Today we chat to Mompreneur Megan Benoit who founded the Babes & Kids Online store which specializes in luxury baby bedding and accessories.
If you are a mom who is building a startup or who already owns a business, please get in touch! I want to feature you.
Building a business while being a mom is not exactly easy so finding out how Megan does it with 2 kids was exciting for me.
Meet Megan Benoit
The mom who loves to exercise and travel in her spare time…
Megan started the company Babes & Kids in 2014 after returning from living in London and struggling to find good quality baby bedding for her son.
Don’t you love when there’s a personal story behind a brand?
She studied Occupational Therapy at UCT and understood the importance of a calm and comfortable sleep environment for babies. This knowledge, paired with first hand experience of a baby that wasn’t a great sleeper, helped guide her to source only the softest baby bedding.
About Babes & Kids online store:
Babes & Kids is an online store based in Cape Town which specializes in luxury baby bedding and accessories.
The focus of Babes & Kids is not only on quality but also on design. They offer a wide range of different designs and products that will compliment most nursery themes. They are always working on new, exciting designs.
“We use only the highest quality cotton for our babies and kids bedding, ensuring a soft and comfortable sleeping environment. We pride ourselves in local production, superior quality products, excellent customer service, secure online payments and reliable door-to-door delivery throughout South Africa. All our linen is designed and manufactured locally in Cape Town using specially sourced imported fabric. The cot linen is manufactured using 400 thread count Egyptian cotton due to its soft silky feel and the fact that it gets softer with washing. This makes it perfect for a baby’s delicate skin,” says Megan.
Want to check out their range? Shop here.
How did you come up with the name for your company?
This was one of the hardest parts! I wanted something simple and self-explanatory. My linen is for both Babies and Kids so hence the name Babes & Kids.
How long have you been running your own business? What were you doing before this?
I have been running Babes & Kids since Oct 2014 – so just over 3 years. Before this, I was a corporate event manager in London.
What is the hardest part about running your own business?
Having to upskill yourself on ALL parts of a business – design, operations, manufacturing, accounting, web development. It is also hard trying to juggle work and family as it is no longer a 9-5 workday.
Which social media platform do you love/hate the most and why?
Facebook – the advertising platform can be a bit of a pain but it is also vitally important.
Name 3 goals for 2018 that you want to achieve?
1. I would like Babes & Kids to go global – I think our linen is great value for money and the designs are unique so I really think there is a greater market than just SA.
2. Greater brand awareness – as a small business it is important to continually spread the word about what you do and who you are.
3. Launch some exciting new designs.
What motivates you to get out of bed every day?
My two kids get me out of bed every day!
How do you manage your successful career while being a mom?
I have an incredibly supportive family and a nanny that I could not live without. It’s also all about simplifying things – if there is an app that can do it – get it!
What is the best advice you’ve ever received about motherhood?
Sometimes you just need to do what you need to do to survive. Forget the mom guilt.
What has surprised you the most about being a mom?
How little sleep you get!
What are your top tips for balancing work life and home life?
Get organised. So much time is wasted when you are not organised! Also get to the gym – a healthy body makes for a healthy mind. I believe you are more productive if you exercise.
Who has been your inspiration in the business world?
My dad. He has taught me most of what I know about business.
Share some of your failures and the best lessons you have learned from them?
One of my biggest failures was putting all my eggs in one basket. When I was massively let down by a supplier there was not much I could do as they were the only one supplying me at the time. It took me a while to get up and running again.
How do you define success?
I define success by being proud of what you have achieved. No matter how big or small.
Top 3 mobile apps that make your work more effective?
- Shopify app – I can manage orders and my online store while I am on the go.
- Whatsapp – it keeps communication channels open and allows for quick responses.
- Wunderlist – helps me keep my to-do list up to date.
What do you think is missing in the mompreneurs community in South Africa?
I think some mompreneurs are too cagey about sharing knowledge. I believe that we can all help each other.
What advice would you give to a Mompreneur who is just starting out?
Do your research – you need a unique selling point to stand out in the market. Success doesn’t happen overnight so don’t get disheartened if it takes longer than you think. Always communicate with your customer – if you have made a mistake – let them know and fix it. Often it’s not what we have done it’s how we communicate it.
You can follow Babes & Kids on Facebook and Instagram.
Shop online at www.babesandkids.co.za, Takealot and in store at Kids Living, (Cape Town and JHB) and various Kids Emporium stores.
Photo credit: Melissa van Reil photography
Want to get featured? Email [email protected]
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