Early Years
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months which wasn’t good for my wallet or the environment. I’ve also taken steps to make the mats eco-friendlier by using recycled card and switching from a foam filling to a material that feels like foam, but is actually made from recycled polyester. It’s a small step but it’s one in the right direction. The future is very exciting. I am getting my mats into shops across the UK which really excites me. Parents will be able to see the designs up close and this is when they really shine. They went down a storm at the London Baby Show recently. I lost track of the amount of people telling me
I’m also working on a new line of cot bed sheets, change mat covers, drapery and toddler bedding. They should all be out by the summer. I’ve been asked many times by my amazing customers to expand the product range so they can have more of the designs they love in their nurseries and that’s what I’m doing. It just makes sense. You can check out all of The Gilded Bird changing mats on
thegildedbird.co.uk
New business, Jessie Bear Blue offers practical, fashionable jean ie.bir and affordable d@t baby gild changing bagsheand edb ir accessories - Designed d.com by a Mum of three.
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my mats were exactly what they’d been searching for.
Wor k crea te room para o phe “The y wan re te d t Stan dard easi m ly. filled The G with non tw -tox ic ano ther PVC thin g Jean ie’s n mat ot o n s, l a te b u t to m st ra a n ge w of n ew f oam ill b . “It’s a sm all c a re han al mor desire in ge e su s tain the m poss able ib ,b b e e l e to u s e re u ven cycl mor e ec o-fri e theg
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Words: Charlie Smith (Founder)
harlie, mum to 4-year-old Jessica and 3-month-old twins, James and Chloe, recently launched her new business, Jessie Bear Blue.
I’ve found it a challenge to juggle being a mum and running a business and inevitably at times a degree of guilt creeps in.
Jessie Bear Blue offer a range of stylish but practical baby changing bags all of which have been designed by Charlie herself and created for the mums that carry them, not just for the babies they carry them for.
The twins only catnap during the day so working then is almost impossible but now they are in a bit of a routine, it’s much easier as I know that come 7.30pm all 3 children are (usually!) in bed, although by then I am normally wishing I was too!
Charlie began her business journey 4 years ago when she struggled to find a changing bag which was affordable, practical and fashionable. Jessie Bear Blue bags are intended to help mums feel good about themselves even during those less than glamorous moments of motherhood.
I just keep reminding myself why I’m doing this - to be able to work flexibly around the children.
With no experience in business and design/ manufacturing, Charlie learnt a lot along the way, and is nervously unsure whether the launch coinciding with the birth of her twins is a disaster or a blessing!
If you want to see more follow on Instagram @jessie_ bear_blue to see the highs and lows of juggling mum life and a new business or to see more of the beautiful Jessie Bear Blue product range visit
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mummyandmemagazine.co.uk
It's still very early days but I have great plans for the future. I am currently working on new designs, with my ultimate dream being to see my bags in stores across the country.
jessiebearblue.co.uk.
d.co
.uk
