Always remember though that everyone has a way of life which is unique to them, and that it’s not a competition. The world is a garden in which many flowers grow; if we were all the same, it would be pretty dull. So, accept what you can do and are capable of, and within that knowledge. And be honest with each other how you are feeling and coping and take time to really engage when someone wants to talk to you.
The drive: What challenges have you overcome?
Too many!
When I started the business, I asked a huge number of questions of anyone I could find who had experience in health and beauty, and received quite a lot of conflicting advice. I had to be committed to following my gut instinct which sometimes meant going against the advice of seasoned professionals. Really believing in yourself and your products was not a challenge for me – but it certainly was for others!
Cash in any growing business is always a challenge; and for a business like ours, it takes huge investment to be able to pull together enough stock to go into retailers and ensure that you have warehoused stock for ongoing orders.
In 2017 and 2018, Childs Farm experienced the unexpected challenge of outstanding growth; we had a number of fantastic consumer Facebook reviews declaring our baby moisturiser a ‘miracle cream’. The press and coverage was so great it meant we simply couldn’t produce enough stock for demand. It’s what we call a quality challenge!
For better or worse: What are the pros and cons of running your own business?
The long days is one of the downsides for me. I work very long days but I turn the laptop off as soon as the girls return from school each day – and then regularly work into the small hours once they are in bed! Childs Farm started off as a good idea that I couldn’t quite leave alone and it’s continued in that same way. The brand has grown in ways that I could never have anticipated even in my wildest dreams: a genuine belief in what we do and constant challenges keep me going!
The positive feedback that we get is completely overwhelming and it’s what keeps me going. We receive hundreds of pictures, drawings, little poems and notes from our users and their little ones which are displayed all around the office to make sure the whole team is aware of the impact of the work they are doing.
We are all so thrilled with the feedback – and also very humbled – that something that was a solution for my girls’ skin, has helped so many millions more with sensitive skin.
Hopes and dreams: What next?
One of the biggest challenges we have in the UK is people finding our products in store. Traditionally baby and child toiletries are in the baby aisle, so once your little one is out of nappies you seldom venture down there. So, we’ve created an older child range, which rolls out this month featuring our Childs Farm animals playing sport: cricket, hockey, netball and football all get a look in! We’ve also extended our Shakespeare themed fig range too. These sit in the adult area in store, giving parents of older children the chance to have a Childs Farm experience.
Check out the Childs Farm website to learn more about their brand and to view their full range of beautiful products. You can also join their communities on Facebook and Instagram.
