mumpreneur Special Edition
December 2015
Award Winn
ing Businesse
s Spotlight
Contents
pg 5
5 6 7 8 9
Beauty By Sarah Campfire Communications Marvellous Superfoods Tatty Bumpkin Cheeki Monkeys pg 10
pg 6
10 Mama Natural 11 Mums in The Wood 12 Mini First Aid 13 Sleepytot 14 I am Happy Mugs 15 Formula Botanica pg 15
16 Small Prints Photography 17 Count The Kicks 18 Babycademy 19 Serenity Loves 22 Baston House 25 KiddyUp
pg 13
pg 12
S
ince Mumpreneur UK started way back in 2009, the one thing that’s really been consistent, is the calibre of mums we’ve come across. Whether in the starting stages of enterprise or the well established businesses, each and every mum I’ve met has inspired and motivated me to become a better version of me. The energy and vision of these women never fails to slap me in the face and give me a wake up call and I feel it’s about time this was shared with mums who are contemplating joining the world of self-employment. There are to many mums who are looked down upon, who’s potential ventures are considered by others as hobbies or ‘something nice to keep her occupied while the kids are at school’ and our job as mumpreneurs is to ensure that these women are given the help and pat on the back that they deserve. With that in mind we are dedicating an entire month to award winning, mumpreneur owned businesses. Each of these women deserves a high five and the recognition they’ve earned. Sit back, read these amazing stories and go away feeling inspired to create your dreams, collaborate with someone new or just push yourself a little further!
S
arah’s initial interest in Beauty Therapy stemmed from first-hand experience of how a well preformed treatment can induce a sense of welling. After completing a professional course in Beauty therapy at Shrewsbury College of Arts and Technology cited a natural progression in the Industry. During Sarah’s sixteen year career she has worked in various establishments from Beauty salons to TV studies as a Beauty Therapist and Expert. “I had no TV training but regardless when we were filming live I could do it!” In 2008 Sarah became a proud Mum to her son Jacob and her determination to succeed as a mumpreneuer grew even stronger. In 2011 Sarah won her first ever Industry award BABTAC & CIBTAC Spa Therapist of the year and the sense of achievement gave her the confidence to fulfil a long term goal to open her very own Beauty Salon in the Heart of her home town Shrewsbury. “My Award contributed to the growth of my business through PR and I was extremely lucky to feature in a prestigious local magazine, making the cover story alongside a two page editorial”. In June 2014 Sarah was successful enough to make the BABTAC finals in two categories – Small salon of the year and inspiring person of the year. The Awards ceremony took place in Warwickshire and as a result Sarah met Makeup artist of the year Melanie Doyle. Through keeping in touch via social media Sarah was given the opportunity to join her team of Make-up artists at Miss World 2014 at the fashion retail academy in London. “I met all 125 miss world contestants to make sure they were camera ready for the catwalk, this amazing experience will stay with me for the rest of my life and it has certainly opened my eyes to Make-up”. Amongst winning Mumpreneur one 100 Sarah has made the finals for Health and Beauty Bizmum of the year 2015 and will attend the Conference and Awards in October. Sarah hopes to bring this Award back to Shrewsbury after someone very kindly nominated her for this award. Sarah who is fast approaching four years in business believes her hands on approach as a salon owner, mum and an experienced beauty therapist is a key part in building a good platform for her Business “I thrive off working for myself and I find it very easy to keep motivated. I try to keep a healthy working balance but as long as I can be there for the school run I don’t mind working into the evening. I gain job satisfaction when my clients arrive frantic and leave feeling they can take on the world. With the fast pace of life we live in beauty therapy can offer so much more if the therapist can recognise this importance and go that extra mile”.
www.beautybysarah.org.uk Twitter – @beautybysarahh Facebook – Beauty by Sarah Hodnett
Share your story around my campfire
L
ast summer, I was sitting around a campfire trying to explain to a friend what I wanted to do for a business. ‘I can spot a good story and know how to tell it so it sounds exciting. But how can I turn that into a business?’ I pondered. And then it hit me. A campfire was the perfect place to tell stories. That gave me the spark of my business idea. In October 2015 I launched Campfire Communications. I help small business owners – mostly women – figure out, write and share their business story to create a brand people love. I wanted to create a hybrid service – coaching coupled with consulting and hands on help. With 20 years of PR and marketing experience, and having successfully set up, run and sold a PR business before, I knew I could help other start ups create a money-making business.
