Monday Mumpreneur with Lavina Bonar

On Mondays we feature a mumpreneur just like you and me 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.

This week's biz mum designed and created a solution to a problem many of us struggle with and now her products are loved by women globally and are a favourite of Hollywood celebrities.

Your name: Lavina Bonar

Tell us about your children:

Ava - Age 17 months old. Mummy’s adorable little girl full of mischief and delight.

Where do you live?

Hertfordshire, England

PC or Mac?

Mac

Tell us about your business:

Sizers is a young and innovative new British brand that offers a range of solution-orientated products for women who struggle to find the perfect shoe fit!

We manufacture, sell and distribute our footwear solution products to over 80 countries through our own website www.shoesizers.com as well as Amazon, Etsy and eBay. Our products are used in Hollywood by celebrity stylist Jessica Paster for her client’s designer footwear.

Currently our range exists of 3 products specifically designed to reduce your shoes up to 1 whole shoe size. We are looking to expand the range and are in the design stages of creating a men’s range of Sizers, with the hopes of launching it in the next few months.

Our high performance foot care line of shoe sizing insert cushions provide stylish, yet discreet solutions that are reusable, prevent bacteria whilst repelling moisture and odor. We believe you should be able to wear whatever shoes you want. Sizers provide the solution, giving you options!

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

I came up with the idea of Sizers when I couldn't find a pair of shoes in my size for a last minute job interview. I ended up buying a size too small as they were either all too big or stretched out. I kept thinking about my idea and began working on developing it every spare second I had, after work and every weekend. Several months later I became pregnant with my daughter Ava and decided to use this opportunity to take early maternity leave. I was 7 months pregnant running around trying to get Sizers off the ground before my bundle of joy arrived. It was certainly challenging to say the least. I have a lot of respect for mothers. Toughest job in the world!

What’s been your biggest challenge in business?

Giving birth to my daughter Ava and two days later going back to work to get our customer's orders out on time. It was an exhausting chapter and to be honest, I wasn't sure if I could do it as I had a very difficult labour, but when you’re doing something you love, somehow you find the strength and energy for it.

How have you overcome it?

I have a really supportive partner, James and my family were so great. They all rallied round helping as much as they could with Ava and just being there when I needed them. If you’ve got a circle of great people around you then it enables you to be the best you can. I’m really grateful for all their help as I couldn’t have done it without them.

What’s been your proudest business moment?

When Sizers was featured on NBC’s Today Show last month. It was an amazing moment to see a product I had designed and created being shown on one of the biggest morning shows in the USA. I still can’t get over the shock that our British made product went Stateside!

What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?

“Genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration”. - Thomas Edison

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

I like to do yoga whenever I can as its great for clearing my mind, but it can be quite difficult to find the time what with running a new business and making sure I’m there for my family. If I’m short of time, which I usually am, then I’ll go for a quick run or swim.

A pink lipstick from YSL. A bright lip always lifts my mood and makes me feel empowered.

Favourite colour: Anything bold and bright but if I had to choose, orange.

Favourite flowers: Pink lillies

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

Don’t think you can’t do both, run a business and be a great mother. My Mum is my role model because she showed me that you can be successful at whatever you put your mind to. You don’t have to compromise. I watched her run her own business single-handedly when I was younger, and no matter what was going on she always had time for her family. We always felt that we were her number one priority.

To find out more about Lavina and her business, visit her site:

www.shoesizers.com

And connect with her on social media:

www.facebook.com/shoesizers
www.twitter.com/shoesizers
www.instagram.com/shoesizers

Think your mumpreneur story will inspire our community? Drop me an email over on the contact page – and I’ll be in touch. Or let me know in a comment below.