“Mummy’s Online!”

  For some people, it is happy memories that give birth to great brilliant ideas. This is the case with mum of two and owner of Oli B Designs, Justine.

Oli B Designs was born when around two years ago Justine was remembering just how much she loved the feel of her soft, chenille bedspread while away on holidays. Today, Justine runs Oli B Designs selling at markets and also through her online store. Oli B Designs offers individual, limited edition kids wear such as vintage chenille pants, swish shifts, funky bibs and plenty more.

For Justine, one of the biggest challenges in running Oli B Designs is distance, her business partner (and mum) lives on the East Coast of Australia, while she has just recently moved to the West Coast. In this situation, the web has become an invaluable business tool, with both email and SKYPE getting a regular workout.

However as well as keeping everyone connected, the web also gives both Justine and her customers flexibiility in doing business - customers can shop whenever and from wherever, which increases her customer base and sales, and also allows Justine to sew as the orders come in, rather than having to have products ready for a physical store.

Here are some of Justine’s tips for starting a business online:

• Choose something you are passionate about;
• Join a support network to share ideas and expriences;
• Don’t think that just because you are online sales will come to you - have a marketing strategy, and be active!

As well as running Oli B Designs, Justine also has a business blog at olibdesigns.blogspot.com and a personal mumspace at maxolismum.mumspace.net and uses the net for shopping and networking on discussion boards such as Business Mum and others. You can visit the Oli B Designs store at www.olibdesigns.com.au

For Monique, running one online business is not enough. She runs three.

As a 35-year-old mum to two gorgeous boys, aged 3 and 13 weeks (wow!), Monique first began That’s Art, an event organising and cake decorating business in 2002, which has been hugely successful through word of mouth. Her first online business project however was Bella Creations, which provides  beautiful and unique gifts for pregnant mums and and newborn babies.

When starting Bella Creations in 2004 as her first online business venture, Monique initially went into it with a business partner who ended up opting out, leaving her with a heavier work load, but more determination to keep the business running.

After successfully setting up Bella Creations online, Monique saw the opportunity for her other business to also be a success online, and as a result she is currently in the process of intergrating  That’s Art online and on top of that is also in the process of starting a third online business called Groovy As, offering unique and funky products for children from clothing to bedroom items.

With so much going on, for Monique the biggest struggle is just getting everything done every day. Despite this though, she prides herself on being a work at home mum and wouldn’t change it for the world. She loves having her little boys around her and is determined to keep them at home and not have to put them into childcare.

Here are Monique’s tips for other WAHMs:

• Just go with the flow!
• Don’t worry if you don’t reach your targets every day.
• Set priorities
• Accept help from family and friends - don’t be too proud to accept the offer.
• Remember to spend time with your children - that is the reason you wanted to work from home in the first place.

As well as running her online businesses, Monique is also a member of several support groups including the Business Mums Network, Real Mums and She-essence.

After giving birth to her second son in late 2005, Kelly Gough saw a need - to keep breastfeeding mums looking great. And so, after some careful research, Nuvo Maternity was born, offering breastfeeding mums stylish, high quality breastfeeding clothes from both Australian and overseas designers.

In order to be able to care for her children and work flexible hours, Kelly turned to the web, making Nuvo Maternity an online store, which allowed her to work late at night and early in the morning, and didn’t require her presence at a bricks and mortar store. She also found that an online store was a perfect option for the time poor mum.

Despite an online store being the best option for Nuvo Maternity, it did come with its problems After some hiccups and lengthy delays with her initial website designer, Kelly found that she had to bite the bullet and simply hire another designer, which turned out to be the right thing to do. Her new site is up and running (and looking fantastic) and her new web designer is great. According to Kelly, "it’s worth employing professionals!"

As well as running Nuvo Maternity online, Kelly has also found the net is a great place to find support. She is a member of several support groups such as the Business Mums Network and loves blogging on her mumspace other personal support sites such as Minti.

Kelly’s tips for getting online

• Don’t be put off by others and be scared to have a go. Trust your instincts and take the plunge.
• Contact relevant Government business agencies that can provide a lot of help with business planning resources with many free of charge or low cost.
• Get organised and make the most of your time - don’t stress if you don’t get everything done!
• Join social networks related to mums - working from home can often be very isolating so it is important to still get your social interaction with other mums - it keeps you sane!

To check out the range at Nuvo Maternity, go to www.nuvomaternity.com.au. You can also visit Kelly’s mumspace, or check out her Minti profile or look her up on the Business Mums Network.