Business mums

"I returned to my job as a human resources (HR) manager after I had Abbie, but when we found out I was having twins, we knew we couldn't afford the childcare. When the babies were about ten weeks old, I set up a virtual assistant and HR consultancy from home, and it was while I was doing this that I had the brainwave for my identity-tag business.

"The idea hit me at 2.30am, and I jumped out of bed, registered the business name and started working on a business plan straight away. By the morning I had my first children's identity card set up! It was designed to attach to a child's car seat giving medical and contact information in case of an accident.

"I needed some specialist equipment to get going, so I bought an ID card printer for £4,500 on my credit card, did my research, including contacting the emergency services, and set up that way. I had to invest about £15,000 in equipment, promotions, stock and office stationery, but the business quickly took off. I soon started getting requests for ID wristbands, which I started printing at home. Now I have a big dedicated office where my dining room used to be, whereas at the beginning I was working on the kitchen table.

"I would be in profit if I stopped investing so much in the business, but I believe you have to plough a lot back in to make it grow. I try to do the majority of work during the school day, but I still have to take phone calls after the children come home. At least I'm here for them and don't have problems with childcare, sickness or being snowed in - and I'm still spending 100 per cent more time with them than if I had gone back to work. I've even become a school governor.

"I've got loads of work through word-of-mouth, repeat business and my website. Disabled groups who are amongst my biggest clients: the parents are perhaps more aware of their children getting lost or injured. There's information to pass on, especially if a child is deaf, can't speak or has particular mental or physical disabilities that would prevent them from being able to give information clearly and concisely.

"My busiest time inevitably is during the school holidays: it only takes one child to go missing on a beach and parents go into a panic, get a wristband and tell a friend. I love what I do, and I'll be even happier when I can pay myself a proper salary, which I hope will be sometime soon."

Find out more about Nadine's business at www.identifyme.co.uk

Useful links
For help in exploring and setting up an online business, visit:

• Government agency information
• The parent site of Business Link
• Other government information
• The Federation of Small Businesses
• Info about broadband, doing business online, marketing, PR and finance