Who are the successful mumtrepreneurs?

There have been a large number of very successful ‘mumtrepreneurs’ bringing products to market in the last few years. Wherever you go three names always come up. These mums have combined great ideas, product design and manufacture with consistent and excellent execution. These have leveraged the benefits’ of manufacturing in China and the Far East and launched quickly into international markets. Foremost among them is Mandy Haberman with the Anyway Up Cup. This product has been an enormous success. It has accumulated awards and sales hand over fist and is an enormous international bestseller.

Solvej Biddle has also enjoyed more recent success and a very high profile. Solvej is charming, focussed and increasingly influential. The industry increasingly sees Solvej as an inspiring trailblazer and mums turn to her for advice. Listening to Solvej speak is thought provoking and enjoyable. If you get a chance to see her then seize it.

Finally our own Amanda Jenner is the newest star on the block. However she is powering ahead with sales. Amanda’s is also an inspiring story and one with features of determination, vision and tenacity in equal measure.

In MotionTouch’s experience all three of these mumtrepreneurs are approachable and helpful. MotionTouch recommend new arrivals in the market to contact them and seek advice.

How can I sell to Boots and Mothercare etc?

MotionTouch are often asked by innovators with new baby products how they can get their products into the major retailers. Once the product is designed and the manufacturing is in place, focus turns to sales. Although Kiddicare and Babies R Us are very influential, it is invariably Boots and Mothercare that they are referring to. There are different approaches to selling to these mammoth retailers but by far the easiest is to go to an established distributor with a relationship and existing product range in place. There are a couple of reasons for this. Firstly major retailers do not like setting up suppliers on their system who only offer one or two products. Secondly it takes experience and skills to manage the account properly.

MotionTouch work with our clients to assist them in choosing the right distribution partner. There are several significant companies and a number of niche ones. Depending on the product and the entrepreneur’s ambition, the choice of distributor will vary from product to product. Distributors are often part of informal international networks. This can be useful in establishing sales internationally.

In order to approach these retailers you will require consistent quality control, specific assurance and certifications (usually in additional the statutory requirements) and also social responsibility audits). We will deal with these in later articles.