Gina Ryan, a 39-year-old entrepreneur, shares her inspiring journey of building a successful business while prioritising her family. Starting in the network marketing industry ten years ago, Gina sought flexibility to recover from a serious surgery and generate income from home. This initial step into entrepreneurship planted the seeds for her passion project: microgreens.
Gina launched The Micro Green Queen three years ago, a business focused on growing and selling microgreen vegetables. She identified a clear market gap and was captivated by the nutritional benefits and ease of incorporating microgreens into daily diets. Her venture quickly outpaced her expectations, growing rapidly and gaining traction among health-conscious consumers.
However, Gina faced a critical decision. As a mother of two young children, she struggled to balance her ambitions with the demands of full-time childcare. The challenge of expanding her business clashed with her desire to dedicate more time to her children, leaving her at a crossroads. “There’s this expectation that women can do it all, but without a support system, it quickly becomes overwhelming”. Ultimately, she decided to step back from direct management and find someone ready to take the business to the next level, prioritising her family’s needs.
“There’s this expectation that women can do it all, but without a support system, it quickly becomes overwhelming”.
Gina’s story highlights female entrepreneurs’ unique challenges, especially when balancing family responsibilities. Reflecting on the lack of communal support compared to previous generations, she notes how the busy pace of modern life has eroded the “village” mentality that once helped parents raise children collectively. Her experience underscores a broader issue many women face in entrepreneurship: juggling the pressure to succeed professionally while fulfilling caregiving roles. Despite these challenges, Gina remains optimistic about building a successful business while maintaining her role as a dedicated mother, embodying the resilience and determination of many female entrepreneurs.
Through initiatives like the Grass Ceiling project, Gina connected with other women entrepreneurs, fostering a community of support and collaboration. Her journey is a testament to entrepreneurship’s complex but rewarding path for women who refuse to choose between family and career.