Mum-Preneur number three is Kelly. She is my first Mum-Preneur that I don’t know personally and I have discovered her wonderful business through Facebook. Kelly specialises in simple but charming home enhancing products.
Tell us a bit about yourself
I’m Kelly I’m 36 and I’m a new mum to my gorgeous 22 week old Stanley , after many years of infertility, then heart break of late miscarriages and finally with pregnancy number five (my lucky number) we got our man 
Kelly and Stanley
Tell us about your business
After 9 years of working for social services, by whom I’m still employed, I’ve finally taken the plunge to do something for myself. I love home decor , upcycling and have completely renovated my home, in fact some of my friends might say I’m not happy unless I’ve got a paintbrush in my hand!
So after toying with the idea last year, even going as far to setting up emails and sourcing wholesalers, I’ve finally taken the plunge. And I love it! Only eleven weeks in but over 1300 likes on Facebook already and things are going really well.
I wrote a business plan and so far I’m meeting the initial targets I set out. After Christmas I’m hoping to launch a website and I have events coming up such as wedding fairs, Christmas shopping events and lots of our at-home parties booked.
The very popular slate heart
Why did you choose to start up your own business rather than getting a regular job?
I’m due back at work just after Christmas and due to the way my shifts work I’m really confident that I’ll be able to do both. This, I feel, takes some of that pressure off of me financially as I won’t have to be earning a profit and any money made will be re-invested in to the company to help get it established.
I’m hoping in the long run that should baby no.2 decide to come along my business will allow me to take a year off to spend quality time at home and decide whether or not at that point I could make my business my 2 md priority obviously my baby(ies) being my first.
How do you juggle your time between being mum and business woman?
These first few months have been hectic and I don’t see it slowing down anytime soon, but I try to divide my day up in to sections and plan my week. At breakfast time my phone gets put to one side and certain times throughout the day are completely dedicated to cuddles and giggles. My poor husband thinks I’m having an affair with my phone but it’s so important to engage with the customer and create great content. I’ve also found myself some new friends and customers. People buy from people they like; it’s as simple as that.
Shabby antique plaque, as seen on Keith Lemon’s ‘Through the Keyhole’
What are your biggest day to day challenges?
My biggest challenge is trying to make the most of my time and keeping on top if the house work. Everyone said that once the baby arrived the house would change and it has. But who cares? It gets done, just may not be as sparkling as it used to be.
How do you manage to squeeze in any time for relationships and social time along with being mum and mum-preneur?
I haven’t really had many nights out as of yet. Before becoming a mum I partied hard, had countless holidays in Ibiza and nights out clubbing. I really feel like It’s my time now to be the best mum I can be and that includes making a life where I’m happily doing what I’m doing and creating a life where I can spend as much time at home as possible. I feel that by setting up my business now while my baby is young it’s hard work, but I know when he’s running around I will have more opportunities to spend as much time as I can with during these pre-school years is the right thing to do. When I’m having a day where I’ve felt stressed or demoralised I just take a break have a cuddle with my little Man a d out things in perspective.
What items can you never leave home without?
I can never leave home without my iPhone.
What are your top mummy must haves for mums on the go?
Baby wipes and lots of them!!!
What is your favourite quote?
My favourite quote is actually the words from my wedding song “sometimes I feel like throwing my hands up in the air, I know I can count on you, sometimes I feel like saying lord I just don’t care but you got the love I need to see me through.”
Home Heart Style specialises in beautiful quotes for the home
Do you ever feel guilty about being a working mum and giving your time to something other than your children?
I do feel guilty at the thought of trying to get things off the ground and should I be spending every waking minute concentrating on my boy? But I can’t do coffee, cake and play groups as my day to day thing. I love being busy and under pressure. I’d much rather take my little man swimming and walking with daddy and our dogs.
What are your guilty pleasures?
My guilty pleasures are definitely wine and chocolate… With a little bit of Top Gear thrown in!
And finally… Do you have any tips or advice for a mum who is thinking of becoming a mum-preneur?
Believe in yourself, do some market research but don’t pay too much attention to what others are doing. Be confident in what you do and don’t expect everything to work. Reflect weekly on what worked and didn’t work and change things accordingly.
Head on over and visit Kelly on the Home Heart Style Facebook Page or stop and see her on Instagram, her username is homeheartstyle
My favourite of all of Home Heart Styles quotes
http://www.facebook.com/4partsofthe1
Instagram user name Laura4parts
If you would like to feature in Mum-Preneur then head on over to my Facebook page and send me a message.
