When you meet Abigail, you would be amazed by her cheerful smile. If you see her paint, you would be impressed by her talent. A mother of a lovable boy started Abigail’s Face and Body Art which specializes in fun, fast, high quality and hygienic face painting for all types of events in Hong Kong. She covers face painting, glitter bar and bling, temporary tattoos for parties to body painting and extreme makeup in festivals, corporate events and photo shoots. Hear what this Boss Mom has to share about the love of her life:
當你第一次見到Abigail，你會牢牢記住她的陽光氣息。當你見到她繪畫，也會被她的才華深深吸引着。這一位母親創辦了 Abigail’s Face and Body Art 專注為香港各大小活動提供高質素的面部繪畫服務。現在就讓我們聽聽這一位創媽的故事：
Q: What inspired you to start your business? 是什麼驅使你創業？
A: I have always loved painting and working with children, I switched from being an art TEACHER to children to a face painter after a knee operation and soon after I realized that running my own face painting business was a great option as a single mum without helper.
我自小也很喜歡畫畫以及教導小朋友。當年因為腳傷，我由美術老師改為面部彩繪師。與此同時，我發現自己創業當老闆，時間上更易控制，方便我這沒有聘請工人的單親媽媽去照顧小朋友。
Q. Was there any breakthrough in between your motherhood and your business life? 當母親和當老闆之間有沒有什麼突破？
A: Yes there was a definite breakthrough when I became a mum. I started to take face painting more seriously other than just a side job or hobby so I could provide for my son at the same time taking care of him myself. Under certain circumstances you are pushed to make things happen, the sense of responsibility is enormous after I became a mum and and my son has been my motivation since then. He is almost 3 years old now I am still mesmerized by the amount of determination and drive he brings into my life. It is also important to be a great role model by pursing what I really love to do and make a living out of it. Nothing is better than being your own boss and be able to spend a great amount of time with your children.
當上媽媽的一刻，我開始對更加認真對待面部彩繪。我不單止把它當作興趣，而是專注地把它成為我的專業，亦同時可以讓我照顧到兒子。很多時候在有壓力的情況下，我們才能發揮自己的小宇宙，推動自己去承擔更大的責任。雖然他現在已經三歲，我還是深深記得把他帶到這個是世界的那一刻。現在我能夠把自己的興趣當作專業是給兒子最好的榜樣。沒有什麼比當老闆同時也可以兼顧照顧自己小朋友更棒！
Q: How to balance between family and business? 怎樣同時兼顧家庭和工作？
A: While having a strong sense of urgency to get things done I make the time to have a nice walk or good play with my son every morning and afternoon. With a toy rotation system in place he is entertained while I am working from home. We also have a day out on regular basis which both him and I love doing together. Other days he might feel like he needs more attention, which is normal for a 3 year-old, in this case I would sleep less at night to get ten things done rather than trying to get one thing done very slowly during the day. In FACT, evening is the most productive period so I try to get as much things done at night and be a good mum during the day. We also try to make the most fun out of running errands and doing housework. I am really glad that he loves getting his face painted which means I could practice my skills and he gets to have fun at the same time.
工作固然重要，但是我也不忘每天陪伴兒子。每天早上和下午我也會抽空和他散散步和玩遊戲。我會循環家裡的玩具好讓我在家中工作的時候他可以自我娛樂。我也會找時間和他外出拍拖去！有時候這個三歲的兒子需要多一點關注，我唯有犧牲自己睡眠時間在深夜中把工作完成。事實上在寧靜的深夜中工作是最有效率的。我們也會把做家務當成玩意，兒子便可以和我一起處理家中大小事務。當然我經常可以替兒子畫面部彩繪，好讓我親子之剩也能好好練習。
Q: How would you like your child(ren) see your business? 你希望你的孩子怎樣看待你的生意？
A: I would like to show him that we can pursue what we love to do and make a living out of it so one day he would pursue what he loves too.
我希望他能夠體會到夢想是可以當職業，並且將來他也可以把自己的理想當成他的工作。
Q: How does it help your business when you are a mother? 作為一位母親，在創業過程中有 沒有幫助？
A: Other parents definitely trust you more with their children and it makes it effortless to entertain other children whenever I am working with kids!
既然我的工作是和小朋友有關，當上媽媽後這就變得駕輕就熟。而其他家長也會相信我這位媽媽去教導他們的孩子。
Q: Life as a mom is hectic enough, adding a business in the picture makes it even better, so how do you relax? 當媽媽已經很辛苦，再加上把你自己的生意當然是苦上加苦。你是怎 樣舒減壓力？
A: My time without work are the moments that I can provide undivided attention to my son, that is relax time for me and I enjoy every second of it. I rarely have a chance to be on my own unless I’m working so having a 15 minute shower is a treat for me. Painting also helps to keep me sane and great for improving my skills for bookings!
沒有工作的時候我享受和兒子一起玩耍。我很少時間可以獨處，唯一是在沐浴的15分鐘吧！繪畫也是一種可以讓我放鬆的方法同時也可以改進我的技術。
Free feel to contact Abigail to learn more about her great works: 若有興趣了解更多有關Abigail 的工作，請瀏覽：
Website: http://www.abigailsfaceandbodyart.com
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/facepaintbyabigail
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/hongkongfacepaintbyabigail