Exquisitely British - The British Entrepreneur Club for Luxury Brands 

Alison Walker

Owner of My Crib Rocks

By Clare Heighway - 20th January  2014

Tell us about what yourself Alison.

 

I am a mum of two wonderful boys, Frankie & Billy, who make me smile every day.  I am very ambitious and also a perfectionist.  I am lucky enough to have a great family and friends base, and I get to spend everyday with my Mum in work.  Family is my number one!

 

Where did the idea to start My Crib Rocks come from? 

 

Having had my first son, I was ready for a new challenge.  My partner came up with the idea of a nursery store as we struggled to find anyway pleasant and beautiful to shop when we were expecting.  If you shop for a wedding dress the experience can be magical.  We wanted to create that feeling for when you are purchasing your baby’s nursery furniture or pram.

 

Who is your ideal customer?

 

We welcome everyone into our store, whether it is first time parents who are confused about what they need to buy, or grandparents looking for a special gift for the their first grandchild, or pram enthusiasts who are after the latest design.  We offer our expertise and advice if needed, and we always love to see babies in the store!

What's been your biggest challenge?

 

It has probably been the continual marketing – always trying to think of new ideas.  I like to think outside of the box.  We recently did a My Crib Rocks fashion show at Liverpool Fashion Week which was amazing.  It was so exciting for guests to see our range of prams, accessories and changing bags on the runway.

 

What's been your biggest highlight?

 

We just had our 3rd Birthday, which feels like quite an achievement.  It creates a day when you can stop and look back at how you started and how far you have come.  So when I came in to the store on our birthday I certainly felt proud.  We have recently also been nominated for two national awards for Best Independent Retailer and Best New Retailer, which is an honour!

 

Do you have any advice for other entrepreneurs?

 

A business plan and financial forecast are probably the most important tools when starting up, and even three years in.  Starting and running your own business is hard work, and the hours involved are more than double that of a full time job.

 

What does your "typical" work day look like?

 

We open the store at 9am, we reply to emails, social media and website enquiries, we upload new products to our website, we usually have one meeting per day with our brands, and the highlight of every day is when our customers bring in their newborn babies to meet us.  

 

Do you have any favourite British brands?

 

We have some British brands in store that we love, iCandy, BabyStyle and The Little Green Sheep all design and manufacture amazing quality products.  Outside of our industry, we have to show our respect for British brands that have succeeded many decades and changes such as Burberry, Rolls Royce and Cadbury.

 

What do you think is important in developing a successful British brand?

 

Firstly customer service is vital.  We believe that every customer should be greeted with a welcoming smile, and our trained staff are on hand should the customer require any advice.  Secondly, the quality of products is very important.  We only sell premium brands that we believe in.

 

What are your plans for the future?

 

We intend to keep working very hard on building up a larger customer base, expansion and improvement of our website and our online presence and to continue to be the very best we can be!

 

 

To view My Crib Rocks' full collection visit them online at www.mycribrocks.co.uk. 

 

Alternatively visit their store in Liverpool at :

 

43 Crosby Road North, Waterloo, Liverpool L22 4QB

 

 

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