Here’s how I help: Figure out your story: I provide marketing support and strategy – from simply helping clients choose a name to Clear the Smoke sessions, where we choose a particular marketing challenge and solve it. In Campfire intensives, we spend a day one-on-one getting to grips with their marketing while my new Brand Storytelling Package is a 6-week programme to create a completely refreshed brand. I also write Communications Plans so that clients have a calendar of content to use for social media, newsletters, blogs and PR. Write your story: Writing is my passion. I help SMEs write any content they need, particularly web copy. I get inside the head of my clients and write in a tone of voice that will resonate with their customers. I also offer a sanity check service where I edit what clients have written. Share your story: I teach clients how to do their own PR. I run face to face Learn PR in a Day workshops, I have an online PR course so that people can learn in their own time, I offer a one-on-one PR intensive where clients learn how to do PR specific
to their business, and I offer a PR Firestarter Kit, with a brainstorm call, a press release, bespoke press list and how to guide, for people who want to get results fast. I also offer social media, blog and newsletter training. Finally for people who haven’t yet started but have an idea for a business, I offer Ignite, where we turn the idea into a business in 30 days complete with website. Go to www.campfirecommunications.co.uk for more information. Or join the campfire chat on Facebook.
Facebook Twitter Youtube LinkedIn
Gluten Free, Sugar Free, Dairy Free, Vegan, Low GI, or Just Health Aware? Check out: www.marvelloussuperfood.co.uk for the finest selection of organic, high quality superfoods, healthfoods and eco-friendly cosmetics and gifts. We’re a Welsh, all woman, family business that prides its self on offering exceptional quality, ethically sourced products at the lowest possible prices. Our unique green powder blend is sure to boost your energy and keep those colds and bugs at bay while our award winning plant based, vegan protein powder helps build muscle and boost performance. Whether you’re gluten free, sugar free, dairy free, vegan or all of the above you’re sure to find something to tantalise your taste buds in our free from sweet treats range.
On the hunt for that special gift? we have a range of unique gift boxes as well as a large selection of chemical and cruelty free eco-luxury make-up that’s sure to delight that special someone. Can’t make up your mind? Why not go for a digital gift voucher so your loved one can choose exactly what they want? Our range of alternative sweeteners includes: coconut blossom sugar, xylitol, raw honey apple and maple. Many of our sweeteners are low GI and suitable for diabetics. Spend over £65 and get your goodies delivered for free. Pop by today - there really is something for everyone! Shopping with us helps small communities and producers around the globe earn a fair living wage.
www.marvelloussuperfood.co.uk
Sam Petter founder of
I
am honoured to be voted in the top 100 ‘mumpreneurs’. When I started Tatty Bumpkin the word did not even exist. Now, working flexibly around a family is so much more accepted than before. This has enabled me to turn my experience into a franchise that helps other mums back to work around their families, and we currently have 33 franchisees. 12 years ago I was at a crossroads, had just had my son (against the odds) and come through a fairly gruelling period where having a child was the entire focus. At the time I was working as a yoga teacher and freelance interactive designer in London. Once I had my son, I was faced with that exact question - “How can I work, ideally from home, around my new family?” Inspired by my yoga and design background I created Tatty Bumpkin. Tatty Bumpkin is a character, that channels developmental, physical and creative programmes through fun yoga stories to babies and children. Initially I received an Unltd social enterprise award for the model, helping mums back to workrunning classes in their local area. As time moved on, I started to look at the franchise model for growing the business. Franchising to me had been associated with the corporate world and not at all in keeping with either yoga or children, but the more I got to know about it, the more I could see it made sense. Franchising is basically taking a successful business model and making it replicable in other areas.
