Inspiring Parents: Jenny Mortimer from KyNa Boutique Interview
Welcome to my Inspiring Parents feature. Where I interview parents that have been inspired to do something different with their lives after they have had children. Be it start their own business, tackle a huge sporting feat or change their lifestyles all for the better. You can read more about the concept here.
This week I am interviewing owner and found of online organic childrenswear store – KyNa Boutique. Her site is full of wonderful, colourful childrens’ clothes and in my opninion, childrens clothes should always be colourful.
The Interview
1. Tell us a bit about you. Why did you decide to start your own business?
I’m Jenny, a mum of 3 boys and owner of KyNa Boutique. An online organic children’s clothing store. I decided to start my own business after struggling with the work fit of my previous corporate job around children and didn’t feel comfortable with a lot of travelling and long hours.
2. What made you decide to start a an organic childrenswear rather than doing anything else?
I started organic childrens wear after struggling with my son’s eczema and finding that organic clothing can help. At the time organic clothing wasn’t readily available on the high street and what was around was grey, brown and beige. I started looking for more colourful clothing and found brands all over the world, so I decided to bring them all together in one place.
3. What did you do before you ran your own business? Has it helped you in anyway?
Before the business I was an Operations Manager for a large corporate company, very different to running my own business. I wouldn’t say it has helped, it was a total career change.
4. How do you go about sourcing different designs and products?
I travel to different trade shows every 6 months and view collections from independent designers. This July I will be travelling to Paris for the big children’s playtime event.
5. As a parent how do you manage running your business around your family?
It’s a big juggle, I tend to do most of my work in the evenings. Packing orders sometimes in to the early hours and the post office runs are fitted in around school drop offs and pick ups.
6. Do employ other parents, has this made you think about your flexible working policy as a company?
At the moment I work by myself.
7. What has been your greatest achievement to date?
My greatest achievement has been seeing my dream come to reality, building the business from a simple idea to keep my mind working whilst on maternity leave, into a profitable business.
8. And your greatest challenge?
Not losing faith. On those hard days when you need someone to give you a kick up the bum, there isn’t anyone and you have to keep yourself motivated.
9. What are your favourite items from the collection?
The collections change all the time but at the moment my favourite has to be the JNY farm tee. I just love bright colours!
10. What next for KyNa Boutique?
It’s all go, from July we will be expanding up to age 8 and taking on additional brands.
11. If you could give any advice to other people and in particular parents thinking of setting up their own business what would it be?
It’ss not easy, never see it as the easy option because you have to work more hours than you have ever worked before. But, as long as you have passion for what you want to do and the fire in your belly to keep it going then go for it.
Thanks so much Jenny, the more I talk to women who have set up their own business, it seems that it’s hard work, but very rewarding and great to have the option to work it around their families.
If you fancy checking out KyNa Boutique’s collections, you can shop online at kynaboutique.co.uk.