“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

 When Bridie first became a mother she found herself in a bit of a dillema - as a breastfeeding mum, the choice between the hideously huge zippered nursing shirt or just a regular tee that gave way to her "stretchmarked tum" saw her ducking around corners to allude the fashion police.

Nine years or so and three more boob-loving babies later, Haute Mama opened its doors in October 2006, featuring a line of Bridie’s favourite tried-and-tested breastfeeding gear as well as a huge range of organic baby skincare, carriers and slings.

As well as running her own successful online business, Bridie is also a frequent visitor of parenting forums, and is passionate about women accessing valuable and helpful information online. She believes that it is important not to set women, particularly mothers up for feelings of failure or to give them unrealistic expectations of their baby.

Here is Bridie’s advice to other mums online:

• Babies run on instinct, so let instinct be the compass that guides you mothering journey. Rely on that wisdom when the current "advice" doesn’t feel right.
• Google is a girls best friend! If you can’t find a product locally, chances are you’ll find it online and at the right price

Check out Haute Mama at www.hautemama.com.au and the Haute Mama blog at www.onehautemama.blogspot.com. You can also check out Bridie’s personal mumspace at www.onehautemama.mumspace.net.

Like so many other mothers, when Sarah’s daughter started school two years ago, she found herself trying to justify her purpose in life now that her child wasn’t at home. She felt like she needed more. So using her love of sewing and fabric, and with the support of her husband she started Quilt Fabric Delights, an online store specialising in beautiful fabrics, patterns and notions.

For Sarah, the internet was a vital tool in starting and maintaining her business. Not only does she run the business online, but it was also a means of researching, finding suppliers, advertising and networking. Even her biggest hurdle - finding an insurer that would insure a home-based business - was solved by getting online.

As well as run her business online, Sarah also has a personal blog that covers everything from family to business, and is also active on a number of forums, including The Business Mums Network .

Here are some of Sarah’s tips for other mums using the net:

• If you want to start your own business, make sure it is something that you are passionate about
• Visit other blogs for inspiration and to find out what’s happening within your market but make sure whatever you do is your own thing
• Being a business owner can sometimes be a little isolating - use the net to keep in touch with the outside world.

Visit Sarah’s blog at www.quiltfabricdelights.blogspot.com and check out Quilt Fabric Delights at www.quiltfabricdelights.com.au