flattering on all shapes and sizes.

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