Christie Nicholas offers the first online service for mums to swap their goods and talents.

Featured on TV and magazines, Mumswap is an amazing hub for mums!

Christie, what was the idea that first got the ball rolling?
When I was on maternity leave, I decided I would start a (completely different) business that was going to motivate mums and make them feel good about themselves in their roles, but didn’t have the skills to do it single-handedly and didn’t feel confident outlaying the money for this new business venture.
I thought I would save some money and have a crack at this other business idea if I could swap some of my business skills with a graphic artist or web developer in return for a logo, or a website– but I couldn’t find a site that introduced me to like-minded people. 
I needed to find more mums like me out there.  Mums that are perfectly capable in providing these types of services I needed (after all, we were being paid for these services just months earlier) and wanted what I had to offer.  But I couldn’t find a bartering site that was typically appropriate for mums of my generation (aged 25 – 39 years give or take)

What got you excited enough about the idea to put it into motion?
That’s when the light went off and I started to think about how many other products and services do mums want, and how many products and services can they provide.  It came down to four main things mums wanted: products and services for her, the family, the business and the lifestyle. And it was clear that everything that mums wanted could be provided by another mum….
So I changed business tact and decided I was going to create mumswap.com.au; a bartering site that focuses on making life easier for mums. As a bonus, it is also a business that is good for the environment as it encourages people to recycle their goods. 
You can swap all the usual things you would expect to swap on a bartering site, i.e clothes, toys, furniture.  But, we have addressed all of mums’ needs – so you can also put in your request for some ironing, a spa treatment, a home-cooked meal, Christmas gifts or a business and marketing plan.

Where did the name for your business spring from?
It was down to two obvious options. One name that my heart wanted and one name that my head wanted. In the end some extra market research told me to listen to my heart all the way.

What makes Mumswap original?
Mumswap is different as this is Australia’s first completely FREE (and unconventional) bartering hub created specifically for mums to swap their product, services AND talents to achieve more for themselves, their family, business and lifestyle a smarter way. 
 
Mums come here to recycle their goods, share their skills and be rewarded.  It’s not just about getting rid of old clothes.  Here you can put your business skills to use while you are on maternity leave and swap it for hair and beauty services if you want.  Or offer to do someone’s chores and borrow their boat for the weekend. Do some babysitting and get some cooking lessons, etc.  The list is endless and so are the possibilities.  Yet the objective is the same – and that is to make life easier for mums to get the products and services they wish for, but without the pressure to do it all or pay for it all themselves.

What was the most difficult part in getting your business off the ground?
After lots of mini-challenges, we had to accept that getting a business off the ground takes three times as long as you think and sometimes things are going to be out of your control – but regardless you must be continuously motivated, focused and strong.

Has any part of your business gone down a different path than you first anticipated?
Continuously evolving. Initially we were contemplating what fee we should charge users but decided at the eleventh hour that mumswap.com.au should be an entirely free service. Mums deserve it.

What do you enjoy most about running your business?
That we are in the business of making life easier for mums. Our mission is very rewarding because we understand first hand the pressures mums face and we want to make it easier for mums to have it all without trying to do it all. It is a genuine, feel-good initiative to be a part of.

Do you belong to any networks that have helped you grow your business?
We are getting around to all that and expect we will eventually be a part of many networks that will help us get our message across to mums…..

What are your future goals for mumswap.com.au?
We want every mum to be aware of what mumswap.com.au does for mums and that there is a smarter way to achieve what they want for themselves, their family, business and lifestyle without the pressure of trying to do it all on their own. Mumswap will continue to communicate that by recycling goods, sharing skills you can reap the rewards and ‘have it all’. Our goal is to make life easier for tens of thousands of mums.

What advice would you give another woman wanting to start a business of her own?
I can tell you to ‘go for it’ and you will really enjoy doing what you love. I can also tell you it is not for the faint-hearted. Things take much longer than planned, some things will be out of your control and you will have to make a lot of sacrifices. Therefore, if you believe in yourself, what you are capable of and you know how resilient and stubborn you are – you don’t need anyone to show you the way – Go on and lead the way.