The StorkUp Blog

We're all going on a summer holiday...

Written by Claire on Friday 11 May 12.

Yes, in just a few days' time I'll be escaping from this miserable British weather and relaxing on the sunny Turkish coast - I can't wait. Before I can really start to chill out, however, I have the usual packing nightmare to contend with. The main problem may be persuading my 4 year old that it's really not a good idea to take 3 million tiny pieces of Lego to a busy poolside resort….

I've still got a few bits and pieces to pick up for the kids. They have both had a real growth spurt recently (one upwards, one outwards!) and all their summer clothes from last year's holiday have long been donated to the charity shop.

The shopping process has been a lot easier this year, because I've been able to use StorkUp to create my list! I called it Summer Holiday and have been using it to collect all the products I came across when I was browsing online for holiday things for the kids. From suncream to sunglasses, swimming shorts to pretty summer dresses - everything is there in one place, letting me see exactly what I need (and want!) to buy.

A few of my must have items from my Summer Holiday list:

Super cute spotty specs!

Perfect for the flight and looks really cool...how much Lego can it hold?!

An essential for the pool and the beach - SPF50 poncho towel

Vintage style beach towel for my little dude

To see more of my Summer Holiday list (and have a peek at other mums' product choices), sign up for a StorkUp beta invite here!

Exciting Times

Written by Claire on Tuesday 01 May 12.

It's beta time!

Getting Creative With This Mumpreneur

Written by Claire on Friday 06 April 12.

"There are loads of good reasons for being a mumpreneur. You are in control of your own working day and week - I am able to take my son to nursery every morning and be there to pick him up. I fit my working hours in around the things we do, meaning we still get time for things like play dates and swimming lessons. You are also completely responsible for the success of your own business and can set your own goals and targets. At the end of the day, you are doing something you want to do."

Liz Cairns, mum of Jamie, 5 and The Creation Station franchisee

Have a Mooch at these inspirational mumpreneurs!

Written by Claire on Sunday 01 April 12.

"We believe that our products offer a uniqe combination of the age-old craft of block printing at an affordable price, allowing this to no longer be the domain of only a select few mums. Our prints are unique and we’ve spent a lot of time on our products in an attempt to create products that will capture the imagination of a child."

Yuva and Aneesa, founders of MoochicBaby

Win a little taste of Scotland!

Written by Claire on Wednesday 28 March 12.

We've teamed up with Scottish Hampers to give one of you a scrumptious food hamper.

KyNa Boutique: Going the extra mile

Written by Claire on Saturday 24 March 12.

"People deserve to be treated well when they spend money with you so I make sure they know we appreciate it when they do."

Jenny Mortimer, founder of KyNa Boutique and mum of Kyle, 7, and Nate, 18 months

Babskibaby Is Born!

Written by Claire on Wednesday 14 March 12.

"To any mum wanting to set up her own business, I would simply say be brave and go for it! If you don’t try you’ll never know…"

Johanna, mum of 2 and founder of Babskibaby

Dressing up the little Wild Things

Written by Claire on Tuesday 06 March 12.

"Without a doubt, selling online has been the biggest learning curve for me throughout this entire process."

Kirsty Hartley, founder of Wild Things Funky Little Dresses and mum of Ewan, 9, Silva, 5 and Lila, 2.

A business that's just Blooming Lovely

Written by Claire on Saturday 03 March 12.

"Like most moms in business I never switch off, but I embrace it as my need to nurture Blooming Lovely Jewellery and see it blossom even further - it’s part of me now!"

Laura Goodison, mum of Florence, 20 months.

Niddle Noddle: When Friends Join Forces

Written by Claire on Wednesday 29 February 12.

"We love running our own boutique and feel really proud to be able to offer mums exciting products that they won’t have seen everywhere else."

Eilidh (mum of Freya, 5) and Katrine (mum of Emmie, 4), founders of online children's boutique Niddle Noddle.

Mother's Day Giveaway: Say it with Roses...

Written by Claire on Monday 27 February 12.

One lucky mum will win a gorgeous rose bouquet in our Mother's Day giveaway!

Take an ethical trip through The Urban Meadow

Written by Claire on Wednesday 22 February 12.

"We want to do our little bit to move away from a throwaway society - fashion has become too disposable!"

Claire (mum of two) and Alex (mum of three), co-founders of The Urban Meadow

The family force behind Ruby & Rose Jewellery

Written by Claire on Monday 20 February 12.

"I hate the idea some people have that when you have children you lose yourself and opportunities are cut off from you. For me it has been the exact opposite."