In the past franchising has been male dominated – and still is… but our franchisees are all women and 98% have families. Almost all of our franchisees were looking for flexible work, and almost all of them were NOT looking for a franchise, but now I would say they have found the model revelatory. We provide everything they need to replicate my original successful business model, and we share skills and best practice each drawing on our past experiences to be stronger together. Our network ranges from Prison Wardens, Models, Doctors of Biology, Business Women, Teachers, Mums…. And all have found a solution that works for them of how to work flexibly, have a family and still continue to be ‘themselves’. I follow the same model – taking my kids to and from school, taking school holidays off - I think I have finding a balance to keepfound the balance that fulfills my needs as a mother alongside the me that is still a creative and ambitious woman. Im proud of all the women in our Tatty team and what we all achieve together using all our past experiences,. We use that collective skill to mentor women looking to work flexibly and that is an inspiring thing, watching people grow, flourish and achieve their dreams. www.tattybumpkin.com twitter: @tattybumpkin facebook: bendygigglyworld
I
was over the moon when the email dropped into my inbox informing me that Cheeki Monkeys had won an award from Mumpreneur UK, more than ever in our first year of trading. We only started on our adventures in the middle of 2014 and we now have 100+ Cheeki Monkeys arranging events for us throughout the UK. Cheeki Monkeys BIG Baby & Children’s Markets are community events for the whole family, where mums & dads can buy or sell quality, gently used babies’ and children’s toys, clothes and equipment.
• • • •
Warmer and cosier than a car boot sale, our INDOOR pop-up markets provide a place for local families to make money while recycling unwanted items. Sellers keep every penny they make and buyers will discover a huge range of items at bargain prices. Most events have plenty to keep the little ones entertained THOUSANDS of pre-loved and hand made goods to choose from Deal face to face with the seller and examine your goods before you buy An eco-friendly, fun and cost-effective way of supporting local communities
Pop-along to our website to find an event near you
JOIN OUR TEAM - NO EXPERIENCE REQUIRED! We will guide you through every step of the process of setting up your own Cheeki Monkeys BIG Baby & Children’s Markets, from locating venues to how to advertise the events with really clear step by step instructions. We will help you to reproduce our thriving and lucrative events and develop your own Cheeki Monkeys BIG Baby & Children’s Markets.
Most of your work will involve marketing your events online (using Facebook etc.), therefore access to the internet is a MUST HAVE! Age and gender are unimportant and you do not need to have a driving licence or any qualifications. Being helpful, friendly and welcoming are the most essential attributes required to succeed as an Event Organiser.
WORK FROM HOME and enjoy the freedom...
• • • • • • • • •
Set your own hours Eliminate child care costs No traffic/save fuel More family time Do interesting work Enjoy job flexibility Lower stress levels Create a better work/home balance Choose a career that is in HIGH demand!
Check to see if your area is available before it gets snapped up... once it’s gone, it’s gone! All you need to do is email us at info@cheekimonkeys.co.uk with your NAME, the AREA you live in and your CONTACT DETAILS. Please quote Mumpreneur as a reference. Gemma Davidson Founder of Cheeki Monkeys
www.cheekimonkeys.co.uk
M
ama Natural is a family business that was set up in 2014 with the desire and vision to help provide the very best organic, natural and practical products to nurture mother and baby through each stage of the baby journey. From natural fertility supplements through to the most design and environmentally conscious nursery furniture and travel necessities, Mama Natural covers everything needed from bump, birth, baby and beyond. Whether you’re looking for health and wellbeing supplements and remedies, home birth supplies, baby shower ideas or practical products that promote bonding, sleep or help make life easier, you can rest assured that every product has been highly-scrutinised by impassioned health & wellbeing owner and mother-of-two, Emmy Sammon. “Whilst pregnant with my two children – my desire to swathe myself and them with only natural, soft and pure products became even more important. I quickly realised that just like me, there were thousands of other parents who wanted their children to grow up in an organic, beautiful and chemical-free world. I had a burning desire to bring together all the amazing products I felt so passionate about and make them available to other parents.
Being pregnant and becoming a parent is a learning curve and there’s so many choices to make during this important time, which can be completely overwhelming. This is a time when concerns about chemicals spark many parents to consider natural alternatives and we hope that Mama Natural helps make this choice an easy one. We understand that the customers visiting our site are going through one of the most important journeys of their life and we want to make their experience with Mama Natural a special one.
