All the time, there are new companies popping up who are developing new parenting products. Some stand out, like Teeze, a T-shirt company launched in 2003, by Louise Lawrence.
As part of our Real Mothers series, we asked her to give us a flavour of what her work and family life are like, and to share with us the parenting experience that inspired her to make her lovely clothing range.
Louise says:
Teeze t shirt company was launched in 2003 when my children were 13, 11, ten and one years old. As a child I used to design, make and wear my own clothes (much to my sister's embarrassment!) and I saw myself as a glam designer. Thirty years on and a few career changes (nothing to do with fashion), Teeze was launched.
What Teeze is all about
Teeze fills a gap in the market offering upbeat, humorous hand printed slogans, on ethically made and chemical free t shirts, hoodies, babygrows and baby hats.
I believe all garments should be ethically made and free from harmful chemicals - why not? Not to bang on, but making a difference now, has to be good for all our futures. It should be incumbent on manufacturers to ensure that their customers can buy with peace of mind.
The slogans are generally worked up by an eclectic mix of my family, children's sleepovers and dinner party guests (especially when we have quaffed a few bottles!)
Not all good slogans make it into print, as the shape of the words or the length of the slogan can make for a poor t shirt design - I make the final decision. Once a slogan is in print it is quite usual for rows to develop as everybody claims credit and nobody can remember who actual said the slogan first!
Work-life balance
Balancing family life and work is hard - key tips for me are:
- Using technology - the internet and mobile phone mean I can work anywhere and anytime
- Being honest with customers - I have a family and they are important to me
- Including the family in the business - so they know what I am doing (frequently they have good ideas) and are happier to share you if they know what you are doing
- Fantastically supportive husband - he cooks the evening meal!
I try to let the edges of Teeze mingle with our family and social life.
When I am putting the rabbits to bed (my daughter whose job rabbits are, has just broken her arm, so rabbits have become my job) an idea might come to me.
Or talking at family dinner - the girls might suggest something.
I always ask their opinion on finished designs and they frequently walk off with a, “Yeah, yeah it looks OK but where is my school tie?”
Having your own business is tough and there is no safety net, but being able to pick the children up from school, see school plays and look after them when they are sick as well as getting mentally stimulated and earning a buck makes it all worth while.
For more about Teeze got to www.teeze.co.uk.
