Mum-of-two and former Assistant Headteacher Lulu was looking for a new challenge that would allow her to also spend time with her two sons. Wanting to tap into her creative side, she set out to design personal care items for postpartum mums. At Ninja Mama, they provide parents with useful, quality, great-value products that really work. They understand the temptation to buy the latest “must-have” items marketed to parents, and only offer products that they, as mums, have found useful themselves. All of their products have been designed, tested and approved by mums and make the ideal gifts for mamas-to-be. Here Lulu talks to The Natural Parent Magazine about the inspiration behind Ninja Mama and her business journey so far.
The passion: What inspired you to set up your business?
I really wanted to create something of my own instead of going back to my teaching career after having my two boys. I was an Assistant Headteacher, and it was pretty full on. My priorities changed after having my children, but I still wanted to work as well as having time for my boys. I needed to create something that I could work around my young family but at the same time be able to use my creative side.
The launch: How did you start out in the beginning?
I wanted to provide mums with high quality, useful items that I knew they would find useful after birth. These items, although some were already available, were very basic, and I felt they needed improvements. Although they are necessary personal care items, I wanted to create something that was nice to look at and have, as well as being high quality and useful. Whenever I went to baby showers, I always bought perfume or something else for the mama-to-be, but felt that if we could create some really great products that were also giftable, then mamas-to-be would be all set!
The innovation: What was the biggest breakthrough for you with your business?
The biggest breakthrough was establishing my brand and niche. I had so many ideas in the beginning regarding the products we would create, but once I’d created the peri bottle, that then led on to creating the other products in the postpartum range..
Yin and Yang: How do you balance work and family?
My boys are teenagers now so actually enjoy helping with the business. It’s interesting as they are so very proud of the business and tell all their friends and show the products. They are not the least bit embarrassed about the nature of the products.
My husband is an amazing support, especially in the more complex business side of things. He comes with me to the expos and talks to the expectant parents. It’s great he feels so comfortable and it’s good to have a male to speak to the expectant fathers.
