Metuka | How to Perform the Juggling Act of Running a Successful Business

Author // Shannon Edwards for Place Bulimba

I guess we could say this Bulimba local is a bit of a super mum, continually growing her business while also busy caring for her husband and kids.

You may recognise Metuka’s Gali Head from her stalls at the local markets in the past or perhaps you’ve spotted her brightly coloured garments strutting down Oxford street?

Metuka is a Brisbane-based label for women of all ages and sizes, designed to make women feel beautiful and comfortable no matter what they’re doing.

“As a mum, I know sometimes you just need to quickly chuck something on before you dash out of the house… but you still want to feel nice,” says Gali.

We caught up with Gali and asked the golden question, ‘how do you do it all?’

Excited to see present Metuka’s new summer collection at this year’s Bulimba Fashion Festival, Gali shares the love and care that goes into each of the garments.

**Tell us about how Metuka evolved?**

I have always had a love for fashion.

I knew I wanted to use my creative mind and love for fashion in my career, but at the same time being there for my kids is something that’s really important to me.

I was lucky enough to be able to do both through creating my own brand and from that Metuka was born.

While at times it has been challenging juggling family and work life, my drive was there and kept me going.

I initially started Metuka by launching my designs at markets and festivals, which meant that I only worked on the weekends and my husband was able to look after the kids.

Selling my collection at the markets enabled me to get an idea of how the products were viewed by my customers in the marketplace, how the garments were fitting and the level of quality.

It was important for me to get insight on my designs through reviews from an array of customers. It also helped with perfecting my products to give my customers what they want in great quality and fit.

After four years of running Metuka, I’ve decided to take my business to the next level, creating a wholesale side to the business.

**What’s unique about Metuka?**

Ranging from sizes eight through to 16, Metuka's clothes are for everyday women who want to look good and feel comfortable in their clothes.

They can be the busy mums who just want to throw something on quickly and still feel nice, or the office girl who can wear pretty dresses and skirts to work and then be able to go out for drinks with her friends.

I am often complimented on my selection of fabrics used for my products on their patterns, quality, feel and fit.

This quality is really important in all my products and I strive for perfection in each of my garments.

How do you juggle being a mum and running a business?

Juggling the two definitely plays a huge part in my life and I wouldn't do it any other way.

My days are very busy. The minute I wake up in the morning, I sit and read my emails over a morning coffee before I get the kids up and ready for school, do the school drop-off’s, doing chores around the house, getting dinner ready and picking the kids up from school.

I'm pretty much on my feet all day and in between getting jobs done and spending time with the family, I focus my time on Metuka.

Although I’m busy, I think it’s important to have some quiet time so once the kids are in bed I try and find time to have a glass of wine and ‘relax’ (although you never really shut down!)

There’s some nights when I wake up in the middle of the night because my mind is full of business ideas… but I guess that when you have a passion and love for something, all those hours don’t really matter.

**You’re presenting a new collection at this year’s Bulimba Fashion Festival, tell us a little about this?**

The collection I’m currently working on is the rebirth of some classic styles that have been around for years, like the wrap dresses.

The new Metuka collection also includes wrap skirts, wrap pants and shorts as well as some pretty tops and dresses.

The colours of the collection are inspired by nature and florals, often displaying beautiful bright colours.