Made for “sweet little rebels”, Amanda of Lullaby Riot has created a beautiful biz specialising in handmade baby and children’s clothing and accessories, with an EDGE! We caught up with Amanda to chat about how she manages running her own biz with the craziness of motherhood!
Tell us a bit about yourself:
Hi! I’m Amanda and I live in Shellharbour, a beautiful coastal town on the South Coast of NSW with my hubby, Mark and my 2 bubs, Amelie and Hudson. Mark is an Engineer so he is always working for me behind the scenes, making my patterns come to life on the computer, or building my spreadsheets. I couldn’t do this without him!
Before becoming a work from home mum, I worked as an Travel Consultant, so I love travelling the world and drawing inspiration from what I see on our adventures! I started sewing when I was 12, so for 20-something years now. It makes you feel old when you say it like that!
How did you get started with your biz?
After I had my first baby in 2015, I couldn’t find really unique bibs, so I decided to make my own using high quality fabrics. I had a lot of people ask where I got them from and it just snowballed from there. I had my bibs in my first boutique within a few months! I’ve since expanded and added a clothing range.
What (or who) are your biggest influences?
My children are my biggest influences. I only make things that I would love for my children to wear, which means the best quality and organic cottons.
As a biz mum, do you experience mum guilt and how do you tackle that?
Oh yeah! Big time. I think all mums do! I always joke that my products are brought to you by copious amounts of The Wiggles and a little bit of mummy guilt hehe. But I’ve learned that I have to put the kids first, so I usually only sew when they are asleep. They are both great sleepers, so that helps. Mornings are our play time. If I’m really busy, I sew when hubby gets home and he feeds and bathes the kids.
Chaotic, loud, never-ending!
What does your workstation look like?
Before my son was born I had a whole room dedicated to my business, but now I’m in the end of our dining room, with one table. It’s tight, but I have a lovely view out of the window so that helps! I have grand organisation plans for when we buy a new house. It may be 10 years in the future, but you have to have goals, right?
Give me your best kid distraction strategy:
As I said before, The Wiggles are big in our household! I also let me daughter ‘help’ me by putting fabric scraps from one bag to the other. Having 2 kids is great as they can entertain each other!
Most embarrassing moment as a mum, or in your biz?
You know those days when you are a new mum, and you’re so frazzled and sleep-deprived? I may or may not have answered the door with a boob out (breastfeeding problems!) The postman always gives me a cheeky smirk when he sees me! And I get a lot of parcels. Mortified lol.
What are you most proud of achieving biz wise?
Seeing my products in stores never gets old. And repeat customers. It means I’m doing something right!
What are your big goals for the next 12 months?
I’ve just released my new clothing line so I’m hoping that goes well, and I’m aiming to be in a few more stores in the next 12 months.
Exclusive reader offer
Amanda is offering Nestling Collective readers 40% off all bibs (excluding sale stock) until midnight January 10th – just use the code YAY2018 at checkout!
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