Inspired Suppliers - Coco & Chloe

We have been loving sharing our Inspired Suppliers with you over the past few weeks. So far we have met Amy from Giggleberry Creations, Sara from Pom Pom Princess and Tanya from Squiggle and Stitch. These wonderful ladies all contribute beautiful, unique and handcrafted products to our online store and they are a joy to work with!

Tonight we are pleased to introduce to you the next of our Inspired Suppliers... Gloria from Coco & Chloe. Coco & Chloe is a gorgeous little online store, stocking some absolutely gorgeous products... luxury leather hand bags, travel gear, scarves, jewellery and a great selection of home wares.

Gloria is pretty talented though, not only does she run this lovely shop, she also makes a super fun range of jewellery herself, along with some gorgeous kids products including badges, magnets, bracelets and necklaces. This is where Coco and Chloe come together, with Gloria having made all the gorgeous little badges we have in store.

Thanks for being part of our Inspired Suppliers series Gloria!


Who? Tell us a bit about yourself...

My name is Gloria, and I am the owner and creator of the business coco & chloe. I have completed a dual award degree in computer science and management skills. My work experience is a little over the place from working in the liquor retail industry, and in the banking industry where I have been computer programmer, quality assurance manager, to "working" with auditors. I am a loving aunty to a niece who is 4 years old and a nephew who is nearly 2. I am a big sister to my pet dog Chloe (who is half of the inspiration for my business name). 

What inspired you to start your own business?

I always had a very long term goal to start my own business, but what put my goal into action was turning a year older and not loving what I was doing day to day. I love shopping and being creative and it just feels natural to follow that path and start my own on-line gift store were I can use my elements.

Beer, wine, bubbles or soft drink?

Soft drink definitely. I am still the biggest kid at heart and drinking alcohol would just be wrong - I don't get offended if I am placed on the kids table at events because I know I will have lots of fun.

How do you stay innovative and ahead of the pack?

I'm forever researching what the next trends and colours by looking at what is happening overseas and locally. Ideally you would love to hire a person to do the research for you but the next best thing is to look at large companies that do have the money to hire such people and see what they are doing. Most of the time though it comes down purely to purchasing what I like - If I wouldn't buy it myself, why would I except anyone else to buy it?

What is your greatest indulgence?

Bags... I love a good quality bag. I probably have too many (and I refuse to count how many I do have), but I truly believe a girl can never have enough. The love of quality bags features through my product range - so hard to not keep them all for myself.

What difference has being in business for yourself made in your life?

It's made two main differences. One I've learnt to get outside of my comfort zone which is networking and talking to people. I knew this was my weak point, but the benefit is now I have meet amazing people that are extremely talented and they inspire me even more. And Two, I have the biggest excuse now to do learn new skills that I have always wanted to do like making jewellery and flower arrangements.

Shop - www.cocoandchloe.com.au
Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/pages/Coco-Chloe/134506936603427


Cheers,

Inspired Suppliers - Pom Pom Princess

We are now into our third week of introducing you to our team of wonderful Inspired Suppliers. You can catch up here with Amy of Giggleberry Creations and here with Tania of Squiggle and Stitch.


When we first started planning our online store, Inspired Parties, we knew we wanted to offer as many high quality products, made by other small businesses as possible. Being long time facebookers, we have been fortunate to come across many of these wonderful businesses and used them before for ourselves or clients events - so we knew how wonderful they are.


Sara from Pom Pom Princess is no exception. Her gorgeous tissue paper pom poms are in our store and are the perfect addition to any party decor. They are such great quality, so full and fluffy! 


She also makes divine tulle pom poms, garlands and pom pom wands - who could want more!

Who? Tell us a bit about yourself... 
I have three gorgeous children, 4, 3 & 1 year olds and a handsome partner, who are incredibly beautiful, cheeky, spontaneous and demanding at times...They have spurred my creativity and helped me to find my feet with Pom Pom Princess.  It's not all work and no play though, I love playing with my babies and challenging them, as much as myself with lots of exciting adventures...and given the chance I will be anywhere the sun is shining!


What inspired you to start your own business? 
My little princesses were having a fairy birthday and I created pom poms for the party, within weeks I had requests and the online business just grew a mind of it's own and here I am today...Fluffing gorgeousness for other little (and big) girls too!


Beer, wine, bubbles or soft drink? 
I am partial to a glass of red wine...or white come to think of it!!


