Heidi and Louisa are the masterminds behind the online store Belly Beyond. Seeing a need in the market for a place where new and expecting parents could purchase items that were both quality and affordable, knowing the two didn’t have to be mutually exclusive, these two friends set about working on their dream in 2008 and have managed to create a multi-award winning business. 100% NZ owned and operated, they say they are quickly becoming known for their crazy sale prices on designer brands. Hear that, designer brand sales! Oh yes, please. Be sure to check out their website and don’t forget to visit their blog; where they’re currently holding a not-so-ordinary month long challenge much like one I mentioned in Blog Idol 2. If you know what I’m talking about, I bet your smiling. Head on over and join in!
How would you describe yourself?
Two halves of one whole. We work incredibly well together and bring different skills to the business which means we naturally gravitated into our roles and don’t fall over each other in the same tasks. That we were best friends before we started the business has been a huge advantage and we really do enjoy going to work every day!
What inspired you to do what you do?
Neither Heidi nor I wanted to have to go back working for someone else and knew that we wanted to do something that could be run from home, at least initially. We had been quite restricted in our previous roles and were looking for an outlet for our ideas and creativity. Our very first product was just one large bag, filled with newborn necessities, but we quickly realised it would never become a business that would support us both. We noticed there were a lot of online baby sites either with a really budget mentality in shopping experience, product or service or if they were boutique focused, their range was incredibly restricted. We wanted to bridge that gap and bring quality essentials together at great prices.
What would be your best advice for someone wanting to go into business for themselves?
Just start! Work on your business ideas little and often and if you keep at it a business plan will form. Be aware that working for yourself takes commitment and dedication and it’s by no means the easy option.
How do you handle all your different responsibilities, what are your priorities?
How do we handle our responsibilities? We don’t! We seem to have a never-ending to do list and rarely get time out from the business. During peak times we work close to 80 hours a week each but we still wouldn’t trade it for a 9 to 5 office job. We try to ensure we have time out with the kids every day and some family time on the weekend.
Any goals for the future?
Plenty! It’s a matter of prioritising which ones to attack first. Bigger picture goals though are for the short term to grow the business and for the long-term it’s to get a much more reasonable work-life balance.
Tell us a little bit about your family and relationship, if you’re in one:
We both have incredibly supportive husbands and two children each. Louisa has a two year old and one starting school next month, Heidi has a 14 year old and a 1 year old. It’s definitely a family affair, from our husbands domestic skills to their business advice and our parents help with the kids we are a close knit bunch and being best friends adds to the dynamics.
Biggest life lesson?
Treasure your family and friends. Everything you may be working hard for is empty if you haven’t got special people to share it with.
Biggest lesson you’ve learned in business?
Know the difference between business friends and friends in business. The majority of people genuinely want you to succeed and in general we would say embrace your competition as they can be your biggest motivator.
What do you do on the hard days, we all encounter them:
We are lucky that we have each other to bounce off and vent to on those hard days, it would be very different and lonely if it wasn’t a partnership.
Our husbands are a great source of advice as well, business men in their own right they often show us another angel to look at things when we can only see the down side.
How do you relax?
Funnily enough we relax by talking business on the phone and when we hang out with the kids. Louisa relaxes with social media time and Heidi loves to shoot stuff!
Share with us your favourite quote:
If someone creates waves for you – get your surfboard and start surfing!
