Sisters. The same but different (and why it works)
We are Becca + Jess. We are sisters. We are similar. We look similar (apparently, although we can't see it!) We have lots of the same mannerisms and catchphrases, we pick up on what one another says. We laugh at the same time and at the same things. We have similar tastes. We have goals that are aligned. But... we are also quite different.
Becca (by Jess)
Becca is creative, bubbly and caring. Her special power is coming up with ideas and making them happen. We call her the Creative Director but she wears a lot of hats - she's the one behind all of our amazingly beautiful branding, anything that a customer is going to see Becca will have either designed or signed off first. She‘s a deep thinker but is impulsive when she’s on to a good thing, always following her intuition and heart. I love that she’s optimistic and wise, she’s the person to go to when you need good advice or a bit of perspective.
She wears colourful clothes and you will nearly always find her in Birkenstocks. Her favourite colour is Olive green, that's why our Olive lockers exist!
Jess (by Becca)
Jess is organised, a decisive decision-maker and always planning ahead. She is always the best listener (even when Becca calls in the middle of the night!) and no matter the problem Jess will be there to fix it. What Jess does best is keep things the cogs in motion and makes sure everything and everyone around her is doing ok. One of the best things about Jess is that she’s the glue that holds things together (by things, I often mean me!) Jess is a homebody at heart but brave in business, she’s driven the growth and boldly gone into the deep end without ever looking back. She’ll make that call, she’ll hire that new team member, she’ll take the risk and she’ll get the job done.
Jess wears mostly black and you will almost always find her in white trainers. She can usually be found in Mustard UK HQ eating Sushi or in her newly renovated flat (which she documented the journey of on Instagram!) with Marc and soon to be baby, currently known as Pud.
Stay in your own lane
Our differences are what has made Mustard what it is right now. Our skill sets allow us to focus on what we really love doing so we don’t both have to make the same decisions or do the same tasks. We really believe in sticking to what you are good at and what you enjoy, after all, we want to love our jobs! It's why Mustard exists and it is why Mustard continues to exist, because we have found a way to make our differences work.
From really early on our roles materialised very naturally, we just get excited about different things! So now, in simple terms Becca makes us look good and Jess makes thighs happen! Of course, we have a whole team behind us now (there are 14 of us and counting!) but we still stay in our own lanes - we just don't have to do everything ourselves anymore! We now have little teams of people who do their own roles best and get excited about their own niche which makes it all the more exciting!
One of our many walks on the beach...just like where we sparked the idea for Mustard!
Growing together
We have decided that this is the way we will run our business day to day. Becca doing what she does best, staying creative and working on our Marketing, Advertising and New Developments. Whilst Jess is behind the scenes making shit happen. Focusing on our warehousing, factories, product development and ordering Becca around, just a bit.
Of course, we have a whole team behind us now (there are 14 of us and counting!) but we still stay in our own lanes - we just don't have to do everything ourselves anymore! We now have little teams of people who love the things we do too, which makes it all the more exciting!
The last time we were together in Australia, over a year and a half ago now. Thanks Covid!
I need space
If there's one thing that we credit for making our working relationship work so well, it's space! Literally, half the world of space! That also means a time difference so the majority of our working day happens when the other sister is asleep. Why's this so good? Because we don't argue!
We both get to spend our day concentrating on our contribution to the business as a whole, each adding our unique point of view. When it was just us in the business it meant we had to get good at making decisions and built up our confidence individually. We both have our own styles of working in a team now and there's not much crossover and never a power struggle. We both do our thing our own way.
What we share
Going in to business with someone is not a decision that should be taken lightly, it's a lot like a marriage. It's deep, it's emotional, it can change your life and it's hard (and expensive) to get out of. That said, for us, it was a really easy choice. It made sense. As sisters we've shared a lot, from our childhood bedroom to our parents and family holidays. It's this shared, lived experience that makes us so compatible because we really understand each other.
Working with someone you know inside and out means you can cut right to the point, you can be honest, really honest and know that that's ok. Best of all, our hopes and dreams for our families, our homes, our lives and our business are all entwined and connected. As sisters, we truly want the best for each other and that has been the driving force for this business.
Our lockers were born out of a yearning to be able to spend more time together. It definitely worked! We talk every day now and for that we couldn't be more thankful. We've managed to not let our differences get in the way (most of the time at least!) and support each other to be better versions of ourselves. We're pretty grateful for that.
