Name of Business: Littlesheep Learning

Your Name and Age: Elaine Lambe, 30

Tell us about your family: I live in south Warwickshire with my husband and our three boys who are 5, 3 and 1.

What did you do before coming up with your business idea and how was it making the transition?

Before I started the business I was on maternity leave and before that I was a self employed tutor for children with autism working with them on a one-to-one basis on home based programmes.

When did you launch? 05.05.05

How did you get started?

I had a friend who was starting up a webdesign business and she convinced me that I wanted my own business because she wanted to design me a website!

What research did you do before launching? Not enough! I just went for it and hoped for the best.

How have you funded the business?

The initial start up money was from the few sessions a week I returned to work (which was short lived due to the arrival of #2) and since then it has been funded by reinvesting profits

How do you promote your business? What has worked best?

I don’t really! This is one of the things I need to look into over the next few months.

What has worked well about your business?

Because it has been slow consistent growth I have managed to fit it in around everything that is involved with looking after small children.

What has been your biggest challenge so far?

How have you dealt with it? Not having enough time to do everything I want to do – trying to be more patient and remembering that slow growth is much more sustainable.

How do you fit in work with the family?

Badly! I tend to have the laptop on whilst they are playing and then work in the evenings – the trip to the post office is a highlight of each day and the staff in our local post office are great with the children.

What advice would you give to someone else wanting to work in this area?

Be patient – you aren’t going to make millions overnight.

Your website link: www.littlesheep-learning.co.uk

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