Cosy Toes and Family Time

In 1998, business partners Jo Ellis and Sarah Wickins discovered that the only drawback with their fabulous new 3-wheel buggies (very new to the market then) was that they came with no “cosy-toes”.

The Buggysnuggle Company launched its flagship product The Buggysnuggle, a cosy toes made from funky fleece fabrics, seven years ago. At that time the business HQ was a back room at Jo’s tiny cottage. Since then they have built a highly successful and innovative business that is now a household brand. A whole range of accessories has followed including blankets, rugs and hats. The company now sells through over 200 retail outlets as well as via their own website and mail order catalogue, yet they have also created their company around the ‘work to live’ rather than ‘live to work’ ethos.

Says Sarah; “I designed the original Buggysnuggle in 1995 for my first baby, Cameron. Then I made them for various friends, Jo included. I had been working very hard on a kids clothing business called Fish Kidswear which I started in 1995, after leaving Monsoon where I was UK production manager.”

“Jo had Ruby in 1998 and later that year she suggested that we should market the Buggysnuggle. I was up to my ears in work with Fish and flat broke, but Jo said she would pay for the first advert and, they took off immediately. We quickly had to get a manufacturer as there were only so many 3am sewing jobs I was prepared to do!”

“After that we didn't look back. In 2002 I made the decision to close Fish - Buggysnuggle needed more and more time and something had to give!”

Jo and Sarah recognised early on that their children and family lives would have to come first, and so any business developments had to take that into account. Sarah adds: “In 2003 I moved to near Padstow on the North Cornwall coast, and Jo and I had discussed how the business would work. Jo deals with sales and accounts and I deal with design and manufacture, so it splits very well.”

“We get together once or twice a month, though speak daily and when Jo is busy, I am relatively quiet and vice versa. During school holidays, we work very much reduced hours and our customers have got to know that we work to live, not live to work!”

 “We are really lucky to have a business that gives us that flexibility. We both have lots of friends who have been at home for a few years, having given up excellent jobs to have kids and be at home with them, only to discover that it's actually really difficult to get back on the job ladder when the time comes.”

 “We seem to manage most of the time to have found a balance, but it is hard work and you do have to make sacrifices. Despite what we are all led to believe, it is actually very difficult for women to have it all and do it all. We're lucky that the way we've developed the business is to enable us to earn a decent living, whilst being there for the kids. But that is unusual.”

Joining the already established range of Buggysnuggles, Babysnuggles, Picnic Rugs, Hats and Sleeping Bags in 2005 are four brand new Buggysnuggle designs. The Pom-Pom Grey design is a fun, contemporary look for any up-to-the minute baby. Retro Spotty Lime is bright and colourful and guaranteed to see off the winter blues, and the scrumptious Strawberry design is good enough to eat. Add to this the luxurious Mink Buggysnuggle, and you have a collection of accessories to keep the most fashion conscious baby-about-town happy!

To find out more about The Buggysnuggle Company call 01869 340694 or visit their website at www.buggysnuggle.com

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