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| Live Q&A: How do you start a baby business? | Live Q&A: How do you start a baby business? |
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| Whether you're a royalist or republican, it's hard to escape the media frenzy surrounding Kate Middleton's baby. From speculation over the infant's sex and name to gossip over the Duchess of Cambridge's luxury birthing suite and nursery, Britain has gone baby bonkers, for better or worse. | Whether you're a royalist or republican, it's hard to escape the media frenzy surrounding Kate Middleton's baby. From speculation over the infant's sex and name to gossip over the Duchess of Cambridge's luxury birthing suite and nursery, Britain has gone baby bonkers, for better or worse. |
| The impending new arrival is not just filling tabloid column inches, however, with the 'Kate Middleton effect' boosting sales of any baby product the Duchess has so much as glanced at. The Observer reports that ever since Catherine expressed an interest in hypnobirth, a CD associated with the technique has been flying off the shelves, with sales increased by 200% in the past two months. Moses baskets have also been selling like hot cakes after Kate and mum Carole were spotted buying one in a trendy South Kensington boutique. Supermarket Asda reported a 57% increase in online sales of the item. | The impending new arrival is not just filling tabloid column inches, however, with the 'Kate Middleton effect' boosting sales of any baby product the Duchess has so much as glanced at. The Observer reports that ever since Catherine expressed an interest in hypnobirth, a CD associated with the technique has been flying off the shelves, with sales increased by 200% in the past two months. Moses baskets have also been selling like hot cakes after Kate and mum Carole were spotted buying one in a trendy South Kensington boutique. Supermarket Asda reported a 57% increase in online sales of the item. |
| So whatever you think of the hype, it's a perfect time to talk about starting a baby business. The number of so-called mumpreneurs juggling family life with the demands of running a small business shows there is a significant hunger to cash-in on this sector. | So whatever you think of the hype, it's a perfect time to talk about starting a baby business. The number of so-called mumpreneurs juggling family life with the demands of running a small business shows there is a significant hunger to cash-in on this sector. |
| "Self-employment gives mums the control they need over their working hours, while enabling them to generate income," mother, entrepreneur and writer Antonia Chitty explained in a Guardian blog. "And many of them come up with business ideas after finding solutions to challenges they face as a parent." | "Self-employment gives mums the control they need over their working hours, while enabling them to generate income," mother, entrepreneur and writer Antonia Chitty explained in a Guardian blog. "And many of them come up with business ideas after finding solutions to challenges they face as a parent." |
| But you don't have to have a dependent child to be a player in this popular market. | But you don't have to have a dependent child to be a player in this popular market. |
| We have put together a panel of experts and entrepreneurs who have made a success of their companies to share their tips, advice and experiences with you, as well as answering your questions about starting up in the industry. Join us between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday 17 July for our live Q&A. Post your thoughts in the comments section below and pop back then to join the discussion. | We have put together a panel of experts and entrepreneurs who have made a success of their companies to share their tips, advice and experiences with you, as well as answering your questions about starting up in the industry. Join us between 1pm and 3pm on Wednesday 17 July for our live Q&A. Post your thoughts in the comments section below and pop back then to join the discussion. |
| Here is this week's panel: | |
| Wendy Shand launched family travel specialists Tots to Travel seven years ago. The mum-of-three is a mentor for women in business and an expert on family travel and the holiday lettings industry. | |
| Julie Wilson is director of Cheeky Chompers Ltd, formed in May 2012 with director Amy Livingstone. The company provides products and advice for parents with teething babies, initially selling its new product, the Neckerchew – a dribble bib with an attached chewy teether. | |
| Ruth Lopardo launched Love It Love It Love It, an online boutique for babies and children three years ago. The business, which specialises in colourful, ethically made clothing, has more than doubled in turnover each year since. Kat Molesworth is the co-founder of Capturing Childhood, an online film and photography school which helps people to take better family photos. | |
| Julie Lightley is a childcare expert, early year's professional, mother and nursery owner. Julie has more than seven years' experience running nurseries in the North West, as well as being a mother of three and gaining a degree in early childhood studies. She recently set up an online early years training website. | |
| Lara Milanova is the inventor of the award-winning Hamster buggy bags which stop baby buggies from tipping backwards. The product retails in the UK, Europe and the US. | |
| Claire Mitchell is the founder and inventor of Chillipeeps Teats that attach to cartons of ready-made formula and some water bottles. They were created after a real Eureka moment, having forgotten her clean sterilised bottle to feed her baby while out and about one day. | |
| Brenda Patterson is the owner of Maternity Sportswear, which she founded after spotting a gap in the market. She set up the business from scratch and now designs, manufactures and sells fitness clothing for pregnant women under the Mums To Be Fit Wear brand. | |
| This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To receive more like this you can become a member of the Small Business Network here. | This content is brought to you by Guardian Professional. To receive more like this you can become a member of the Small Business Network here. |