As we're still in January, the month of reflection, I thought this would be a good time to share with you the story of how Ella Announcements started. I'm an awful one for waffling, so I'll try and keep the story brief.
At the age of 18, I was a stay-at-home mum to two children under the age of 2. My now husband worked away from Monday to Friday, and I'd moved to the other side of the city to my friends, so I didn't get out much. It was me, the four walls, dirty nappies and cbeebies. I considered college, however I'd previously quit my A Levels, as I wanted to be at home with my daughter. Surely the same thing would happen again. I considered work, but with no major qualifications it would be impossible to get a job that would cover the cost of childcare for two babies. I was generally bored stiff, and needed SOMETHING to do.
It was around this time I began teaching myself the basic of graphic design. I messed around with photographs of my little ones, and started learning the ins and outs of photoshop. During this time, I also became interested in learning about website design. Using online tutorials, I learnt basic html. This, coupled with my new found design skills, would make it possible for me to create a basic website. I needed something to test my new skills on. What could I create a website for?
At the same time as this, I had a friend from the states request that I design her a birth announcement for her newborn son. I'd never heard of a birth announcement, but in the US its a longstanding tradition to send out birth announcements.
I done a little research. There was nothing quite like it here in the UK. I began to design some samples of Christening invitations, Birthday invites and general thank you cards too. I knew birth announcements alone wouldn't cut it for the UK market. Although at this time, I wasn't sure I was looking for how this idea would work as a business. I had found a hobby of graphic design that was seeing me through the day and making me a generally happier person.
I did design a website, called Bo Peep Designs. It was cute. Pale blue with a little sheep. It showcased the examples I'd been working on. It included pricing if anyone wanted to purchase. But I wasn't going to be marketing my website, so I didn't expect any orders. I was pleased that I'd created something with the skills I learnt, but I was just 19 years old. I was a teenage mum. I couldn't start a business. The thought never crossed my mind...
Until, I discovered selling on ebay. I whipped a few auctions together, and the Christening Invitations started selling instantly. Several a day, infact. I wasn't making a profit from these orders, but it wasn't long before I realised I could. I had to quickly register as self-employed. I created a new business name, that would allow me to cater for all audiences, and not just babies, and launched my new website Ella Announcements in February of 2007.
I had no business plan. No idea about anything relating to business. I never imagined I'd become my own boss. I never imagined my hobby could make me money, but here it was! Ella Announcements launched with at least 6 orders a day. I didn't have time to stop and think about the business aspect of it. It was happening, and happening fast, and I just went with it.
I do wonder how different things would have been had I stopped and created a plan, and worked out exactly how I was going to play it, but I think I may have chickened out of becoming self-employed if I had done so. I never thought I was the entrepreneurial type, but working for myself suits me perfectly. It's also allowed me to grow my family without worrying about finances or childcare arrangements.
My advice to anyone else considering starting a business, but not sure if they have what it takes... Go for it!! It has transformed my life and made my future an exciting one!
