Winter Issue 2016 (2)
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from pushchairs to toys were on<br />
sale. Local, small baby and child<br />
related businesses could also get<br />
involved, bringing them face to<br />
face with local families.<br />
The pitch secured £35,000 for<br />
25% of the business from serial<br />
entrepreneur and Dragon investor<br />
Deborah Meaden. And Ange<br />
was equally impressed with the<br />
concept. “I immediately thought<br />
it was a great idea,” said Ange,<br />
who is 42. “I Googled them and<br />
found contact details and after a<br />
telephone conversation, I decided<br />
to invest.<br />
“I only invest in something if it’s a<br />
win win situation for all involved<br />
and it works for me. The buyers<br />
save a lot of money and the<br />
sellers get to clear out a lot of<br />
space, and take some extra cash<br />
home with them. Plus it brings<br />
people together.<br />
“My first sale was<br />
in May and even<br />
after the franchise<br />
cost outlay and<br />
considerable<br />
investment in set-up and<br />
marketing, I am now in profit,<br />
and that’s after only four sales.<br />
There are many revenue streams<br />
including stall sales, door fees,<br />
business marketing and potential<br />
sponsorship opportunities too.<br />
There are lots of options.<br />
“I’m amazed by how popular<br />
the markets have been. I<br />
would strongly recommend<br />
it to others as a business<br />
investment. There is a lady who<br />
operates Mum2Mum Markets in<br />
Sleaford and Grantham but for<br />
Lincolnshire that’s it. I can’t cover<br />
the entire county.”<br />
For their initial investment<br />
(for more details email<br />
info@mum2mummarket.co.uk)<br />
franchisees get everything they<br />
need to host a sale, as well as<br />
access to national marketing<br />
support and a network of other<br />
franchisees. As well as making<br />
a living, Ange said there is a<br />
huge benefit to being able to<br />
“I bought a franchise and I<br />
now run my own business<br />
hosting Mum2Mum Market<br />
sales across Lincoln.”<br />
pick and<br />
choose<br />
her hours<br />
around the<br />
demands of<br />
family life.<br />
“I was in the RAF for 17 years,<br />
working as Mission Crew on the<br />
AWACs. It was a full-on job and<br />
then motherhood came along<br />
and changed my life completely.<br />
“I went on to leave the RAF in<br />
2012, when Amelia was five. I<br />
worked for a while as consultant<br />
engineer, left that to set up<br />
my own fitness business and<br />
to also work as an unqualified<br />
teacher for three days a week.<br />
“The beauty of mum2mum<br />
is that it works around the<br />
family. I won’t lie, it was full<br />
on at first but over time it is<br />
becoming more manageable<br />
and profitable.”<br />
As Ange’s business builds<br />
momentum, she has another<br />
exciting development on the<br />
horizon too.<br />
After months of waiting, the<br />
family is finally preparing to<br />
welcome home a new arrival.<br />
“We are finally getting our new<br />
addition. We are adopting a little<br />
girl very soon. We are further<br />
down the road this time and<br />
things are much more certain,<br />
we cannot wait for her to arrive!<br />
“It’s the perfect start to the next<br />
chapter of our story.”<br />
Next year will see eight<br />
mum2mum market<br />
sales take place in<br />
Lincoln. They run on<br />
Saturdays between<br />
10am and noon.<br />
They will be held at Bishop Grosseteste University in Longdales Road<br />
on January 21, April 22, July 1, September 16, November 18.<br />
They will also take place at the Priory City of Lincoln Academy in<br />
Skellingthorpe Road on March 11, May 20 and October 14.<br />
To book a stall visit www.mum2mummarket.co.uk<br />
or for more information E: ange@mum2mummarket.co.uk<br />
www.mollysguide.co.uk<br />
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