Our Featured Hustler of the week is Simone Mathews, a past High-End Hustler, current UpLevel member & founder of Soul Home.
Following in the spirit of Super Mums nailing it in business & motherhood, it was a no brainer featuring Simone this week.
Simone is an interior designer by trade & has multiple holiday rentals which her and her husband have styled & built! She is also a mother to 4 boys, so she knows first hand the challenges of balancing Motherhood & business.
Where are you right now?
I am in Cronulla which is south of Sydney. We moved here a few months ago and live a street away from the beach. I call it camping as we are going to be completing a full renovation/build.
I am currently sitting at my computer in my cossie, having a cuppa with the sun shining in. ( full disclaimer: this is quite an abnormal day for me which usually involves a build site).
Tea or coffee?
Almond milk cappuccino right now, but come Monday I am giving it up for good! Wish me luck.
Tell us a bit about what you do at Soul Home?
I wear a few hats. I am an interior designer, I am a HPO (Holiday Property Owner) and I am online educator/consultant for all things build/design/style and creating holiday property businesses.
Why do you do what you do?
I love that I can transform people’s daily lives with houses. How a house makes you feel has such a big impact on our mental health. Whether it be your day to day home or a holiday property that you set up or go and stay. This is my purpose and what keeps my cup overflowing!
What rituals do you have in place to help you get the most out of your day?
I get up each morning at 5am and head to outdoor training by the ocean as the sunrises, it allows me to start my day in a calm way but it also makes me feel productive as I have already done something for myself.
Not exactly a ritual, but I do try to go for an ocean swim whenever I can. It reinvigorates all of my senses and clears my head.
How do you get into flow?
Turning off the emails, phones and the to do list in my head. It is truly when my creative side of my brain comes to life and that is when I can visualise the best, be it business or personal. It is doing one thing, and only that one thing.
What is your favourite thing about running your business?
Diversity. My business is forever evolving and it is never boring. I love that and passion for houses and travel has been combined into my business, and this is what I get up to do on the daily!
What book, podcast & song are you jamming to at the moment?
I just finished Samantha Wills ‘of Gold and Dust’ … it was one of the best books I have read in a long time.
The song that I have on repeat in my head is Sunrise by Norah Jones. I experienced the most amazing sunrise last week whilst floating in the ocean and the feeling hasn’t left.
I just listened to Anita from Brandfetti’s 100th podcast episode, it was a great one!
If you could have dinner with 3 people (dead or alive), who would they be & why?
- Jenifer Aniston. I have always adored her. She is so resilient, stylish and looks to be a strong yet fun person.
- Mark Bouris. He is such a straight talker, says it as it is. Would love to talk all things business and convince him to put me on his podcast (lol).
- My Nana. She passed away before my four boys were born and I would love to just catch up on life, laugh and feel her love one more time.
What has been your biggest takeaway from High End Hustlers so far?
Don’t wait for perfection otherwise you will never do what you set out to do. This was a game changer for me when I first signed up. Without this advice I would never of launched my online guide for Holiday Property Owners which hit the six figure income!
And if I can cheat, I would add the power of connecting and networking. THe HEH group is where I have met so many amazing people who have become beautiful friends.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years time?
First of all living in a home that we have built (finally) for my family after years of being nomads, and living a simple yet fun life.
Business wise, running a seven figure online business that empowers people with the knowledge and confidence to build their homes, be it a holiday property or their own home. The business allows me to work three days a week around school hours with my children.
I have created my next holiday property which is a motel on the NSW South Coast. My role was to create and set up, with a team managing the day to day running of the business.
Life is slow, simple and that in turns is success to me!
Best piece of business advice you have been given?
Aim high. It wasn’t business advice, rather it was from my driving instructor when I was aged 16. It is not just about looking at the car in front of your nor the one in front of that. It is about looking further in front of you so that you know where you are going.
For me, I have taken this advice into business. I aim high from the beginning, I look at the opportunities and set out to achieve them. It is still about putting one step in front of another, knowing what you want, the steps to get there and going for it!
Want to connect with Karina & keep the conversation going?
Instagram: @soulhomeaus
Website: www.soulhome.com.au