I hand select each product based upon quality, purity and design - taking into account everything I have loved and would have wanted for my own children. I want Mama Natural to make your choices simpler, your lives easier and hopefully help you to feel empowered as a parent that you’re doing the very best for your body and your baby.”
www.mamanatural.co.uk www.facebook.com/mamanaturaluk www.twitter.com/mamanaturaluk
M
ums In The Wood was launched in June 2015. I wanted to create a place where parents could find all the information they needed on topics ranging from fertility to education. Everything I spent months researching when we decided to start a family and every step after, gathered in one place, so that anyone else in the same situation would find it with ease. Having left a career as a city lawyer when I got pregnant, I dedicated myself to becoming a stay-at-home mummy. When my son started nursery, I began to think about what I could do that wouldn’t take time away from my family. I could not go back to private equity, I would never see my son. I had always loved writing and had worked as a freelance journalist for 5 years while studying law back home. So I registered and started working on a website. It was therapeutic but I only did tiny bits here and there for around two and a half years. Once my son settled in school, I started writing extensively, collating all the information I had gathered over the years and launched the website. The support and feedback I got was overwhelming. Schools, paediatricians and parents running local activities and classes came on board and offered to contribute and collaborate.
The main focus of the website had always been education. Not having grown up here, I was not aware of what the English school system entailed. I started researching the private and state school systems, assessment processes and individual schools in minute detail. I spoke to everyone, teachers, children, heads of schools and parents gathering information. Once my little one had been through the process and I gained first hand experience of it, I started helping other mums who were in a similar position. When I launched the website, I decided to share this information with a wider readership and it all just took off from there. Two weeks after launching, I got invited to do talks at local institutions, organised my own group talks and individual consultations and I launched an education consultancy on the back of the website, “both of which are growing at a rapid pace. While maintaining the advisory and informational aspect of the website, I also now provide bespoke educational consultancy services and packages to parents interested in schools in and around St John’s Wood, Maida Vale, Hampstead and the surrounds.
www.mumsinthewood.com www.facebook.com/mumsinthewood www.twitter.com/Mumsinthewood
I
t is frightening how many parents and grandparents don’t know basic baby and child first aid. Leeds based Mum of two Kate Ball is focusing her exciting business on addressing this issue. Kate was keen to break into the ever-growing market of businesses for families of babies and young children, to which as a parent she spends her vast amount of her time! Having worked for 10 years in Learning and Development she transferred her skills to develop a business based on essential Baby and Child First Aid taught in a memorable way. Kate placed huge energy on ensuring that this training would be engaging, relaxed and a great learning experience. It is after all so important to remember what we have been taught. Kate launched the business Mini First Aid Ltd in Leeds in 2014. Providing two hour affordable classes, teaching parents, grandparents and carers in a relaxed and informal way to know what to do if that first aid emergency every arose. Kate’s class is specifically designed so that those who have attended feel confident to carry out CPR, deal with Choking, Bumps, Breaks, Bleeding and Burns and have an awareness of Childhood illnesses. The response has been over whelming and Kate is now expanding the business by opening Mini First Aid franchises across the UK. Mum, Zoe Hunt joined the Mini First Aid Team in May opening her Bristol franchise and is receiving a huge volumes of class bookings as well as venues wanting to host Zoe’s classes as part of their program of regular events for parents.
For Zoe, her move into the world of owning her franchise business, and having a balanced life with her young family has been a roaring success. Franchises in London, Humberside and Devon are all set to open this Autumn. Kate is not stopping now. She is looking for more confident Mum’s who are not shy to stand up in front of others, who want to own and run their own franchise business to join the Mini First Aid team. Kate provides on-going business coaching to all her franchisees, enabling them to maximise their income whilst delivering a worthwhile and valuable training class to parents in their area.
Sound interesting? For more information on becoming a Mini First Aid franchisee please see www.minifirstaid.co.uk or email info@minifirstaid. co.uk
T babies.
he Award winning Sleepytot baby comforter is designed to hold on to soothers and teethers, a practical solution aimed at a good nights’ sleep for
Sleepytot’s paws can hold on to dummies, teethers, buggy straps or cot bars allowing children to always be able to find their dummy independently. When children are ready to give up their dummy they will still have the Sleepytot bunny to make it easier. The Sleepytot story started back in 2006 when exhausted new mum Lucy was searching for something to help her baby both keep hold of his dummy and sleep through the night. When she couldn’t find anything to solve the age-old problem the Sleepytot Bunny was born. In December 2012 mum-of-three Julie Batten took ownership of Sleepytot, growing the business into a global brand and now one of the best-known and loved names in the world of nursery products. And there’s a new Sleepytot character on the bedtime block – and he’s about to become you and your baby’s new best friend. Sleepytot Lamb has been designed in response to huge demand from the Sleepytot brand’s thousands of happy customers. Cute, cuddly and beautifully made, the plush, cream lamb is the latest addition to this innovative and stylish range of award-winning products.
