Squiggle dot and squeeze logo

Squiggle, Dot and Squeeze – Launching a Creative Craft Business

Tell us your name and a bit about your family.

My name is Flori Maisonneuve. I was brought up in Zimbabwe and moved to the U.K 15 years ago. I am married to a French man and have 2 small children. We live very happily in the Surrey countryside, and enjoy an active, outdoor lifestyle including many picnics on the downs and bug hunts in the woodlands. On days that are really wet and cold we like nothing more than being creative.

When did you become a Mum and to whom?

I had my little girl (my “mouse”) in 2011 and in January 2016 had a baby boy (my “Boo”)

What is your business called?

Squiggle Dot & Squeeze

Can you describe it in one sentence

Kids activity craft boxes based on a theme containing all you need to complete 4-5 imagination generating activities and crafts that go beyond the moment and provide quality family time crafting.

When did you become a Mumpreneur and what inspired you?

2015. I was inspired by my passion to provide children with quality, hands on, technology free family time being creative. As a former chef I was also inspired to include a food element in each box, to encourage children into the kitchen. I believe that children learn by example and in the current fast paced world in which we live, it is all too easy to resort to technology for entertainment, and as parents we have a responsibility to stop and spent quality time having fun together.

How did you fund your start up?

I used some money remaining from a home improvement loan combined with some savings.

How do you manage working around your children?

My eldest is in reception so at school, I obviously have a new born to look after, so work revolved around being able to feed whilst typing up social media, packing bags and boxes single handedly or pinching every moment he is asleep. It also involves some late nights, and support from my sister to get it all done. I have had to learn to pleased and satisfied with any task completed

Describe a typical day & what tasks you do and how you manage your time?

My mind never really switches off, and many a social media post is written or programmed when feeding my youngest at 2am and 4.30am. Work in earnest starts after the school run, with a trip to the post office to post orders, then in the hope that my baby is asleep, I dash around making crafts for social media posts, ordering stock, packaging up components for the boxes, preparing for fairs and growing the business. Some days none of the above happens, it can be tears, nappies, nursery rhymes and walks around the block – so on good days I crack on and on bad days I let it go. The secret is being organized with a comprehensive to do list to maximize on the good days.

What challenges you face and how you have overcome them?

The challenge is having not done this before and therefore lots of new skills to learn e.g social media, finanace, business planning, forecasting and marketing. I purchased expert skills from “Get Me Visual” without whom this whole project would still be a dream and not a reality. They guided me from conception to launch and whose skills and expertise I used to my full capacity. Now that I am at it alone, I have done a couple of courses locally, joined several networking forums and rely on friends and family to fill the gaps in my knowledge. The other main challenge is finding the time whilst also being a Mum, and to this end the only solution is to stay up late or get up early!

What’s the Best thing about being a Mumpreneur?

Having launched a small business, there is a huge sense of achievement and pride gained as well as proving to myself what I am capable of. I sleep well in the reassurance that I am providing wholesome activities for our next generation.

What are your Future plans?

Grow the brand and sales and for our social media to become the ‘go to’ place for inspirational, educational, fun resources for parents to use with their kids.

What Advice would you offer to someone starting out?

Feel the fear and do it anyway, you will only regret not trying!

Flori from Squiggle, Dot and SqueezeWebsite www.squiggledotandsqueeze.co.uk
Facebook www.facebook.com/squiggledotandsqueeze
Instagram squiggledotandsqueeze

Business ideas for mums wondering which business is for them

Smallprint – Running a Silver Keepsake Jewellery Business

Tell us a bit about your family?

Happily married with two fab teenagers. Flinn is 16 and Brogan is 13yrs. We have a very cute black lab called Rio

What’s your business called?

Smallprint

Can you describe it in one sentence?

Silver Keepsake Jewellery

When did you start it and what inspired you?

I started in September 2015, after leaving the civil service.

How did you fund your start up?

Fortunately I was able to use my exit package money to buy this franchise.

 

How do you manage working around your children?

As my children are older I can choose when I work, this does have its positives and negatives as feel unless I make a conscious effort to turn off, I find myself working all hours!

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?

My day varies really, but as this is very early days I am concentrating on marketing as much as I can, do baby fairs, markets, playgroups nurseries etc I also do home visits. The rest of the time is taken up with admin, social media etc

What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?

I think my biggest challenge is coping with the financial instability, never really knowing from one week to the next what my income will be. I haven’t built up any reserves yet so cash flow is very low. Learning to make jewellery and use all the equipment (I handmake everything)was also a challenge after only 3 days training.

What’s the best thing about being self employed?

After being employed for 25+ years it is just great to be my own boss. Love making my jewellery, meeting new people and get a real buzz from making new leads.

What are your plans for the future?

To build a well establish business within my territory. To become the “go to” person for keepsake jewellery within Bath and Wiltshire.

