Mumpreneur Monday - Eternal Creation | Reverie Coaching - Business and Personal Coaching for Mumpreneurs

This week I have the pleasure of introducing Eternal Creation a free trade fashion company making clothing for women and children. Eternal Creation have kindly offered 15% off if you enter the code reverie15 when you purchased any full priced items. I am already coveting some gorgeous clothes for my daughter! Enjoy!

What is your name?

Frances Carrington

What is your business name?

Website address

http://www.eternalcreation.com

Please tell us about your business

Eternal Creation is a Fair Trade fashion company in Dharamsala, India that produces clothes for kids and mums. The aim of our company is create beautiful designs of really good quality, whilst spreading the word about Fair Trade.

How long have you been in business?

We have been in operation now for 12 years.

What inspired you to start your business?

I originally worked as a volunteer designer with Tibetan refugees in Dharamsala. I learnt so much from them, and at the same time realised that I could do something useful and potentially life changing with my skills. As a designer it had always been my goal to have my own label, so although it was a difficult step to start a business based in India, emotionally it was an easy and inspired decision.

How do you try and maintain work-life balance as a Mompreneur?

In order to maintain work-life balance as a Mumpreneur, I try to spend as much time with my kids as possible. They come to the workshop nearly every afternoon after school. We have swings, a garden, and our dog here to keep them occupied; it’s almost as if the entire workshop is their own private playground. The kids have their favourite play activities, (mostly dressing up in bits of leftover fabric, and in the case of my daughter, sewing things!) They enjoy coming to the workshop, and rather than feeling excluded from my work place, they feel very much a part of it. I tend to work quite hard, but I always try to make time for camping trips and hiking in the mountains with my family. I also try to get away for a short holiday with them a couple of times a year. Being in the foothills of the Himalayas, we have one of the heaviest monsoons in the entire world, and winter can be very cold here, so I use these times to take a break from my demanding work schedule to prioritize my children and husband.

What are your top tips for mums thinking of launching a business?

I would tell other mums, “Do your research well, and go for it! Although you’ll be busier than before, your kids will really respect you for doing what you love!” I really think that you are setting an amazing example for your kids by having dreams and actually striving towards achieving them. And when you are happy and successful, your kids will be happier and more successful as a result…

What are your top marketing tips?

I think good customer service is crucial to a successful business. Your customers are your greatest assets. If you keep them happy, they will return time and again. If your product is good, it becomes even better when delivered with heartfelt friendliness and appreciation which can be tangibly felt.

What is one of your favourite website resources for small business?

I use resources like LinkedIn, SourceBottle, Request Loft, Ethical Fashion SOURCE etc to stay in touch with potential wholesalers, professional peers, and journalists. And I use Facebook and Twitter to communicate with our customers on a more intimate level. Most people who purchase from Eternal Creation are interested in Fair Trade and like to see the personal stories of the tailors who hand–stitch their garments or the daily activities unfold at our workshop.

What business tools do you use to run your business?

We use Quick Books for the accounts, Mail Chimp for our newsletters, and PayPal for payments. Other than that we just use the usual computer programs such as Excel and Word etc.

Have you undertaken any online courses or programs or engaged a coach to assist you to learn more about running an online business?

No. I was fortunate that my training at the East Sydney Institute of Fashion Design prepared me for running my own fashion company. I have been lucky because I have always had the support of family and friends. When I first began my father gave me a loan of 5,000 to begin my own tailoring centre. My husband Rory is the graphic designer who works on Eternal Creation’s website, and my two children have been our models since before they were walking.

What is the best advice you could give mums wanting to become a Mumpreneur?

Do a book keeping course! This is something I have always wished I had done. I had to learn the hard way, on the job! At the end of the day it’s crucial that the books are balanced and the figures are accurate.