Getting ready to launch your first product – with Louise Almond

Vicki Weinberg: 00:00:08

Welcome to the, Bring Your Product Ideas To Life podcast, practical advice, and inspiration to help you create and sell your own physical products. Here's your host Vicki Weinberg. Hi. So today I have a really interesting conversation for you. We have Louise Almond from Amelia Anne. So Louise hasn't actually launched her products yet. And I thought it was a really good opportunity to speak to someone who is still in the midst of creating and getting ready for launch. I thought it was a really good opportunity to talk to somebody who's right at the beginning, like literally, you know, right at the very start of it. Um, I'm also hoping that the Louise's story will really inspire you. If you have your own idea for product you want to create, and perhaps it's been on the back burner for a while, perhaps it's taken longer than you thought it would, or perhaps you haven't even gotten started. Um, Louise is really honest about the fact that. You know, it's taken her a long time to get to the point she is now. Um, although, you know, I'm a fan of research and I have to say, I love the amount of research she did. She's going to talk to you all about what she's done so far. And Louise creates breastfeeding wear to provide mothers, to be this confidence, to be able to feed in any situation at all. So her products are really innovative, they're new she's designed them herself. And she's going to talk to you about the design process and everything. We went into that, all the research she did, and, um, hopefully not long after this episode goes live, her products will be available, um, to buy as well, which is super exciting. I think you're going to really enjoy this conversation with Louise about I'm so excited to introduce you all to her. So hi Louise. Thank you so much for being here.

Louise Almond: 00:01:41

Thank you, Vicky. Very happy to be here.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:01:44

I'm really excited to talk to you. So if you could please start by giving us an introduction to you, to your business and in the products that you're just in the process of launching.

Louise Almond: 00:01:53

Okay. Um, so my brand name is Amelia Anne and it's taken from my daughter and, um, I'm a full time teacher currently at the moment, I'm teaching design technology with a fashion industry background. And when I had my first child Amelia, um, I was all fingers and thumbs and didn't know what to expect. With my breastfeeding journey, actually more of that. Um, and that's what inspired my brand idea, which was to come up with, um, clothing that one. I didn't feel like I was, um, all in a tizz of how to feed, um, I'm used to being around my family. I don't live locally to my family. I'm kind of the one that got away, came to London. And, um, so when they came to visit me, um, I would literally sit on the sofa in a, just a loose dressing gown and just feed, um, uh, Amelia on demand. And, uh, I think it made a few of my family members a bit bashful around that, being the youngest daughter as well. And, um, the second to have a baby within the family. And I just wanted something that I liked getting out about and going on walks. So I really wanted to be comfortable and I found I wasn't comfortable and people would stare and then, um, make comments about covering up and things like that. And I wasn't fully exposed. So it means I would never just be, you know, walk around bare breasted in public, but it was just the moments I was caught out like my daughter as well, and being a new mum she used to really scream, um, when she was hungry and it's so loud. And I think being a new mum, I've just like, oh my goodness. And I felt like I can't walk the 15 minutes to get home and have her wait. Like I just had to respond there. And then, and that would be in the middle of the park or wherever I was. And so, um, yeah, I really wanted to create something that I was comfortable with. I found a lot of, um, clothes that I had, uh, were maternity. Um, so there were dual maternity nursing, but I also lost weight really quickly after having Amelia. And, um, so nothing actually fitted me and I'm quite a petite frame as it is. And so everything just swamped me. And I just felt, um, when I was feeding her in my dual nursing maternity, where you kind of had to lift up the flap, um, and I found like her face was completely covered with all the material. So I couldn't see her. And I really struggled with. Um, perfect latch and, um, became very sore. Um, I'm really kind of struggled through that and would persevere with a bad latch and because it out of fear of not getting it right again, second time and, and having this screaming baby, and, and just this kind of sense of panic, I suppose. And so, um, I really wanted to get over that hurdle and have something more comfortable and I was toying with ideas and using my fashion background. And then, um, I had my second child, um, literally 17 months later, um, to they're quite close in age group. Um, and it was from there that I was able to start, um, pattern cutting and produce ideas. So yeah, it came from the need of having something that fitted my body type, um, and, um, being in a situation where I felt more comfortable and confident, but also that I can just. Tend to my children's needs and I wanted to carry on the breastfeeding journey. Um, and yeah, and just really nurture them the best way possible. Um, so yeah, so it was just kind of, it kind of was born from there and then just thinking about ideas and how to go about that. Um, so I spent a lot of evenings just sketching, um, and obviously always when I was on maternity leave, I was able to kind of collaborate with some friends and talk to people about it. And I. Um, I used to take them to baby sensory classes and things like that since speak to other mothers and, and find out like they're there. Stories and how they find things and just found that there was a real strength in that people wanted, um, better options. Um, they didn't want to wear the horizontal stripes anymore, that all the maternity clothes seems to be, um, have, uh, and they weren't, they were looking for something different and that was more flattering. People had different ideas or different, lots of different experiences as well around, um, breastfeeding in public and some very positive. It was not all negative. Um, which was great. And there's, there's much more positivity around breastfeeding in public now, and a lot more awareness to it. So, yeah, I really wanted to cater for that kind of time. And I wanted to feed my children for as long as I possibly could and read a lot of research into the benefits of that. And so for me to be able to do that, my maternity clothes were not going to survive me another season or a year down the line, or even two years later. Cause I knew my, my, um, my body type changed so much as well. So yeah, it was really come from that or what. That I personally need. And then from that and talking to other people, um, I realize that actually it's this a bigger, um, kind of market. Um, and I've always loved the idea of eventually having my own business and being able to change the time where they're working in education is great. Um, it's not the nine, nine to three that people think it is. And so I wanted to really yeah, I would love to be able to do the school drop offs, my own children. Um, but I can't at the current moment, um, because of my, my job. Um, I, I need to be in school before the children arrive. Uh, so, um, I'd love to kind of be around for my children more around their schooling, but also have that creative outlet that I love so much. Um, as part of my job that kind of continue it into my own business.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:08:05

