designer maternity wear How I started a Successful Business with only $50

How I started a Successful Business with only $50
Frances McInnes, successful business owner of Breastmates, speaks about how she started a home business in the hope that she can inspire other mothers.   The business that Frances created, Breastmates, fills a niche market for pregnant and breastfeeding mothers, providing products that they may need when they breastfeed baby.  The Breastmates website is currently receiving about 19,000 unique visitors per month (May 2009). 

Here is what Frances had to say during our interview:

"My business started from very humble beginnings.  With no investment capital or experts, it has taken about four years to grow from scratch and it has all been “DIY”.  I am proud that I am able to bring “breastfeeding to the masses” and to advertise mainstream, and show that breastfeeding is normal."

"This is how I did it….

When I had my first son back in 2004, I started making some washable! breast pads to use for myself rather than buying disposables, to save money.  I gave some to my antenatal class and sold a few extra pairs on Auction Sites, solely because I had some left over from the square of fabric.  They all got snapped up so I kept on making them to earn a bit of cash, as our family had been reduced to one income. 

It was just luck that I had chosen the name "Breastmates", as now the name encompasses my whole brand and does not limit me to just breast pads.

At that time, I didn’t realize the full potential of what I was doing and only dreamed of being a WAHM (Work at Home Mum). 

I brought a domain name for $40, and then found free webhosting. I only had a small amount of web traffic back then so it could handle it.  We didn't even have a printer - I used to write out receipts in a carbon-copy type receipt pad!

When my son was about 6 months old, I went to a local baby shop to enquire about breast pumps. !  The lady at the shop couldn't really answer my questions and! I left the shop feeling more confused than when I went in.

I came home and starting thinkingit was my light bulb moment and now here we are with Breastmates Specialty Breastfeeding Store.

I have undertaken product training and have skilled myself in being an expert in the inventory that I sell.  One of the key points for customers shopping from my store, is that I am a mother too, and actually use the products that I sell.

Plus I also know that it can be hard to go out shopping for baby gear when you are heavily pregnant, or with a newborn, or lugging toddlers around too so that is why I now have such a range of products.  Everything from maternity bras, breast pumps, and nursing clothes etc.

I now have two children, who have grown up around the business.  Both are boys, but they will be very skilled in ies when they grow up!

In hindsight, I would never have had the courage, confidence nor capital to jump straight in and do t! his.  So its been ideal that I have been able to grow slowly and really understand my market and customers needs.

I absolutely love what I do, and how my life has evolved.

What’s next for Breastmates?  Well with over 64,000 babies born in New Zealand during 2008 we have a big market to fill.

http://www.breastmates.co.nz


Source : (http://www.articlesbase.com/online-business-articles/how-i-started-a-successful-business-with-only-50-1001583.html)

Top Gallery Link : cheap bathing suits, plus size swimwear,