Loved by babies, toddlers and parents alike, the new Sleepytot Lamb is one of a unique collection of fluffy friends that help little ones to settle and self-soothe in their cot. The simple yet brilliant design concept behind the range means the products: Can be attached safely to cot bars and buggy straps. Hold up to four dummies with their innovative Velcro paws. Make a perfect pillow for little heads on changing tables or while travelling. Mean no more getting up countless times a night to retrieve your child’s dummy. Are also loved by toddlers because of the numerous ways you can play with them. Sleepytot Lamb, and the rest of the Sleepytot family, are suitable to use from birth, fully machine washable, recommended by the Millpond International Child Sleep Clinic and will still be a favourite toy long after your little one has given up their dummy.
www.sleepytot.com
Hello and welcome to I am. happy™ (I am happymugs.co.uk) I am. happy™ is a unique, developing brand of British made, high quality and useful everyday products. Designed especially for children, our ethos is all about instilling and teaching positive qualities of being and encouraging happy and healthy living on a day to day basis. The display of self affirming positive words and affirmations on our products, subliminallydevelops happy thinking and healthy emotional well being,; vital for both ourselves and our children from such a young and influential age! The key is training our minds to feel good about who we are as this then creates happy and healthy beings. Founded in 2011 soon after the birth of my beautiful son, I am. happy™ came to fruition from an inner desire to create something meaningful and aesthetic within the marketplace with this valuable concept. Through my own life experiences and awareness of the significance of positive affirmations, I realised the utmost importance of emotional well being to experience happy, feel good living. Please do keep a look out for our new ranges of everyday consumer goods; promoting love, happiness, health and well being in bright, colourful, fun and stylish ways. We are currently in the process of designing our new range of I am. happy t shirts! With happy love to you! Rachel Rachel Melena Campbell Founder of I am. happy
www.iamhappymugs.co.uk www.facebook.com/happymugsbyrachelmelenacampbellrogers
Mumpreneur 100 Profile: Lorraine Dallmeier
I
’m honoured to be named as one of the Top 100 UK Mumpreneurs for 2015. I’ve been running my online business for five years and it’s exciting to receive this recognition. I’m the Director of Formula Botanica, the world’s leading Organic Cosmetic Science School. We teach online courses for people who want to start or grow their organic skincare business. Our flagship training package is our International Organic Skincare Entrepreneur Programme, which contains eight courses. Formula Botanica teaches you everything you need to know to go from complete beginner to organic skincare expert formulator and teacher. The organic personal care market worldwide will soon be worth an impressive £10bn per year in sales and analysts are predicting year on year growth of 10% - two times faster than the mainstream cosmetics sector, so there has never been a better time to start your organic skincare business. When I started my business in 2010, I was on maternity leave with my eldest son. He was a voracious feeder and never let me leave the sofa. I would spend my time daydreaming about being my own boss. I wanted to run my own business doing something with my love of herbs in skincare and my background in science. While my baby slept in the evenings (but never at night!), I researched cosmetic herbs, read as much as I could about digital marketing, developed my own iPhone app, started a blog and steadily built up a global following. Soon after, I took over Formula Botanica when it was still in its infancy. I set about building the brand: I updated all the courses, recorded videos, set up networking groups, took out advertising, hired people and completely overhauled the website. I was very determined to make this a success. I now work from home to run the business with the help of my amazing team around the world. Formula Botanica is now a 2015 finalist for the UK’s Digital Business of the Year at the National Business Awards. Formula Botanica has over 1,300 students and graduates in 80+ countries. Students are located in countries as far-flung as Mongolia, Tanzania and Nicaragua. Once they’ve completed their courses, our graduates are ready to create their own organic skincare range. Their dedication and enthusiasm has resulted in features in glossy magazines and has won many of them awards and praise around the world.
www.formulabotanica.com www.facebook.com/FormulaBotanica www.instagram.com/formulabotanica www.twitter.com/FormulaBotanica Facebook group for Skincare Entrepreneurs (over 5,000 members!) www.facebook.com/groups/SkincareEntrepreneurs/
tel. email. website. facebook.