Yeah. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you for all of that. And how old are your girls now? If you don't mind me asking.

Louise Almond: 00:08:12

That's okay. Um, so Amelia is now five and Sam is just turned four. So it's been a real slow burner, um, in trying to get something off the ground. Part of that just due to my own time commitments around, um, having a full-on family, um, and full time job and trying to do this around that.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:08:35

Of course. I mean, yeah, the main, I think a full-time job. And having children, they're both kind of full-time thing as it is, and then trying to do like something else on top. Yeah. You know, do not give yourself a hard time at all for how long it's taken. Cause I think that, um, things do take time and of course it's never going to the moment. It can't be the, you know, the priority because you have so many other priorities. And I can really resonate with so much of what you said as well. Cause I had very similar experiences with feeding clothes, um, because I too was quite small and uh, but my maternity clothes one didn't really fit me after having my children, but also I just was sick of wearing them. I felt like, you know, I didn't want to spend a lot of money when I was pregnant. So I, I had these maternity clothes, that I felt like I wore the same things over and over and over and after having them, you know, say. You know, my old wardrobe wasn't quite right. It's, you know, for things like feeding, but then I didn't want to be buying clothes for feeding so I can definitely resonate. And I mean, luckily my feeding journey was, you know, I never had comments about feeding in public or anything like that. And I think it's really so unfortunate that you did. And I think as you say that, I think hopefully that is getting better for people, but regardless of what other people think you need to feel comfortable, don't you, that's the main thing. So. You know, you, even if you're somewhere where you feel, you know, and people aren't looking at you, you still need to feel that, you know what I'm trying to say, even if you're feeling in your own home, you need to feel comfortable. And whether that's comfortable with your body, you're comfortable, you know, because you haven't got your top lifted up and your back's getting cold or whatever.

Louise Almond: 00:10:12

Absolutely. Yeah know, my dad's lovely bless him and he was very supportive, but I could see, he would blush you know, that's sitting in my own front room. Um, but it's just, you know, you can't just keep going the hiding off in your own house into a bedroom to go to each child. I just felt like I want to be part of this family and be together and not miss out on a conversation or a topic, um, to just, you know, spending those 40 minutes and. Yeah. Every however often, um, throughout the day, I just felt like I, I, you know, I, I wanted it to be able to be in the moment. And enjoy that, uh, with, with both my children and yeah, the feedback I get now, when I speak to breastfeeding moms, particularly there's much more awareness and campaigning towards it. Um, and there are a lot more brands out there available. Um, and at first that used to give me the fear of death and kind of give me the heart palpitations when I'm at work. And someone would send me a link of, oh, this has just come out. And I'd be like oh no but then they will, they've got all something different to offer and what I'm hoping mine, my range, um, will offer it is also the you can wear them, even if you're not breastfeeding. So I'm hoping that you know, that even if you finished your journey, that people will still use them and still enjoy wearing them. I won't have that kind of feeling that about the maternity clothes that you just want them gone don't want them anymore.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:11:37

And I think it doesn't really matter how many maternity brands. You know, there are, because if you think about clothing brands in general and how many there are, it's not like everyone's shops in Next or whatever. You know, people shop in a whole spectrum of shops. Like one individual probably shops in lots different shops. And then we think of all the what I'm trying to say is that they were going to be clothes. Your clothes are going to suit some people and not others. And I think that, you know, I think that sort of thing, you probably can't have too many cause people like options, especially when it comes to clothes. Cause everyone's personal style is different and their body's different. What they're looking for is different. So yeah, I definitely agree. That's nothing to worry about.

