Monday Mumpreneur with Janice Atlay
Every Monday we feature a mumpreneur who’s ready and willing to open up their lives to us. They share with us their motivation, challenges and proudest moments in business and they also tell us how they take time to nurture themselves. It’s lovely to have them here at Mums Got A Business and we hope you enjoy connecting with them too.
Please give a very warm welcome to my lovely guest this week. She's the proprietor of THE most gorgeous Children's French Boutique in Chester. I just wish she was there when I lived near by ~ it's a lovely part of the country . . .
Name: Janice Atlay
Website: www.chateaudesable.co.uk
Brief description:
We sell our own brand Chateau de sable French designed baby and children's wear from newborn to 12 year our designs are timeless and chic using carefully selected fabrics with thoughtful detailing. Our designs rediscover the innocence to children's clothing. We have just one boutique and our own website.
How many children do you have?
Isabel 8Y and Isaac 5Y
Where do you live?
Chester, Cheshire
PC or Mac?
A big Mac convert - happened about 4 years ago!
What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?
Flexibility to manage my own time and not be accountably to anyone else. Was living overseas when I discovered Chateau de sable and after much research bought the UK franchise. If I hadn't discovered this brand I may still be in corporate life!
What’s been your biggest challenge in business?
Switching off and relaxing! Running your own business is 24/7. In the world of viral marketing and social media you can always been working on your marketing!
How have you overcome it?
Not really as we are still a very small team which means I multi skill from being a buyer, operations manager, warehouse manager, PR director, accountant and shop girl all in the space of an hour. Maybe one day I can relax when I have so many heads of departments!!
What’s been your proudest business moment?
Putting the keys in the door of the first boutique and turning the store sign to 'open' on the first day. It had taken such a long time planning and was great to see it all come together
What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?
'if you get a compliment always acknowledge it and say thank you!' –
What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?
I need to go out of the country to relax - a good non fiction book can switch me off.
What was the last treat you bought for yourself?
Mulberry bayswater are such classics and love them
Favourite colour?
I always stick to solid colours and rarely to prints, love accessories though so main dress colours are black and white!
Favourite flowers?
Gerbera (is that the right spelling!)
What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?
Ask ask ask, so many people are so willing and happy to give advice who have been in the same position. Never underestimate the value of networking- the right contacts can prove to be very successful.
Fancy featuring as one of our amazing mums? Drop me an email over on the contact page and I’ll be in touch. And remember to drop by every Monday to welcome our latest profiled mum.
Great success story! I can relate to the difficulty in letting go and relaxing. My mind os always going. Even when I’m reading a book, I think of something work-related and have to force myself not to get back on the computer.
Jeanine Byers Hoag recently posted..How to Plan for a 30-Day Wardrobe Challenge
Jeanine,
I know what you mean.
It’s really important to ‘unplug’.
I love having my regular massage – as I just float away and can’t think of anything lol. It’s bliss.
Heather x
Another great interview. and good to know other people have the same experiences.
Gina,
It’s good to know that ‘It’s not just me!’ isn’t it?
Our interviewees are fabulous.
Can’t wait to post yours missus.
Heather x
Hi Heather and Janice,
What a fabulous story! I especially loved the answer to the proudest business moment. A great big smile came to my face and a skip in my heart. Though I haven’t literally unlocked the door and turned around the open sign, I can certainly relate with landing my first client.
I also loved the part about so many helpful people and never underestimating the power of networking. So true.
Best wishes to you both.
Deb Augur recently posted..Got a Giant List of Twitter Followers
Thanks so much Deb,
I agree about the proudest moment and there are different ones for each of us: Opening our first shop; getting the keys to an office; stepping out in front of an audience; getting our first client; seeing ourself in print – WOW!!
It’s a great subject for another post – thanks.
Heather x
Love the advice, not just for Mums but women in general who are such great networkers so often forget to ask for both advice and help
This site is rocking Heather
Suzie♡♡
Suzie Cheel recently posted..Do You Feel You Own Power
Suzie,
Thanks so much,
I believe networking is the most powerful way to grow a business. We can’t do it all be ourselves and I’ve found that those people who have grown a business themselves are happy to help others on the same journey.
Sometimes we want to do everything ourselves (I know, I spent months trying to figure things out when I first came on-line), but asking others for help and advice moves us so much further, so much quicker – why re-invent the wheel?
Heather x
Brilliant tip about asking from Janice. So many times we are afraid to ask for things either because we think it shows a sign of weakness or because we fear rejection. If you don’t ask, you don’t get. Note to myself: Must remember to ask for testimonials!
Nicky Kriel recently posted..Do you have a Social Media Strategy
Yay! Nicky,
People are so happy to give testimonials, they are just waiting for you to ask.
Go for it!!
Heather xx
[…] post was inspired by our Monday Mumpreneur Janice when she shared with us that her proudest business moment was the day she opened her first shop and […]
Delighted to meet you, Janice!
Heather has the neatest friends and colleagues — who also happen to reside in the most beautiful places. 🙂
I enjoy some of the same things as you … books, the country, and fun accessories.
Many congratulations to you for breaking away from “cubicle nation” — a.k.a. the ever lovin’ corporate world. I applaud you! I’m still living a “divided” life of working both inside and outside the home but striving hard to change that scenario.
Wishing you continued success and all the joys in life,
Melanie
Melanie Kissell @SoloMompreneur recently posted..Pasteurize Homogenize And Monetize
Melanie,
You work so hard and give so much to your students and clients – but I’m going to do the ‘Happy Dance’ the day you announce that you’ve left the corporate world behind. Keep going lovely lady – you’ll get there and inspire so many others to do the same.
Cheering you on
Heather x