My Weekend: When it’s your own business, it’s like a baby

TELL us a little bit about yourself:

I’m from Ballincollig, ended up buying a house there not too far from my parents about 12 years ago (I know, I know, bad timing) and now myself and my five-and-a-half-year-old daughter live there (the half is very important).

BabyBoo was born about five years ago as well, I’ve always wanted to grow my own brand having worked for years with lots of other digital brands. It seemed like a natural fit to do it with Michelle (co-founder of Babyboo.ie); we are very different and have different strengths and we know each other pretty well at this point, having been friends over 20 years, so it works really well for both of us.

The idea for BabyBoo started with the bandana bibs. I heard someone call them a cult classic recently, not sure if they can reach cult status in less than five years, but we think they’re pretty good. Our kids all have sensitive skin and we couldn’t find a bib that would tackle the drool but look nice and not aggravate skin so the idea for the DribbleBoo came about. It’s now made with organic cotton and has three layers; the middle layer is fleece so nothing soaks through to clothing and it really does kill that teething rash lots of kids with eczema etc battle.

We now do sleeping bags, sleepsuits, blankets, feeding bibs, and lots more.

What is your ideal way to spend a Friday night?

Friday night I love taking it easy at home, I’m lucky to be able to work my hours around Ruby so I collect her on a Friday from school and we usually go for a nice lunch and hang out for the afternoon. Then once she’s in bed a nice cold glass of vino and some smelly cheese would keep me very happy! In an alternative universe I’d happily sit in L’Attitude and sip wine and eat all the tapas of a Friday evening.

Lie-ins or up with the lark... which is it for you?

What’s a lie-in?

Does work creep into your weekend at all?

Yes — work creeps in everywhere. I find it difficult to get that balance thing going and especially when it’s your own business, it really is like another baby. At the moment we’ve just relaunched our website with a new look and feel, we’re opening in Kildare Village next week, and we have a huge amount of stock coming in for the summer so it’s pretty full on right now. I look after social media most of the time and Instagram is never silent. It is what it is though — when you have a digital business you have to be available a lot of the time. I do switch off on a Sunday and have the day for myself and Ruby as much as I can.

If money was no object where would you head to on a weekend city break? And who would you bring with you?

Oh that’s a difficult one. I adore New York and haven’t been for years so I’d have to have that top of the list, I think.

If it were right now I’d bring Michelle (we really don’t get sick of each other) but I can’t wait until Ruby is a bit older to do lots of adventures and travelling with her.

Closer to home, is there some place you like to head to recharge the batteries?

Inchydoney near Clonakilty is a firm favourite of ours, I’d live down that direction in a heartbeat.

Do you like to catch up with family/friends at the weekend?

We usually spend Sundays with my parents, brother, and nephews, it’s mayhem but they’re great fun.

Do you get to indulge in any hobbies? Even as a spectator?

I always hate the hobby question, I don’t really feel I have any, which sounds bizarre. I love reading, that’s my escape; love a good box set on Netflix or hanging out with friends. I love cooking when I have time and someone who will eat what I cook. I love going to gigs when I can find babysitters. I started swimming lessons about six months ago and am starting to love that so maybe that’ll be my hobby answer from now on.

Entertain definitely, I love planning a good party.

We have so many places to eat out in Cork — where are your go- to spots for coffee/lunch/special meal?

Coffee — Gusto is a firm favourite or Nosh in Ballincollig.
Lunch — I love Electric or, in Ballincollig, Good for the Soul.
Special meal — Market Lane or I love L’Attitude.

Sunday night comes around too fast... how do you normally spend it?

Like every other parent in the country — ironing uniforms, tearing the house apart looking for her school tie, packing lunches, and trying to get organised for the week.

Oh, and Line of Duty, obviously!

What time does your alarm clock go off on Monday morning?

I’m very lucky that I don’t need an alarm clock, I have my own personal wake-up service who arrives in between 6 and 7 most mornings.

More about Babyboo.ie

This month marks the official opening of Cork-based children’s clothing brand BabyBoo.ie’s first pop-up shop.

Their first physical store will open in Kildare Village on April 30 for just seven days.

A range of pretty but practical best-selling items from the award-winning brand will be available at Kildare Village for one week only.

While some items are already stocked in shops around the country, until now the complete BabyBoo.ie collection had only been available online.

Throughout the Kildare Village pop-up, BabyBoo.ie’s advisors will be on hand to personally help customers choose the right items for their little ones.

BabyBoo.ie is a purse-friendly clothing brand that keeps babies, toddlers, and children looking stylish while also being kind to their skin. Items are made of top-quality, sustainable, organic cotton fabric. The range is easy-to-use, durable, and versatile.

Their best-sellers include 100% organic cotton blankets and pyjamas, SnuggleBoo sleeping bags, and the cult classic DribbleBoo bibs.

For more see BabyBoo.ie or follow them on Instagram: BabyBoo.ie, or Facebook: BabyBoo.ie.