Frances McInnes is the founder and manager of Breastmates – an online specialty store for pregnant women and new mothers.
Frances McInnes with her kids. Business to Business - What inspired you to start up your business?
Frances McInnes - Five years ago, when I had just had my first baby, I needed to make some pocket money when I started maternity leave. I was making a few things and selling them on Trademe. But then I got some bad advice about breast pumps from a baby store and realised I could create a specialty store for breastfeeding, and that’s when the ball started rolling
BtoB - Who has influenced you the most professionally?
FM - Lynn Brown- she’s the woman that has watched me from the sidelines right from the start, and has encouraged me along the way. Without her encouragement and belief in me, I would never have been where I am today.
BtoB - How would you describe yourself as a businessman?
FM - Well, I describe myself more as a businesswoman, than a businessman. But my answer to this is that I’m honest, reliable, and driven. I give everything that I have with what I am doing, until it’s finished. I try to treat every customer as if they are the only customer that I am dealing with each day, although the contrary is true.
BtoB - What do you consider your greatest achievement?
FM - I should say “My two gorgeous kids and wonderful husband” of course; that goes without saying. But actually creating and running a website myself from scratch, with no investment capital or startup. To now become a known parenting source for information and products, that people are happy to recommend to others. Doing something that I absolutely LOVE.
BtoB - With hindsight, what is the one thing you would do differently?
FM - Maybe I should have been less cautious, and gone into things quicker – but then I never actually had the money to do it. It’s the slow growth, and reinvestment into my brand that has allowed it to develop the way it has, and has its own advantages.
I would have put my children into childcare sooner, and set myself boundaries for work time and time with my children rather than trying to do both at the same time.
BtoB - Who do you find inspirational and why?
FM - My mum. She’s my number one sounding board, always has time for me, and I know she would do anything for me. I want to be a mum just like her when I grow up.
BtoB - What is the most inspirational book you have read recently?
FM - Gosh I can’t remember the last time I read a book…. Mental note – must visit library.
BtoB - What is your favourite website and why?
FM - At the moment I spend most of my spare website time on Facebook. Nice to see friends and create marketing angles too. It’s work and play.
BtoB -What is the first thing you would if you became Prime Minister?
FM - Calculate taxable incomes per household rather than individually so that there is some benefit for mums staying at home with children.
BtoB - What is the best thing about being an Internet based business?
FM - Being able to do work while still in my dressing gown.
