The ups and downs of running your own businessI think it’s safe to say the last 12 years have shaped my life, and it’s also a sure bet that I couldn’t have got through the last 1 yeasr without the love and support of the many friends I have made through running Harminis. I thank you all!
I’m KateTyson (nee Smith) and I run Harminis music and movement group for preschoolers, babies and toddlers.
Rewind 12 years to how it all began…
I was a newly single parent with a small child –Molly must’ve been about 1. I was a childminder which allowed me to stay home and raise her. Molly was showing the Smith flare for music at an early age and I was eager for her to explore and develop this talent BUT I just couldn’t afford to take her to the nearest class which at the time was in York. I decided to start a little hobby group, to meet other mums – it was incredibly isolating living in a small village being a skint single mum.
Little Monkeys Music & Movement classes were born and held weekly above Animal Antics (now Captain Barneys in Malton) They were a huge hit straight away and soon I was doing up to 13 classes throughout Yorkshire a week and birthday parties on weekends. I was a busy lady! Juggling all the usual hurdles like poorly children, being snowed in and broken down cars etc!
Fast forward a few years I had a cease and desist email land in my inbox.
Wait…WHAT? a big franchise ‘MONKEY MUSIC’ from down South was taking me to court for infringing their copyright. What a headache that was! When creating the hobby group the name Little Monkeys Music & Movement was just picked to fit with the animal themed venue. I never dreamt in a million years that this little group would become my business.
A few thousand pounds, lots of coffee and tons of support from all my wonderful customers, I rebranded to Harminis. I never knew trade marking was such a minefield and never ever want to have to do all that again!
I carried on with everything, happily just living life and doing a job I absolutely loved. I met James, my future husband and fell pregnant. In June 2015 I miscarried. It was a blow but I picked myself up and carried on. Over the moon to be pregnant again, I miscarried again in June 2016 on the very same day. How cruel is life? This hit me a lot harder and the future of Harminis hung in the balance. I just couldn’t get happy. I was going through the motions but not enjoying my work anymore. I watched mums expecting at the same time as I was growing their babies and it hurt. In fact I wasn’t enjoying anything anymore, but in true Kate style I slapped on the smile and stiff upper lip and ploughed on. I cut the classes right back and ummed and arghed as to whether to have a complete career change. I just didn’t know what I wanted to do or what to do with myself. James and I bought our wedding forward and I threw myself into planning that. It helped to have something to focus on. In May 2018 we finally got our rainbow baby and now I’m sticking with Harminis for sure as I love it all again. Don’t get me wrong, life is an absolute juggle. I’ve a teenager, 2 step kids, a baby; I’m running Harminis and being a hands on farmers wife too.
My underlying foundation with Harminis is to offer support and a network to all parents. Raising kids can be hard and lonely and I never want anyone to feel as isolated as I did in those lonely early days as a new mum. My door is always open and friends are ready to be made.
I know I managed to get through all the curve balls thrown at me with the help and support from the many friends I’ve made through running Harminis, and for that I’m forever grateful. Thanks guys
