Setting out into the big wide business world on my own had been a long time dream. My family are quite entrepreneurial and so working the 9 to 5 had never sat quite right with me. With the birth of my little boy, I was soon adding other priorities like work/life balance and time at home to my list of reasons to start up alone. People say that starting a business whilst juggling a newborn is a little crazy but I know a number of women who have done just that. I think sometimes it helps to give you the perspective of exactly what you want in life - and the drive to go for it!
Being a mum is the most rewarding thing I've ever done and I have to say, despite the hard parts, I'm loving every minute of it. What caught me by surprise though, was how much I lost my own identity. Nearly all of my clothes didn't fit, and when they did they were hardly practical or appropriate. I wandered around shops thinking 'What would a mum wear?'. It took me a while to 're-find' myself and my new sense of style. So on a summer evening, after plenty of brainstorming and dreaming (and disastrous style choices!), Mother Knows Best was born.
Mother Knows Best hosts a range of playful, ‘tongue-in-cheek’ Tees for stylish mamas out there, unashamedly winging their way through motherhood. Because sometimes mums need to focus on themselves just as much as their babies.We’re still in our infancy as a business, so although I'm learning every single day I have learned a few big lessons so far.
1. YOU CAN’T DO IT ALL
At the beginning I ordered blank T-shirts with a plan to somehow do it all myself. Apart from that being impossible, I lacked the skill or the equipment to create anything worth buying. Research your product well and put your trust in others. Hire the expert, get the help and learn from them.
2. YOU GET WHAT YOU PAY FOR
Pay peanuts, get monkeys. I learned this the hard way at the very start. It sounds crazy I know but I looked to Facebook Marketplace to find a designer. The plan was to save money but instead I paid upfront and received nothing from one and something I could have created myself from the other. I was conned because I was looking for a cheap solution. A harsh but brilliant lesson!
3. SET YOUR BUSINESS HOURS AND STICK TO THEM
I'd wanted to set up my own SME to give myself a better work/life balance but I actually ended up working more. There was never an off-switch and my passion for my company meant it started to become the main focus. Setting specific hours and delegating work to suppliers has helped me work smarter.
4. LEAN ON FRIENDS AND FAMILY
I've always been a bit of island. I think I can do it all on my own and wince if I have to ask for help. That simply doesn't work when you own your own business. Sit down and think carefully about your network, who can help you and how, write it all down and get talking!
5. WRITE A BUSINESS PLAN
It's so important to have a clear vision of what your company is about and where it's going. Knowing that I wanted my T-shirts to 'do good' meant that my business plan led me to giving charity donations from each sale. There are plenty of websites offering sample plans. Having a crystal clear idea of exactly what you want will help you get there quicker.
Good luck!
Laura Claire
Mother Knows Best