Interview with Belle Mcknight
You were awarded Winner of Mumsnet Mumpreneur 2008 and a finalist in ITV´s This Morning Mumpreneur competition - congratulations! What does your company do?
Firstly we supply baby holidays packs, clients can select from the 450 products listed (including all the UK major baby brands ie Ella’s Kitchen, SMA, Plum) that they need for their baby on holiday, we then hand pack and ship them to their holiday destination to arrive before they do. We even send a confirmation delivery text before they fly for added piece of mind. Secondly we supply tourists in the Mojacar area with baby product rentals ie stair gates, cots for their holidays.
How difficult did you find it to set up your own business?
Not too difficult really, I love a challenge! I think its hard setting up any business but with some hard work and determination you get it done. I come from a sales background and I believe that selling skills can help you in any situation.
What is the start-up story behind your business venture?
I live between Spain and the UK, and when flying home to see my mum (who sadly has dementia) she always ended up buying the wrong products for my daughter (who was six months old at the time) even with a written list! Plus excess luggage costs a fortune, pay per bag policies and then liquids were banned on board. In addition babies under 2 get no luggage allowance and brands totally vary between countries you can’t get UK brands anywhere else and I did not want to change brands - all this makes travelling a night mare for me and other mums. Things happened quickly for me as within the first 6 months First Choice approached me to become one of their approved suppliers so I jumped at the chance. This opportunity combined with a lot of marketing and telephone calls launched Bebebel. There are many costs and issues that makes travelling a night mare for mums: babies under 2 get no luggage allowance, excess luggage costs a fortune, the introductions of pay per bag policies and then the banning of liquids on board. I wanted a service like this so I created one!
What were the main challenges you faced?
Finding advertising that worked for me I wasted a lot of my budget on campaigns that simply did not work. Also sourcing a reliable courier we had some hairy moments in the early days but now we have a strong relationship with TNT who I am happy to say are great!
Do you think Spain is sympathetic to entrepreneurs?
No I think the amount you have to pay here for contributions and national insurance is outrageous and you still have to pay it even when you are not making a profit! The only advantage is that nursery care is free in government run nurseries or very cheap if you go private.
How many children do you have and how old are they?
Just one Ruby and she is 4.5 years now.
How did you cope raising your child and setting up a business?
Well luckily I had a fantastic nursery for Ruby so with childcare it makes everything so much easier, you just have to be flexible which does mean weekends and evenings! But it’s all been worth it.
What advice would you give mums in Spain thinking of setting up their own business?
Learn Spanish first! It will really help you get by and reduce the problems you encounter, plus some Spanish will take advantage if you don’t understand what is going on, also you really limit your client base if you only have English clients. Secondly research your market well to make sure that is a need for your product/service first and thirdly write a business plan.
Can you describe your typical day and how you juggle your children with your work?
After dropping Ruby off at school 9am I dash to the gym for a gruelling work (healthy body healthy mind is one of my favourite mottos!), quick shower and straight to the desk I work through to 4.30pm when I leave to collect Ruby. Back home organise Ruby’s dinner and bath her, whilst doing some housework in between. My husband usually gets home for 7.30pm, so we sit down and eat dinner together then he puts Ruby to bed. If I have any urgent orders I might do a bit more work after supper but if not a glass of wine and some telly!
Were your children born in Spain and if so how did you find the experience?
Yes Ruby was born in Almeria and as for the experience I don’t think it was any worse or better than if I’d been in the UK or anywhere else for that matter! We actually went private as I had a terrible experience with the local GP, which now I am very pleased about as the cord was wrapped around Ruby’s neck and her heart beat was dangerously low so I had to have emergency caesarean and as we were private I had my own Anaesthetist so all was OK in the end but very scary at the time. The language barrier did cause a few problems but really that’s our fault for not speaking better Spanish at the time! Since then we both have lessons and have improved dramatically.
Where you live in Spain what do you think the facilities/activities are like for children?
I live in Mojacar Playa Almeria a small seaside village the facilities are fairly limited but they are and have been gradually improving. We are very lucky in that we have a lovely beach and our own pool so that’s a major bonus – the reason we moved here in fact. But during the winter or on rainy days it’s hard to keep them occupied especially as we lose the sky signal when it rains!
Is there anything where you live you would like to recommend?
An indoor play centre that’s open all day we do have one but its only open from 4pm to 8pm and somewhere to hold children’s parties.
Your company supports the travelling mum, have you got any tips for travelling mums?
Yes use Bebebel! Be organised and call ahead to your accommodation to check what facilities are available for your baby and available to buy locally. So you can reduce your packing and only take what you need.
What are the next steps for you and your business?
Just to keep up the good work. Now Ruby is a bit older I have a good routine of fitting Ruby, work and the gym together plus this year has been really busy for me with an dramatic increase in orders so every year our profits have increased, we have recently had a few celebrity orders and will hopefully get some more!. Unfortunately I cant disclose their names as its confidential but will definitely be networking for more! Watch this space!
July 2010