Emily McIntyre, Co-Founder of Ruby & Rose Jewellery and mum of four

Bump, Two Babies & Me

Written by Claire on Monday 13 February 12.

"As a mum to twin girls I really know the value of making good buying decisions, buying something that not only does the job but lasts longer too."

Sophie Embleton, owner of Bump, Baby & Me and mum of 4 year old twins, Freya and Chloe.

My Heart Belongs to...

Written by Claire on Monday 13 February 12.

As it's Valentine's Day tomorrow, we couldn't resist sharing some of our favourite heart-inspired products for the little loves of our lives...

No napping for this mompreneur!

Written by Claire on Thursday 09 February 12.

"Having kids is a great starting point. As I always say, motherhood is the necessity of invention."

Stephanie Arnold, Director of Naptime Industries and mom of Jack, 5, Wes, 3, and Harper, 3 months.

Say "Hei!" to our next mumpreneur...

Written by Claire on Tuesday 07 February 12.

"I work alone, but in reality, Otto and I are a team."

Annika Winstanley, founder of Hei Moose and mum of Otto, 18 months.

Yoga for Yummy Mummies

Written by Claire on Monday 06 February 12.

"I want to share my passion with other mums and help them to have a beautiful birth experience and embrace motherhood."

Cheryl MacDonald, founder of YogaBellies and mum of Caelen, 2.

Ponies and Parties: Keeping it in the Family!

Written by Claire on Thursday 02 February 12.

"It's very rewarding to see my kids helping to make our business a success and watching them gain so many skills from it, which will help them in the future."

Lisa Walker, owner of Mini Pony Hire and mum of Grant, 14, and Alex, 13

Carrie's Crafts: it all started with a dribble!

Written by Claire on Tuesday 31 January 12.

"Why should something hold a premium just because it has the word 'baby' in it?"

Carrie Smith, founder of Carrie's Crafts and mum of Oscar, 3, and Freddie, 19 months

We Adore this mompreneur!

Written by Claire on Thursday 26 January 12.

"Learning to market effectively on the internet is very different from a brick and mortar store. When you have a website, it never leaves you. When you work from a home office the temptation is to do 'just one more thing!'"

Cynthia, owner of Adorable Baby Clothing and grandma of three

A baby signing devotee with not so Tiny ambitions...

Written by Claire on Monday 23 January 12.

"I love seeing a baby grow and develop and get so excited when a baby is awarded a first sign certificate. I really enjoy watching friendships form between the mums who come to my classes. What really makes it all so worthwhile is when a child who has been attending my TinyTalk classes is praised for their communication techniques. I find that signing gives babies a great start in terms of language development."

Heather Avul, who runs TinyTalk Leicester and is mum of Adem, 12, Musa, 11, Min'e, 9 and Azad, 4

Something for Posterity

Written by Fiona on Monday 23 January 12.

Win a beautiful Milestones 'Original' print worth £34.99 in our Facebook giveaway!

Introducing the Keeper of the Kingdom…

Written by Claire on Saturday 21 January 12.

"I love being with my children, but for me the ultimate goal was to create a lifestyle that combined pursuing my dreams with spending time with them. Essentially, my little girls became my total inspiration...I used all of my experience as a mum and combined it with my buying experience and blended the two aspects of my personality and life to create My Princess Kingdom."

Sandra Cook, mum of 3 girls and owner of My Princess Kingdom

burp! boutique: for babies with attitude

Written by Claire on Wednesday 18 January 12.

"I realised that what was generally available on the high street for baby girls was pink, and lots of it. All way too cutesy pie for me! I like things with a bit of attitude."

Kate Hayden-Ellis, mum of Evie, 2 and founder of burp! boutique

Calling all Mumpreneurs...

Written by Claire on Monday 16 January 12.

Mums are fab and we want to shout about it! As Fiona has said, we've been delighted with the amazing response we've received to StorkUp on Twitter and Facebook...before we've even launched our website!

StorkUp Pre-Launch Giveaway!

Written by Fiona on Monday 09 January 12.

We're almost ready to launch, and to say thank you for your support we're having a giveaway!

The Birth of StorkUp

Written by Claire on Saturday 07 January 12.

"I love when I feel a site is managed by people with children who understand the market and cater for my needs exactly" - Sandra, mum of three girls

New Year, New You?

Written by Claire on Tuesday 03 January 12.

Have you made a new year's resolution this year? Around 50% of UK and US citizens do, but according to statistics only 10-15% of those people stick to them.

Bring on 2012...

Written by Craig on Saturday 31 December 11.

With less than seven hours of 2011 remaining, our thoughts turn to what 2012 has in store for StorkUp...