Louise Almond: 00:12:13

I've had to learn, which is good. I feel much more settled with that now.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:12:18

Yeah. I think as long as you know, what your clothes, who your clothes are for and what they're about and what your USP is, I think that's all you need. And then the right customers. You know, will come, will come to you. Um, yeah. And then, so I'd love to talk a bit more about what you've done, but before we, before we do, I have to just say, when you were talking about sort of hiding away when feeding, I suddenly have flashbacks with my first child, that's exactly what I did. I felt so uncomfortable that we'd have guests round to see the baby and they wouldn't see me or the baby because we'd be upstairs feeding for an hour. And, um, yeah, I didn't do that with my second child with my first I did so I can definitely resonate. I don't even know why in hindsight, it's not even that long ago, but it seems like a long time ago and I'm, I'm not sure why I did that, but clearly, you know, something wasn't working. Cause I definitely didn't feel comfortable even on my own sofa. If anyone other than, my husband happens to be in the house.

Louise Almond: 00:13:10

Um, it is such a hard one. To get your head round, isn't it as well. Um, but there'll be moments when I think I did. I think we had lots of family and they were diff, uh, that was my more, my other side, my family. And I think I just took myself up. I fell asleep. So that was it. I was gone for the rest of the afternoon I missed miss seeing everybody. Cause we, we just fell asleep, lying on the bed breastfeed. And of course my husband was too. He just didn't wake us. He didn't didn't dare wake us. So, but, um, yeah, it's really hard. I think that. I think it's important as well, that, that people are aware of that and that behaviors can change.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:13:51

Yeah. And I think it's great that you're still talking to so many breastfeeding moms now, as well as to kind of find out how people are feeling and what they're looking for, because I think that really will help you have products that people really truly want and needs. Um, so I think it's fantastic that not only are you doing that four or five years ago, but you're still doing that now.

Louise Almond: 00:14:10

Yes. I'd have a very close. NCT group that I joined with my first born and we're all still very close and we've all gone through our second rounds of having babies at different times as well. So I do check in with them a lot and get their opinions and how they are doing. And quite a few of them have moved as well outside of London. So it's time to see, you know, did they get a different response to where they're living now? When say for it's, it's really important to me. I think it's important for the growth of the brand.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:14:39

Absolutely. And so, so whereby are you, um, now we're things

Louise Almond: 00:14:44

right so, um, I have currently just finished making about, um, 30 camisole tops. I've just got one style, but they're in two different fabrics. Um, so, um, initially the plan was to launch early summer. Um, but then, um, my. Very small manufacturer unit got, unfortunately, got hit with COVID to say literally it was a knock on effect on every seamstress that was there. So they just closed for the, almost the entire summer. So then the, the, the dream of launching, um, a summer piece, uh, did not happen. Um, and then I was hoping then I would launch more kind of end of August, early September when they opened up. But, um, the start of my school term has just been its very heavy and busy, um, with the changes of how, how we operate, um, with the lifting of rules around COVID as well. So that's kind of put me a little bit on the backfoot. So, um, the camisoles, obviously an excellent layering piece. So whether I will launch, I will probably be launching more likely in the new year now. Um, but I do have a few back orders for the pieces I've created. So. We'll fulfill those, but in terms of like promotion, I probably won't be putting myself too much out there this time of the year. I just decided, I just don't think I'd be able to realistically keep up with any kind of, um, comments now. I wouldn't want to let anyone down either. So, um, I'm gay working, I think, towards more of a new year launch. And I've also got two other designs, which I know work and fit. Um, they just need makings. So I will probably put those into production. So then I can launch a three piece collection. In the new year, but I have some made up already, which is good.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:16:33

That is good. And I think that's a good point about the timing as well, because we are getting into that point of view where really, really say, and it's all going to be about Christmas gifting and, and I'm not, that's not to say that your products aren't suitable for gifting. You know, then they are, but then I guess, as a teacher, as though you're coming up to the end of term and yeah, it sounds like putting things back until I know there's probably never a quiet time for teachers, but I think, I think not launching at the busiest time of the year when everyone's focus is on other things, it does sound really sensible. And there's no point putting yourself under unnecessary pressure, particularly as your products aren't seasonal. I mean, I know they're clothing. People think of camisoles may be for summer, but like you say, plenty of people wear them for layering anyway. So I think you're totally right. Not to put a, you know, not to set an imaginery deadline in your head when you have to have them out, because actually it really, it really doesn't matter. They're going to sell year around aren't they?

