A Sleep Sense Certified consultant with 20 years of nursing experience, Evelyn Bonney supports parents when they need it the most.
We love entrepreneurs and small business owners at Honeycombers, which is why we’ve created Launchpad, a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It’s a privilege and pleasure to learn from so many talented and inspiring folks, so we’ve decided to share the love by interviewing some of the lovely Launchpad members. Looking for inspiration? Check out how Evelyn Bonney, the founder of Evelyn Bonney Sleep Consulting, gets it done like a boss.
What is your backstory and why did you decide to launch your business?
I’ve been a nurse for over 20 years and love what I do! I’ve worn many hats over the years as a ward sister, a clinical nurse specialist and latterly as the Paediatric Clinic Manager at the International Medical Clinic Singapore.
Whilst I was working at IMC during Covid, I started to encounter more families struggling with feelings of helplessness and isolation. A lot of these feelings were driven by a lack of sleep and a lack of a support network. I began to feel like I wanted to do more to help support parents so I trained to become a certified Sleep Consultant. Just as I was finishing my sleep consultant training, I had twins!
I knew I wanted to keep supporting families but I also needed the flexibility to look after my twins. So I started my own business. I can now be around for my twins but also combine all my nursing experience with what I love the most: Empowering families with knowledge and education so they can enjoy their parenting journey.
What has been your biggest challenge so far and how did you overcome it?
For all of my nursing career, I worked in big multidisciplinary teams. I loved this part of my job. I always loved supporting my team and knowing I could ask for support from my colleagues when I needed it. When I started my own business, I really struggled to work on my own. I had no one to bounce ideas off or go to lunch with.
As time has gone on, I’ve been fortunate to meet a wonderful network of people who support families in their pre and postpartum journeys – they’ve become my new team. We support each other where we can, but some days it can still feel lonely running your own business.
How do you deal with self-doubt or criticism?
As a business owner, you’re always trying to be better and improve services for your clients. On days when I feel like I have so many more things I could have done better, I try to remind myself of all the lovely families I’ve helped. When I give them the gift of sleep, it’s life-changing for them.
Favourite place to work?
One-on-one in my clients’ homes. Being present and offering hands-on support to my clients is the most rewarding part of my job.
Can you share a work mantra that you use?
Treat others how you’d like to be treated.
One thing you can keep talking about for hours?
Sleep and the importance of supporting mental health for mums!
Your go-to self-care activity?
Running.
One piece of advice to your younger self?
Start your own business sooner.
Get in touch with Evelyn Bonney online.
Launchpad is a comprehensive digital networking platform (with IRL benefits, too) that encourages connection, business support and community. It is designed to make the entrepreneurial journey not only easier, and more successful, but also a whole lot more fun. We offer almost daily activities for members to connect, along with weekly masterclasses, member networking roulette, small-business mentoring and media profiles on Honeycombers. Check it out and join us!
