Legging it - Lucy Lou

After visiting Paris – my favourite city – a couple of years ago, I noticed the extremely wide range of leg wear available. All manner of patterns and designs were available. I thought, why should New Zealand miss out on gorgeous leggings and tights? So Lucy Lou was born. CNZ chats to Nicola Thomas to find out more about leg wear and Lucy Lou.

Lucy Lou was born in September 2009 after an inspirational trip to Paris. Named after Nicola’s daughter Lucy, the company produces an exciting range of leg wear. All our products are printed on Columbine – we’re 100% local, says owner Nicola Thomas.

On this page: Money and cash flow The value of a mentor The secret ingredient

Money and cash flow

Whenever I’m wondering about my next move, it usually comes down to money. This is my money, and if this goes down the gurgler, that’s a lot of my own money lost, explains Nicola.

Cash flow is the biggest stress. To be really honest, lately I’ve just been feeling like I’m drowning and the lifeguard hasn’t come out to get me yet. I’ve been thinking of getting a grant to help me through, but I don’t have the time to find the information, let alone spend time writing a big grant application.

What gets me through are the little things, like getting an order out, or a customer calling back to say they like the product and ordering more.

Recently, my daughter Lucy had to have an operation. She stayed in hospital and I was with her until about midnight. I was up early again in the morning, then back with her in hospital, fitting in the orders and printing when I had spare moments. It’s a very manual process – I print and design the tights myself.

The value of a mentor

I feel like I’m just a mother and I haven’t studied anything formally. I started out with just a dream but no idea of how to execute it. My mentor, St John Craner, has been an incredible adviser. It’s my business and I want it to reach the stars, but he has taught me to celebrate the skills I have, and to ask for help with what I lack.

I found St John Craner through approaching Insight Creative, which used to be Origin Design. They have been amazing, like a big sister that keeps me honest, especially Fiona Marianne. Through their special support for small businesses, they gave me a huge boost by doing the Lucy Lou branding and setting up our website.

St John Craner, through his own company Distinct, has stayed with me since then, and we’ve continued to work closely together.

The secret ingredient

When I saw the packaging for the first time, I cried. I am so excited and passionate about this business. But there are times when I could chuck every single pair of tights away.

Other business owners must have had that same feeling at some point: the worry that people won’t like, or buy, your products and services. What I’ve learned is that you can’t be afraid to ask for advice from those who know a certain area better than you.

Suddenly, they may say, “Oh, I know someone who could help with that.” Before you know it, through that networking, someone who was once a stranger comes into your life to get you to the next point on your journey.

The other thing I’ve learned is to not let the setbacks get you down. Luckily, I have great people around me: Glenn and the team from Digitex in Tawa – he always has amazing ideas and a “we can do anything” attitude; Sally, who prints for me, is invaluable, with a wicked sense of humour; my lovely husband Peter; and of course the little girl herself, Lucy.

You have this passion, and you think that it can’t possibly fail. The trap with a small business is that you want to, and sometimes try to, do everything yourself. But you learn quickly enough that you can’t.

Business Drill-down

Business type: New Zealand-made leg wear.
Main products: Leg wear
Number of staff: 1 full-time, 2 part-time.
Trading since: 2009
Main markets: New Zealand
Website: www.lucylou.co.nz

This content was provided by Capability New Zealand.

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