*This post is a collaboration with Twill, but all thoughts and experiences are my own*
When I decided to set up my own business, Minime and Luxury, there are so many things that I wish I had known first. Setting up a business is great but it is also a steep learning curve. You will have to learn about SEO, marketing, social media, keeping your website updated and reaching potential clients both at home and abroad.
How it all came about
I had worked within the Childcare industry for many years, as a Supernanny, Private Maternity Nurse, Sleep Trainer and Baby Concierge. Having worked all over the globe my favourites places are the Middle East, USA and the Caribbean. But I wanted to expand the services I offered to include: Event management and a travel consultancy service.
Going forward I had my website designed, set up as self employed and started up my social media pages to start gaining recognition. The services I offer are a luxury baby concierge service, event management service and travel consultancy alongside this blog. Being that a lot of my clients are from overseas making sure that I can have items sent abroad easily with efficient Customs Clearance benefits in place is very important, as I often have to send things such as baby milk overseas.
This is where Twill come in to help. Twill started with the ambition to change logistics for the better back in 2017 in Berlin by interviewing customers in the shipping industries about their pain points. Out of that, the result was a new vision: “Container shipping made simple”.
Renowned for their commitment to small and medium sized businesses, the #Twillforgood programme was set up to connect and empower entrepreneur women to international trade. For a small business like mine, knowing that items I am sending to my clients or to venues are going to arrive without issues is paramount.
My Tips for starting a new business
If you are planning on starting up your own business and have a plan in your head. I would suggest writing out a to-do list of things that you will need to do and to learn.
Firstly, set up your business whether you are a sole trader or a company – this is the first thing you need to do.
Keep track of your expenditure and earnings and hire an accountant if you think you need to.
Research into your niche. Will you be selling online or offering services. You will want to be competitive but also don’t want to undersell yourself.
Set yourself up online. Either by creating your own website or asking somebody to create one for you. Make sure you have a business email account as well as social media accounts too.
Make sure you market your business. Join Linkedin and local Facebook groups where you can promote your services.
Where the business is going
I regularly contribute to the press on a wide range of topics, usually concentrating on children and luxury events. I am blessed to have a career that I love.
Baby and Children’s Concierge Service
We provide a global bespoke Baby and Children’s concierge service, this premium service begins before conception and continues along your parenting journey. We operate on a highly personalised level and offer a wide range of unique services.
Personal Shopping:
We can organise private store visits, pre-release viewings, bespoke collections and take care of all your children’s wardrobe requirements season by season.
Party Planning:
We are proud to offer an unrivalled luxury party planning and event management service, from Baby Showers, Birthday Parties, Bar Mitzvahs and a super Sweet Sixteen the event will be one your guests talk about for years. Minime and Luxury work with an amazing array of top class suppliers and take care of every detail enable you to enjoy and relax on the day.
Travel Service:
Taking pride in working with a hand picked selection of travel providers we can assist with a wide range of travel needs from yacht and private aviation requirements to creating the holiday of your dreams utilising our recommended selection of hotels, private villas, private islands and unique travel experiences.
Minime and Luxury also offer a full travel support concierge service ensuring that when you arrive at your chosen hotel the babies and children are fully taken care of, from toys to essential baby equipment we ensure that when you arrive everything is in place.
Photography Arrangement:
Bump shoots to family portraits, we can recommend the world’s best photographers and take care of all the details such as props, location, call sheet and will always ensure our clients retain 100% copyright.
VIP Family Experiences:
Our bespoke VIP family experiences are unique from client to client and the world is your oyster, from a full Summer Holiday itinerary incorporating unique theatre experiences, a magical trip through London in your own iconic red bus and holding your own sports day with top athletes in attendance. Minime and Luxury can organise a bespoke lifestyle experience during your vacation wherever this might be.
Staff Recruitment:
We can organise sourcing and headhunting of world class Maternity Nurses, Night Nannies, Nannies, Mannies Tutors and Governesses.
