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.