Louise Almond: 00:17:30

Yes. And I'd rather get it right as well. Like I have been struggling with the website build. I'm just trying to get the testing of it to run smooth. And so I, I wouldn't want to launch something that was not working or functional or people found got frustrated, over. Cause because predominantly it's going to be mums, that will order. And you know, if they're managing children and are breastfeeding or the babies, I don't want to give them a headache or the frustration over trying to just order something that's meant to make their lives easier. So, so it's making sure that that's really working.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:18:06

Absolutely. Although what I will say on the other side of that is make sure it's working, but don't wait for everything to be perfect because that is our, that is something I see. Sometimes that people say, oh, well, I'm going to wait until everything's absolutely perfect. And to be really honest, but everything probably won't be really perfect. Um, because things just aren't are they, so don't let that hold you back.

Louise Almond: 00:18:28

That's very good advice. Thank you.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:18:30

So let's go backwards a little bit. If you don't mind Louiseand talk about the steps you took from coming up with your initial idea to having some garments already made and some others ready to go into production. What are the things that you, that you did?.

Louise Almond: 00:18:42

Yeah. So, um, initially I did a lot of the work myself, so I kind of got some fabric, I did lots of sketching and drawing. And after speaking to lots of women and running some small focus groups with, um, new emerging mums and using my baby classes and things like that to talk to people, um, and then from that, Just drawing up ideas. I shared some of the actual sketches with people that I was speaking to to get, get feedback on as well and the type of mechanism. Cause there's a lot of zips. There's a lot of like still left up kind of flaps. And I, I didn't want to do any of those. So I wanted to kind of engineer something a little bit more, um, in keeping with the seam lines and actually the contours of your body. So you didn't feel like you had to lift and expose. I just wanted something that just naturally made it easy. So I worked on the mechanism quite a lot, and then I, uh, initially pattern cut it and made some samples myself. Um, I have that background, so that helps them because I teach design technology. I know how to sew as well, and I use all the different materials. So, um, that, that bit made it easier for me in terms of, um, some of the materials, selections, and sourcing, and then. Oh, also just being, uh, a new mum and then returning back to work, it, it got harder for me to kind of just navigate these ideas. And so then I found, I went to a few trade events, local trade events, um, that were kind of, um, showcasing kind of pattern cutters and manufacturers and fabric sourcing. And so I went to those and found, um, a local pattern cutter, a small team that dealt with pattern cutting and, uh, Your pre-production samples and small run production. And from there, I was able to take my samples along and kind of discuss the ideas and further develop it. Um, which was great actually, because they did a lot more with it than I think I could have done a lot quicker any way than for me. So, yeah. So I had a lovely pattern cutter who created the final draft really based on what I'd already started. And it was quite a funny moment. Um, my, my seam line is basically it's called a princessing, which goes on the mid shoulder down, but I've curved it. And so it's kind of a line in line with your, your bust and comes out to the side. So you can feed one handed and it's literally with the flick of the thumb, you can basically access, um, the nipple to feed and you don't expose the whole breast like you don't have to completely take, take anything out. You can actually just expose enough to, to latch. Um, and then, then you don't have lots of, folded fabric over the baby space. You can see exactly what your baby and how they're feeding. So the first time I tried it, um, it didn't quite work. There's still too much fabric. And then we tried it with the pattern cutter and I don't know if you've ever been around horses or particular race horses, and they put the blinkers on the sides of their eyes. They can't see to the side of them. And it was in fact, put this top on and these bits of material that flashed out like blinkers. And I was like, oh, that's not quite the look we were going for. And it was just quite a funny moment of all the trial and errors when you put it on. And you think that, yeah, that didn't work. Um, so it was quite funny all the different kinds of experiments. And so we got, once we found that the perfect fit, it was then really easy to apply that to all the other ideas I had. Um, so I've got, um, a three-quarter length sleeve top the camisole you mentioned and a dress the mechanism is the same throughout. Um, and it, um, with the dress, I've worked all with like a four way stretch jersey, so, but quite flattering jersey. So I've tried to find fabrics that also have a slight dappling or a mile to them or rib. So then if you get a breastmilk stain on it, it doesn't show, um, they also feel a little bit more luxurious than just a flat, like a cotton t-shirt with jacket. There's that there's a texture within the material. So. Did a lot of research and fabric sourcing. And that was actually one of the biggest hurdles for me to get over in like with, um, Covid 19, because so many suppliers closed their factories. The mills that I went to visit all of a sudden changed their MOQ. So from a new startup where they were said, I could buy. Um, either the ends of their roles or they would give me, they wouldn't add on a couple of hundred meters say to an existing order that they had, they no longer were doing. So I had to buy like the entire roll, which, and they produced them in 500 metre rolls. So the price point is just went from manageable to just unreachable. So it was. So, although I had a fantastic design with sampled them, they fitted, well, I tried, I sent them out to a lot of friends that I knew were either had, um, babies or newborns, or even like a year old. And I knew they were still feeding. I'd give them my samples. Like, can you just wear it, wash it, wear it, wash it and keep it for a couple of weeks. And then just give me your feedback. And from that, I was made able to make alterations, um, to the design. And, um, and obviously that helped me choose the right fabrics as well, to what washed really well and dry into dry and also, um, any staining and things like that. Um, so yeah, but the fabrics was my real nemesis, um, because I just, uh, a very long time just couldn't get any, um, I I'd find some, it'll be just 10 meters and it will 10 meters doesn't go very far. And obviously if you want to repeat that fabric, there's no guarantee you can repeat it. So yeah, that that's been, the biggest hurdle is trying to find the right fabric and enough of it. But also if I didn't find enough of it, what could I work, replace it with. And is that going to be available or is it going to be as close to, or is it, is it going to be that I can just create a business of really lovely remnant fabrics, but that, it just means that once they're sold, they're gone and it's, you're onto the new kind of fabric. So yeah, that's, that's something I'm still having to work out a little bit as well.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:25:15

