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MumsClub Name: Nectarina
Real Name: Lola González
Age (or age range): 33
Children’s ages: 2
Business Name: Nectarina Baby & Tot
Business website: www.nectarina.co.uk
Business Contact: Lola González, Director, lola.gonzalez@nectarina.co.uk
What are the key features of the products or services that your business offers:
Our gorgeous traditional style dresses and shoes are ethically produced in Spain in small family owned factories.
Why should customers and clients use your services?
Our products are a far cry from the mass-produced garments available in the High Street. The quality of our products is outstanding; our designs are original and refreshing with a traditional touch. We want to dress girls like little girls, and not like mini teenagers.
When & how did you start up in business?
The business was created in 2007. I started by contacting several representatives in Spain and asking whether they would be happy to ship their products to the UK. They don’t normally export, so all the paperwork and purchasing needs to be done in Spain, which I love because it gives me the chance to visit my family and to get a feel of what is currently selling in Europe.
How did you decide what business to go into, and what was your motivation?
I found it very hard to find nice traditional clothes and shoes for babies when I was pregnant with my daughter. I ended up bringing things back from Spain whenever I went to visit family, not only for my baby, for my friends’ little daughters too!
I didn’t want to go back to work straight away after my daughter was born, so after giving up my job in Financial Services Marketing I wanted a fresh start and I decided to create Nectarina.
What were the most challenging aspects to setting up?
I didn’t have huge amounts of money to start with, so I had to do everything in house. My husband helped me develop the website from scratch (with no experience whatsoever!). I met the factories representatives in Spain to look at catalogues and choose the products, did my own inventory... I even packaged the orders myself! It has been an exhausting few months, but I am very happy to see that the business is growing steadily...
What has been your biggest business achievement?
We have had 100% positive feedback from all our customers in our first year of trading. We get so many letters from delighted mums praising our products... I think satisfying our customers is our biggest achievement so far. We have also been mentioned in several websites and online blogs, which is always encouraging... We are a very young company, but people are already starting to talk about us, which is always good.
Have, or do you do anything out of the ordinary to benefit your business?
We did the Baby Show at Earls Court in October 2008, after only a few months of trading. And the response was amazing.
What stage is your business at now & what are your plans for the future?
We are recently established and still have a long way to go. We are increasing our age range for the Summer 2009 and hope to introduce boys clothes in the near future. We are always on the lookout for original and special products which will delight our customers.
How do you manage to juggle your business with family life? Has it been challenging?
It is very challenging to work on the business and look after my daughter at the same time. But us mums always seem manage somehow...
Has online networking, specifically with other mums, benefited your business?
It is always helpful and encouraging to know there are others mums out there in the same boat as me. And sharing experiences and tips with them can help in many ways.
What resources do you NOT have now that might make your life easier?
We don’t have a large marketing budget, and can’t afford to do big campaigns. It’s not easy to make yourself known to new customers, especially when you only trade online.
What advice would you give another mum considering starting her own business?
Follow your dream and do something that you really enjoy doing. It’s very hard work, but very rewarding and satisfying.
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