Everyone has some big landmark moments in their lives, but surely none is quite as momentous as the birth of a child! Every parent knows that the first few days with a newborn are like no other time in your life, but soon…maybe all too soon…those days are just a memory, replaced by the next stage in your little one’s growth, and the next again. One Mumpreneur who knows this all too well is Donna Gray, of Aberdeenshire’s Small Prints Photography. Donna specialises in photographing newborns in the first few fleeting days of their lives, capturing the special sweetness and innocence of a tiny new life and giving proud parents something through which they can hold onto and share those wonderful memories. And Donna is more than just a photographer of newborns, she’s also a bit of an expert at dealing with them, calmly and coolly settling and soothing them as she poses them for the all-important image. No big surprise when you discover that she’s the mother of six children of her own, ranging from first-born son – now 11, down through to her youngest son – who is just two. In spring 2010, when her then youngest child was just a few months old. Donna enrolled in a photography course with the Open University and passed with flying colours. The idea of a business came next, and with not much more than a borrowed camera she set about getting work; doing anything and everything that would earn her a fee, from photographing the local darts team to weddings and fetes and everything in between…including friends’ children. After earning enough to fund further training she began to build a sturdy reputation as Aberdeenshire’s first exclusively newborn photography studio. By October 2011 Donna had earned a place as a licentiate member of the Society of Wedding and Portrait Photographers (SWPP), and just a couple of months later
07729 183 957 info@smallprintsphotography.co.uk www.smallprintsphotography.co.uk www.fb.com/smallprints
had been nominated for the society’s title of Photographer of the Year in the Families and Groups section. Donna’s second year of business saw a win in the Judge’s Choice award, as well as many Gold Awards for newborn images. She also qualified as an Associate member, and had had her 6th baby. Year three, and she was awarded the title of Craftsman of the Photographers Academy. Following this, she was invited by the academy (the largest photographic training establishment in Europe) to become a ‘Top ‘Tog’, and run a training webinar on the subject of newborn photography. This webinar was an outstanding success, with a huge online attendance and led to more and more online training, which in turn kickstarted a second string to the business – training other photographers in the art of newborn photography. Donna goes from strength to strength as a photographer of newborns, as a trainer and mentor to other photographers who would like to follow in her footsteps and…maybe most importantly…as a wife and mother.
E
lizabeth Hutton, Chief Executive at Count the Kicks is a single mum to 2 young children. Following the loss of her second baby, Toby, during pregnancy Elizabeth began working with Count the Kicks to ensure more mums did not experience the tragedy of stillbirth. “The pain of losing a baby never ever leaves you. That is what motivates me to drive the charity forward. Whenever I hear of another baby who has been stillborn I am reminded how much further we have to go, but the daily messages we get about babies that have been saved by Count the Kicks remind me how far we’ve come” The charity encourages mums to monitor their baby’s movements and report any changes in order to lower the number of stillbirths and neonatal deaths that happen every year in the UK. The number of babies that die in the womb or in the first week of life is more than the number that die from cot death, meningitis and road deaths combined making the UK the second worst in the developed world when it comes to stillbirth rates.
In the last year the charity has grown astronomically and is now well on its way to achieving its goal. Elizabeth has lead the charity to some fantastic achievements including a Guinness world record title, leaflets featured in every mum to be Bounty pack, numerous charity awards, and an enviable social media following among others! The charity’s facebook page alone has grown from 20,000 likers to 250,000 in a matter of months and they even won the Big Break for charity award for Most effective Social Media campaign. The charity uses its facebook page to help raise awareness of fetal movement and ensure their message is spread to their target audience.
