The lovely Lisa from http://www.babynotincluded.co.uk/ is our mumpreneur feature on the blog this morning and is very generously donating a pair of Inch Blue shoes to one lucky winner!
Who are you?
Hi, I’m Lisa. Mother to Ryan (11) and Isabelle (6 months), partner to Chris and founder of http://www.babynotincluded.co.uk/
What do you do?
As well as being a full-time mother, I have an online business selling clothing and accessories for babies and toddlers. I am also currently on maternity leave from my employed job as a Medical Secretary.
When did you establish your business?
Baby Not Included was born in May 2007. It started off very slowly with only £250 in my business account, as we weren’t prepared to take a financial risk. I had no prior knowledge of website design, buying and selling, marketing etc. This was, for me a step into the unknown. I was also working full-time along side which meant many a late night.
What made you start your own business?
I love my job as a Medical Secretary and like the people that I work with, but working as well as being a mother is hard and I wanted freedom from the 9 – 5 regime. I’d always liked the idea of working for myself, but it’s quite a big step to take and can be quite daunting. After many discussions with my partner he told me to go for it, and so I did!
What do you love about working for yourself?
The biggest thrill is knowing that when things go well it’s due to my hard work. I’m a huge believer that ‘you reap what you sow’ and self-employment gives me this satisfaction. I still get a buzz when an order pings into my inbox.
Is there anything you do not like about working for yourself?
It can be tough when sales are slow. I only stock items that I personally like. I’m not sure if this is the most business way of buying, but it wouldn’t feel right to offer something that I wouldn’t use on my own children.
Is there anything you would go back and do differently if you could?
I had absolutely no knowledge of search engine optimization (SEO) which was a very dirty word in my house for a long time. I wished that I’d done some sort of course or sought more help with this side of things instead of trying to muddle along.
What advice would you give to a Mum considering starting her own business?
If working for yourself is something that you want, find something that you are passionate about. Self-employment can at times mean that you work far more hours than you would in employment and can be for less than minimum wage. Find something that you know you will enjoy, research it and then just go for it!
Lisa is giving away a pair of gorgeous Inch Blue shoes of the winners choice! To enter all you need to do is visit Baby Not Included and tell me which pair of shoes you would choose if you were to win! There are many different gorgeous designs to choose from :O)
For Extra Entries you can –
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Follow my blog via google friends
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Follow me on twitter @SoniaThorpe
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Follow Lisa on twitter @babynotincluded
That’s it! 4 chances to win! Just leave a separate comment for each entry with either a twitter id or email address so I can contact you if you do win :O) Winner will be announced on Thursday 24th March at 8pm. Thank you & Good Luck xxx
44 Comments
Follow you through GFC
@missielizzieb
follow @babynotincluded on Twitter @missielizzieb
Follow you on Twitter @missielizzieb
I love the blue/chocolate skulls for boys.
@missielizzieb
am following lisa on twitter
i follow you on twitter
i follow on GC
i love the skull baby ones
I would love to win the hippo ones. I also follow you on twitter
I follow Lisa on twitter as @marzutek
I follow you on twitter
as @marzutek
I follow your blog as Marzena
@marzutek on twitter
I would love to win
Beige Stripe Trainer by Kidology
@marzutek on twitter
I now follow baby not included. Innocentcharmer
I already follow you on twitter. Innocentcharmer
Please enter me. They are so cute. I would love to win the pink Mary janes.
Also follow ur blog via Google friends … u can read my blog at http://alifecopingwithms.blogspot.com 🙂
Finally, also follow @babynotincluded on Twitter @catdoran
Also follow u on Twitter @catdoran
I love these shoes, just bought pair for my nephew! But for this comp I would love the nary Jane white sandals for ny daughter
I follow Lisa on Twitter @anna8301
I already follow on Twitter @anna8301
I already follow via google friends @anna8301
I like Spring Daisy Baby Pink @anna8301
I follow your blog 🙂
I follow @babynotincluded on twitter
I follow you on twitter as @meetjosmith
I love the frog princess shoes, sooo cute.
I follow @babynotincluded on twitter
I follow you on twitter
@MultipleMummy
I follow your blog
@MultipleMummy
I love the hippo red/turquoise ones! Gorgeous!
@MultipleMummy
I follow @babynotincluded on twitter too
@piddleypix
I follow you on Twitter
@piddleypix
I follow your blog
@piddleypix
Such a hard choice but I would pick the Lotus Flower Lilac – so pretty!!
And I am also following @babynotincluded 😉
I'm your Twitter stalker @caro_mad 😉
I do follow you blog via GFC…
My favourite is the Love Gingham White/Coral pair. @caro_mad
i am now following baby not included – @ashlallan
i already follow you on twitter – @ashlallan
i follow your blog with google friends already
i love the frog prince ones, they are so cute!