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MumsClub Name: Pogglers
Real Name: Mairi Rivers
Age (or age range): 33
Children’s ages: 6, 4 and 2
Business Name:Pogglers
Website: www.pogglers.com
What are the key features of the products or services that your business offers:
Hand made eco-friendly children's toys, dressing up clothes and accessories, using natural and organic fabrics.
Why should customers and clients use your services?
My products are hand made by myself and another carefully selected Fair Trade company, so you can be sure the products are ethically made. I also offer a very personal service with options to customise dolls or to have something made from your own fabric.
When & how did you start up in business?
I started my business in 2007 after having my third child. I had a few ideas of what I wanted to make, set up my website and it took off from there.
How did you decide what business to go into, and what was your motivation?
I wanted to earn a bit of money for myself but not have to leave the children with another caregiver. I also wanted to bring more organic products to the marketplace as I found it very hard to find any organic dressing up clothes for my own children for instance.
What were the most challenging aspects to setting up?
Working around three very young children.
What has been your biggest business achievement?
Being mentioned in parenting magazines like Junior and The Green Parent.
What stage is your business at now & what are your plans for the future?
The business is still growing and reaching out to new customers. I am hoping it will keep growing at a steady pace and I am always thinking about new products I am add to the range. We are working on some clothing at the moment.
How do you manage to juggle your business with family life? Has it been challenging?
Yes, it has been very challenging. It is very difficult to work when the children are around as they are still so young and have no concept of my need for space to work. So I do most of my work after they have gone to bed. It can be hard motivating myself as I am often tired at that time too.
Has online networking, specifically with other mums, benefited your business?
Networking has been fabulous. Other mums in business have been so supportive and ready and willing to give advice and make suggestions, and I have found some new customers among my networking contacts too.
What resources do you NOT have now that might make your life easier?
I could do with more space.
What advice would you give another mum considering starting her own business?
Go for it! And keep on going even if you don't seem to be getting anywhere at first. It all takes time.
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