When mum of three sons Tina McDonough saw a gap in the market for boys’ wear, she solved the shortfall by starting her own business.
When did you start your business?
I started my business, Three Little Boys, from my home in Mount Louisa, Townsville, over six years ago after having our third boy and wanting to get back into something for myself. I’ve always loved fashion and noticed a big gap in the market for boys’ wear. A few years into business life I decided to start working with a graphic designer to design our own range of kids’ prints and women’s tees, which has been a major turning point in my business evolving.
What’s life like as a mumpreneur?
Having three boys (Ethan, 13, Blake, 9, and Kye, 7) makes for a busy household but my husband, Brendan, is very supportive and I love the flexibility of working from home. Being a mumpreneur has given me the opportunity to be here with the boys and watch them grow. Plus one of the most amazing things about running a small business is seeing your designs worn by your customers and loved by so many. That feeling is absolutely wonderful!
How does a typical work day unfold for you?
A typical day starts with dropping the boys to school followed by posting orders at my local post office and grabbing a sneaky coffee on the way home. Once I’m home, I get the housework done then start packing orders at the dining table and doing my daily business routine, including making sure my social media is up-to-date. Over the years I’ve spent many hours on the phone and computer getting my business out there. It can take a lot of work but it’s worth it. Last year I won my very first business award at the AusMumpreneur conference in Melbourne – bronze in the customer service People’s Choice category, which was a wonderful feeling.
Do you collaborate with other local labels?
Yes, I’ve collaborated with locals including Wahboo Designs and Mildred, who are both local earring designers. Tamra from Wahboo makes our popular ‘Coffee Lover’ dangles, which are perfectly paired with our ‘Boss Mama Coffee Lover’ tees, and Susan from Mildred makes ‘Handmade Heart’ earrings to match our ‘Adore Cherish Love’ tee design. Other Aussie brands I stock include Olive + The Captain and new hats by KJH Surf.
What tips do you have for aspiring mumpreneurs?
Make sure you do your research before you start and always be unique in some way. Make sure you have a good support network around you and don’t forget to have fun.
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