Today, we chat to Marlene Abrie, the founder of nüba.
If you are a mom who is building a startup or who already owns a business, please get in touch! I want to feature you.
Meet Marlene, the founder of nüba
My name is Marlene Abrie, wife to Johan and mom to Riebenn-James (2) and Nicola (8). I’m married to an entrepreneur and we live in George with hubby commuting a lot. My hobbies right now are my kids, hubby and 3 dogs. Apart from this, I try my best to live clean in all areas of my life and to share special moments with my family, friends and the odd stranger that crosses my path.
Being present in the present is where life happens.
Tell us about your company?
I started my first business in 2002 (Affinity Strategic Communication) and I helped other brands to grow their awareness and market share. I always wanted a brand/product of my own to nurture and grow but circumstances didn’t always allow for this. So it’s been a long and slow process as I’ve started with nüba in 2014 and only launched my new line recently. I aim to provide exceptional furniture which has superior craftsmanship at affordable prices. Especially items that aren’t available in SA.
How did you come up with the name for your company?
I initially started with top-end cots and baby furniture and after visiting the largest baby expo in Shanghai I knew that my name was on parr with other international brands – a name that is short and easy to remember. I basically added new and baby together and came up with nüba.
nüba has been in a development phase for 4 years and before this, I started Affinity in 2002. This is, however, a totally new experience and ball game which is quite exciting and frightening at the same time!
What is the hardest part about running your own business?
The days are never long enough to feel that I’ve done all I could between business, being a mom and running errands. My days are never the same and I had to come to the realisation that this is my new normal. I try to do the best I can with what I have. And I’m still learning not to be too hard on myself.
Which social media platform do you love?
I’ve never been a huge social media person but like most people, I love looking at pretty pictures so I’d have to say Pinterest (for their visuals and ideas) and Instagram (for their user-friendliness). The admin side of some platforms can get a bit intimidating some days!
Name a goal for 2019 that you want to achieve?
It would be a dream come true if I can inspire parents and kids through nüba’s products. In SA, we don’t always have a wide selection when it comes to beautiful design and my desire is to offer exceptional designs that inspire, at affordable prices. I’ve just introduced our Oak finish and the look and feel of Oak is truly inspiring and affordable.
What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
Gratitude and my two kids that need to get dressed and fed on time!
How do you manage your successful career while being a mom?
Juggling is not easy and at most, disruptive! Therefore I’ve never been one to strive for perfection and I think you can miss the magic in the process if you’re too obsessed with all the detail. I aim to be exceptional and to inspire through my work.
What is the best advice you’ve ever received about motherhood?
You can’t always do it all or think of everything. If I can get my kids to live close to their creator, then I’ve achieved what’s most important.
What has surprised you the most about being a mom?
How much we learn from our children and how they make us snap back into the moment. It’s wonderful to become a child with them sometimes.
What are your top tips for balancing work life and home life?
I don’t believe in balance – that’s just too hard on a day to day basis but if your priorities and perspective are intact, you’ll find your groove.
What popular entrepreneurial advice do you agree with?
Funding is difficult and I believe in growing a business organically with what you’ve got rather than raising or loaning capital. The pressure of debt can easily eat away your creativity and passion.
Who has been your inspiration in the business world?
This may be corny but my hubby who is a go-getter, never-quitting type of entrepreneur helps me tremendously. I battle to be content if I don’t ask God daily for direction and wisdom. As humans, we can only go so far but with infinite wisdom, we can go so much further!
Share some of your failures and the best lessons you have learned from them?
As with life, business and people in business are unpredictable. Not to speak of the economy, trends and how difficult it is to build an exceptional brand. When things get challenging or go wrong, stick it out and believe in your vision. Take it a day at a time and make the most with what you’ve got!
How do you define success?
To me, success in life is having a good perspective, knowing your priorities and to then determine your goals. This is a thread you can pull through in all areas of life.
28 comments
Copper dross recycling Scrap copper communication Copper sulfate recycling
Scrap Copper market Industrial copper recovery Copper scrap material repurposing
Aluminium scrap preservation Aluminum alloy recycling Aluminium can recycling
Scrap copper buyers Copper scrap volume purchasing Copper scrap sourcing
Aluminium recycling equipment technology Aluminium scrap circularity Scrap aluminium inventory management
Scrap metal reclamation facility Ferrous recycling Iron reclamation and repurposing center
Ferrous scrap export, Iron reuse, Metal waste repackaging
Scrap metal disassembling Ferrous material employee retention Iron scrap melting
Ferrous metal recycling forums, Iron and steel reclaiming, Scrap yard services
Metal recuperation yard Aluminium recycling product development Aluminium scrap health and safety
Scrap metal market trends, Recycled aluminum products from cable scrap, Metal waste traceability
Metal scrap reclamation and utilization Aluminium waste transport logistics Scrap aluminium handling and storage
Metal waste inspection services, Aluminum cable scrap exporters, Recycling process optimization
Metal waste repurposing Ferrous material market forecasting Iron and steel scrap yard
Ferrous material recycling capacity optimization, Iron repurposing yard, Emissions control in metal recycling
Metal recycling processing Aluminium scrap industry standards Aluminium scrap warehousing
Metal recycling and recovery facility, Aluminum cable scrap suppliers, Metal waste reclaiming solutions
Metal recycling plant services Ferrous material recycling logistics Iron scrap inventory
Ferrous scrap transportation regulations, Iron scrap reclamation and recycling, Metal recycling and salvage