Oh, thank you for explaining all of that. And yet that sounds really, really challenging and yeah, I guess, like you said, Going from my wrangles of going for the short runs and the limited edition let's call it or something that, you know, you can keep replicating that. Yeah. But it has to be really tough. And then once you have the fabric, do you, so the pattern cutters, you mentioned, are they the people that actually, cause you have to excuse me Louise I know very little about textiles. Are they the people that then actually make the finished garments or does somebody else do that?.

Louise Almond: 00:25:46

No. So, um, it's all based on price point. So I had had to kind of look after the pennies of it really. Cause initially, um, just funding this myself, until it turns into something that's public. Um, and, um, so yeah, so the, um, pattern cutter can do your pre production sample. So if I then wanted to send that on to a man, a bigger manufacturer, then I would have that with the kind of. Tech pack, which kind of explains all the mechanics, the workings and the lay plan. If they were to cut multiple of them and to scale them up to size, I used a different company to grade that single pattern so that the top could be then available from size eight to 16. So they grade the kind of paper pattern for you. And then it's all cutouts on their machines and this lovely card. So you have that menu would send that to your kind of. Machinists to then. So, um, I've chosen a local, um, manufacturing deal with small run production and they work. They're lovely. And I'm actually really local to where I live and they've been fantastic, but because they're small, um, it means you get the knock on effects that if they, they suffer with illness or anything like that, then it is knocked, but they work with them, new designers for kind of London, fashion weeks and things like that. So they're really highly skilled. Um, so yeah, they I've used them because they are local to me and it means I can get there in time after work, rather than having to travel across the other side of London or to a different county. Um, so it's made that simpler for me. I think in the long run, I will probably have to outsource and go a bit further afield or go to a bigger manufacturer so that they could perhaps. Manufacturer on demand. So once I get close to kind of needing to restock that they would be able to just continue the makes at the moment. If I continued working the way I was, they would probably be a long delay between each batch of production. Um, so for, for me at this point, it works nicely and they're all priced per piece. So it can be expensive to initially start. But once you get, um, over like the 50 mark, the prices do decrease by quite a bit. Yeah. It's a lot to put in initially.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:28:04

Yeah, I think it definitely makes sense. Say starting somewhere small and local um, because that can be a really hard thing first of all that when you're dealing with bigger manufacturers, they might want you towards a hundreds or in some cases, even thousands. And that's really scary and often just not feasible. It's nice that you've helped the local relationship as well. So you can actually pop in there and see people and see progress.

