Name: Justina Perry
Age: 40
Children: 4
Business name: Mamababybliss
Profit in first year: 30k
How did the idea for your business come about?
After the birth of my youngest daughter, I took her to a baby massage course. It was great, but what about me? I shopped around and found there was nowhere that catered for pampering new mums and their babies. I decided to set up a company (MamaBliss) that would provide prenatal and postnatal treatments for pregnant and new mums and baby massage and baby yoga courses for babies (Baby Bliss). The business has taken off really quickly and off the back of working so closely with mums and babies, I realised there was need for beautiful but safe products to indulge mothers and babies. After a year of development, these exquisite little Bags of Bliss are now available to buy online!
How did you fund it?
From personal assets and plenty of blood, sweat and tears!
How do you manage your business with childcare commitments and running a home?
I work four days a week and childcare is divided up between nursery and my parents for my youngest. The older children are at school. I am also pretty well organised and live by lists and my old-fashioned filofax! My working day is also incredibly flexible, I work at night when I need to and try to work around the children and the family!
I also am a big believer in delegation – I have a cleaner who takes care of the house and ironing. I don?t consider it a luxury, but a necessity. My time is my livelihood.
What is the best thing that has happened to you as an entrepreneur so far?
I love working so closely with mothers and babies and am fortunate that my job combines my passion with work. I am inspired by my mums almost every day and this motivates me to rise to the many challenges that you face when ‘going it alone’.
One of the best moments was also when someone (a stranger and not someone I knew!!) bought two Bags of Bliss and the website had only been up for two days! I?ve also learnt more in two years of running my own business than more than 15 years in a high-flying career in advertising!
And the worst?
Working alone can be lonely, especially when you have to make some big decisions alone. It’s a lot of responsibilty and often there are big financial choices to be made. In our case, we are using our own personal money so there’s a lot at stake. I have made some silly financial mistakes along the way.
What would you do differently if you could turn the clock back?
I made some rash impulse purchases in the beginning which cost quite a lot – like buying equipment that I really didn?t need, and items which are still in boxes! Saying that you never know….!
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Any tips for mums who are considering setting up a business?
You have to be incredibly strong and believe in your product and your services. You are your best sales person.
Intuition is a fantastic thing – learn to trust your instincts.
If you have an idea, do plenty of research and make a business plan as early as possible, that way you can be sure your idea has legs.
Don?t think it?s going to be easier than going out to work – it isn?t, and time-wise it can be just as demanding but the rewards are much, much greater because you are creating something you truly believe in and it?s for yourself