Monday Mumpreneur with Belinda Bull

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.

I really love how this week's mumpreneur spotted a gap in the market and also love how she chooses the products she sells. Her business sounds like such fun and I also really resonate with her advice to other business mums - well said.

Your name: Belinda Bull

Your website: www.net2nana.com

Brief description: Net2Nana.com send gifts to Mums & Grandmas, a lot of our customers are ex-pats  Armed Services personnel and busy people who find it an easy way to choose and send gifts to their loved ones. We gift wrap all orders for free and write a message on the gift tag from the sender to the recipient.

Tell me about your children

I have two: Britt who will be 15 in April and Matthew who is 10. Like most Mums I am a bit besotted by my children, although they are both at the age where they don't really appreciate being hugged by me at every possible moment!

Where do you live? Worcester, UK

PC or Mac? PC, although my daughter, who is already a successful beauty vlogger and earns money through youtube, is saving up for a Mac so I might just get converted!

Tell us about your business

I started Net2Nana.com around the time of my Mum's 80th birthday. I'd heard my nieces and nephews (all grown up, busy working people) chatting about how they hadn't got a clue what to buy their "Nana" or any other older female relatives for that matter. I then decided to create an online shop that would solve this dilemma.

I love finding perfect gifts for older ladies, there are so many things to consider, for example jewellery must be easy to fasten (necklaces must be able to go over the head if not) and lightweight yet still fun & fashionable. I run "focus groups" where I assemble together a group of lively, lovely "golden girls" who pass or fail any potential gifts for the website! These focus groups have been so successful that they have actually become part of my long term business plan.

I still run 2 or 3 a year, as well as being great fun they give me the confidence to know that we are offering the right type of gifts and I have met some wonderful vibrant older ladies who totally dispel the myth that older people like things to be "boring & beige!"

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

I flew as Airline Cabin Crew for 10 years, going there straight from college, and then I was lucky enough to be a stay at home Mum for another 12 years. When I did begin to start looking for work there wasn't much I was qualified for! I knew then that I would have to create my own working role.

What's been your biggest challenge in business?

I left school way before computers were introduced so becoming computer savvy has been a huge challenge. The fact I'm now running an online company never ceases to amaze me, what's even more amazing is how much I've loved getting to grips with the technical side.

How have you overcome it?

Lots of trial and error, I've made quite a few mistakes along the way!

What's been your proudest business moment?

Getting lots of small awards, esp. ones that describe Net2Nana.com as a well designed, easy to use site, but mainly receiving great feedback from happy customers.

What's your catchphrase or favourite quote?

"This too will pass", gets me through good times and bad!

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

I try not to get too stressed in the first place, well nothing a large glass of wine wouldn't
fix!

What was the last treat you bought for yourself?

I had a delivery of gorgeous bags & scarves arrive this morning from a new supplier and after fighting temptation for a good half hour I gave in and treated myself to a fabulous pink polka dot bag! The gifts on our site are "not just for Nanas"!

Favourite colour: Can I choose two please, pink and blue.

Favourite flowers: Wild flowers.

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

You've already created something amazing with having your children, now use your transferable skills to create your amazing business.

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.