What advice would you give for someone just starting out?

Make sure you do your figures, and that you have contingencies if things don’t work out straight away. Pick the right time of year to start, I started in September which gave me a 3 month lead in to Christmas time ( my busiest time of the year).

https://m.facebook.com/Smallprint-Bath-Keynsham-South-Somerset-and-South-Wilts-188980354452703/

http://smallprint.com/kerriethompson

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Willa and Bobbin – A Creative Fabric Business

Tell us your name and a bit about your family? When did you become a Mum and to whom?

Hello I’m Amy and I become a mummy to my first in 2012 and again in 2014. So I have two little pickle monster’s: Willa who has just turned 4 but going on 16 and Alfie who is 20 months and is a whirlwind of energy (just thinking of him as I type this makes me tired!)

What’s your business called?

Willa and Bobbin

Can you describe it in one sentence?

A handmade, design led soft furnishing boutique for babies nurseries and children’s rooms: Mobiles, cushions, banners and wall hangings, all of which are handmade with the wonderful Liberty of London fabric.

When did you become a Mumpreneur and what inspired you?

It was one very rainy march afternoon back in 2015 when Baby Alfie was having his nap: Willa asked me to make her a cushion with her initial. Being a liberty print obsessed fabric hoarder (much to my husband dismay!) Willa picked her favorite fabric and I made her a cushion, which she showed everyone! Then friends starting asking for cushions, then their friends started to request them. Suddenly I was in business. Willa is actually my creative director she and Aflie inspire all my products.

How did you fund your start up?

I had been saving for a few years for my husbands 40th (which is this June) I wanted to treat him a huge party etc. So now he will be having beans on toast with a bottle of blue nun for his 40th as those savings went into Willa and Bobbin. Sorry darling!

How do you manage working around your children?

They both are at nursery two days a week and I work any other given moment I can grab. My daughter is incredible: she happily sits at my feet in my studio for hours. I brought her own sewing box so she ‘sews’ with me. She has no idea how her ability to entertain herself and her patients allows me to push forward with my business.

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?

If they are at nursery I have planned my day the night before – what I have to make and post, emails to reply, social media posts etc. If I don’t plan I end up doing housework and then suddenly its 3pm and I only have a few hours left to work.

If its full time mummy day I hootsuite my social media the night before so I can post much quicker. I generally go out with the children of a morning, have lunch and then Alfie sleeps for 2 hours in the afternoon so that’s when I work and Willa sits in my studio. When Alfie wakes its back to keeping him from doing any Alfieisms (i.e. licking plug sockets, climbing up things he shouldn’t, breaking something, raiding the pantry etc etc), then dinner, tidy up, bath time, hubby comes home he generally puts them to bed and cooks dinner while I work until dinner is ready. Then maybe sit down at 9 or I go back to work until whenever.

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What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?

Time – you have to invent time. I have been up until 3am making an order and then back up at 7 with the children. Its hard work but I love it.

Others opinions on what Successful means. To me being successful is taking that leap to start a business on your own in the first place: that is a success and being successful comes from that moment on. Others don’t see your being sucess until your first million!! Umm really?!

What’s the best thing about being Mumpreneur?

I can stop and start my work when needed so I can still manage the monsters and the house and life and work.

What are your plans for the future?

To be able to employ someone not only to help run the business but also it can get lonely at times so it would be nice to have another person to bounce ideas off and to chat too! I often found myself chatting to myself!

What advice would you give for someone just starting out in business?

Trust your instinct and have faith in what you do. I question myself all the time ’am I good enough’ ‘will anyone like what I do’. You can waste so much time worrying – worst-case scenario is it doesn’t work and you try again

Having a support network with other people in the same situation is really important. These individuals keep you sane when you are having a ‘moment’, they are there to bounce ideas off, or to share any up and coming events or courses or even to just meet for wine! If there isn’t anything in your area then create a facebook page and start a group. I have two wonderful groups of ladies and really don’t know how important they in the advice and support they have given me. As Laura from Muklet would say it’s about collaborating not about competition!’

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

I only learnt to sew in 2011 and this is when I found my passion. So my point is saying this is 5 years on I never thought I would have a sewing business let allow own a sewing machine. I had no business plan or anything when I decided to start my business (I’m not saying that is advisable by the way). However I set up my social media sites and put myself out there before I did the serious stuff as I knew if I didn’t do it that day I never would. So I took the leap and here I am!

www.willaandbobbin.com

Twitter @willaandbobbin

https://www.instagram.com/willaandbobbin/

https://www.facebook.com/willaandbobbin/

Laptop with coffee cup and ladies hand

Marty and the Mark Makers – Creating Personalised Art Work

Tell us a bit about your family?
I have two sons Junior (Juju) 3, and Rocko 10mths, with my husband Sam. We are a quirky bunch, all very jolly and sometimes a bit silly!
Rocko has a rare genetic blood disease with means he doesnt produce antibodies, and is on a weekly lifelong treatment which i administer at home.

