Gee, Cara, you are a model mum!

Cara G McIlroy – best known as model and TV show host, Cara G – always wanted her own business, but wasn’t sure what. In October 2011, she opened Genie Juicery with her best friend. It done so well they now boast a store in Central’s prestigious IFC mall. In the last couple of years, however, McIlroy has really spread her wings, thanks to her becoming a mother.

“I’m an entrepreneur and a free spirit – but I’m a mother first,” McIlroy says. “It makes me want to work harder to give my family my best – and it has made me more relaxed. I was always stressed and working late, I was a workaholic! Now, I try to be completely focused on the girls and leave stress behind me, even if I’m more tired now than ever,” she says.

And it has opened up new business areas, too. McIlroy trained to become a kindergarten teacher and always wanted to do something with children or have a health-related business. Now she not only has Genie Juicery; she is making waves just by being herself.

“I have a lifestyle blog that supports all of the things I do. I’m known for posting about food on social media, or when I was pregnant, people would ask me where I got my clothes from. I also travel for work, so I have lots of tips. I realised what a great resource I could be,” she explains.

Originally from Australia, McIlroy has managed to build a following in her home country, too. But her favourite aspect of the blog is that it’s something she can do from home, with her family around her.

In early 2016, McIlroy will launch her children’s’ clothing line, called India and the Pirates and named for her elder daughter. “India has short hair and it isn’t growing very much yet, so people often think she’s a boy. I’m starting with some accessories, like girly head bands – something bohemian,” she explains.

But to do so much, there have been sacrifices. “I started Genie with my best friend and we did everything at the start, including cleaning and deliveries. I worked there until after India was born. But I realised that I was missing the relaxed moments with her when she was really young, and that Genie was at a point where I could be less involved, daily,” McIlroy explains. It was a conflicted decision for her, and at first she felt depressed at the change. “Now, I can see it’s the best decision I ever made.”