Bianca Richard was a stay-at-home mother with a typical two-year-old who could not only get her arms out of her car seat; she could completely escape from it in Houdini-like fashion.
After searching the market for a product that could solve her dilemma and finding nothing, Bianca was forced to design her own solution.
“After solving my initial problem with a piece of elastic and some bracer clips, I then spent many months researching and adapting the design to ensure that the Houdini Stop was a safety assured product,” Bianca says. “It is now a safety legend and I have over 40,000 happy customers.”
Her Hamilton based company, InKIDable Solutions Ltd, now offers a range of safety products including Houdini locks, Houdini Door and Houdini Spill.
How has your family been an asset to the operation of your business?
At this stage my children are too young to help with the general operation or manufacturing processes of the business. But they are the reason why I went into business so I guess you can say they are my biggest silent asset.
I do hope that when the girls are teenagers, I will be able to employ them throughout several parts of the business. I am slowly evolving them in small parts of the business now, so they will have a full understanding of operations when the time comes. That will not be for several years as they are only 11 and 8. My eldest, Courtney, is already coming to me with 'ideas' she has that we could perhaps develop and sell and Jessica is keen to tell everyone she is the 'Houdini Baby'.
Having a husband who was working full time and earning the entire family income for the first three years of my business growth was a huge asset. It took that long for the sales level to be at a rate where I could take drawings and we could not have kept the business going without it.
Had you not been a mother, would you be in the business you are now?
No I would not. Having children gave me the inspiration for all my products. My hero product the Houdini Stop was inspired by my youngest child. Houdini Door was created because I promised one of my friends that I would find a way of solving her child’s midnight bed visiting issues. And Houdini Locks were created because my oldest used to constantly remove her nappy and bib. The other Houdini products have been created this way too. Being up and about during the early hours of the morning feeding babies or tending to toddlers also gave me clear head time to sit back and explore my imagination. This is the time that I come up with most of my product ideas.
What do raising children and running a business have in common?
They are both fun. I love all (well mostly) the challenges they both present. I wouldn't know what I would do with my time if I didn't have either of them. They are both demanding but also rewarding. I like sitting back and reflecting on how much they both have 'grown'. I am proud of each achievement or milestone my children reach and I get a kick out of seeing my products being used or sold in stores.
How has the Government helped you as a ‘Mumpreneur’? If applicable, how would you recommend their assistance could be improved to others in your situation?
They haven't really been much help at all, or if there is help available I was not aware of it enough to try and access it. In fact I have just learned they have cut the childcare rebate. So when I travel to the UK and Ireland later on this month, although it is purely for business, I cannot claim back the after school and weekend care my children will need while I am gone. I also have to take these child care fees as drawings as I cannot claim it as a legitimate business expense. Crazy!
What are your three top tips for successfully juggling family and a business?
1. Take things slowly and do not give up at the first hurdle.
2. Family for me comes first. They are only young for a short while, treasure it. You can't get time back.
3. Create a timetable and try to stick to it. I only work when the kids are in school. I do housework in the mornings, business meetings etc. in the afternoon and bookwork and marketing in the evenings after the kids are in bed.
www.houdinistop.co.nz
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