Business Profile: Mamamigo Ltd
Contact: Declan McDonnell
Business: XpandaBra
E: declan.mcdonnell@mamamigo.com
M: 07970010142
Can you describe your business?
We provide the latest innovation in maternity and nursing bras that helps make mums and mums to be, feel confident, comfortable and supported during each stage of pregnancy and breastfeeding.
Why did you start your own business?
I started my business due to my wife, a breastfeeding mother, experiencing discomfort with ordinary nursing bras which did not accommodate the fluctuating breast size whilst breastfeeding. I decided to carry out some research to establish what was available on the maternity nursing bra market. Being unable to identify any suitable products, I used my experience as a machinist (previously working in a local factory that made bras for Marks & Spencer), to invent a maternity nursing bra that had adjustable cups to accommodate the increase of the breast size during pregnancy and breastfeeding. I never thought that it would turn into the business I run today. But it took a lot of hours and hard work along with support from my family to get where I am today. I am very proud to be able to provide a new solution for discomfort caused by traditional bras to pregnant and nursing mothers of today.
What are the best things about running your own business?
Making my own decisions and not having to ask someone else if I can do it or not. In my particular business it is seeing something that I invented being sold in the shops and most of all getting great customer feedback.
What are the main challenges facing the business?
The main challenges is getting the brand name out there and building customer confidence in our brand, people buy by brand name these days so when a new brand comes onto the market they are not sure of, they sometimes intend to go for a more well-known brand.
What advice would you give to someone starting a business?
I would advise anyone starting up a business to research the market that they intend to enter. If it is an invention, get a patent search done first, it may cost a few hundred pounds, but it is money well spent as it can save you thousands in the long term. As there is no point spending money on something someone else may have already invented. If it is a new product, get a prototype made and show it to your customers you intend to target to get their thoughts and if they would buy it. Also, it’s not hard to come up with a new idea but it is getting it out there. It may be the greatest thing invented but if no one knows about it, it will not sell. Marketing will be your biggest challenge. Be prepared to spend a lot of hours at the start and don’t expect a quick return in your investment it takes hard work and time.
Can you describe your experience of running a business in three words or less?
Challenging, stressful, rewarding.
