Mumpreneur | Michelle Stacpoole

As a writer, Michelle Stacpoole loves drama.

“Without drama there is no conflict, and without conflict there is no story. Everything I write, whether an article for a magazine, or a scene in a script, has an element of overcoming difficulties. Daily life as a working mum embodies this. I have to overcome around 72 obstacles, both literally and figuratively, before I walk out the door in the morning,” laughs the mother of three.

Currently working as a freelance writer for a number of publications around the country, Michelle started writing while on maternity leave with her second child, when she began blogging about parenting and lighter side of motherhood. Eager to turn her writing hobby into her profession, Michelle’s first professional piece was in ABC’s The Drum, quickly followed by feature articles in Mamamia and other online publications, as well as writing content for businesses.

Her penchant for publishing honest and relatable pieces, her passion for bringing a voice to social issues, and her filmmaking skills learned while studying at the New York Film Academy have combined to lead Michelle to recently create a production company that focuses on taking quintessential Australian stories to the rest of the world via short documentary format.
“I’ve started assembling a gun team of female directors, editors, presenters, production coordinators from around the world….all with a social conscious and eager to realize a combined vision,” she says.

With three small children, a husband that works FIFO, and no family living close-by, life is not without its challenges. Michelle suggests the key to success lies in organization, and relies on a semblance of a routine, a family calendar, and simple things like making school lunches the night before and always having dry shampoo and wet wipes on hand.

“As a creative, I feel stifled by regimentation and routine, but as a mother I can’t survive without it. So I’ve had to find a middle ground that enables me the space to create, but still maintain some form of control so that the wheels don’t completely fall off,” she says.

In order to succeed in business, Michelle believes that it is important to operate with honesty and integrity, use failure as a learning tool and not something to fear, and trust your instincts and talent.

“At the end of the day you need to drive your vision, so you have to believe in it,” she says.