Mum in Business – Wendy from Little Buttons Boutique

This morning I’d like to introduce you to the lovely Wendy from Little Buttons Boutique. Read all about her and her business and then head over to her website to browse her fantastic stock, you can also find her on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram so head over and give her a follow 🙂

Who are you?

I’m Wendy and the owner of www.littlebuttonsboutique.co.uk

What do you do?

I own Little Buttons Boutique which is an online store specialising in premium quality and organic clothing for babies and children.

When did you establish your business?

The website officially launched in June 2013 but I’ve been working on the idea for the business and getting it ready for launch since early 2012.

What made you start your own business?

My little boy Josh was the inspiration for my business as when he was a baby he suffered with eczema. Research into how to help soothe his skin led me to discover the benefits of organic cotton which is extra gentle on little ones’ delicate skin as it’s grown with much less chemicals than conventional cotton so less likely to irritate and trigger skin conditions. Not only is it lovely and gentle on skin but the fabric breaks down much slower than ordinary cotton so it’s exceptionally hard wearing and washing brilliantly too making it perfect for children! When Josh was a year old I was made redundant from my job as a Service Delivery Manager for Hewlett Packard. My partner Martin is a submariner in the Royal Navy and spends a lot of time away from home so I began thinking about starting my own business so I could work from home and juggle my hours around Josh’s childcare needs. I wanted to sell and promote the gorgeous organic ranges I’d discovered for Josh so the idea for the Little Buttons Boutique was born!

What do you love about working for yourself?

I love the flexibility of being able to work around Josh’s needs, and now he is a bit older and at school it means I’m always around for the school run and to attend school plays, sports days etc.

Is there anything you do not like about working for yourself?

On the flip side of being able to work my own hours, I can’t clock off at 6pm like I used to in my old job! Once Josh is in bed I can find myself working until well past midnight at busy times. Also it can be a bit lonely working alone and a struggle to keep motivated sometimes but I love what I do so really can’t complain.

Is there anything you would go back and do differently if you could? 

Absolutely! The last few years have been a very steep learning curve but I can honestly say I’ve enjoyed it immensely. In the beginning I stocked some gift ranges as well as clothing but it quickly became clear that the clothes were much more popular and buying in the gifts was a bit of a waste of money but I’ve learnt from all the mistakes I’ve made and they’ve helped shape the business into what it is today.

What advice would you give to a Mum considering starting her own business? 

Do loads and loads of research on your products and who the customer base you’re aiming to appeal to will be. I also think it’s important to make sure it’s something you enjoy and are passionate about. I consulted my local Business Gateway before starting up and they were very helpful and provided courses on business basics such as book keeping, tax, advertising, etc. My first year was much harder than I thought it would be and a huge learning curve but it’s been very worth it and now I can’t imagine doing anything else.

Thanks so much for your time Wendy, we really do wish you every success with your business  🙂