HELLO!! We’re Jac and Jess and we’re the founders of Ryde District Mums. For those new to Ryde District Mums, we thought we’d better introduce ourselves and give a quick run down of the back story!
When we had our first babies 7 and 8 years ago we discovered North Shore Mums Facebook group and bloody loved it, but we hungered for something a bit more local. When we finally hit the go button on the Ryde District Mums Facebook group back in late 2013, we sat at 12 members for what felt like the longest time. It was what you might call a ‘soft opening’! ;p
Fast forward 7 years and we’re now at 11,900+ hilarious, kind and helpful members plus a whole business side of the group to boot! The business side started in late 2015 when we realised that there were lots of local businesses wanting to connect with RDMs.
So we set up a website, social media platforms including a Facebook Business page and Instagram, a fortnightly newsletter and we started running events. Through these platforms, we share local knowledge, stories and funnies as well as information that local businesses are dying to tell you about.
The website, having had nearly 330,000 page views in the last 6 months is now a bulging hub of local info and stories. It also houses a business directory, job board and a (currently empty..!) what’s-on calendar. The Facebook page, Instagram and Newsletter are our touch points for sharing the local updates, cool news and business offerings with you.
SO about US.
Jacqui has 3 kids, an awesome husband and a big family. She’s been living in the area for over 12 years now and feels as though it’s becoming a more amazing place to live each and every year. She’s a self-confessed RDM addict, red wine lover and believes those two go extremely well with each other!
Jess is a mum of 1 gorgeous girl and fiance to one gorgeous man. Jess has not only lived in the area for over 7 years but also spent loads of time here growing up because it’s where her dad and grandparents were raised! Now her daughter goes to a local primary school. Jess is proudly obsessed with overturning every hidden gem and nugget Ryde has to offer.
Powering the RDM train is no mean feat! Whether it’s posting anonymously on behalf of a group member, carefully approving each and every group join request, scheduling advertising for local businesses, writing website content about local places or activities, or organising events – it keeps us VERY busy! But we couldn’t think of a better gig and we’re loving watching RDMs grow stronger each day!
OK, so that’s the story! What other stories do you want to hear from us? Let us know your fave topics, from kid-friendly cafes to best playground (and everything in between) and we’ll make sure to cover them! x