When Steph was born the first child, Buster, mom received eight bouquets of flowers.
Flowers is one of the most popular gifts for young mothers. Often future mothers go to florists with friends, relatives and colleagues who choose a gift for them.
Stef, now the mother of three children, did not like the idea that the main gift was flowers, and she began to build a business based on sending various things, which would be much more pleasant to receive than a bouquet of flowers that would fade in a couple of days.
“When my friends had children, I sent them notepads and some chocolate along with a note saying that everything will be fine,” she explained. “Their reaction has always been so emotional, and it showed me that someone who shows a little more attention to a person who needs to be cheered up means a lot.”
And it was precisely this that led to her business: not just buying a soulless gift in the form of the first bouquet that came across, but a more memorable and personal gift chosen with all her heart. It is fair to say that the idea worked.
Planning and preparing for a business
Steph drew up his plan for the future business, working at his last job, and resigned six months before the official launch of her new business in 2014.
“Starting a business was not easy, so I created my own blog about motherhood and relationships a year before, in which I honestly talked about how hard it is for me,” said Steph. “At that time, there were so many mommy bloggers who talked about children and how to be brilliant parents was not at all honest, so when my blog became popular, it gave me confidence in starting a business.”
The popularity of the blog meant that when the business started, it already had a lot of fans. That day, when he earned, the site collapsed due to the huge influx of people who want to order gifts.
In the first year, revenue has exceeded £ 30,000 and has doubled since then. Now the team employs 10 people, and next year the site’s turnover is projected to be 1 million pounds.
A variety of gifts for every taste and for any occasion
Steph sells gift boxes that can be custom made.
Customers can choose from a wide range of products, including magazines, notebooks, books, chocolate, tea, coupons for beauty salons, restaurant visits, bath and beauty products.
Gifts were invented not only for young parents, now you can find a gift there that is suitable for any holiday and not only. From birthdays or wishes for a speedy recovery to friendly gifts to cheer someone up. There are also special gift bags.
Significance and need for gifts
Steph admits that he underestimated the need to send someone a present in order to encourage himself to take time.
“We get a lot of messages about people who cry when they open their package, and my favorite review is“ This is the most thoughtful gift I have ever received. ”
“If you give someone a present and get such a reaction, you will again use our services and tell people about it.”
The website offers kits that have already been compiled and have recently added the do-it-yourself option so that people can choose gifts that include items that really suit their friend or loved one.
Steph said do-it-yourself is the most popular thing on the site.
“People like to be attentive, and we make the process of choosing a gift easier and reduce the time spent on searches. After all, you can’t always be near your loved ones whom you need to support or congratulate: now many people are constantly busy or even very far away from each other, but this is not a reason not to pay attention to your loved ones, ”she said.
Mental health and the search for balance
However, not everything was so smooth. Steph said she never heard anyone talk about mental health and the difficulties you face in running your own company.
Stef had to learn many things.
“Over time, everything became much simpler because my confidence increased. We have statistics to see how our business is growing and developing month after month from its launch, ”she said.
She also sought to find a balance in combining work and family life.
Three children Steph, Buster, 8 years old, Mabel, 6 years old, and Frank, 1 year old, are in the kindergarten three days a week while she works. Since the launch, she said that this has become her regular job, and admits that she did not always maintain the right balance.
“I don’t think that someone found the perfect balance, but I realized that feeling guilty because we do not correspond to some ideal concepts of“ mother ”and“ business woman ”is only a waste of energy, and None of us have energy that can be wasted! ”she said.
Pride in the cause
Steph said that the most important thing she found out is that you cannot simultaneously lead your usual life and do business.
“I see so many women who blame themselves that they do“ not enough ”- whether it be motherhood or work, or both, but we often do not give ourselves a chance. If you eat toast with butter at night, and there’s a mess in your house, that's fine. You should also share your feelings with your partner and be honest with each other, ”she said.
The first two years, Steph worked mostly independently, and she said that these years were the most difficult.
“At first I managed the business from my home, so the house ceased to be a place of rest and tranquility, it became a workplace with constant excitement and stress. However, now sometimes I can take a break and everything will not collapse overnight, because I have assistants, ”she said.
One of the most annoying things that Steph realized is that you will never be fully prepared to start a business.
“There is always something to do, and something that awaits your attention, and you need to figure it out pretty quickly, otherwise you lose the situation and can no longer catch up with that cherished endpoint that does not really exist,” she added she is.
But on the other hand, Steph said that she really likes what she does, and she will work on it 24/7 if she can. “It's incredible to see how the team grows and develops, and I'm still proud when I see the feedback from our customers,” she said.
