Factfile
Age:
25
Home office location:
Edinburgh
Business description:
Online luxury boutique with a cool
collection of gorgeous gifts and
beautiful babywear from premature sizing
right through to 5 years old. Plus
gifts for new parents and siblings.
Q&A with
Hayley
When did you launch babydeluxe.co.uk?
I launched BabyDeluxe in September 2006 and the time has just flown by!
What were you doing before going self-employed?
Pre- BabyDeluxe, I worked in an advertising agency, a radio station and then a tv production company before leaving all that behind to run the office for my partner's electrical contracting company. But as you can imagine, it was not very exciting and I was itching to do something else (although I still run my husband's company but women can multi-task!)
How did you come up with the idea?
I always wanted
to get into fashion of some sort and
noticed a gap in the market for luxury
baby clothing and gifts that offered
more than the high street but not at the
expense of the designer shops. Also
boutique shopping is becoming huge and
even first time parents want one-off or
limited collections of clothing or
footwear for their little ones!
Are any of your family involved in the business?
My husband has been paramount in helping me set up the business as he had a wealth of experience in being self-employed so he keeps his hand in at times! On a day to day basis, my sister does all my PR and my mum helps me in the office and stock room when we are busy and also covering the office when I go on holiday.
What has been
your most successful marketing/promotion
activity so far?
I have received fantastic PR throughout the last year and it has really helped to promote my website far and wide. One particular feature in a national baby magazine gained me orders in from Singapore, Dubai, Japan and Malaysia through promoting a new brand exclusive to me in the UK.
Did you get help in developing the site? If so, what would be your top tip for someone hiring a web designer?
I had no experience in design and web developing so I took some advice. I love my design and worked very closely with my designer to achieve the right brand that I want to carry forward for years to come. My one top tip is to understand that web design and web hosting are completely separate entities. If someone designs your website it does not always mean that they can manage your site and I think it is equally important to find separate people/ companies to deal with each part to ensure maximum results for your business! I am now on my 2nd hosting company who are brilliant!
What are your plans for the future?
My plans for the future are to continue building my customer database and having regular activity with them. I am also working in the corporate market providing newborn gift baskets to staff or clients of that company that are one-off and are unique to the recipient. I would love to have my own brand of babywear in the future, using only the best quality materials within the UK.
What is the one thing in your home office you couldn’t do without?
The internet - I am online practically 24/7 and could not live without it! If it had to be a personal item it would be my mobile because if the internet went down I can still keep in touch!
Hayley Edwards talks to Emma Jones