Stillbirth is a massive umbrella and while there isn’t one solution to reducing the rates, a decrease in fetal movement is a key warning sign that a baby is struggling in the womb and early delivery could save nearly a third of stillborn babies. When the baby is being deprived of oxygen he or she will slow their movements to conserve the oxygen. Cord compression, a failing placenta, a high intake of smoke as well as other causes may all lead to a reduction in movements and could be potentially fatal. This is where Count the Kicks comes in! Count the Kicks wants to ensure every pregnant woman is aware of how important her baby’s movements are and to encourage her to report any change in her baby’s regular pattern of movement. A feature on ITV’s Surprise Surprise also saw the charity get the backing of celebrity mums Holly Willoughby and Alesha Dixon with the two featuring on a billboard campaign that was displayed nationwide. With 800,000 pregnant women every year in the UK, Count the Kicks is pulling out all the stops to ensure they reach every single one
www.facebook.com/ukcountthekicks www.twitter.com/countthekicks www.countthekicks.org.uk
“We believe you are your baby’s best playmate” I have always thought that one day I’ll run my own business. On maternity leave I enjoyed the break from work and the opportunity to focus all of my attention on my wonderful young son. One thing I hadn’t appreciated when becoming a parent was the importance of keeping precious playtime interesting and fun. I also wanted to make sure I was doing all I could to support his development. I looked around the shops, searched the Internet, and I couldn’t find anything that would help me in my quest for quality playtime with him. They say necessity is the mother of invention, so I began developing a product myself – and the Babycademy idea was born. The premise behind Babycademy is that you are your baby’s best playmate. My aim was to offer parents a box of fun you could enjoy in the home, providing you with everything you need to both entertain and support your baby’s development needs at every age and stage.
Introducing Bernice Hewson, Creator and Director of Babycademy Ltd Mumpreneur Award Finalist Best Product 2014 After running focus groups to test the concept, engaging with child development experts, music producers, illustrators, writing a book, designing a puppet and establishing the Babycademy brand I am extremely proud to have launched ‘Music Time’ to the market. We have already enjoyed many successes, our highlight to date has been winning two Loved By Parents awards that are voted for by the mums and dads and compete with all of the major infant/preschool brands. I love what we have been able to do so far, and my appetite to continue to develop the business further only gets bigger.
www.Babycademy.co.uk
Follow us on
Out of 1,293 Hair & Beauty Salons we are number ONE!
*
We would love to show you, first hand, why we are the number ONE hair & beauty salon in the UK and most talked about in Peterborough! Visit us and discover the Serenity Loves experience for yourself. While you totally relax and enjoy one of our amazing treatments, your little ones will have a brilliant time in our superb playroom supervised by one of our own CRB registered child care specialists. With salon qualified, highly talented stylists on one side of the coin, and qualified child care professionals the other – all you need to do is turn up and relax. We know you’ll love the unique experience you can only get with Serenity Loves.
Beauty with ease.
01733 687 835 www.SerenityLoves.co.uk
Visit the salon at: 438 Oundle Road, Orton Longueville. PE2 7DB
Thursday 8th October 10am - 12pm
Hillingdon Secondary Thursday 22nd October 11am
Performing & Creative Arts at Baston House School
W
hen Fiona Treadaway started at Baston House School two years ago, there was little evidence of the presence of the Arts in and around the school – so she took on the role of championing the Arts in ways that could benefit the pupils. Using over twenty five years’ experience as a professional dancer and her work with children and young people in the performing arts, she has introduced Baston House pupils to performing productions that she has written especially for them. Fiona tailors her lessons to the individual learner so that all pupils can benefit and engage in the Arts. She has watched her pupils, all of whom are on the autistic spectrum blossom and grow in confidence through engaging in performing and creative rrts. Initially dance was introduced to the school with an early morning ‘wake and shake’ and by choreographing routines for shows, in which she encouraged staff to support learners by joining in.
In 2014 Fiona took pupils’ artwork and photography to Autism’s Got Talent to promote the great work the learners do at Baston House School, and she is planning a bigger and better exhibition of artwork for this year’s show on Saturday, 9th May 2015 at the Mermaid Theatre. She also plans to take some pupils to exhibit work at Artists for Autism UK in Wakefield, Yorkshire where hopefully a few learners will also use their acting skills to perform a short speech about their work. Once a week Fiona runs a Tank Club where learners build toy tanks from kits and learn different techniques for painting them. The learners have been building a set and developing rules for a game with them that is very cross curricular – it involves art, DT, history and maths skills. The team of pupils involved are planning to display the game at Salute, a war gaming show held at Excel in May which will be visited by over 7,000 people from all around the world. Thanks to Fiona’s vision and leadership, Baston House School is now a registered Arts Awards and Arts Mark School, with great plans and ambition for the future of arts at the school and the future of its learners.
