Naughty Naturopath Mum at 12: The Struggles Behind the Scenes
This month, Naughty Naturopath Mum turned 12. Twelve years of running my own business—something that still amazes me when I stop to think about it. It has been incredibly rewarding, fulfilling, and something I’m deeply proud of. But if I’m being truly honest, it has also nearly broken me more times than I can count.
I want to share the harder parts of this journey, because I believe transparency and emotional health matter. Running a small online business is not all pretty product photos and happy customers—it’s a rollercoaster of highs and lows that can take a serious toll.
The Juggle of Business and Motherhood
Building a business while raising children has been both a gift and a challenge. On the one hand, I was able to be there for sick days, school events, and those special little moments that mattered. But on the other hand, there were just as many times when I wasn’t available—when something had broken, or a launch had gone wrong, or when the stress and burnout meant my kids weren’t always getting the best version of me.
That constant pull between being a present mum and a present business owner is something I’ve never quite mastered—it often felt like I was failing at one when I was focusing on the other.
The Toll of Online Trolling
One of the hardest experiences in these 12 years was being severely trolled online. The names, the negativity, the constant barrage of strangers’ opinions—it all got so overwhelming that I had to shut down my social media pages for a couple of weeks just to let it die down. It’s easy to say “don’t take it personally,” but when it’s directed at you day after day, it cuts deep.
Decision Fatigue
Running a business solo means the decisions—big and small—are always up to me. And the bigger the business grew, the bigger the decisions became. There were times I questioned whether I had a “head for business” at all. The second guessing, the decision fatigue, the longing to just hand it over to someone else and say “you decide”—but that option never really existed.
Life Doesn’t Pause for Business
Over the years, I’ve learnt that life doesn’t stop just because you’re running a business. During one of the hardest times—my daughter’s battle with anorexia—I was incredibly supported and had to step back as much as I could. But even then, the business still needed me. Delegation helps, but when you’re at the helm, there’s always some level of direction required. Sometimes that weight felt impossible to carry alongside personal struggles.
The Work Follows You Everywhere
Running an online business means your work is always in your pocket—in the form of your phone. Twelve years in, I still haven’t mastered switching off. I’ve worked on holidays, on weekends, at odd hours… because it’s always there. There’s freedom in flexibility, but there’s also a constant hum that never really turns off.
Social Media Shifts
When I first started, social media felt like a dream tool—an easy way to connect with customers and share what I created. But algorithms have changed, and it’s no longer as simple as posting and being seen. These days it takes far more creativity, energy, and yes—money—just to reach the people who already love and follow the brand. That can feel exhausting after years of pouring energy into building an audience.
The Pressure of Responsibility
One of the things that weighs most heavily is knowing that people’s jobs depend on this business. When sales are down or things feel uncertain, I carry the stress of not just my own livelihood, but the livelihoods of my team. I care deeply about them, and that responsibility is something I never take lightly—but it’s a pressure that never truly goes away.
The Raw Truth
So yes, these past 12 years have been full of challenges—some of the hardest of my life. But they’ve also brought immense pride, purpose, and connection. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and I wouldn’t trade what Naughty Naturopath Mum has become for anything.
I share this side of the story because I believe it’s important to acknowledge the reality behind the highlight reel. If you’re running your own business or dreaming of starting one, know that it will stretch you, test you, and sometimes break you. But it will also grow you in ways you can’t imagine.
And to everyone who has supported me and this business over the last 12 years—thank you. You are the reason we’re still here. 💛
Yours in Health,
Alisha x
Naughty Naturopath Mum at 12: The Struggles Behind the Scenes
This month, Naughty Naturopath Mum turned 12. Twelve years of running my own business—something that still amazes me when I stop to think about it. It has been incredibly rewarding, fulfilling, and something I’m deeply proud of. But if I’m being truly honest, it has also nearly broken me more times than I can count.
I want to share the harder parts of this journey, because I believe transparency and emotional health matter. Running a small online business is not all pretty product photos and happy customers—it’s a rollercoaster of highs and lows that can take a serious toll.
The Juggle of Business and Motherhood
Building a business while raising children has been both a gift and a challenge. On the one hand, I was able to be there for sick days, school events, and those special little moments that mattered. But on the other hand, there were just as many times when I wasn’t available—when something had broken, or a launch had gone wrong, or when the stress and burnout meant my kids weren’t always getting the best version of me.
That constant pull between being a present mum and a present business owner is something I’ve never quite mastered—it often felt like I was failing at one when I was focusing on the other.
The Toll of Online Trolling
One of the hardest experiences in these 12 years was being severely trolled online. The names, the negativity, the constant barrage of strangers’ opinions—it all got so overwhelming that I had to shut down my social media pages for a couple of weeks just to let it die down. It’s easy to say “don’t take it personally,” but when it’s directed at you day after day, it cuts deep.
Decision Fatigue
Running a business solo means the decisions—big and small—are always up to me. And the bigger the business grew, the bigger the decisions became. There were times I questioned whether I had a “head for business” at all. The second guessing, the decision fatigue, the longing to just hand it over to someone else and say “you decide”—but that option never really existed.
Life Doesn’t Pause for Business
Over the years, I’ve learnt that life doesn’t stop just because you’re running a business. During one of the hardest times—my daughter’s battle with anorexia—I was incredibly supported and had to step back as much as I could. But even then, the business still needed me. Delegation helps, but when you’re at the helm, there’s always some level of direction required. Sometimes that weight felt impossible to carry alongside personal struggles.
The Work Follows You Everywhere
Running an online business means your work is always in your pocket—in the form of your phone. Twelve years in, I still haven’t mastered switching off. I’ve worked on holidays, on weekends, at odd hours… because it’s always there. There’s freedom in flexibility, but there’s also a constant hum that never really turns off.
Social Media Shifts
When I first started, social media felt like a dream tool—an easy way to connect with customers and share what I created. But algorithms have changed, and it’s no longer as simple as posting and being seen. These days it takes far more creativity, energy, and yes—money—just to reach the people who already love and follow the brand. That can feel exhausting after years of pouring energy into building an audience.
The Pressure of Responsibility
One of the things that weighs most heavily is knowing that people’s jobs depend on this business. When sales are down or things feel uncertain, I carry the stress of not just my own livelihood, but the livelihoods of my team. I care deeply about them, and that responsibility is something I never take lightly—but it’s a pressure that never truly goes away.
The Raw Truth
So yes, these past 12 years have been full of challenges—some of the hardest of my life. But they’ve also brought immense pride, purpose, and connection. Nothing worthwhile is ever easy, and I wouldn’t trade what Naughty Naturopath Mum has become for anything.
I share this side of the story because I believe it’s important to acknowledge the reality behind the highlight reel. If you’re running your own business or dreaming of starting one, know that it will stretch you, test you, and sometimes break you. But it will also grow you in ways you can’t imagine.
And to everyone who has supported me and this business over the last 12 years—thank you. You are the reason we’re still here. 💛
Yours in Health,
Alisha x
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