Mumpreneur Case Studies – Page 10

January 28, 2011January 28, 2011

How I Became a Home Worker by Simone Castello

Simone Castello is a freelance copyeditor and copywriter. Simone’s business website is simonecastello.co.uk and you can also find her at her blogs From Rat Racer to Positive Parent and Cambridge Ecothrifter.

When I started maternity leave in January 2007 I planned to take a year off and resume my career as inhouse freelance subeditor. I had been doing it for over a decade, so it seemed like the easy option – I had lots of contacts in the industry and knew there would be work for me provided I could find reliable childcare for my child. Mind you, I envied freelancers who could work from home but knew that in my sector opportunities were rare, plus you needed expensive equipment and software. Despite using MACs at work, I had a modest PC at home and no fancy design software. Continue reading “How I Became a Home Worker by Simone Castello”

January 17, 2011January 13, 2011

I Started a Business With a Baby: Vanessa Blake of Dreamgenii

What do you do?

At dreamgenii® we sell a range of products that serve to make pregnancies, births and children more comfortable all over the world. We focus on products that genuinely work to make parents’ and children’s lives easier, delivering products that are born out of genuine need – that genuinely work.

When did you establish your business?

2005

What made you start your own business?

“I was six months pregnant with my son and after weeks of tossing and turning at night I’d had enough. I tried every pregnancy pillow on the market and none of them actually worked. All of them woke me up in the night when I wanted to move and they usually ended up strewn on the floor by morning!”

“I bought a sewing machine and made a pillow myself, but it was pretty basic. I showed it to my midwife at my antenatal class and everyone raved about it! They suggested I should look into selling it to other women so I took it to a manufacturer and asked them to make up some proper samples. I showed the samples to various midwives, healthcare organisations as well as many pregnant friends and volunteers. The pillow was universally welcomed as a huge help for pregnant women, and we went on to launch it. Five years later we now sell a range of award winning, unique products for parents and children that support their journey from pregnancy to parenthood.”

What challenges have you had to overcome?

So many challenges! We faced significant financial challenges as we have never received any support from any bank. Getting into retailers was tough to begin with – I had to demonstrate to them why pregnancy pillows were so important and that there was a real need for our product. I also faced huge personal challenges with trying to balance becoming and being a parent (I now have two children) as well as setting up and running the business. My husband and family’s support has been incredible.

What has been your biggest achievement?

There have been so many! I think winning Practical Parenting’s Award for Pregnancy Product of the Year in 2007 was a fantastic milestone for us. It gave us real validation that our product was of great quality, easy to use and valued by mums. It was such an accolade as a pregnancy pillow had never won that award before. We were so proud! Also every time we receive a positive review or testimonial from a mum is a fantastic achievement. You know we really are helping to make a difference to pregnant women around the world.

What do you love about working for yourself?

Being in control of my own destiny! As well as being able to put our children first. We never lose sight of why we set up the business in the first place and that everything we do is for our family. We try not to sacrifice family life for the business – but to make the business fit around our family. Even if it does mean some late nights working from home sometimes once the children are in bed! We also try and make sure we have fun. We are a small team and all enjoy working together.

Is there anything you would go back and do differently if you could?

Be more prepared for success! We had no idea how quickly sales for the pillow would take off. We had to learn new skills very quickly and scale up our operations to be able to supply customers like Mothercare.

Finally if there is one thing that you could tell other Mums who want to start their own business; what would it be?

I think to have the courage of your convictions, and to stick with it. Trying to get something off the ground can be stressful, and I could never have done it without the support of my husband Stephen and all of our family. I firmly believe if you can get through those first few months it’s well worth the effort!

January 5, 2011November 22, 2011

I Started a Business With a Baby: Antonia Chitty

Today’s mumpreneur is my co-author of Start a Family Friendly Business, Antonia Chitty. Antonia is a real inspiration because she’s been a mumpreneur for over seven years now and has had several different businesses in that time. This month she launches her new venture, Become A Mumpreneur with her business partner Erica Douglas and I’ll be telling you more about that over the next couple of weeks.

Tell us a little about your business

Since 2003 I have set up a PR business, written 14 books and created 7 websites for my different businesses. I run a daily blog for working parents at Family Friendly Working, and offer tips and advice for mums in business at The Mumpreneur Guide blog. I have also entered into partnerships: the first BusinessMums Conference which I organised with 2 other Sussex businessmums took place last year and I now offer online training with Erica Douglas via www.aceinspire.com and www.becomeamumpreneur.com.

What was your job before starting your business?

Before I had Daisy I was writing health features for Which? magazine. Prior to that I had worked in promotion for a national charity and before that I practised as an optometrist!

What were your reasons for starting a business?

I went back to work after the birth of my daughter and found it really difficult. She was getting more and more interesting but I was paying someone else to look after her. A session with life coach Suzy Greaves made me realise I could work for myself and I got off the phone and pitched some articles to a magazine editor I knew. Daisy was 15 months old, and finally I could see a way that I could carry on with my career AND spend time with her. But that was just the start.

