Chelsea Rea is the founder of Darling Designs, a handmade hair bow business inspired by her twins. As her little girl’s hair began to grow, Chelsea discovered a love of styling it with bows and decided to try making her own. With spare fabric from a friend and one of her daughter’s bows as a template, she began creating a beautiful range to share with others. Today, she balances family life with making bows, selling online and meeting customers at playgroups and craft fairs. Here, she talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Darling Designs, her biggest breakthrough, the challenges she has overcome along the way, and her hopes and dreams for the future.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
My twins! After having my twins, I tried various things. Once my little girl’s hair started to grow, I was so excited to try different hairstyles and put bows in her hair. I ordered some from Vinted to begin with.
After a few months, I was looking for something new to do to make a bit of extra money. While I was doing my little girl’s hair, I thought, I could make these myself. I spoke to my friend, who told me she had some spare fabric I could use to give it a go. I started to unpick one of my daughter’s bows to use as a template, and the rest is history.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
At the very beginning, I messaged a playgroup I had been attending with my twins to ask if it was possible to do a pop-up stall. They said yes! I only had two display boards, which I had ordered online the previous day, and about ten bows I had made to test the water. I think I made about three sales, but I was so happy that someone liked my bows enough to actually buy them.
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
My very first big craft fair was my biggest breakthrough. I wasn’t sure how my items would go down, but receiving comments saying how cute the bows were and how creative I was made it worthwhile.
I also had a stall at a playgroup recently and made more money in a short space of time than I had since starting the business. I was really proud of that.
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
It involves early mornings and late nights, mainly when I have a stall at the weekend. Having twins makes it very hard to balance everything, so I try to get up early to prepare the bows. Once the twins go to bed, I then glue and complete them.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Building my confidence and overcoming self-doubt. Owning your own business is hard, especially when some days you don’t get sales. Over time, though, I’ve become proud of what I have created. When having stalls, I’ve grown more confident talking more about my products, sharing my passion and explaining how the bows are made.
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The pros are meeting new people and the thrill and excitement of making a sale.
The challenges include making new products for a stall you expect to be busy, only to come away with no sales. Paying upfront for new fabrics can also be difficult.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
I would love to make this my full-time job, with regular online orders through my website. I’d also love for my business to go viral!
Visit the Darling Designs website, connect with them through Instagram, or join their Facebook group.