Since joining the school, Fiona has choreographed, written, directed and produced six productions including, 50 Years of Doctor Who, The Time Machine and A Baston House Carol and is currently working on the next script. She believes that, with each passing production, the pupils are learning to work better as a team and that drama can allow pupils to take on characters that sometimes enables them to step outside the challenges they are dealing with in real life – a skill she is encouraging learners to try out in everyday situations to help them cope with difficult situations. All learners help build and paint the props and on production days, the whole school – pupils and staff – act as a strong team whether on stage, behind the scenes, ushering the guests to their seats or preparing and serving a buffet afterwards. It’s always a busy but rewarding day when everyone works together.
Of her time at Baston House School Fiona says, “I have performed and taught all of my life and having encountered some young people in my private work who were obviously on the spectrum – whether they realised it or not, whether they had been identified as such – I wanted to involve myself more in that area and move away from the mainstream. “I could see from the difficulties that such children can have interacting with society as a whole that they needed help and I have found I could facilitate that. On that basis, having decided that I had more to offer those young people who need to relate to the world in a way that most take for granted, I set out to use my particular skill set, of dance, drama, art, Reiki, relaxation and therapy techniques, complemented by my other areas of interest (I cook, I have travelled extensively and am bilingual speaking Mandarin), to see if I could help those young learners for whom our big world can seem such a challenge. “Whilst the work can be hard, long and stressful, it is exciting, challenging and is amongst the most worthwhile things I have ever achieved” ‘’Baston House School provides an amazing safe and caring learning environment where our learners are nurtured and encouraged to flourish. I am very fortunate to be working with such a great team and some wonderful children and young people’’. “At Baston House School, the learners will always make you smile!’’
m s i t u a r o f t i r a e
w
Sunday 4th October was the third annual Wear it for Autism at the Millennium Hotel, Knightsbridge. Hosted by leading autism charity Anna Kennedy Online. Hosted by Anna Kennedy OBE and presented by Denise Welch, Jane Moore, Richard Mylan, Ian Royce, Ray Lewis and Caprice, this year was the biggest yet!
Individuals living with autism, who were selected from an emotional judging process earlier in the year, took to the catwalk to share their stories. From grandparents, to carers and teachers and teaching assistants – the dedication, patience and passion shared with the audience didn’t leave a dry eye in the house.
And to highlight the amazing work that the charity and Wear it for Autism is doing for the autism community, Anna Kennedy was awarded Autism Campaigner of the Year Award by Achieve Magazine.
Dressed by Kaffa Mockbill, Jacamo and Thomas Farthing, the winners, led down the catwalk by Classic Model Agency spent the day being pampered and made over, and were provided with the break that was needed and well deserved.
“Wear it for Autism was a massive success, and the response has been overwhelming. I want to say a huge thank you to all of our supporters and everyone involved, and a massive congratulations to all of our winners and families, you deserve your special day!” – Anna Kennedy OBE, Founder of Anna Kennedy Online.
Performances from The Drifters Ray Lewis, West End star Amanda Posener and Pineapple Dance Studio kept the audience on their toes, and talented performers, who are on the spectrum Calvin Glen, Aston Avery and Thomas Puttock also took to the stage to incredible response.
A special thank you goes out to WOW Mask and Maison Du Vann for sponsoring the event. And Anna would like to announce that sponsor Miglio, jewellery brand will now be selling Anna Kennedy Online branded bracelets to raise money and awareness for autism.
ARE YOU READY FOR THE ADVERTISING REVOLUTION?
%
87% of mums in the UK have smartphones and want to receive relevant offers to their phones. CAN YOU REACH ALL OF THEM?
Facebook algorithms decide which of your followers or their users get to see your ads, often less than 2%. CAN YOU CONVERT ALL OF THEM?
£
Businesses are still spending 60% of their budgets on untrackable and untargeted advertising options. CAN YOU GET ALL OF THEM IN REAL-TIME?
can! KiddyUP is the new web and mobile platform for parents that lets you advertise your products, services, discounts and vouchers
GEO-TARGETED, IN REAL-TIME, ALL THE TIME!
ADD YOUR BUSINESS
www.kiddyup.co.uk
KiddyUP is a registered trademark of KiddyUP Ltd, 3rd Floor, 207 Regent Street, London W1B 3HH
T: 0203-603-1336
E: info@kiddyup.co.uk
Have a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year