For some time, Sarah Morton of Alnwick had liked the idea of running her own children’s clothes shop.  Whilst she had no experience of being self employed, Sarah spotted the ideal opportunity to take over the provision of a children’s clothes service – both uniforms and quality casual wear - when Woolworths in Alnwick closed down.  She knew that it was time for action!

At that point, Sarah was working in the café at The Lion’s Den, a children’s indoor play and party provider in Alnwick.  She contacted NBSL’s Alnwick office to work with Laura Mathieson, Business Adviser based at their Business Advice Centre in Bondgate Within, to find out what she could do to turn her idea into reality.

As Sarah and Laura are both mothers who like to dress their children to look nice, they both understood how quickly children grow out of their clothes.  They conducted research into the local market to confirm that Sarah’s business idea of providing good quality clothing at reasonable prices was a viable one.  Laura supported Sarah in developing her business plan, working out exactly what clothes were the best ones to sell, which suppliers would be best, how to market the business, profit margins and cash flows, amongst other topics.

Negotiating a good deal with her then employer at the Lion’s Den so that the two businesses would benefit from each other, Sarah opened her shop, Infanzia, within the same building as The Lion’s Den, just on the right hand side as you enter the building.  With no entry fee to the shop, parents can benefit from taking the children to the play areas, having a cup of tea, and getting the children’s clothes all in the same journey!

Laura is proud of Sarah’s achievement, “We help many people think about and start their own businesses, and this is one more example of a local mum who had the spirit to make a go of it.  It’s rewarding to work with someone as motivated and enthusiastic as Sarah; as a Business Adviser I get a buzz out of it myself, it’s not just an ‘ordinary job’ and we often keep in regular contact with our customers!”

Sarah adds, “I don’t think I would have been able to start my business without the help from Laura and NBSL, they took me through my business plan step by step, and at my own pace. They were very supportive - it helped me enormously and I’ve learned a lot.  The shop continues to get busier and busier, and we will have lots of new stock and gift ideas for Christmas, so please come and see us at the Willowburn Trading Estate in Alnwick”.  Infanzia can be contacted on 07732 141332.