I started my roller-coaster ride just over 2 years ago. It all started innocently (shortly after the birth of my first princess) with a throw away comment to Mr P ‘I don’t understand why just because I'm a mummy brands think I shouldn't have style’.
This comment 1½ years ago saw the launch of mamami by chet, luxury baby changing bags for the ultimate glammy mamami.
I still have to pinch myself every now and then to make sure I’m awake and that it’s all for real. Since launch we’ve moved house and gone on to have our second princess.
Balancing motherhood, a newborn, a husband and my own business has been tricky, filled with guilt, anxiety and worry. I worry when I don’t work enough I worry when I work too much. Sometimes I just can’t seem to win.
I’ve worked for large companies; the work was pressured and stressful but nothing quite like the stress of owning your own business. The stress of owning your own business is different. It’s a 24/7 stress. A niggling thought constantly in the back of your mind.
I was fortunate. MR P was able to invest in me and my idea, so I don’t have the pressure of investors as such, however this doesn’t mean I worry any less. I am constantly thinking ‘what f I don’t get Mr P his money back’, ‘what if I fail’, ‘what if I let him and the girls down’, ‘what if people hate my bags’, ‘what if I’m not good enough’ ‘what if........’
I’m really glad however to report that it’s not all downs, there are the highs, those moments where you stop and think WOW I can’t believe I did this. There have been some great highs; friends & family have all been incredibly supportive. I work with some amazing stockists who continue to be brilliant and open to ideas.
I’ve been very fortunate. I’ve had great feedback, from girlfriends, customers and celebrity mummies. Every piece of positive feedback is like a big pat on the back. Every time I get a sale it is proof that there are other mummies out there just like me.
I’ve been called a ‘mumprenure’, a ‘mummy mogul’ and a ‘business woman’ and every time I feel like a fake. Surely those titles are only reserved for those working 9-5? My work feels more like a ‘lifestyle’ business. It fits around my lifestyle, my girls and Mr P.
Yes I get scared and every now and then feel the need to deep breath into a brown paper bag to stop myself from hyperventilating, however at the end of the day I love what I do, I love the flexibility, I love being my own boss and determining my own hours and work days. I love seeing something I built from scratch grow and take shape (not dissimilar to my girls).
So whilst owning and running your own business can be stressful, it also has some great benefits. I can tailor my working day to suit the needs of my family. I work from home so I get to see my beautiful girls grow up (and trust me when I say they are growing up fast).
I feel blessed to be the founder of such a lovely business and blessed to work with such amazing people.
So for any mummies wanting to start up their own businesses my advice, do your research, understand your market, don’t be afraid to ask others for help and advice, keep a brown paper bag for those scary moments oh and most of all just go for it.
Glammy Mamami Top Tips and Links
1. Research your idea, use family and friends as sounding boards. They’ll be only too happy to help.
2. Contact Business Link. They are brilliant and not only give you access to free courses on setting up your own business but are also only a phone call away for help and advice.
3. Business Link can help give you advice on how to secure investors. If you need investment make sure you do your number crunching and understand exactly how much you’ll need to set up your business and when you think payback is likely.
4. Don’t be scared to contact potential stockists in advance. Ask them their thoughts and views on what works within the market you are trying to enter.
5. Don’t let negative feedback or comments get you down, learn from them.
6. Trust your intuition and gut. All mummies I know have these in abundance.
7. Get onto twitter, there are 100s of mummies in business all willing to help and give advice.
8. Don’t feel pressured into anything, if the business plan is not working out or the numbers don’t add up, or the research highlights an issue don’t be scared to take a step back and review your idea.
9. Remember there are lots of support groups, mentoring programmes and websites for mums wanting to set up their own businesses. Use them.
An offer not to be missed. To make mummies feel extra special this Mother's Day, mamami will be offering a FREE Chambers & Beau 'pitter patter' necklace (worth £90) with every Shivali or Amara baby leather changing bag. 