Louise Almond: 00:28:31

Yeah. And what I actually, and, and it wasn't necessarily an intention, but what I quite like is everybody that's been involved that I have outsourced it's all women. It's not quite like that, that it's all women, um, involved in my production of, of what we're doing. And at the end goal is, is to support women in that new journey. So it feels quite nice to have made these connections with, or the people that I've worked with and all been very accommodating and, um, very lovely about what I'm producing. And it's going to be a real confidence boost that, you know, I'm still producing something of need as well.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:29:06

Thank you, we've covered a lot but I don't want to sort of skim over this I did want to actually say I'm so impressed by the amount of research you've been doing when you were talking about how you've been, first of all, talking to people, but then sending people actual products and getting them to wear them. And what I mean, this is all the sort of thing I recommend people do, and I just, I'm blown away by the amount that you've done. I think that's fantastic. And I do think that your products, will reflect the amount you've put in, because I think putting all that work in upfront makes a huge, huge difference because you know what people like and don't like, and how they need to work on people's bodies. And yeah, I just think that's fantastic. So I just wanted to recognize that because I didn't want to just go, you know, bypass it because it's really impressed.

Louise Almond: 00:29:47

Thank you. Thank you. I think I've been fortunate in a sense, I think with all the setbacks it's given me the time also to really reflect on what it was that I was trying to do as well. Um, and just fortunate as well, that lots of people having babies quite close to me as well, I could use them, but, um, no, it has really helped. Um, even just to the, the issue of, um, and because I'm petite and I made everything on me initially, and I was the, kind of like the fit model when I used to go and see my pattern cutter and used to take my, you know, it was my, my son at the time, my youngest, and it was good because I could sit there and feed and see if it actually worked whilst I was actually having a fitting, um, which was great. To the point where, because I'm petite, I tried to keep it as standard size as possible, rather than fitting to me. Cause I know I am quite narrow in the shoulder and things. Um, but then when I did start putting the camisole on different people, I realized that actually the strap position was still a little bit too inwards on broader. Um, you know, people say like my sister-in-law had a baby and she's not broad. Like it's not overly broad. It's still, um, you know, look at her physique. She does a lot for yoga and stuff, but it still felt like the neckline was still too narrow for her. So, um, so then I kind of tried it on a few other people as well, um, and, and had made the decision to move the strap out a bit. So then the neckline became a bit wider. Um, but even when I then put it back on it fits fine. It doesn't, it doesn't alter it too drastically for me that actually it fits better. See it by habit by doing that, it's made, made sure that these things are all right.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:31:24

I think that's brilliant. And thank you for explaining about the grading as well, because I, another question I had was how do you get it to work on different sized bodies. So I think that thank you for explaining that as well, because as you say, when you, you're making your patterns originally, you have to probably stick to one size of the person who's trying it. So, yeah, it's really interesting to know how you size up and down as well.

Louise Almond: 00:31:48

I mean, I'm quite big chested as well. I'm generally a double D cup. So, um, I, know a lot of when you're pregnant as well and feeding initially go quite, uh, can go to quite a big cup. Um, so that is something that I still may have to adjust later on for the, to, to know that the curve shape in my seam line is right. So that the position, when you wearing it, it's more on the outer side of your breast rather than on the inner side. So I think I would probably still need. I'll probably end up getting some feedback on that at some point, but then that's something I can adjust within the design quite easily and react to. So, um, it will be interesting once it starts going to a broader range of sizes to get that.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:32:33

Yeah, and I think it's really good to know that as well. And, um, as I was saying about before to sort of not to wait until that's absolutely right, but to say, okay, this is good enough. And knowing that you can make changes as you go along for your next batch in the following batch. And it's actually exciting, isn't it? That you can constantly be tweaking and improving.

Louise Almond: 00:32:50

Yes. Because then you can add things to the design or change it slightly and yes it's nice. It gives it flexibility and gives you more design options moving forward.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:33:01

So you're not too far off launch now, really? Because we were recording this at the beginning of November. So what's um, so what's sort of next on your list of things to tackle?

Louise Almond: 00:33:11

Um, well I think because, um, initially I had a different type of fabric. Well, it's not too different, but a different style of fabric that I initially did my first photo shoot with. So I think, um, what I need to do is do a new photo shoot with the new fabrics. Um, just so they showcase correctly, um, for the website, I still need to complete my website. Um, And I initially, as I've gone with Wix, because I used to actually make, um, leather handbags a long time ago and I've used Wix in the past. I thought I went with what I knew. Um, but actually I've never done an e-commerce website before, so that I'm still learning the how to get that all completely functioning. So yeah, I need to work on that. Um, And I think get some more photography done. And now, um, I know that hopefully I'll be launching a three piece collection. It's just making the, um, the dress and the top, maybe in a few other colorways of what I will be happy to have available so I can show them off to their best as well.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:34:17

Oh, that's really exciting. And I've seen you on Instagram as well, and I'll link to your Instagram in the show notes. Everyone can go over and take a look.