How did you go from your old career to your new business? How did you get your business idea?

I started small, offering PR services for others mums with businesses. I did trades to get started: I swapped some PR for my website with Sadie of www.glassraven.com and my first press release was written in exchange for a set of cloth nappies. The cloth nappy maker is responsible for the idea for the PR business: after I helped her out it became clear that there was a need for affordable and approachable PR help for mums in business.

Did you use any childcare?

Yes, Daisy was in nursery and I cut down her days when I started but knew I needed at least one child-free day a week. Now I have a lovely woman who has looked after Kit since he was tiny and doesn’t mind having all three of the kids if I need to work during the holidays or attend after school parents evenings.

What training, information or advice did you need to get started?

I had already started my PR qualifications and am a member of the Chartered Institute of Public Relations.

What were your challenges and how did you overcome them?

In the beginning I simply traded my time for money, providing PR services and charging by the job or by the hour. Initially I made a classic mistake of charging too little, AND I had to keep working throughout the holidays to see my income continue. Now I have learnt how to create an income that comes in every month, whether it is term time and I’m working hard or school holiday time and I’m off having fun with the kids. I have built up a range of products. I get my income from 7 or 8 different streams, and a lot of what I earn no longer relies on me sitting at my desk sending press releases or making calls. That’s a good thing as I now have three children and need to be really flexible to meet their needs.

Plus, in the last few years we’ve moved out of London and live on the Sussex coast in my dream home. We’re right on the beach … just last month when it snowed the children were even sledging down the beach, and sometimes we’re a bit reluctant to book a summer holiday because it is just so lovely here. This has only been possible due to the flexible way I now earn my living.

Now, I love being able to see opportunities and make the most of them. I like the variety of work, and I love being able to control what I do. I relish the fact that I can be really creative in many of my business activities AND enjoy using technology to make the businesses more efficient. I get a real buzz from the lovely women I work with: what I do enables me to link up with some really inspiring women. Most importantly, though, I have the ability to combine work with raising a family with as much flexibility as I need.

If you could give one piece of advice to a mum of a baby or toddler starting a business, what would it be?

When I was dreaming about my business 8 years ago, I wish I’d learnt some of the lessons we shared with the Become a Mumpreneur free e-course. I’d realise sooner that simply offering PR services wasn’t going to work once I had three children. I’d learn about diversifying so my earnings come from several different sources a whole lot earlier, which would have meant that I evened out the financial ups and downs I experienced in the first few years. If you’re thinking about starting up, or in the early days and struggling like I did, join the Become a Mumpreneur free e-course. It could save you making costly mistakes AND free you up to spend more time doing the things you love.

(This post contains an affiliate link)

December 15, 2010December 13, 2010

I Started a Business With A Baby: Crissi Burnell of Assist Computing

My name is Crissi, I am a self-employed mum of 2 girls aged 4 and 7. My hubby and I are partners in Assist Computing based in our home in Verwood, Dorset. Our eldest daughter is in full time school, she has Dyspraxia and can be a little more challenging or more dependant than the average 7 year old. Our youngest daughter attends pre-school for 3 hours per day so is home with me most of the time.

Our house is like a circus – juggling is a necessary requirement! Continue reading “I Started a Business With A Baby: Crissi Burnell of Assist Computing”

December 1, 2010November 29, 2010

I started a business with a baby: Ipshita Chatterjee of Minor Edition

It was over a year ago that I started contemplating starting a business of my own. After many years of making use of a science brain, I thought it was time to be more creative. My 2-year-old daughter was a stimulant. Stitching dresses and knitting hats for her made me happy.

So what was holding me back? Well, FEAR – fear of not having any money, losing all the money, being ridiculed, not having a MBA degree (that’s what entrepreneurs’ are equipped with – right?).

All I wanted to do was to design dresses for little girls. Dresses that I can’t find on the high street, designs that will make the tots look different yet very stylish. I love cotton and silk fabrics especially those from India. The quality of the fabrics is to die for. After much thought, I decided to jump the arena. I booked a trip to India in search of fabric suppliers last winter. Now 6 months later, I have a company of my own now, selling limited edition of dresses for little girls. I am looking forward to the winter collection in silk. They will be a bit expensive compared with the high street giants, but I think limited edition comes at a price. I am confident that the quality will match the price and so good value for money.

The last 6 months have been very stressful. I learned a lot on the way. I could never imagine opening a business bank account, doing a website myself with the help of Create, or be able to deal with suppliers and negotiate and bargain with them. The most enjoyable bit has been the designing part and seeing the end product. Thanks to those who have appreciated me so far.

I am not a natural seller but I am learning. Various workshops and discussions have been helpful. I have made a lot of mistakes already and have learned a good lesson from each. Please wish me luck in my venture!

Ipshita’s website is minoredition.co.uk and you can catch up with her life as a mumpreneur at her blog.

Good luck Ipshita! If you’re just starting your own business, I’ve shared my favourite small biz resources on my new resources page. No MBA needed, honest!