Most of the shops I’ve featured here at Business Plus Baby have been online shops, so I’m really pleased today to bring you an interview with Samantha Price, owner of the bricks-and-mortar children’s shoe shop Angels and Urchins.
Please could you tell us a little about your business?
I opened angels and urchins 3 years ago now – we moved to Bedford from North London in 2008, and I quickly realised there was a gap in the market for an independent, good quality children’s shoe shop. I did some market research, wrote a business plan, went on a couple of business courses, and before I knew it I was opening!
Finding the right premises was key – my shop is about 100yards away from the main High Street in Bedford, but that means my rent and rates are a lot less. Plus, as a “destination retailer” it’s not essential to be in the town centre. I offer a full measuring and fitting service (I am the ONLY independently qualified children’s shoe fitter in Bedfordshire!) and a range of top quality shoes from the UK and overseas. I have a box of toys for the children to play with, plus we play dvds to distract fractious toddlers!
What did you do before opening Angels and Urchins?
Before I had children, I was a stockbroker. I then took a career break, and did all sorts of things to fit around the kids – childminding, party plan etc. I had never run my own business before, but once I saw a gap in the market, the idea just wouldn’t go away. Continue reading “Five minutes with Samantha Price of Angels and Urchins”