Louise Almond: 00:34:23

Yeah. Yes. Thank you. I mean that, that's also another. It's something I've had to learn. Uh, I mean, I don't class myself as that old really, but I didn't grow up with, uh, Instagram. Um, I think, you know, learning Facebook and things like that when I was younger and I love Pinterest, uh, things like that. Um, but yeah, Instagram, something I've had to learn. I, that does change quite often the algorithms and how that functions so I'm having to try and to keep up. Um, has been quite the challenge. Um, but yeah, I do enjoy it and that it's quite a nice platform for me because I can showcase my family as well. It's quite nice. It's nice to look back on my Instagram account from this first kind of posts, because you can see the journey and how far things have come along. 'cause sometimes I sit, sit here and give myself the guilt that it's either still sitting in a box then it's, it's not out in public. And I have to remind myself that a lot of work has already gone into this and, um, it will be great. And, um, I'm hoping that lots of people will enjoy it and I've enjoyed the journey. Um, even though it's been quite hard at times, but yeah, the Instagram is quite nice. Cause it's got the visuals and there are some images of the top already on there, but the fabric's ever so slightly different than what's on, on the Instagram at the moment, but it's not, it's not too big a difference.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:35:48

And I think it's very nice just coming back to the journey as well, to document that. So for you, as you say, but also for everyone who's following along and know, waiting for your products to be available, to buy. Cause I'm sure there are people who are eagerly, you know, thinking where can I buy them? Have you started having any inquiries?

Louise Almond: 00:36:04

Um, I haven't had anyone to say. The followers I have are young moms or expecting moms, which is quite nice, um, that, you know, and it's a very small following at the moment. It's very humble, very humble beginnings. Um, but it's nice to know that there are people that have looked, um, and engaged with what I'm posting or related to what I have said, uh, which is really nice. But yeah. Um, I know, um, my, my sister-in-law is a real advocate for my brand. She she's, she wears everything I've sent her, uh, daily, um, and has had compliments on, on what she has and when she's put a post on, um, she's had lots of comments about it. So, um, there is lots of positivity.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:36:48

I'm sure. Yeah, I'm sure there is. And of course, you know, everyone starts out with a really small following as well. Cause you had, that's where we, you know, we will, we'll start with no following and that's completely normal, but I think it is, it's amazing that the people that are following you now, they all seeing the journey you're going through. And um, yeah, I think there'll be some real excitement when your products are available.

Louise Almond: 00:37:07

Yes. Yeah. Fingers crossed.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:37:12

Um, just a few final questions before we wrap up if that was okay, Louise. Um, so are there any other sort of challenges that you faced in the past, you know, in the past few months or years or anything that in particular you think, you know, if you were doing this again, you'd want to be aware of.

Louise Almond: 00:37:29

Um, it's probably the nitty gritty stuff that you don't think about. I mean, the designing and the trying on and working out your ideas is, is the fun part. Um, sometimes it can be a bit hard, but it's the fun part. So it's, it's the admin side that I've had to learn, um, forming the company or with company's house and then keeping up, even though it's not a functioning company remembering to do things like the tax returns. It kind of the formal elements and the language around that is it's very hard. It's not something I would come across necessarily before. So I had to do a lot of make, uh, know formal checks, um, because I haven't launched, I haven't gotten accountants. It's just, I was doing everything myself and just remembering to pencil those in my calendar, um, and how to fill in those forms. Not initially easy. Um, and it's like, like I said, the language is very different to any kind of business or schemes of work that I've written for school and things like that stayed very different so that they were, they took me longer than expected. Um, and I'm sure, um, there's lots of things that I will need to. Kind of learn in terms of like stock leveling and how you monitor that and the sales and things like that. So, yeah, it's the nitty gritty bits that, that, that, that you don't hear or see at the forefront of the business, which are the harder parts. And that do take quite a lot of time. So organization, um, is key. I think when I, yeah, it's definitely key for something I need to think about and beyond.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:39:08

And you're right. There's always so much to learn much of it you don't even know that you need to learn because you just don't know what you don't know. So, yeah, but that's, that's great advice. Thank you. And I think that would be really comforting for people to know who are listening and possibly in exactly the same boat of just not realizing all of the additional things you need to do other than getting your product ready. Because as you say that exciting.

