Name : Tze Ching Yeung

Email Address : tzeching@monstersandmunchkins.com

What kind of Business do you run? Online Boutique for Children, aged 0-5 years

When did you start it? Oct 2007

Why did you start it? Wanted to share my "findings" with other mums (and dads).

What was your inspiration? My G/B twins.

How much capital in terms of resources did you invest to start up your business? about £20K but big part of it for buying stock.

Do you have a website for your business? If yes please provide it www.monstersandmunchkins.com

Who are your main customers? What demographic are they mostly from? Currently, mainly UK but becoming more worldwide. Also quite popular in Denmark
and Russia.

What do you feel are the basic goals that a business such as yours should reach in
the first year? Just getting it established as a brand. Build up good customer base.

For anyone who wishes to start their own WAH business in the same industry as yours, what are your top 3 pieces of advice? Make sure you do your research to find out what the competitors are offering, in terms of delivery, prices etc. Don't get tempted to buy too much stock in the beginning, as clothing is seasonal. Make sure your website is easy to use, if your potential customer gets "lost", you will loose the sale.

Has this business venture allowed you to spend more time or less time with your
family? More time of course but often, depending on workload, less quality time. However, I
work a lot in the evenings to keep my days more flexible.

What are the top three marketing strategies that you employed to achieve success for your business? We use social networking sites like Facebook and Twitter to bring visitors to our site, as well as traditional advertising in magazines etc. We are also planning some competitions and launching a set of children's travel guides in the coming few months.

What goals are next for your business? Increase sales figures and make it more global.

Where do you see your business in another 10 years? We will by then already be well-established as one of the top online children's boutiques worldwide and we will by then also have a few brick-and-mortar shops in a few major cities.

Name the top 3 products and/or services your business provides and their respective benefits to the customer/consumer. We focus primarily in children's clothing but nursery decor is also one of our "specialities," as I am actually a professional interior designer by trade. Most of our products get road-tested by our own little ones and their little friends.

Has your business been recognized in any way by the media or any awards organization? If so please state how you were chosen and what kind of recognition your business has achieved. Our products do get featured in the newspapers and magazines from time to time.

How many times a year do you offer special discounts on your products or services?
When? We have 2 main sales periods a year but offer special promotional discount
throughout the year.

Share with us two positive feedback comments your customers have said about your product and/or service. "Yes, I received a lovely box today with two of the most beautiful items Hailey will own! Thank you;" "I just wanted to let you know that the above order with the MAT jacket is well received here at my side. Oh, it is perfect – I am really happy!"