Today is the first in a series of guest posts from mums who have started a business. This series is designed to inspire other mums thinking about launching their own business.
To find all the stories use Business Startup Story in the Categories drop-down.
If you have a business story to share, click here to contact me. I am always delighted to receive guest posts on this subject, 500-800 words. I’d love to hear from you.
From sales accountant to designer
This week’s business startup story is from Vicki Hodges who set up Bo & Bel, a collection of contemporary teething jewellery & accessories for parents & babies.
Why did you start your business
I gave up my job in the city as a
sales accountant to become a stay at home mother to my twin daughters for 5 years until they started school then I knew I wanted to start up my own business.
Bo&Bel was born through my love of fashion but I felt I’d lost my sense of style when I became a mum, as I think many women do. Wanting to feel good again I started designing our modern and distinctive style teething necklaces to enable mums to wear jewellery again that are safe, stylish and practical.
How old is your business
Our teething range launched online in October 2014 and we expanded to retail in 2015.
What you do and who you do it for
I run the business myself and this means I manage everything from the designs, the making, packing, marketing and building the brand.
What you love about having your own business
I love that I can balance what I love doing, with managing my own destiny and being their for my family as they grow. I love updating my Instagram and seeing all the mums share their photos with me wearing the teething necklaces saying how happy they make them and baby.
What are the challenges
There are always the down side to running your own business that come with the highs. It is extremely time consuming, especially in the first year or so when you are establishing yourself as a brand. I have to remind myself often to take a step away to relax and recharge!
What do you wished you’d known at the start
I took a lot of advice from friends who had started up alone but you can ne
ver have too many insights into what the journey can bring.
I wish I had known how to network with the right people to mentor me along the way, but that takes time. I’ve enjoyed the process of meeting people and have had so much good advice given to me. Women who have supported women with their businesses and together we are all growing stronger together because of it.
Your top tip for other mums thinking about starting a business
You don’t always need a business plan or a bank loan to start out but do have a focus and passion for what you are trying to achieve.
If you don’t have passion for what you do it will show and you won’t enjoy it.
Learn from others and ask plenty of questions from others who’ve done it before you.
Your favourite inspirational quote
Everything will be okay in the end. If it’s not okay, then it’s not the end.
How do you look after yourself
I divide my diary when I can for time for me and time for the family. I usually switch off when I do school pick up and at weekends but that’s not always possible so it’s about taking time back when you can and looking after yourself because we all need that time to get our energy back and start the week again with a fresh outlook.
Follow Vicki on her journey here:
Website: www.boandbel.co.uk website
Instagram: www.instagram.com/bo.and.bel/
Twitter: www.twitter.com/BoAndBel
Facebook: www.facebook.com/BoAndBel
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