Little Bugs Boutique introduces you to: Louise Villis
Tell us a little bit about yourself
I am married and a mother of two girls, age 10 and 12 and up until a year ago I was a full time mum to them. I loved my time at home but as they were getting older I felt I could gain a little independence back so I looked into part time work. This however seemed to be a non starter because with so many other commitments and school holidays the fixed hours just wouldn’t have worked.
My children and I all ride and during the weekends and holidays we are often out competing, therefore my career and working hours had be flexible. I started Kids Do Travel in June last year and the website went live in November and I have enjoyed every minute of it.
What is the best/funniest or hardest comment your children have made to you relating to your work?
This is a very apt question and undoubtedly the hardest comment and I suppose the funniest comment at the same time, it was prior to doing an interview with photos and my youngest daughter told me not to worry because the photographer probably had a kind camera – ouch!
Business Name: Kids Do Travel Ltd (www.kidsdotravel.co.uk)
Business Profile
We are an internet based company specialising in travel products for children, from suitcases, lunch bags and towelling robes to travel games and inflatable car booster seats plus much more. Travelling with young children can not only be a daunting experience but sometimes the reality is not much better. I am a firm believer that with time spent preparing your children for travel and organising your trip this need not be the case. Our aim is to provide and source products to make travelling with children easier and our website offers both ideas and solutions.
What makes you tick? Motivates you?
Independence and the feeling that I can make a contribution to the family finances. I love being busy and challenging myself. Setting up Kids Do Travel has been a brilliant and enjoyable experience. I have achieved a balance between work and home life which from a mother’s perspective is the ‘ideal’. It’s a wonderful feeling to know that your hard work is succeeding and paying off. My biggest motivation is waking up in the morning to orders, that gives me such a buzz and reassurance that I am getting the formula and products right.
What is the favourite part of what you do?
I love sourcing the products and buying them, I think this is the shopaholic inside me. When our deliveries arrive the girls and I get very excited, it’s like Christmas here most days and the products are so CUTE and GORGEOUS.
I also love packaging the products and shipping them to customers who I know will be delighted with them too,
Who inspire you?
Business mums who are at the pinnacle of their careers and have still managed to maintain that balance with home life. It’s what many of us strive for.
What tips can you give to getting the balance right?
Our website is uncomplicated and our products are described in detail, therefore customers do not generally need to phone, if customers do have any questions they usually email us. Our customers can however contact us by phone should they wish to.
Secondly, I think the answer is to firstly ensure that your partner/husband respects what you are doing and supports you. This has been a slow process and the change over from being a full time mum has been difficult to establish. I also do try to encourage the girls to take part and help where they can, it teaches them work ethic and values which I feel is important and gets them involved.
Link http://www.kidsdotravel.co.uk/