How do you stay innovative and ahead of the pack? 
Pom Pom Princes is dedicated to making handmade gorgeous pom poms to order, so I want to be able to get any colour tulle that might be wanted for that special occassion. The tissue paper pom poms come in standard colours so I want to at least have the flexibility of a range of colours for the Tulle Pom Poms, Pom Pom Wands & Garlands.


What is your greatest indulgence? 
Oooh that would have to be marshamallows..have you tried the new berry swirls?? Or if allowed...a sleep in.....


What difference has being in business for yourself made in your life? 
The biggest differance I am finding at the moment is the juggling act between family, friends and 'me time'. But I have also found that it I have gained more self confidence to know I am capable, can create gorgeous pom poms that people are loving and I can do this and still be the bestest mother I can  be!!


Website - www.pompomprincess.com.au  
Facebook - www.facebook.com/Pom-Pom-Princess


Thanks for being a part of our Inspired Suppliers blog series Sara! 


Cheers,

Inspired Suppliers - Squiggle & Stitch

With the launch of our new online store, Inspired Parties, we wanted to share the lovely ladies behind some of the gorgeous products we are stocking. We kicked it off last week with Amy from Giggleberry.


Tonight we are so pleased to introduce Tania from Squiggle & Stitch.

Squiggle & Stitch are fairly new to the world of Mumpreneur business, but they are already doing wonderful things. Tania created the most beautiful range of fabric table cloths and table runners for our store, all to complement our Inspired Parties range. You can check them out here and here. 


Not only are these a fun addition to a party, but the quality of them is just first class. I can't tell you how impressed I was when we received the sample, it's obvious just how much care is taken when making them. They are sure to become heirloom items - pulled out each year for your occasions. What a nice tradition to have!


Thanks for taking part in our Inspired Suppliers series Tania!

  

Who? Tell us a bit about yourself... 
I guess first and foremost these days I'm a mum. I have 2 beautiful girls who have me wrapped around their little fingers and I wouldn't have it any other way. I always loved art and textiles at school and knew that I wanted to make a living out of it somehow. As a young girl in my 20's I found trying to make it as a designer tough so I took up teaching instead and was pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed it. I have been teaching art and textiles at a secondary school in Melbournes Sth East for over 10 years. After having my eldest daughter I returned to teaching part time but I am yet to head back in to the classroom since having my youngest. I love nothing more then getting comfy on the couch and watching a good dose of television (nothing to serious), and coming from an Italian family of course I love my food. I hate winter, don't understand science fiction and politics bores me. Finally, I like to think I'm a pretty good wife, a loving daughter and baby sister and a very loyal friend. 


What inspired you to start your own business? 
I love teaching but have not found as much satisfaction from it since only working part time. After so long working in schools I have also found that dealing with discipline issues, school politics and all the 'extra' stuff you do as a teacher such as assessment and reporting a little frustrating. I don't have the time or patience for it that I once did. After having Bianca (my 4 yr old) I started running school holiday workshops at my local neighbourhood house and really enjoyed it, the kids enthusiasm is infectious. I also discovered the world of facebook businesses and I have to say I became a little obsessed. So many beautiful things made and sold by mums like me in the comfort of their own homes. I couldn't believe how successful some of these business were and so I began to wonder if I could do it too. 


Beer, wine, bubbles or soft drink? 
Definitely bubbles but I won't say no to a nice glass of white wine or a cold beer on a hot day 


How do you stay innovative and ahead of the pack? 
Honestly, I am new to this so I'm learning as I go. 


What is your greatest indulgence? 
Ice cream 


What difference has being in business for yourself made in your life? 
It's given me a creative outlet again and a rare chance to do something for myself. It's also made my home life a little more crazy and the house a lot messier but so be it!

Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/squiggleandstitch

Made It store: http://www.madeit.com.au/squiggleandstitch
Email: squiggleandstitch@hotmail.com

Cheers,

Inspired Parties is live!

We are very proud to announce that our new online store, Inspired Parties is now live! 

www.theinspiredoccasion.com.au/shop.html

Over the past few months we have been working hard on designing, selecting and sourcing a range of high quality party stationery and accessories (you may have read about it here).

Alongside our own products, we are very proud to be offering products created by other Australian mums, which are both of an extremely high quality and completely divine! We will be featuring each of these fabulous suppliers in our Inspired Supplier blog series over the coming weeks. You can read the first one here, which was with Amy from Giggleberry Creations.

