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 Finalist: Joanne Dewberry
Number of Children & their ages: Charlie Moo 2 years and Megan 1 year
Business Name: Charlie Moo's
Business website: www.charliemoos.co.uk
Follow Joanne on Twitter: @CharlieMoos
When did you start up in business, and what was your motivation?
I was disheartened by the rubbish party bags my son, Charlie, had received at parties. Not only did it break straight away, it was either very age inappropriate or made of plastic. One party he received near enough a whole bag of chocolate …. he doesn’t even have chocolate unless its a special occassion. It became a slightly stressful experience .. Charlie would wonder out of the party tightly clutching the party bag in his hand and we’d either fight with him to get rid off the bits he couldn’t have or have him hand us stuff as we said no, in most cases he’d be left with a balloon and some bubbles. I took the plunge to build and start up my website after Megan was born in August 2008. I became very adapt at typing with one finger whilt breast feeding at 2am.
In a nutshell, what do you do and what makes your business unique?
I hand-make fabric party bags, which are not only an eco-friendly option to plastic but make gorgeous keepsakes after the party.
 What has been your biggest business achievement?
In November 2009 I was awarded as one of the Future 100 Young Entreprenuers 2009
What stage is your business at now & what are your plans for the future?
My website business is working great which means I can now go off and concentrate on finding appropriate retailers to sell the bags in.
How do you manage to juggle your business with family life? Has it been challenging?
It is really hard to juggle the children and my business, especially as there is only 16months between the children as it is. Organisation is key and remember why your doing it. I'm doing this to spend more time at home with my children - so spending all day on the laptop doesnt achieve that! So making sure that you have fun activities balanced with working is key. I would also suggest shut down times in the evening so that hubby doesnt get left out either!
What resources do you NOT have now that might make your life easier?
An office I still work from my dinning table. I also pin material on a towel on top of the chest freezer
You were a winner/runner up in the 2009 PR Challenge, what did you do to generate so much media coverage for your business?
Lots of blog mentions last year!
When doing your own PR, what resources did you use to get you started, and still use today?
Contacts .. good contacts at Newspapers (esp your local) and blogs that are relevant to your industry. I get mentioned a lot on The Green Familia thanks to the fabulous Brenda Cuby. One you have been mentioned somewhere .. keep that contact upto date on things that are going on with you. You never know when they might run your story.
How much did you spend last year on promoting your business?
£100
What do you feel is the most important aspect to doing your own PR?
It's free!
Do you have any special PR tips to pass on to the 2010 entrants?
Keep an eye out on local stories .... you never know when you might be able to jump on the band wagon. Make things happen! Don't sit around waiting! Let everyone know about it!
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