This week it’s all about Victoria who is a member of our Social Mums North Hampshire Facebook Group. She tells us how her daughters’ love of The Greatest Showman inspired her to start her business and why the support of our Facebook group has been invaluable.

TELL US A LITTLE BIT ABOUT YOURSELF AND YOUR FAMILY.

Hi, I’m Victoria, I live in Basingstoke with my husband Nic, daughter Hope and our crazy spaniel Buster. I’m also a stepmum to 2 grown up boys (well men) 21 & 23.

WHAT IS YOUR BUSINESS?

I am the creator of Victoria’s 2tus and I make bespoke tutu dresses and skirts for children, although I’ve just been commissioned to make a dress for a children’s entertainer so I could be expanding my portfolio!

WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR BUSINESS?

My main inspiration was my daughter, Hope. She has just turned 5 and was having a Greatest Showman themed party.  I was attempting to find a dress for her and was shocked at what was available, was not really fitting for a 5 year old to wear and what was ok, well it was not affordable. With that in mind, I decided to make one myself.

Although my working career, before Hope, was in financial and community management for over 20 years, the creative side of me jumped at the challenge.

I love helping children and parents pick their favourite colours and pull ideas altogether into a dress or skirt, that when they put it on makes them feel so special. The looks on their faces is priceless.

WHAT SOCIAL MEDIA PLATFORMS DO YOU USE AND WHY?

I mainly use Facebook and Instagram. Having a personal profile on Facebook made it easier to start there as I was more familiar with it but I have just recently started to use Instagram as well.

WHAT DO YOU FIND MOST CHALLENGING ABOUT MARKETING YOUR BUSINESS ON SOCIAL MEDIA?

Being consistent and interesting. You know you have to be consistent as out of sight is out of mind but on the other hand I don’t want to bore my followers .

WHAT IS THE BEST SOCIAL MEDIA TIP YOU HAVE PICKED UP FOR YOUR BUSINESS?

Engagement – talk to your followers, not everyone knows how they can help you and when you do, be yourself , have humility.

WHAT HAVE YOU FOUND MOST USEFUL ABOUT BEING PART OF A SOCIAL MUMS FACEBOOK GROUP?

The support of Social Mums has been invaluable. Whether it be ‘I don’t know how to copy this link to this page to I’m on holiday – how can I still be active and post whilst eating ice cream on the beach with my family?’

Everyone in the group has been in the same boat at some point so therefore you never feel alone.

WHERE CAN WE FIND YOU ON SOCIAL MEDIA?