Business in Profile

Bump, Baby & Beyond is an online store that offers affordable baby, children's AND maternity wear from great quality brands.

We search out the best end of season bargains from quality manufacturers and gather them together for a factory shopping experience - at home!

Our fabulous stock is priced at 30-70% off RRP – all day, every day, and includes the following labels:

Ripe – Pea In A Pod – Soon Melbourne – EGG Maternity – MBC (Mother Baby Child) – Ninth Moon – Maternity Plus and more.

Ka-Boosh – Baby Who? – Teddy Time – Sh-Oosh – Little Bundles and more – all baby and kids wear is currently under $20!

Owner, Cath Freemantle, is a WAHM and now employs one of the other mums she met at Playgroup... a really exciting achievement in a rural area with few employment opportunities.

The Bump, Baby & Beyond website went “live” in November 2006 – our range may be seen at www.bumpbabyandbeyond.com.au

2. Why did you start your business?

Out of frustration! When pregnant with Cameron (now 3.5) I found it so hard to find decent maternity wear at a reasonable price – I thought that there had to be a better way for families on a budget.

Once Cameron was born we discovered that baby wear was equally as difficult to source – particularly if you didn’t want your child dressed in the same bargain everyone else in town saw!

3. Has starting your own business lived up to expectations?

And surpassed them! I am stunned at how much I have learnt, at how much fun it is, and at the enormous sense of achievement and satisfaction... I love what I do!

4. What have you enjoyed the most about running your own business?

Definately creating great relationships with suppliers and customers – I love the interaction, which is much more than you might expect from an online business.

Buying trips and photographic shoots are fantastic fun – it is always a delight to catch up with our suppliers and contractors.

5. What is the biggest challenge for you in running your own business?

Having been an accountant, much of the business management side of things was fairly easy for me to pick up – I wasn’t daunted by all the registrations, legal requirements, or tax obligations.

Trying to determine a easy and manageable way to keep track of all our stock has probably been the hardest thing for me – I hadn’t any experience at all with stock control. I know have a great system that works beautifully.

Determining where to spend my advertising dollar has also had a huge learning curve.

6. How do you manage the juggle of running your own business with family?

With the support and love of my family and friends – my husband in particular is amazing, as are my mum and mother-in-law.

My two boys also attend Family Day Care the two days a week that staff member Heidi is here, at the most fabulous home on several acres where they plant their own vegies in the vegie patch, cook lunch every second week, have lambs, ducks and chooks to care for.. it’s fantastic and takes so much pressure off – knowing they are happy and content at Miss Wendy’s!

My eldest son, Cameron, loves to help when he is at home and does this by stamping every scrap bit of paper in site “Postage Paid”. Baby Jack keeps us entertained with his ongoing musical babble and determined efforts at walking!

7. Do you have a favourite networking opportunity or event?

We are contemplating attending the Pregnancy, Babies and Children’s Expo this year, which I’m sure will offer many opportunities. There are some great online support and networking sites, like businessmums.com.au.

8. Do you have any advice for anyone out there who may be thinking about starting their own business?

Do your research, know your product/s, know your competition, be conservative with your calculations – have fun! And if you have forgotten what your husband looks like – turn off the computer!

For more information about Bump Baby & Beyond...click here