WOMEN WHO LAUNCH
IN EVERY EDITION OF WMB, WE ARE COMMITTED TO ASSISTING WOMEN ENTREPRENEURS WHO HAVE RECENTLY LAUNCHED INTO THE BUSINESS WORLD

“We’ve had a business plan from the day we started our business and we review our plan on a quarterly or six monthly basis. We have always exceeded our plan. We’re always updating it — it’s a statement of what we do”.

So says Martina Delaney, Co-Founder and Director of companies — Handy Baby Products Ltd and Clevamama. The other half of this young and successful partnership is her sister Suzanne Browne. I caught up with Martina at their new premises on the Malahide Road recently and found that “blood is thicker than water’ as this family duo plan to take on the world!

In September 2003, Martina and Suzanne established Handy Baby Products Ltd. The company specialises in the distribution of products aimed at making the experience of caring for infants easier, safer and healthier for both parents and babies. Initially, the girls approached the makers of the Podee (a big brand in the baby business) and secured an exclusivity agreement to act as European Agents and Irish Distributors. This set them on the road which they are on today with now over 100 products sourced from all corners of the world.

The company and its website was initially launched on RTE’s Open House. Since then TV has been their primary marketing tool. And they have a regular TV slot on TV3’s Ireland AM. Unlike many start-ups, this exposure has allowed the company to develop quickly and has given it access to a much wider audience without the need for heavy marketing budgets. Word of mouth has also been identified as one of the company’s most productive marketing tools.

“Our initial plan like most small companies was to work from home selling only one baby product online however this couldn’t be further from where we are today. We are now in commercial premises, create employment and have a very tangible company. Clevamama is currently exporting to UK, Germany and Spain. We are in negotiations with other countries in Europe and at advanced stages with our USA distributor”. “Not only do we have exclusive distribution contracts with some of the biggest baby brand names in the market place but also our customer base includes Tesco Ireland, Smyths Toys Stores, Debenhams and Mothercare as well as a large number of independent nursery stores and pharmacies nationwide”. In addition, the recent launch of Ireland’s only baby brand Clevamama designed by Mums for Mums for the export market has added some bows to these girls bonnets!

Read more about Handy Baby Products Ltd in the February | March 2007 issue of WMB, subscribe now.

WEBSITE DETAILS
www.handybaby.com and www.clevamama.com