Andrea World and Suzanne Webcke stock their online store with those ‘Where did you get that?’ items for parents.

Andrea tells why Mummys Little Helpers stocks only practical parenting products and exclusive pregnancy & birth wear.

Andrea, what was the idea that first got the ball rolling?

I would get approached daily at the shops by other mums asking me, “Where did you buy that? I really need one of those!” 

I thought, “If I was selling these products, I’d have made a fortune by now…” and so planted the seed about having a business that could sell practical parenting products to other mums.

What got you excited enough about the idea to put it into motion?

We were stay-at-home mums– we threw in our full-time jobs to look after our children. We were considering part-time work, but we wanted to do something we’d enjoy and it had to be flexible. Andrea had been involved in party plan previously and suggested that we sell our products this way. When our research showed that no other party plan business in Australia sold ‘practical use’ products for pregnant mums and small children, we thought, “we’re onto something here!”

Where did the name for your business spring from?

We wanted a name that would let people know immediately that the business related to mums and small children. “Mummys Little Helpers” does that and it also reflects our business philosophy which was twofold: 1. To help other mums find good quality, useful parenting products that will make their life easier and 2. Enabling other mums to join the company as consultants and earn money doing something they enjoy– socialising with other mums and talking about their children.

What makes Mummys Little Helpers different to other similar businesses out there?

It’s now been three years since we set up the business and there still isn’t another party plan company selling the same type of products we do. Most children’s party plan companies tend to focus on clothing or educational books or toys.  Our focus is on practical parenting products that will be used by mums everywhere, everyday. We also undertook never to sell anything that we wouldn’t use ourselves. Unlike some other party-plan companies, we don’t mass recruit and we don’t offer “no cost” or “low cost” consultant kits. We prefer to attract people who are as enthusiastic about the business and products as we are, rather then those wanting to try whatever is the cheapest option. We don’t offer our consultant’s overseas holidays or cars as incentives, just a “family friendly” flexible opportunity to earn as little or as much money as they wish.

Our on-line store follows the same philosophy as our party plan business by limiting the sale of luxury high end items and focusing on practical cost-effective parenting products.

What was the most difficult part in getting your business off the ground?

Funding and knowing where to start. Also, all the research and groundwork that is required means that it usually takes 6 to 12 months before you can actually start trading. This can be frustrating when you are keen to get started.

Has any part of your business gone down a different path than you first anticipated?

Yes. Originally we were only going to sell our products by way of party plan demonstrations. However, we realised that we wouldn’t be able to reach those mums who didn’t have a consultant in their area. So, six months after we started, we opened our on-line store. This has made us a national company and helped us to reach customers and consultants in areas we couldn’t reach before.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?

Being able to get out and about and chat with other mums. Also, the challenge of finding new and inexpensive ways to market the business.

Do you belong to any networks that have helped you grow your business?

We do belong to a number of business networks that have provided valuable information and contacts. We’ve found that forming strategic alliances with other businesses is the best way to reach new customers.

What are your future goals for Mummys’ Little Helpers?

We hope to take on more consultants in more areas and to develop some of our own products to add to our range.

What advice would you give another woman wanting to start a business of her own?

Don’t start a home based business just because you think it will be easier than going to the office everyday. Being your own boss can be rewarding but it is also a lot of hard work. Endless late nights and hours of unpaid background work can precede business success. You also can never really “work” from home when your children are around (this is something rarely appreciated by those who don’t have children).

You should be super organised and write yourself to-do lists every day so that you can make the best use of any work time you have. Set yourself daily time limits for your work (as you would in an office) so that your business doesn’t become all consuming.

Also, make sure that you have an effective Business Plan in place before you start your business. The old saying “If you fail to plan, you are planning to fail” is very true. Having said that – always be prepared to change your plans. Circumstances change so flexibility is a must.