What’s your business called?
My buisiness is called Marty and the Mark Makers

Can you describe it in one sentence?
Marty and the Mark Makers is an Illustration service, collaborating with children and families to create extraordinary, personal and characterful artwork full of charm and imagination!

When did you start it and what inspired you?

I have always had a passion for children’s books, and for art. I studied art for many years, experimenting with everything from ceramic to fashion design.
When I discovered the course for ILLUSTRATION FOR CHILDREN’S PUBLISHING, at Wrexham Glyndwr university i had found my specialism, achieving a First class BA (hons) in the subject.

Shortly after leaving university i discovered i was pregnant with Junior. After his birth i attempted to keep my hand in with my art and was commissioned by a beautiful nursery in Hove.
Long story short, whilst working with them I secured myself and Juju a place at the nursery, he as an Apple Blossom and I as the Resident artist.
Whilst working with the children (aged 0-5) I was inspired by their energy, enthusiasm and imagination. Which encouraged me (pregnant with Rocko) to start utilising the beautiful ideas sprouting from the children to help them, alongside their parents to create something magical.

How did you fund your start up?

I am lucky to have a supportive husband, and a low cost of start up.

How do you manage working around your children?
for three days a week i have an office inside the nursery, from which i run my business and still enjoy running workshops with the children, whilst my boys enjoy the fantastic activities and social life downstairs.

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?

A typical day involves speaking to clients, receiving ideas and feedback and new commissions. As well as the really fun part that is doodling away, putting those amazing ideas on to paper. I really enjoy meetings with the children and families face to face and sketching initial ideas and seeing their reaction when they realise the sky is the limit! Anything can be achieved!

What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?

A big challenge is resisting that itch to work outside of business hours. I have to remember that the reason i am doing this is for my children, so that time that i am with them needs to be spent focused on them.

What’s the best thing about being self employed?
The example that I am setting to Juju, Rocko and the children I work with, that working can be fun! I am pursuing my passion, and every artwork we produce together is a testament to that.

What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future….just keep swimming. follow that rainbow. have fun.

What advice would you give for someone just starting out?
To be honest i feel that i m just starting out. i would say remember why you are doing this. Your children care just as much about your happiness as you do about theirs. Show them you are happy, you are achieving and don’t let the bad days keep you down.

www.facebook.com/martyandthemarkmakers

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Running a Business around Children with Additional Needs - running online business

Running a Business around Children with Additional Needs – Fairy Elephant Designs

This is Jean’s story of running her business around children with additional needs.

Tell us a bit about your family?

I have three children that all live at home, Hannah 28 who has arthritis, Kieran who is 24 and has ADHD, and Abbie 17 with Autism.

What’s your business called?

It started off as Girls Love Everything and I changed what I did and rebranded to Fairy Elephant Designs

Can you describe it in one sentence?

Personalised lovliness to make any occasion special.

When did you start it and what inspired you?

I started 6 years ago when my last child started senior school, I was looking to return to work and had always been involved in ptas etc and when I saw the jobs around and wages and I thought I would be better off starting my own business (which was selling shabby chic homeware, making scrabble art and scented melts)

How did you fund your start up?

With my own savings

How do you manage Running a business around children with additional needs?

I needed to work around the children and hospital appointments etc so I planned events in the evening, but nine times out of ten the girls would come with me, I networked etc when they were at school and work.

Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?

I always like to have my housework done and be dressed and ready to start work which is normally around 9ish, I complete all ebay orders, then work onto facebook and local orders, I try and design one new idea each week but sometimes this is not possible especially at Christmas, I stop work around 4ish as I have to catch post office, I answer emails and try to promote page in the evenings, and share items etc

What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?

The main challenges have been changing what I do as more people have started making and selling the same thing, also I was stopped making the scrabble art pictures by Mattell as they said I did not have their permission to use the tiles in this way (I think at the time they had just licensed a company to do it and she complained as we were very successful). I always use to make my own tags for my own items so just expanded on that to make cards etc, most of it self-taught as I have gone along.

What’s the best thing about being self employed?

I get to work when I want, don’t have to get up early, can change the day to suit appointments etc, I earn a better wage than going out to work. I love what I do.

What are your plans for the future?

To add more to the range, move to a bigger office so I can have more gizmos etc to make more items.

What advice would you give for someone just starting out?

Research what you want to sell/make, make sure yours is different, make sure you are not breaching copy right or copying other people’s ideas, don’t give up, don’t rely on facebook to promote you.

Is there anything else you’d like to tell us?

Be adaptable to change, don’t get upset by some peoples comments on your items, believe in yourself and your prices

eBay Store

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