Two mothers from the West Midlands have achieved a remarkable entrepreneurial feat, transforming an initial £8 investment into a six-figure business, all while on maternity leave.
From Maternity Leave to Major Enterprise
Hollie and Jade Anderton-Schofield, both 32 and from Ellesmere, Shropshire, found themselves frustrated by the lack of stylish clothing options for their newborn son, Beck. After his birth via IVF in February 2024, they searched for "cool, alternative" outfits but felt the market heavily favoured girls' fashion.
"It was a fever dream from a lack of sleep," Hollie, a full-time teacher, admitted. The idea sparked when Hollie, known for saying 'I can do that', wondered aloud about printing a T-shirt. She sketched a design and printed it onto a vest for their one-month-old. The positive feedback from family was the catalyst they needed.
The £8 Launch That Sparked a Snowball
The business began with a single, pragmatic purchase. Hollie bought a five-pack of baby vests from Tesco for just £8. After printing their designs, the couple listed baby grows for £5 on a newly created Etsy shop in March 2024.
Demand grew rapidly. "Then it snowballed," Hollie said. After reaching 50 sales on Etsy, they launched their own dedicated website for their brand, Beck and Co. The financial results have been staggering. In their first financial year, the duo generated £30,000 in revenue.
On Track for a £100k Milestone
The momentum has only accelerated. In their second year of trading, they have already made £75,000 and are confidently projected to hit the £100,000 annual revenue mark. What started as a kitchen-table side project during maternity leave is now a full-blown, thriving business.
Reflecting on their unexpected journey, Hollie described it as "a very happy accident." Their story highlights how identifying a simple gap in the market, coupled with initiative and minimal start-up costs, can lead to substantial business success.
