The lovely Libby from Minimoki is on my blog today to tell you about herself and her brilliant business! She also has a fab give-away fro you 🙂Who are you?
Libby Thomas, mum to a 2.5 year old daughter and founder of www.minimoki.com – a website selling everything expectant parents could possibly need for labour. Also a fan of ice-cold white wine, vintage furniture, new dresses and to do lists.
What do you do?
When I was pregnant, my partner and I found ourselves trawling up and down the high street for hospital bag essentials. And I was walking for two. That’s when minimoki.com was born. We sell a selection of ready-made bundles (ranging from absolutely everything you could need for the big push in a beautiful bag to a labour-friendly food parcel) plus individual maternity and newborn products.
When did you establish your business?
We started thinking about minimoki in 2010, did a soft launch in 2011 and set our new website live in 2012. At the moment we’re just trying to sort out our SEO, PPC and various other marketing acronyms. And to sell stuff!
What made you start your own business?
I found it really tough going back to my job working in advertising for a large corporate company after maternity leave. Although they were a brilliant company to work for, I was really missing my daughter (I burst in to tears in two internal meetings, cringe) and the freedom of being off work! I started wondering whether that gap in the market I’d discovered when I was pregnant could be turned in to an actual business and give me the flexibility I was craving. Ta da!
What do you love about working for yourself?
The flexibility. The amazement of selling something. Being able to have a nap in the middle of the morning. Independence. Picking up my daughter early from nursery and taking her to the swings. Being creative. The joy of positive feedback, providing a service and being successful.
Is there anything you do not like about working for yourself?
Like all working mums, I find it stressful juggling business demands with being a good mum and partner and I have days where I feel like I’m being useless at all of it, but generally I flipping love working for myself and I think I’m a bit more confident and proud than if I hadn’t tried.
Is there anything you would go back and do differently if you could?
I’d be more assertive with cowboy suppliers. I’d use social media to do more market research (there are lots of brilliant bloggers, facebookers and tweeters out there more than willing to review your offering). I wouldn’t waste energy on wondering whether this was going to work, and just go for it!
What advice would you give to a Mum considering starting her own business?
I’ve learnt that I can’t do everything. Handing over total control of the kitchen to my wannabe chef partner was a brilliant move as it freed up the evening for me to work on minimoki (and meant nicer dinners all round). Hiring a decent accountant and web developer also allowed me to concentrate on building up my stock and brand and get the business launched. I found having a really thorough business plan with timelines and very detailed costings was essential to keep my focus. Lots of luck!
Libby would also like to giveaway one of her ‘Sooth-me Labour trio’ sets to one of my lucky readers. To enter just complete the rafflecopter below 🙂

Soothe -me Labour Trio £16.50
50 Comments
Lavender Oil
Gas (knockout!) and air
Water, it was incredibly hot and even the fan didn’t help me cool down x
my husband and pain releif
A jug of water as I got so thirsty with the gas and air
Lipgloss
My throat and lips were so dry throughout
My Husband and the gas and air xx
I don’t know – but I’m sure that as long as my husband is by my side I will be just fine!
In labour i couldn’t have lived without my husband he was with me for all four births and didn’t leave my side 🙂
I’m preparing myself for my first baby due in February 2013 so at the moment I’m planning on taking my husband and lots of magazines to keep both us occupied whilst we wait.
Not sure yet as I will be having my first baby in Feb!
I will be having my first baby in February, but I know that pain relief will be top of my list!
Not entirely sure – I haven’t got there yet! But I’ll go with my husband!
My husband, I couldn’t have gotten through it without him
gas and air
What a fab idea!
I haven’t experienced labour yet (1st baby due on 7th September – eek so close!). But because of the heat, top of my list is a hand held fan which I will ensure is packed along with plenty of batteries to keep me going!
I couldn’t have done it without my mum!!
My Husband
Hubby!
And chocolate!
I don’t know as I haven’t been through it……yet!
my husbands hand to hold onto
my cozy pjs and pillow
My Partner and my Mum
This will be my first birth (in 11 weeks or so) but I couldn’t be without my husband, I know he’s going to be a rock! And his duties will include the spray fan!
A bottle of cold Lucozade, mine when on forever……11 weeks approx until the next one
The love of my life – Craig.
My soothing music.
I wouldn’t be able to do without my lovely husband – and the way he’s waiting on me hand and foot!! Bless.
My partner (and pain relief!)
My hubby of course and my ball.
My husband
My husband! daunting thing to be in labour so was nice to have someone there! xx
My husband!
My husband
My husband…………… followed closely by an epidural 😉
My husband, I would never be without him, he was amazing and my rock.
ps fab company, some beautiful stuff, I wish you ever success xxx
I couldn’t have been without the man himself 😀 who also provided wet flannels to attempt to keep me cool throughout – what a star :D!
My husband, I needed him to cling onto!
my husband
My other half, especially during the c-section as i was petrified!
my mum as Amelia was born at home before medics arrived and my mum caught her 🙂
Someone there to keep me company and help me through.
my husbadn has to be there!
gas and air
My husband x
lip balm and water – it was thirsty work!
my ipod
My little stress ball to squeeze in my hand!
The gas and air. It was vital!
Resscue Remedy, lavender oil and my husband.