Marina Baroni started her own business so that she could balance her work and family life. Today we have come to meet her and hear her story at MagaFood, the company that she owns. The 43-year-old combines the joys of motherhood with an enterprising spirit and the typical determination of people who know where they are going.
In what would be an almost inconceivable move for many people, you gave up a steady job to start your own business. Could you tell us your story?
It starts a long time ago, when I used to work at a promotion agency for food products. I was very passionate about the field. When my daughter – who is now eight – was born, I had to rethink my working commitments to fit around my ever greater need to manage my own time independently. On top of this, on a personal level I felt the growing desire to take charge of my own destiny. Therefore I took the big step of giving up my job to start a business. At the time, I felt that it was the solution and path that offered the best way of balancing my work and family life and it led to the founding of MagaFood in 2011.
Could you give us a brief overview of MagaFood?
Our company deals with sales of Italian food products in other countries. Basically, our clients are manufacturers and we represent their brands all over the world, selling products ranging from tuna to Tuscan olive oil and bresaola.
Bearing in mind the economic troubles in the world today, would you make the same decision if you could go back?
Yes. These are difficult times and we grumble about it all like everyone else, but at the end of the day things are going well, although we are fully aware that we are having to work twice as hard as in the past. The value and impact of company efficiency is greatest during times of crisis and it has never been so important for business owners to have the courage to be forward thinking.
Is starting a business a good option for women? Would you recommend it to other mothers? What are the advantages and disadvantages?
I have always thought that women benefit from motherhood because it helps us to develop our multitasking skills and therefore makes us better prepared than men to deal with a number of things at the same time. Having said that, you can’t just jump into these things. To make business decisions, you need know-how, you have to have experience in the field and you must also know your limits. I have a clearly defined career behind me, which includes time spent abroad. That has played an important part in my story, as has my outlook on life, because I have always loved to put myself to the test. I am a very determined person.
What is the secret to getting the right balance between your life as a business owner and your role as a mother?
When you’re running a business, determination, perseverance and self-control are crucial, especially if you’re a mother. Business owners manage to make room for their families because they do not have set working hours, but they never actually stop working. Consequently, it is necessary to be able to handle stress and not feel overwhelmed by business issues. Of course it is also important to have moral support from those around you. As well as helping me with my daughter, my husband endorses and backs my decisions. It is essential to have that in order to reconcile the professional and family sides of things and get some peace of mind in your life.
What recommendations would you make to the government regarding female business owners and the work-life balance?
It almost seems pointless to say that the political situation is disastrous because it is plain for everyone to see that the political class are incompetent. I would ask them to be less short-sighted and more conscientious and open-minded, taking their lead from other countries. We can take inspiration and strive to be more like Scandinavian countries. I would definitely recommend making things as simple as possible and reducing bureaucracy, which hinders growth. As for businesses run by women, they absolutely must be supported. A country where women gain satisfaction from their work and are helped to keep it in balance with their family lives will not only be more civilized but also stronger.
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