Running a Gift Business: Ollie Collie

April 10, 2017April 10, 2017

Heather’s gift business Ollie Collie, was launched after a movement to Cumbria and inspired by her bordie Collie, it allows her to work around her children.

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

Hi, I’m Heather and I have two children. A twelve year old boy and a two
year old girl. We live in Cumbria with our crazy Border Collie and my
husband Paul.

What’s your business called?

Ollie Collie

Can you describe it in one sentence?

I design and create gifts inspired by life with our Border Collie, Ollie.

When did you launch your gift business and what inspired you?

When I was pregnant with my daughter I decided that I wanted to be able to
work around family and be in charge of my own time as I hadn’t had that
opportunity with my son. We had just moved to Cumbria and I loved country
life and getting out with our dog Ollie. I was always on the lookout for
items with Border Collies on and couldn’t find what I wanted. The two things
came together at the same time and Ollie Collie was born.

How did you fund your start up?

We funded it ourselves from savings.

How do you manage working around your children?

My son is at school and my daughter does spend a couple of days a week at
nursery which helps when I need to really focus. But the rest of the time
it’s working when they’re in bed really! My daughter still naps a little
during the day so I can get some work done then when she’s at home. Think I
will need a new plan when that stops though!

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

There never seems to be a ‘typical’ day and that’s what I love about it! One
day you’re doing admin and finance work, the next you’re making items and
the next having sales meetings or delivering products to customers. It’s
really varied when it’s just you to do everything. Writing lists is the key
for me, and planning the more challenging items for when the children are at
school so I have no interruptions.

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

Balancing work and family is always the overriding challenge. When you love
what you do you can get lost in trying to do more and more. I’m lucky that
my husband is very supportive but also knows when to say it’s time to put
the laptop away and rest!

What’s the best thing about being Running your gift business?

Being able to plan my own time and be there for the children and the family
when I need to be. I can be at appointments, school plays and the important
events without having to sacrifice my job or make up the time to an
employer. If my baby is poorly I’m there without guilt. I think that’s a
really big thing for a parent.

What are your plans for the future?

I’d really love to grow the brand and get to a point where there’s more than
just me!

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

Just keep going! There are so many points where you can question yourself
and what you’re doing but keep taking good advice from experts and stick
with it. Celebrate the small wins, whatever it takes to keep you motivated
and have faith that it will work out.

www.olliecollie.co.uk
www.facebook.com/OllieCollieUK
Twitter: @OllieCollieUK

Business Story: Candelle & Co

March 24, 2017July 9, 2019

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

My Name is Danielle Calder, Mum to Max 11 years old next month and Zack who has just turned 7. I married their Daddy in 2015. We have 2 chow chow puppies and we live in Scotland.

What’s your business called?

The business is called Candelle & Co

Can you describe it in one sentence?

Fabulous, Fun & Funky Fragranced Gifts

When did you become a Mumpreneur and what inspired you?

I started the business in January 2016.
My head was always else where at work. I knew I wanted to build a business, I knew I had the potential but didnt know where to start untiI I did just that. I am creative and don’t always see inside the box. I wanted more to just work, I wanted to work to be fun and enjoyable.

How did you fund your start up?

This was the hard part and still is. I started with £27 worth of materials, a home microwave in my kitchen. I used my monthly wage to grow the business until I finally took the leap to leave my job.

How do you manage working around your children?

I try to fit my working day around the kids. When they are at school I’ll be at work in the unit making and creating and when they are in bed I’ll be doing all the admin and catching up on emails at home. Its a good balance for the kids butI still find there is not enough hours in the day to do all the work.
Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?
Typical day for me is school run in the morning, checking emails before I head to work, printing orders. Making and dispatching orders for customers and wholesale while trying to juggle social media and phone enquiries and more emails.

A lot of my time is taken up by connecting with other people. I try to connect with my customer or client as much as possible.

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

I have been very lucky to have wonderful clients. I’ve come across many challenges and managed to over come them with the patients and understanding of my clients. Every challenge has taught me something new. I’m grateful for that, I don’t think the business would grow without challenges.

What’s the best thing about being Mumpreneur?

When you have the flexibility to be there for your kids, I think that is very important. Also to set your own goals and targets and celebrate the little victories along the way.

What are your plans for the future?

The future is never far away, when you are a self employed mum I find the days go in much quicker than they did when i worked for someone else. I want to grow the business in different directions, expand the product range and open new doors. I keep telling myself ‘one day, I’ll have my products in harrods’ this is possibly a long term goal.

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

If i was giving myself advice when i first started i would say ‘just go with what feels right’ when I started I had no goals, no targets, just imagination and tons of enthusiasm. I just went for it, no looking back. Some things have worked and some things haven’t. Its the risk you take. As the saying goes ‘if it was easy everyone would do it’.

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

Its not easy, its far from it. But its worth it.

Instagram – @candelleco
Facebook – @candelleandco
Twitter – @candelleco

Mum running a food business skills while parenting

The Whole Nine Months – A Business Based on Supporting Pregnant Women

July 8, 2016October 25, 2019

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

My name is Lauren, I’m a mum of 4. The first being born in 1996 when I was a young mum at 23 and the last being born 2012 when I became an old mum. I have Stanley (20) Jess (boy 17) Darcy (girl 12) and Ace (4)

I sometimes find motherhood challenging and I’ve finally learnt that that’s ok

What’s your business called?

The Whole 9 Months

Can you describe it in one sentence?

Boxes of Loveliness for Modern Mums to be

When did you become a Mumpreneur and what inspired you?

I started out only a couple of months ago with this business but I have been a doula for 4 years, supporting pregnant women throughout their pregnancy and birth. And I noticed how often the mum gets left behind in the excitement of having a new baby and all focus tends to go onto the newborn. I think pregnancy is a time where mums to be should feel considered, nurtured and celebrated so I put together carefully thought out gift boxes to do just that.

How did you fund your start up?

I’m really enjoying it (most of the time). It’s exciting and nerve racking all at the same time but my passion for making pregnant women feel good overrides my worries. It’s hard work but I know it’s needed.

How do you manage working around your children?

I work late nights, early mornings and in between the school run and the house, but I manage. It’s easier when it’s something you love doing (the business not the housework)
Can you describe a typical day, what tasks do you have to get done, how do you manage your time?

Today, I cleaned the downstairs loo before breakfast, done the school run, cut the lawn, met a couple of ladies for networking, done some work at the desk, cleaned another bathroom, done some washing, done another school run and back at my desk for a bit before dinner. I just seem to fit things in where I can, it works.
What challenges have you faced in your business and how have you overcome them?

I find running my own business quite isolating at times, when them times hit I either arrange to meet a friend or go to a cafe and be around people, just people watching. I also find the responsibility for decision making hard and when that happens I tune into my instincts, they usually give me the answer.

What’s the best thing about being Mumpreneur?

Working around my family and feeling like I’m helping other women feel good, the women buying gifts for friends feel good, the women receiving the gifts feel good, in turn I feel good. I like being a positive role model to my kids and contributing financially.

What are your plans for the future?

To grow the business to a recognisable trusted brand. To grow my community, and to keep loving what I’m doing.

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

Get a good business mentor, it can be lonely at times and scary at others, having someone who you can discuss things with and find solutions whilst being supported is really special and important. You can’t know all their is to know about running a business and that’s ok, so it’s a great idea to get someone on board who does.