Mumpreneurs pave way for new business in Vale

Two mumpreneurs from the Vale of Glamorgan have launched a bespoke online baby gift hamper service

Emma Griffiths, 31, from Llantwit Major and Rebecca Clerey, 30, also from Llantwit Major have set up Lickle Pickle to offer an alternative gift service for new mums and dads.

The idea for the company came to founders after the birth of their children, when both new mums found themselves overwhelmed with bouquets of flowers from family, friends and co-workers.

Using only UK suppliers, with a strong focus on using Welsh companies, Lickle Pickle, named after Rebecca’s nickname for her daughter Lili - Mai, offers luxury baby hampers filled with gifts including personalised baby grows, booties and towels that are organic and fair-trade.

On establishing Lickle Pickle, co-founder Emma Griffiths said: “The idea for Lickle Pickle came to me and Rebecca soon after we had children, when we got talking about how we had both received an overwhelming amount of flowers as gifts. Whilst the gesture of flowers was appreciated, they never lasted long and we both soon ended up throwing the dead flowers away. I remember thinking at the time that it seemed such a waste of people’s money and that there must be an alternative gift idea. We both thought wouldn’t it be great to receive a hamper full of gorgeous baby gifts and that is how the idea was born.

“We decided on creating an online baby hamper service where by co-workers, friends and even family members could select gifts, personalise them and send them in bespoke gift wrapped hampers, providing new mums with not only useful gifts including new baby clothes and accessories but also keepsakes for the future.”

To help set the business up, the duo received funding from Inspiring the Vale Bursaries scheme which is run by Creative Rural Communities, a regeneration and economic development initiative led by the Vale of Glamorgan Council in partnership with various public, private and voluntary sector organisation.

The scheme, established in 2009, aims to give individual or group applicants up to the age of 30, who either currently live in the rural Vale or have previously lived there in the past for five years, the opportunity to set up their own business with a grant of up to £3,000.

On the scheme Rebecca said: “We found out about the scheme in a local newspaper and decided to apply. We ended up sitting in front of the judging panel two days after Emma had given birth to her son Ruthyn. Without the support of the scheme, Lickle Pickle would not have become a reality.”

Nia Hollins, rural regeneration officer at Creative Rural Communities who supported the girls through their application said: “To date there has been very little help and support for budding young businessmen and women in the Vale of Glamorgan. However, this scheme encourages people like the girls behind Lickle Pickle the opportunity to turn their business ideas into reality.

“If we are to keep employment and investment opportunities high in the Vale of Glamorgan, new businesses like this one are essential to ensure we keep the local economy thriving. We are delighted to have been able to help Lickle Pickle and look forward to watching the company grow over the next few months.”