Sticking to something she loves, and listening to her instinct has allowed this design retailer to create an authentic design range which is now into its third collection.
Tell us bout Maz Lifestyle & Design. Maz Lifestyle and Design is an over-50s online fashion boutique, inspired by me, Maz. I’m 59 years old, a mother to four adult children and a grandmother to 6.5 grandchildren. I live in the small outback town of Clarinda, I love designing clothes and helping women navigate midlife with style and humour.
What inspired you to start your own clothing label? I have always sewn from a very young age, since learning from my late mother, Peggy. I made my own and my children’s clothes. I would always be asked where the clothes I was wearing were from and if I could make them for others. After doing this for so many years and becoming frustrated that I couldn’t keep up to demand I investigated the manufacturing of my designs. The rest is history. In December I released my third collection.
What is unique about Maz Lifestyle & Style? I would say authenticity and being myself, as I don’t follow the crowd or trends. I do things that bring me joy in my unique way.
Knowing what you know now, is there anything you would have done differently when you were first starting out? Nothing. Yes, there have been many lessons learned while I’ve built my following and my business. But looking back now, without all the things that went wrong I wouldn’t be an expert now. I also follow my gut a lot, when all the Instagram gurus were saying that your page and content had to be perfectly curated, I didn’t believe that to be correct as I wanted the real and raw content of life. Life’s not like a picture-perfect Instagram graph. And I’m glad I did because I wouldn’t be here today as that is what people love about my page.
What have you sacrificed at any given stage of your career? I’ve built my business to fit around my family and our lifestyle and kept it small. When I was in my 20s to 30s I was raising my family and I fitted in my creative endeavours around them. When I had my business at the Gold Coast they were all attending school, and I was very fortunate to have a wonderfully supportive husband that helped lighten the load. I'm home-based and do all aspects of Maz Lifestyle and Design business myself, but occasionally I will call my daughters to help their technically challenged mum.
How do you balance work and life responsibilities? I prioritise my time, and will always choose to babysit my grandchildren over posting on social media - the reason I’ve kept my business small and home-based. However, I do spend countless hours early in the morning and late at night responding to people's comments because I feel that’s important.
What would you say is your personal definition of success? Doing something that I love which brings so much joy to others, and being able to do it my own unique way.
What advice would you give to the next generation of female leaders? The best is yet to come! You will go through life’s ups and downs that will test you in so many different ways. Do it your way, and don’t force anything. Listen to your gut and when an opportunity or a person presents itself to you and it feels right, go for it. Also, don’t let your current situation hold you down as it is not your final destination.
What have you enjoyed most about owning your own business?
As I’m a one-man band, it is being your own boss and having to be hands-on In every aspect of your business.
What’s on the horizon for Maz Lifestyle & Design in 2023?
Hopefully to start writing a book that I’ve had rattling around upstairs for many years. I also want to expand on the content I’m creating for women navigating midlife and incorporate some mind, body and soul posts, and maybe a retreat to the Outback where women can have a taste of what it’s like to live in a wonderful country community.
Location: CARINDA | NSW
Instagram: mazlifestyle
Facebook: Maz Lifestyle