Name: Emily Harris
Age: 35
Children: 1
Business name: Bambino To Go, www.bambinotogo.com
Profit in first year: Still in first year
1. How did the idea for your business come about?
The business came about quite serendipitously. I discovered ?babywearing? more out of necessity rather by choice ? I hadn?t even heard the term before. After my son was born I couldn?t simply put work on hold due to the nature of my job and I was determined to breastfeed and not leave him with stranger for the first year, so I had to take him with me everywhere. From as early as three-weeks-old we were previewing prints and travelling to film festivals in all corners of the world.
When he was nine months old, he was on set with me every day during production. Prams were too restrictive and didn?t allow the freedom or spontaneity to go certain places, so I discovered ?babywearing? ? the art and technique of carrying or wearing your baby in a sling. I must have tried every type of carrier and found that the age-old stretchy wrap was a definite winner and so my son spent every day for the next 10 months with me in my sling.
It was the best way to keep him happy and involved while I got on with what I had to do. And I couldn?t help but see the benefits ? I had a happy and contented baby and I was able to continue with a full busy life and include Bruno.
Needless to say, I became such a big advocate of babywearing and believe so strongly in this method (often called ?attachment parenting?) that I decided to set up Bambino To Go ? a company providing the best in babywearing products including slings and coats designed for babywearing.
2. How did you fund it?
It was completely self-funded, meaning money from my ?day job? went into starting Bambino To Go. We took small steps and lived frugally to make this work.
3. How do you manage your business with childcare commitments and running a home?
This is not easy! It does mean that I am very often catching up with work in the wee hours of the morning. My husband helps out as much as he can. After Bruno turned one, we found a wonderful nanny who takes him to playgroups when my husband is not available and when I really need the daytime hours. Having a schedule and sticking to it is essential though.
4. What is the best thing that has happened to you as an entrepreneur so far?
The best thing has actually been the testimonials I have received from customers who have clearly loved the discovery of babywearing as much I originally did and wouldn?t have discovered it had it not been for Bambino To Go. This makes me feel so good. It?s like sharing a wonderful gift. And now that my products are in retail shops across the UK it is a truly triumphant feeling!
5. And the worst?
The worst thing has been discovering (the hard way) that business can be very cut throat.
6. What would you do differently if you could turn the clock back?
Probably less talk and more market research in the early days.
7. Any tips for mums who are considering setting up a business?
It can be very difficult in the beginning but the benefits of being a ?mumpreneur? in terms of being able to adjust your work-life to incorporate family life far outweighs the hard times. Also, it is important to remember that your child?s developmental phases are actually quite short and so challenges change as your child grows ? so don?t get too comfortable during an easy phase. But, likewise, don?t get too frazzled during a difficult one, they?ll be onto the next stage before you know it.
My biggest tip is make sure you have moral support, either from husband, family or friends, because you will need it during those sleep-deprived moments when it all seems to be going wrong.