Tell us your name and a bit about your family? When did you become a Mum and to whom?
I live in Harold Wood with my other half Mat, our little boy Dylan and 2 cats. Mat proposed to me in April in the middle of Milan and we are getting married in London next June. We’ve been together 4 years and met through my old work. I became a mum at the end of 2014 and although never had a maternal bone in my body, he’s the best thing I ever done and couldn’t imagine my life without him. We found out we were having a boy and the only name we both liked was Dylan. I wanted him to have my dads name, which is Thomas and so we agreed on Dylan Thomas … I know right!!!! Turns out Dylan was born about 3 days away from Dylan Thomas’s 100th birthday!!
What’s your business called?
My business is called Alexandra Moore
Can you describe it in one sentence?
I am a personal stylist and my ethos is ‘helping women change how they shop and think about clothes’ with the #fashionisfun.
When did you become a Mumpreneur and what inspired you?
I’ve always worked in the corporate world and was getting bored of it – i’ve always been the go to for my friends to go shopping with or ask advice on what to wear, so I decided I must know what i’m talking about and put myself on a styling course 4 years ago. Set up a cheap website, Facebook page and business cards then just sat back expecting people to be climbing over each other for my services! Didn’t quite work like that, plus I was still working full time. Whilst on maternity leave it gave me the opportunity to spend a bit more time looking into working for myself and I started networking, which has opened up a whole new world to me. I’ve met some brilliant amazing people and my business has started to pick up. So much so that i’ve re-branded, got a brand new website launching soon and a logo I am thoroughly proud of. I love that I can work around Dylan and still get to spend so much time with him, but have a couple of days a week where i’m me and get to work for myself and be a grown up! I’ve only been working for myself since February this year though as a mumpreneur
How did you fund your start up?
I’m the worst saver in the world and honestly, have stumbled through start up financially, just putting money into the business as and when I can. I’m more settled now though and with the support of my family raised the capital to get my website and logo done. Now i’m more stable, when I work with clients and get paid I invest that money back into the business
How do you manage working around your children?
Dylan goes to nursery 2 days a week, which enables me to have official ‘work days’. Outside of this, take now for example. I’m answering your questions, while he’s running around the lounge playing. I’ve got one eye on the laptop and one on him. When he goes to bed I try to make the most of this time too working around making dinner and tidying from the days antics, plus I make the most of nap times. I do find it hard sometimes, but i’ve been lucky enough to have the opportunity to be a mum and work for myself and am making the most of it.
Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?
I absolutely wing it!!! I’m not organised and I firefight, I live by my filofax.
Because my work is so varied I can’t really pin a typical day down, but lets go with doing a styling session! I’d get up at 6:30, get ready and get Dylan to nursery in Chelmsford at 8:00am. Head home and do work on my You Tube videos and workshops that i’m in the process of creating, plus respond to any emails. Then i’d head off to meet my client and spend 4 hours with them. If i’ve got time i’ll head home to do a bit more social media then go pick Dylan up around 5:00. If Mat is at home then we have a play with him for an hour then it’s bath and bedtime. Once he’s settled it’s dinner, washing, tidying, blogging, working on my website, putting outfit ideas together and somewhere in here plan a wedding!!!!!
What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?
When I first set up I really thought it was as easy as having a website then people googling me and watching my client database grow. It wasn’t until I was on maternity leave that I was introduced to the world of networking and how actually, having a business was a lot harder than I thought. I also found myself getting really bogged down in social media and panicking if no-one liked a picture, rather than focusing on what people want from me and how I can get my name out there. I’ve had some help from some great people and had support from some business coaches. I’m also about to sign up to an agency who will take me under their wing and guide me in the right direction. From going to networking i’ve made a great group of friends and when i’m feeling a bit down or it’s all getting too much, I know they’re there for an offload and bring me back up again. That’s really important for me – working on your own can be a lonely business and so having a group of women who all work for themselves and get where you’re coming from makes the day much easier
What’s the best thing about being Mumpreneur?
I couldn’t pin being a mumpreneur down to just one thing. What can I say, I get to work for myself, I don’t answer to anyone, I do something that I love and still get to watch my little boy grow up and be a huge part of his life. Mats work involves travelling around the world and he can be out the Country for a few weeks at a time (that’s only happened once so far) and so Dylan and I have such a strong bond. I try to make the most of the time I spend with him and we do activities during the week. I hate being in the house with him, he just loves being sociable and out and about, so we go out as much as possible. I feel very lucky
What are your plans for the future?
Over time I want to see my business go from strength to strength and when Dylan goes to school, I know i’ll have more time to focus on the business.
Since becoming a mum i’ve realised how much i’ve changed and my style – I don’t like to conform and I like to try new things. I think when you’re a mum you feel you have to look a certain way and that isn’t the case. You’re still you, just with a little extension to yourself and you should be who you want to be. I love the idea of helping mums realise who they are and bringing that out through how they dress.
I’m also working on creating body confidence workshops, which i’d love to see grow and become a huge success.
What advice would you give for someone just starting out in business?
Network, it’s the best way to get your name out there and you’ll make some friends along the way.
Be prepared for some down days, but don’t give up – it’s OK to text someone or talk to your other half and tell them how you’re feeling. Remember why you’re doing what you’re doing
Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?
My new website is due to be launching at the end of June and please look out for information on my website about my workshops, i’m really excited about them and I think they’re going to make a huge difference to women.
People get really nervous about having a personal stylist and think they’re only for the rich and famous. This is so not true. I offer a range of services to suit all budgets and you could actually end up saving money by learning how to shop for your shape and becoming a savvy shopper
www.alexandramoore.co.uk (under construction)
Instragram – @alexmoorestylist
You Tube – https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCQC0nJNqgNPdj0-UrKjImYQ/videos
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