1. Please introduce yourself: Name, what you do & how many children you have.
My name is Julia Bannister and I have 3 sons. I own and run Finns; a deli, catering company and gift shop on Chelsea Green which I started before the children were born.
2. How do you manage to juggle work and life balance as a mother?
When the children were small I had a full-time nanny. I used to advertise in Yorkshire as that was where we spent weekends and it meant that she could come in the car with us and have the weekend at home. I never advertised for sole charge nannies and looked to have someone who I worked alongside but was able to leave on her own when I went to work. I was lucky to own my own business and it never took precedence over the children’s needs. I enjoyed taking them to and from school and going to work in between.
3. What top tips would you give to any working mum?Â
I would say try to play with your children even if it is only for 20 mins before tea, tell jokes, not to be too cross if they interrupt and make them feel more important than your work.
4. What do you love most about London?Â
Do you have a favourite spot with your children? I love the parks in London and the National History Museum. My favourite park is Richmond Park where they could climb trees and have a pub lunch on the river.
5. How do you define quality ‘me-time’?Â
I love doing crosswords with vodka and tonic when the kids are safely in bed and dream of recipes for my new cookbook.
6. What is your favourite & least favourite thing about parenthood?
My favourite thing about parenthood is the trust ones children have in you pre-12. My least favourite thing was homework. Invariably I would do it for them to end the pain for us all! We never had any tutors and I didn’t put them under pressure with work ever and they all got into their first-choice schools, so I think they can get overcooked.
7. Tell us something people don’t know about you.
I used to take tours of Americans around Rome and St Petersburg.
8. Given we are all about embracing Motherhood, what advice would you give a first-time Mum?
Try to be as relaxed as possible, and spend time playing reading and singing to them in bed. Don’t panic if they don’t do everything at the same pace as others, they all get there in the end.
9. I’m a Mum and…
a Chelsea food and gift shop owner. The latter is much easier to do well!!!
10. Finally, please let us know what you love most about Kensington Mums
I love the mix of ages and stages of the readership and the huge variety of content which is helpful, informative and encouraging.
Read more inspiring interviews as part of our online motherhood exhibition and get in touch to share your story with us. We would love to hear from you…