We have also designed a range called Inspired Parties in a Box, which contain everything you need to style your very own Inspired Occasion, just add food! We know that finding a coordinated set of party accessories can be both time consuming and frustrating - that's where our Inspired Party in a Box can save you time, yet still giving you the opportunity to style an Inspired Occasion all of your own!

Don't forget we now also offer all our delicious Edible items directly to our customers as well (cooked freshly in our safety certified kitchens). You can get a copy of our Edibles price list by clicking here.

Anyway, we would love you to drop by the new shop and support your favourite party planners ;)

Cheers,

Inspired Suppliers - Giggleberry Creations

Earlier this week we shared a little more insight into our new online store, which will be launching next Monday!! As we put the finishing touches on it, we thought we would start introducing you to some of our fabulous Inspired Suppliers.


We are very proud of the suppliers we have carefully chosen to be a part of our Inspired Parties range. Each of them is a small Australian business, many of them mums. They, like us, pride themselves on quality and we are very excited to offer their products to complement the rest of the range.


First up, we would like to introduce Giggleberry Creations. Many of you will already be familiar with Amy's wonderful work. Not only is it fun and a perfect match for any party, it is so well made. In fact when we needed bunting created for our own market set up - who did we call? Amy, of course!

Who? Tell us a bit about yourself...


My name is Amy. I am a wife to one gorgeous man a step-mum to 10yo Felicity and mum to 3yo Milla & Harrison who is 2. I am also the driving force behind the fabric bunting banners of Giggleberry Creations. I love 'getting in and getting things done' and taking on a good challenge. I prefer winter to summer. I believe happiness is a choice. I collect hippos. My favourite colour is purple, I could eat prawns by the bucket load and any excuse to go shoe shopping is a good excuse ;)


What inspired you to start your own business?

When I was pregnant with Milla I was looking for ways to decorate her bedroom that were unique & fun. I took some off cuts to a quilt my mum had made for her and after a play with the random bits of fabric and my sewing machine the first Giggleberry Creations bunting banner was created! 

I made a few more for nieces and nephews which then had family and friends asking me for bunting to match their kid's decor and parties. From there Giggleberry Creations was born and grew into the WAHM business I absolutely adore today 3 and a bit years on! 

Beer, wine, bubbles or soft drink?

Hmmmm bubbles or wine - how to decide? depends on the weather. Bubbles are perfect with a plate of prawns in summer but a glass of good shiraz is just too fabulous on a winters night.

How do you stay innovative and ahead of the pack?

I think there are allot of different factors to staying innovative. Believing strongly in your product and brand is on the top of the list. Keeping an eye on where and how my products are used is a great help in deciding on new items and styles. Also my customer feedback is invaluable - listening to what customers do or don't like can make or break of a product or business.

What is your greatest indulgence?

Chocolate. In any form I'll take chocolate but if it's a warm gooie centered chocolate dessert I'm in heaven!

What difference has being in business for yourself made in your life?

Giggleberry Creations - the "micro-business" was never planned as such. I have been super blessed to have the well known successful business it is today and it is because of this I am able to be the stay at home mum I have always wanted to be since playing with dolls as a little girl - I sew, network, promote, blog etc etc when it fits around my family and can still be the mum I so adore being. That is a true gift I am grateful for with every bunting sale!!

Website: www.giggleberrycreations.com

Blog: www,giggleberrycreations.blogspot.com

Facebook: www.facebook.com/giggleberrycreations

Twitter: www.twitter.com/giggleberryamy

Thanks for being a part of our Inspired Suppliers series Amy - can't wait to see your wonderful bunting in the store next week!

Cheers,

Market wrap up

This time last week we were both working around the clock to prepare for our very first market stand at the Sugar & Spice market at Woodend. Well, it's been and gone - and we loved every minute of it!

It was a freezing day, but the rain held off and the crowds were strong. We loved meeting all the other stall holders and were truly flattered with all the positive feedback we received on our new range.

{check out our lovely market bunting by Giggleberry Creations!}

A big congratulation to Sherryn for running such a wonderful first market. We can't wait to see where she take Sugar & Spice over the coming months.

We will be having a short break this weekend, as I head to Sydney for the long weekend and Alex enjoys some family time.

However we will be back next week, busy as ever, as we prepare for our stall at the Fairy Floss Markets in Geelong on 19th June as well as the launch of our new range. It's going to be a busy couple of months and we can't wait to share it all with you!

Cheers,