Monday Mumpreneur with Bryony Fildes

Every Monday we feature a mumpreneur who’s ready and willing to open up their lives and their business to us.

They share with us their motivation, their challenges and their proudest moments in business and they also tell us how they take time to nurture themselves.

If you’re looking for inspiration, then our featured business mums show you what’s possible.

Just loved reading about our Monday Mumpreneur this week and her business adventures.

'It's always inspiring to hear other people's stories' that's exactly what this week's featured mumpreneur said in her interview and I totally agree . . .  and that's why she's here ~ enjoy! x

Your name: Bryony Fildes

Your website: www.filmfairy.co.uk

Brief description:

I run a boutique video production company aimed at the family market

Tell me about your children:

I have 2 boys. Brodie is 5 and Finn is 2

Where do you live? West London, UK

PC or Mac?

Mac and all things apple generally

Tell us about your business

It’s called Film Fairy and we offer a range of video products based around capturing families on film to provide them with lasting memories. Our main products involve the creation of short beautiful family films cut to music. We use people’s existing video footage (including the conversion of old video formats) or we film them at their family events, or spend a day with the children to create ‘a day in the life’ movies. We also film at school events and at performances by clubs and theatre groups.

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

I’d thought about working for myself for about the last 10 years but I was in a well paid job that was close to home. Once I’d had Brodie they let me go back part time so it seemed even more of a risk to leave. In 2010, 3 months into my maternity leave with Finn I was made redundant. With a decent payout, it was just the opportunity I needed. I toyed with a few business ideas and then literally woke up one morning with the idea and the name for Film Fairy. I had been filming and editing on an amateur basis for years and loved creating videos for family and friends. I always got such a positive reaction when people saw them but had never thought about turning it into a business before. I bought the domain name that same day and started work on setting it up immediately.

What's been your biggest challenge in business?

Juggling child care with setting up a business is difficult. There’s not much money coming in during the set up phase but there’s so much work to do. I had one day of child care a week for the 1st year, no grandparents living near by and a husband who works long hours so starting something from scratch was a challenge.

How have you overcome it?

Working late at night or early in morning, getting the grandparents to travel and cutting down (but not giving up completely) watching rubbish on TV. Part of the reason for starting a business was to allow me to set my own hours to fit with the kids so I knew it would involve working at odd times of the day. Also in London my circumstances aren’t that unique. I live in a brilliantly supportive community where parents are keen to help and support each as most of them don’t have extended family near by.

What's been your proudest business moments?

My initial website launch was exciting. It felt like the end of a period of really hard work and it was lovely to get such great feedback from the outside world. Also, I’m lucky that I generally get really amazing direct feedback everytime I deliver a product. It’s a very personal service so I often get close to the clients I am working with and hear about the great reaction when they see their DVD for the first time.

What's your catchphrase or favourite quote?

“Everything’s a phase” – which I generally use in relation to children but it is probably equally fitting for business.

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

I climb under a blanket with a magazine or I sing very loudly in the car. Failing that red wine with (or without) friends will help.

What was the last treat you bought for yourself?

I’ve just bought an ipad mini while telling myself it’s an essential tool for my business!

Favourite colour: Liverpool Red

Favourite flowers: I’m partial to a tulip

What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?

Don’t be put off by people telling you it will be too difficult or that it will be hard to make money. It will, but if you have an idea that you believe in then go for it. Surround yourself with like minded people who will encourage you and provide you with support and advice. Many of the people I spend time with want to move away from the traditional 9 to 5 office type roles and it’s always inspiring to hear other people’s stories.

Fancy featuring as one of our amazing mumpreneurs? Drop me an email over on the contact page – and I’ll be in touch.   Or let me know in a comment below.