New Business Mum – Danielle

The very lovely Danielle from Ella Bella Scarves is on the blog this morning, she’s here to tell us all about herself and her business so please make her feel welcome.

You can also find Danielle on Twitter, Facebook and Instagram.

At the end of the post you’ll find a lovely give-away too xx

Who are you?

I’m Danielle, a wife and mum of one three year old daughter. I work 4 days a week as a software tester as well as run Ella Bella Scarves.

What do you do?

I handpick beautiful, fashionable, fun and funky scarves which I love and sell them through my online shop www.ellabellascarves.com It’s more than just selling scarves for me though; I have built up a real relationship with my customer base through my Facebook page www.facebook.com/ellabellascarves which I love. I thrive on delivering first-class customer service and ensuring my customers are delighted with their scarves!

When did you establish your business?

October 2013

What made you start your own business?

I had returned to work after maternity leave, and was struggling. I suffered PND and realised that as much as I loved being a wife and mummy, as well as being back at work, there was little “Danielle” left over at the end of each day. I realised I needed to create a space in my life that was all mine, to remind myself that I was still a person in my own right!

I was inspired by a fellow mum-preneur friend who ran her own online business selling jewellery. She fitted it around being a SAHM and had a real passion for it. “Id like me some of that!” I thought! I have always been a scarf-o-holic, so I tentatively set up my Facebook page, bought a few scarves and put myself out there… and I sold out immediately! I was so warmly received, and continue to have a really close relationship with my customers – I am always willing to help and enjoy sharing little snippets of my life with them via my Facebook page.

I have found that space in my life I needed – I am so passionate about Ella Bella Scarves!

What do you love about working for yourself?

I can fit Ella Bella Scarves around me and my life. My family always come first, and running my own business means I can fit it around my other priorities.

I love that I am constantly learning and stretching myself. I am also able to really let my creativity loose and enjoy coming up with new promotions or campaigns or styles – Ive even done a few video tutorials! I’m not someone who likes myself in photos, and I’ve had to conquer that to be able to photograph and video myself in my scarves!

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

When something goes wrong – and it does! – it upsets you so much more because it’s your baby. My husband would say that he dislikes the fact that I never switch myself off from Ella Bella Scarves – I’m always thinking about it, checking in on my page, looking at new designs, thinking of new directions – at all times of the day and night!

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

No – because it’s all been part of a journey, and I’ve learned so much. The lessons I’ve learned along the way (and continue to learn!) have bought me to where I am now, and I think make me offer an even better service and drive me forward.

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

Be passionate, and be brave. You have to take a leap of faith sometimes, and push yourself out of your comfort zone a little to take you to where you want to be. Also, try to be disciplined about the time you spend on your business, set aside set times perhaps and always remember to keep family #1!

Danielle is kindly giving away one of her scarves to one of my lucky readers! The winner can choose a scarf of their choose (subject to availability) all you need to do is complete the rafflecopter below 🙂

Good luck xxx

a Rafflecopter giveaway