Monday Mumpreneur with Sarah Dening
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, challenges and 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'm delighted to introduce you to our inspiring mumpreneur this week. She has set up a virtual department store and all the items on the website are hand chosen by her as items she would have in her own home (and some of them already are). During the short time she has been online, our business mum has been recognised for her efforts and won a series of awards. All this while bringing up four children. Today she shares with us her secrets .....
Your name: Sarah Dening
Your website: www.ShopOnYourDoorstep.com
Brief description: The virtual department store. Gorgeous gifts, inspired interiors and terrific toys.
Tell us about your children: I have 4 children: Sydney is 10, Samuel is 9, Cassidy is 6 and Jefferson is 2.
Where do you live? We live at the seaside – Broadstairs in Kent, UK.
PC or Mac? PC
Tell us about your business
Shop On Your Doorstep is an online retail store which opened in July 2010. Originally the products were sourced from local independent retailers in Broadstairs, Margate, Ramsgate and Whitstable, however I now also deal directly with UK designers and manufacturers to offer a wider variety of products.
What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?
Having helped local retailers make the move to “go online”, it seemed a natural step for me to create my own online store. The hours are flexible and fit around my family.
What's been your biggest challenge in business?
Creating our Christmas catalogue last year took a lot of time and effort, but the end result was worth it.
How have you overcome it?
I made the decision to delegate the design and layout of the catalogue to a local man who specialises in catalogue design. Sometimes you have to realise you can’t do everything required for a project and you have to do what is best for the business, rather than struggle and produce something which is mediocre.
What's been your proudest business moment?
Booking my Stand at the Ideal Home Show for Christmas. [Martin Lewis of Money Saving Expert fame was at the show shooting for ITV's Lorraine Kelly show and chose Sarah's stand to feature in his piece. You can see more HERE].
What's your catchphrase or favourite quote?
Football is a gentleman’s game played by hooligans. Rugby is a hooligans’ game played by gentlemen.
What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?
A glass of wine and Eastenders.
What was the last treat you bought for yourself?
Shoes. Trying to convince my husband they are business related and an absolute necessity for Earls Court.
Favourite colour: Blue.
Favourite flowers: Sweet Williams or white lilies.
What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneur?
Decide if you want a hobby or a business. Do not underestimate the hours and hard work involved.
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. And remember to drop by every Monday to welcome our latest profiled mum.
