Name: Mel Serpen?
Age: 44
Children: Two
Job title: Founder and head designer
Business: Neesh, an online accessories boutique, www.neesh.uk.com
What was the motivating factor for staring your own business?
My mother was a very creative person. She used to sew and knit “creations” for my sister and myself. As my siblings were 13 and nine years older than me, my mother and I used to spend many weekends together sewing, knitting and generally creating together. She was very influential all through my life and extremely influential in the way I seek perfection in product and my environment.?
I?ve always had a passion for fashion and designing, and I?ve been so lucky to have had the career and lifestyle that many women can only dream about. I?ve worked in the fashion industry as a head-buyer for many top high street chains, and have worked for the best-in-the-business. However, such a career came with its drawbacks.My family life began to suffer, due to long working hours and stress.
When my mother tragically passed away, I realised how much I was missing out on family time – spending time with my husband and watching my children grow up. I then made the ambitious decision to leave my well-established fashion career and embark on my own business venture ? setting up my own online fashion boutique.
With the help of my husband, I am now able to be the driving force behind a brand and can pour all my energy and passion into my designs, but still have time to spend with family and friends. I have always been product driven, and always driven by brand values ? and setting up Neesh meant I could be the orchestrator and visionary of the two critical elements of a business.
Running a business can be a mixed bag sometimes. What have been you highs and lows so far?
The best bits are definitely having the freedom to make decisions very quickly, and to be the visionary behind your own brand. I love the contstant buzz of running your own business, not knowing what tomorrow will bring along!
The speed of developing a brand is sometimes frustrating – that every door hasn?t opened instantly and everyone hasn?t grabbed the products from my hands straight away. To establish a brand takes time and recognition.
What is available to mothers now that you wish you had access to when your family was young?
I feel there are a lot more networks and support groups for working mothers. I think it?s also a lot more accepted now that women can work and also have a family.
How have you managed to stay on top of your career with the demands of motherhood?
By remaining focused, and also by being very organised! It’s also hugely important to have a great support network, from friends and family. I try and get them involved in as many aspects of the business as possible, such as looking out for product ideas, helping with the orders and bringing creative ideas to the business.
What has been the high point along the way?
Seeing people loving our products is a great feeling. For women, handbags and shoes have a real feel-good factor, and it?s fantastic to think that I have had an influence on the way a woman feels.
In less than a year, we?ve developed a really strong brand, with values and an infrastructure that I think would be envied by older, bigger companies.
What is your worst experience along the way?
The greatest challenge is not having the calling card of a corporate name to open doors. When we first established the brand it was challenging to get people to listen and take us seriously.
Any tips for expectant mums, or mothers who feel that you can’t have a successful career and a happy family life at the same time?
You really can. I?m living proof that you can have a successful business and a happy family life. It?s important to be as organised as possible, but don?t feel guilty. It?s ok to let your children play on their own for a while, or be looked after by a friend for an hour ? but it?s also ok to say ‘no’ to a meeting or an email that can wait. Don?t feel pressured to have me time – you will have, but not necessarily on your own!