Jan 7, 2009

Online gift shop will allow me to be my own bossBy Jacquie MuscatThisisExeter.co.uk

Exeter, UK — I decided to set up an online business selling organic gift packs because I was aware that a lot of people are looking for more natural products.

I have two young children and I currently work part-time at Lloyds TSB in Dawlish. I have been with the bank for 20 years and we moved down here from the Lake District about five years ago.

My job at the moment is in sales and marketing for the bank, so I saw that as a strength. I have always liked the idea of being my own boss. I have managed my own branch in the past and once you have been a manager it’s very difficult to go back.

I have got a year until my little boy goes to school and by then I would like to be making enough from the business to be able to give up my job.

Before starting the business I did lots of research on the internet in the evenings and between looking after the kids. I was looking for products which were of a luxurious nature but were organic and environmentally friendly.

I went to some trade fairs and had samples of things sent to me so I could try them for myself to make sure they were good quality.

When you are a new business, suppliers want payment up front, but I found most of them friendly and helpful. All our suppliers are within the UK, and I tried to get as many as I could that were local.

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