Scrap metal pricing models Aluminium material recovery Aluminium scrap collection services
Scrap metal export, Buying aluminum cable scrap, Metal waste reprocessing
Metal recycling and recovery Ferrous material recycling energy efficiency Iron recycling and repurposing center
Ferrous recycling solutions, Recycling iron waste, Metal waste reclamation services
Scrap metal recycling best practices Aluminium scrap sustainability practices Aluminium scrap processing technology
Scrap metal reclamation center services, Aluminum cable scrap rates, Efficient metal shredding
Metal reclaiming yard center services Ferrous material recycling agreements Iron recovery and recycling center
Ferrous material personal protective equipment, Iron recovery yard, Metal recovery and processing
Metal reuse solutions Ferrous material reclamation services Iron scrap pricing
Ferrous material transportation regulations, Iron material repurposing, Resource conservation in metal scrap industry
Scrap metal insurance Sorting aluminum scrap Aluminium scrap upgrade
Scrap metal reclaiming strategies, Aluminum cable recycling plant, Metal reuse
Metal recycling consultancy Ferrous material sellers Iron repurposing center
Ferrous material regulatory standards, Scrap iron salvage, Metal waste repurposing plant
Scrap metal reclaiming and recycling center Ferrous metal recycling logistics Iron scrap reprocessing plant
Ferrous waste reprocessing, Iron scrap yard facility, Scrap metal recovery and trading
Bare bright copper recycling Scrap copper reclamation Scrap copper collection
Metal waste utilization, Copper recycling technology, Scrap metal inventory management
Industrial copper dismantling Copper is used for most electrical wiring because it has several important properties that make it an ideal material for conducting electricity. Firstly, copper is an excellent conductor of electricity. This means that it easily allows electric current to flow through it with very little resistance. This is important because resistance can waste energy and lead to heat buildup, which can cause damage to electrical components. Copper allows for efficient use of electricity and helps to minimize losses due to resistance. Secondly, copper is a highly durable and long-lasting material. It is resistant to corrosion and can withstand exposure to the elements without deteriorating over time. This makes it ideal for use in electrical systems that need to operate for long periods of time. In addition, copper is a relatively low-cost material that is widely available. This makes it an economical choice for electrical wiring, as it can be produced in large quantities and at a lower cost compared to other metals. Another important property of copper is its flexibility. Copper wire can be easily bent and shaped without breaking, making it easy to work with and install. This flexibility also allows for the creation of intricate, complex wiring systems that can be tailored to specific electrical needs. Finally, copper is a safe material to use in electrical systems. It is non-toxic and does not emit any harmful gases or chemicals when it comes into contact with electrical currents. For these reasons, copper has become the material of choice for most electrical wiring applications Metal reclaiming and recycling Innovative copper recycling Scrap Copper separation methods Sell copper scrap Copper recycling education Scrap metal disposal
Copper sheet and plate recycling Copper is a very important metal that has been used by humans for thousands of years. It possesses a variety of properties that make it useful for a wide range of applications, from electrical wiring to cooking utensils. Here are some of the key properties of copper metal: 1. Ductility: Copper is highly ductile and can be easily drawn into wires and other shapes without breaking. 2. Malleability: Copper is also very malleable and can be easily shaped or formed without cracking or breaking. 3. Conductivity: Copper is an excellent conductor of both heat and electricity, making it widely used in electrical wiring, electronics, and other industries that require high conductivity. 4. Corrosion resistance: Copper is relatively resistant to corrosion and can be used in environments with high levels of moisture or other corrosive substances. 5. Durability: Copper is a very durable metal that can last for many years without deteriorating or breaking down. 6. Workability: Copper is a very workable metal that can be easily shaped, formed, and manipulated using a variety of techniques. 7. Color: Copper has a distinctive reddish-brown color that is prized for its aesthetic appeal. 8. Recyclability: Copper is a highly recyclable metal that can be reused over and over again without losing its properties or quality. 9. Antibacterial properties: Copper has been shown to have strong antibacterial properties, which makes it useful for a variety of medical and antibacterial applications. 10. Density: Copper is a relatively dense metal, with a density of approximately 8.96 grams per cubic centimeter. 11. Melting point: Copper has a relatively low melting point of approximately 1,083 degrees Celsius. 12. Tensile strength: Copper has a relatively high tensile strength, making it resistant to breaking or stretching under tension. Overall, copper is a highly valuable and versatile metal that is used in a wide range of applications due to its unique combination of properties. Whether it is being used as an electrical conductor, a cooking utensil, or a decorative element, copper remains a useful and important material that is likely to remain in high demand for many years to come Metal reclaiming and repurposing Copper hydroxide recycling Copper scrap cleaning Global copper scrap trade Copper scrap shipment Scrap metal reutilization and recycling
Metal recycling equipment Ferrous material regenerating Iron scrap reclaiming and reuse
Ferrous metal packaging, Iron recovery depot, Scrap metal reclamation yard services
Copper wire scrap buyers Copper scrap weighing Scrap metal inventory management
Copper cable scrap utilization, Metal waste recycling services, Copper scrap customer engagement
Scrap metal testing, Industrial copper reprocessing, Copper cable scrap shipping, Metal waste disassembling
Metal recycling plant Ferrous material fabrication Iron scrap salvage center
Ferrous waste inspections, Iron scrap salvaging services, Metal waste inventory management
Metal recovery plant Ferrous material recycling opportunities Iron scrap yard
Ferrous salvage yard, Iron scrap recovery and utilization, Metal recycling compliance
Metal reuse operations Ferrous material sales Iron and steel reprocessing
Ferrous metal repurposing and reclaiming, Iron scrap recovery and reclamation, Scrap metal reprocessing and recycling