A couple of years ago I vividly remember hosting a coffee morning when a group of women (including me) facing freedom during school hours were desperately wracking our brains for an innovative idea which would make us a fortune.
We all wanted to avoid having to go back to our "old" jobs and wanted this new phase of our lives to start with a bang. We all wanted a child-friendly job, preferably self employed and definitely enjoyable.
We couldn't think of a new product which we could patent so turned our thoughts to what else would give us quality of life and a bit of cash too. Almost two years on one friend runs a successful beauty business from home, another makes beautiful (mostly wooden) crafts and another has a successful crochet and soft furnishings company. I, of course started this blog which has given me back my love of writing along with the ability to earn a bit of money whilst eating biscuits and wearing pyjamas.
Recently I met another two mums who had done the same thing as us but actually managed to come up with an idea for producing an innovative product which after trials and tribulations has allowed them to give up their old jobs and become co-owners of their own successful and rapidly growing company, Cheeky Chompers, which not only makes delightful baby products but also helps out parents of - and I hate to use this phrase but can't think of another - children with special needs.
Amy and Julie met in a doctors surgery waiting room whilst both pregnant and became firm friends. Over a glass or two of wine they invented their first product the "Neckerchew", a combination of dribble bib and teething chew in 2013 after identifying a gap in the market for a quality attached teething product.
Genius! I wish it had been around when mine were little as I remember that heart-sinking feeling when they drop their teether on the floor in the supermarket/street/friend's dog-hair infested carpet and you have to accept that it's probably not a great idea to give it back to them!
Despite being pooh-poohed by the Dragon's Den "experts the reversible product which comes in 15 designs and is machine washable has been gratefully welcomed with open arms by parents and has won a variety of awards.
And now the mums have launched a new product - the totally adorable Comfort Chew which incorporates a soft chewable textured teether in the shape of a cute hippo, teddy-soft comfort blanket in two unisex designs, taggy bits to fiddle with AND like the Neckerchew, a clever loop to attach the Comfort Chew to wrist, buggy, cart seat etc.
Both products are manufactured in the UK and have undergone rigorous testing. I spoke to one blogger, a mum whose son has a medical condition which leads him to need to chew, and she told me that unlike many other products including some designed specifically for children with these needs the Neckerchew stood up amazingly well and had so far survived some really tough love from her little boy! A great endorsement.
Amy and Julie said they were hoping to increase their sales to older children who have conditions like this and were exploring making the Neckerchew even more suitable for them. Brilliant businesswomen with a mum's heart - wonderful!
Today I am launching a give-away in which you can win a Comfort Chew (RRP £17.95) in a beautiful soft grey colour with pattered soft jersey cotton on one size and cuddly soft fleece on the other.
You can enter as many times as you like and feel free to share this competition if you know someone who you think might like it.
a Rafflecopter giveaway
We all wanted to avoid having to go back to our "old" jobs and wanted this new phase of our lives to start with a bang. We all wanted a child-friendly job, preferably self employed and definitely enjoyable.
We couldn't think of a new product which we could patent so turned our thoughts to what else would give us quality of life and a bit of cash too. Almost two years on one friend runs a successful beauty business from home, another makes beautiful (mostly wooden) crafts and another has a successful crochet and soft furnishings company. I, of course started this blog which has given me back my love of writing along with the ability to earn a bit of money whilst eating biscuits and wearing pyjamas.
 |
| Amy and Julie- founders of Cheeky Chompers |
Amy and Julie met in a doctors surgery waiting room whilst both pregnant and became firm friends. Over a glass or two of wine they invented their first product the "Neckerchew", a combination of dribble bib and teething chew in 2013 after identifying a gap in the market for a quality attached teething product.
Genius! I wish it had been around when mine were little as I remember that heart-sinking feeling when they drop their teether on the floor in the supermarket/street/friend's dog-hair infested carpet and you have to accept that it's probably not a great idea to give it back to them!
 |
| The award-winning Neckerchew |
Despite being pooh-poohed by the Dragon's Den "experts the reversible product which comes in 15 designs and is machine washable has been gratefully welcomed with open arms by parents and has won a variety of awards.
And now the mums have launched a new product - the totally adorable Comfort Chew which incorporates a soft chewable textured teether in the shape of a cute hippo, teddy-soft comfort blanket in two unisex designs, taggy bits to fiddle with AND like the Neckerchew, a clever loop to attach the Comfort Chew to wrist, buggy, cart seat etc.
 |
| Win this gorgeous Cheeky Chompers ComfortChew |
Both products are manufactured in the UK and have undergone rigorous testing. I spoke to one blogger, a mum whose son has a medical condition which leads him to need to chew, and she told me that unlike many other products including some designed specifically for children with these needs the Neckerchew stood up amazingly well and had so far survived some really tough love from her little boy! A great endorsement.
Amy and Julie said they were hoping to increase their sales to older children who have conditions like this and were exploring making the Neckerchew even more suitable for them. Brilliant businesswomen with a mum's heart - wonderful!
Today I am launching a give-away in which you can win a Comfort Chew (RRP £17.95) in a beautiful soft grey colour with pattered soft jersey cotton on one size and cuddly soft fleece on the other.
You can enter as many times as you like and feel free to share this competition if you know someone who you think might like it.