Louise Almond: 00:39:34

Yes, but then one thing too, you mentioned when I have, um, when I've used Company's House and I needed to do things like a tax return or, or kind of, um, audit, you also have to kind of forget what the word, what they call it, but you have to audit it and make sure that your accounts are in the right place and that you are actually still running under the name. And so you have to file lots of them things. And you have to just budget that in, because initially I didn't expect to have to pay a fee to say yes, I'm still here. I'm still running. Um, and, but actually they're very helpful, um, with their support. So I literally just would respond to a message going I'm not really sure how I go here. This is what I, I know I need to have in place. Is this the right thing? And, and most of the time they have responded pretty quickly and then have forwarded me to the rightperson, um, and then offered support. So for example, my tax return I needed to make it dormant because I'm not selling yet or making any money. So I, um, they were very good. And, and down with that, yes, I had to pay for it, but it just took the pressure off me having to fill in forms that I didn't necessarily understand. And they did it in within 24 hours and it w it was very comforting and it, although, you know, it was a cost that I wasn't expecting it. It was a worthwhile cost because I would pretty certain that I would have filled in something wrong. And then would've probably had to pay for something again, later on. And so, um, I think just use using the advice and just not being shy to ask a silly question. Yeah. Yeah, it has helped because it's, it's, it's got me a bit further and I'm muddled.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:41:11

I think that's great advice. I think asking for help is always good, and that's really interesting to know that about Company's House as well, because I think I completely see it as it's definitely a fear of, well, if I get this wrong will I get fine, I go to prison, you know, am I being compliant? There's a lot of worry that it's good to know that they're really helpful. I haven't actually had to deal with them. As it, in that sense. So I think that must be really reassuring to know that you can just send a message or presumably phone someone and get the help that you need and stuff like that would be so useful to know.

Louise Almond: 00:41:42

Yes, because the language is very formal and it's not necessarily language you would read. If you work and have a contract, your contracts are written in such a way. But, but I think with Company's House, when you've registered, where the company is, it's completely different terminology. So, yeah, it is helpful just to seek that advice.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:42:01

Oh, thank you. That is really good to know. And so the final question always, which is one that I ask. Absolutely everyone. And you might be a bit stumped on this because you've shared so much already is what would your number one piece of advice be for other people looking to create and launch a product?

Louise Almond: 00:42:18

I think just have, have a really good plan, understand your customer, understand what it is you're trying to achieve, because it can be very, you can get a bit design fixated, I think. And I've seen a lot of other people do it and I've seen my students do it, but you know, you have this great idea and you just, you're a bit blinkered actually knowing how it's going to work. Is there growth in it? Can it, can the idea be adjusted? Um, can you add pieces to it? Um, so for me yeah, I think for me it was just, I had to really make sure I understood what it was that I was trying to achieve. I had an idea, but if I'm going to make a business work, what do I really need to know? And what would make it successful? So it's kind of almost forgetting your idea in a way. Um, so to know that you're actually willing to change your ideas to suit what is needed. Um, so avoid design fixation.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:43:13

That's brilliant feedback. Thank you. And as I said earlier, you've done that. So, so well with the amount of feedback that you've got from people, because it can be really tempting to think that you've got all the answers and that you know exactly what your product should look like or be, or do it's. It's so easy to, to, to think about that and go down that rabbit hole, particularly if it's a product, um, that you yourself need. So I think it's really great. Yeah. They didn't go down that route. Cause I mean, this was something that you needed at the time. The whole idea came from a need that you had personally. So I think it's really good that you were able to keep that wider perspective and realize that it wasn't just something for you. It was something that you going to be selling to lots of other people. So I think it's brilliant that you did that and that's fantastic advice.

Louise Almond: 00:43:58

Thank you.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:43:59

Well, thank you so much for all that you've shared today. I really love talking to you and I think, um, yeah, it's been so interesting. Best of luck when you launch, do you tell me when you launch so that I can share it all out again because, um, yeah, I think everyone will be really excited to see your products.

Louise Almond: 00:44:16

Oh, thank you. It's been nice to speak at aloud kind of reaffirms the journey as well. And that, that kind of strive to I've really been excited about it. Thanks very much.

Vicki Weinberg: 00:44:28

Thank you so much for listening all the way to the end of this episode. If you enjoyed it, please do leave me a review that really helps other people to find this podcast. Make sure you subscribe so you don't miss any future episodes and do tell your friends about it too. If you think that they also might enjoy it You can find me at Vicki weinberg.com, there you'll find links to all of my social channels. You'll find lots more information. All of the past podcast episodes and lots of free resources too. So again, that's Vicki weinberg.com. Take care, have a good week and see you next time.