Parents in Business featuring Baba+Boo

This week on my Parents in Business series I’m really excited to be featuring Eve, the founder of Baba+Boo selling cloth nappies. It’s an amazing interview to read, as Eve, like many parents, started her own business to be there for her children and to do the school run, which in itself is a brilliant achievement. 

Baba+Boo started as a passion project leading to the success that the business is today. Eve tells us about her passion for reusable nappies, staying true to the “why” of your business and not being afraid of hard work. Do have a read of Eve’s inspirational business journey below…..

Tell me a little bit about you, your background, and your business?

I’ve worked since being a waitress at 13, through university and had my fair share of rubbish jobs when I left uni until I started my career as a buyer. A career that came to end when I became mum to Seth in 2008. Having decided that I didn’t want to leave him, and with another baby on the way, I made the decision to leave working life and be a stay at home mum. This was by far the hardest thing I have ever done. Having two babies in quick succession was so so hard!

So what do I do? I start a business as well. I often blame hormones and tiredness, but I think my work ethic wasn’t being satisfied in the world of babies. I needed something for me. I had a new passion for cloth nappies and starting something that made total sense to me.  My dad watched the bin like a hawk when I was growing up and never let us throw anything away that could be composted or recycled. This is why I found putting disposable nappies in the bin so wrong. I knew I had skills to design and make the nappies but the rest was the steepest learning curve of my life. But, starting Baba+Boo was my best decision for me, and for my children!

What were your motivations for setting up your business?

For me, Baba+Boo was a passion project which has spiralled into something which I truly love. I still get goosebumps when I read reviews and testimonials from our customers on how our products have helped their busy lives. Our tribe is helping to bring about real change and helping us take steps towards a more sustainable future for our children.

Everyone knows the old adage that we’re stronger together, and when it comes to the future of our planet this has never been truer. We know that we can’t save the world on our own, but if we come together to make small, sustainable changes, we can help to build a greener future.

How do you balance the business around your family and childcare?

Lists! I’ve learnt to micromanage my time over the years. I think I have read every productivity book going to make the most of every minute. My day is sliced up into small chunks, so I rarely get a full day to work, so every hour of every day is planned. It’s usually a house of cards but I have just learnt to live with it. As long as everyone goes to bed with a smile on their face, then it has been a good day.

Since setting up your business what’s been your biggest success to date?

One of my biggest goals and reasons for me starting a business was because I wanted to be able to do the school run. My mum was self-employed and worked really hard, but she was always there. I wanted to emulate that and that has been my biggest driver to keep going on the hard days. My son is now at high school and my daughter finishes primary school this year. So my biggest success is that I did it. Seeing them run happily in and out of school every day has been my biggest achievement. Especially when there have been days when I just wanted to give up.

In business terms, it’s the fact I’m still here. I started in the days when reusable nappies were hardly seen at all. It’s been a really hard slog getting to where we are now. I have tried to give up so many times but I am not very good at giving up. People say to me now things like ‘you are in the right place at the right time’ but for so many years, it was the complete opposite.

What are your top tip for anyone who is thinking about setting up their own business?

If you are going to set up a business, make sure you know your ‘why’. Make sure you are passionate about what you do because that is what will push you forward on the hard days. The old adage is true, only entrepreneurs would work 80 hours a week so they don’t have to work 40 for someone else. Surround yourself with like-minded people offline and online. Don’t be afraid to ask for help. It is a myth that the world of business is ruthless. I have never come across anyone who hasn’t wanted to help other entrepreneurs to succeed.

Thank you so much Eve for taking part in my series it has been a pleasure to feature you. 

To find out more about Baba+Boo and to see their amazing range of cloth nappies visit the website, Instagram, Facebook or Twitter. 

If you like what you’re reading and would love to be part of my Parents in Business series just drop me an email: thepramshedblog@gmail.com. Or have a nose at some of the other businesses I have featured in the series: Tidy Choice, Zoe Hiljemark, and Inscripture.

Claire