I am so excited to share this lovely interview today of the uber talented and founder of {Little Crew} ~ Peta Barkus. I was lucky enough to meet Peta through the blogosphere as she wrote a gorgeous article on me and My Little Jedi. {click here to read it}
Peta launched {Little Crew} about a year ago after the birth of her baby girl Indigo and this is how she describes the start of her journey: ~ I thought it would be great to have all the shops on an iPhone app so that parents could go check somewhere reliable and have like an "umbrella" of beautiful stores to always shop at online that have been road-tested. So I currently run the iPhone app and website (internationally based) called Little Crew -www.littlecrew.net, which features children's sites from around the world. I personally write about the items from seeing the products up close, look, touch, use as this makes a huge difference to my writing style. I have 3 children that road test things for me-sometimes.
Make sure you read the lovely interview below and I hope you like Little Crew as much as I do xx
I would like to thank the lovely Peta for giving our readers an insight of her personal life as well as {Little Crew}. xx
1. When did you launch your business/blog and what is the inspiration behind your business?
I launched Little Crew about a year ago, on the 9th of July 2010 actually and I was inspired by the birth of our baby girl Indigo. She is now 2. I thought it would be great to have all the shops on an iPhone app so that parents could go check somewhere reliable and have like an "umbrella" of beautiful stores to always shop at online that have been road-tested. So I currently run the iPhone app and website (internationally based) called Little Crew -www.littlecrew.net, which features children's sites from around the world. I personally write about the items from seeing the products up close, look, touch, use as this makes a huge difference to my writing style. I have 3 children that road test things for me-sometimes.
2.Who and what inspires your work?
My children inspire me and I just love what I am doing.... if you have passion for what you do the rest will all fall into place for you, it all flows. The sites that I write for, the wonderful people I write for are what inspire me as well. I love to see what is new out there for the all of our children, all the beautiful new clothes, toys etc.....it really excites me and drives me.
3.What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
I love writing about the beautiful products that I get to actually see. Also getting the feedback from the wonderful shops about how I write, this really excites me as they say I am so sincere but this is what I am honestly feeling. I do write from the heart and this does show and come through in my work, I love to give everyone, honest and lovely features for their stores for free.
4.What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?
Having sites approach me now to have their shops featured on Little Crew, even as far away as the United States, being called the " industry expert" which was just such an honour. I have worked really hard to get Little Crew to this stage.
5.Can you tell us your favourite handmade item you have brought recently?
This is tough! I think I would have to say "recently" the Forest Scene Tutu by heavenly creatures which is so delicately made, just beautiful. Oh and the Little Pink Pinafore by Little Miss J.
6.What would be your best 3 tips for someone thinking about starting their own business and blog?
1. Think about what it is you are passionate about
2. carefully plan the setting up of your business, blog and who you are marketing and how plan to go about marketing it as well.
3. Go for it and really enjoy it, have a wonderful time exploring and don't be afraid to talk to people, you are going to be surprised at just how many are willing to help you out there. It's a steep learning curve but well worth it.....keep at it.
7. Name your three favourite products and tell us what do you love about them? Okay!
1. I love love my 2 year old's munster halfway tee, it's super, so stylish, super cute and she calls the cat Mario after her Granny's cat. Which sounds so adorable, The top itself just looks so good on her what else can I say, except that her sister who is 9 wears the same top and they look adorable together.
2.I also love my sons framed picture from Ministyle called "Hamish's world" which is a nautical map of the world and its brilliant, we had his name placed on the bottom which is what can you do-it's all about Hamish and it makes him feel special, like the captain of a ship which is the theme of his room.
3.The last thing that I have to say is a favourite in this house is the Magic tree house, now I think most us of had one of these as a child and they have brought them back again......I got this from Design Child, these are just awesome.
8. Do you have a favourite trend? {it could be related to anything}
I really love the baggy pants that are coming back into style, the whole bollywood theme, like Shampoodle are doing, Rittenhouse have done some and they were fabulous, my girls have a pair each of baggy Littlehorn trackie pants in a similar style called Littlehorn Rough and Tumble Pant and they are just great with huge pockets that sit on the outside. They look like they are inside out. Very cool look, comfy and I think quite practical for kids.
9. What is your day-to-day like?
VERY VERY busy. I am up early, I drive to 2 different schools, back home to tidy up. I am a neat freak and then it's try and get some writing done, emails, calls etc before Indigo goes off for a nap, more writing and oh yes maybe eat something....YES a coffee!! Then before I know it I am back to pick everyone up again. I think I am like a typical Mum with 2 or 3 children. EXHAUSTED.
10.What does the future hold for {Little Crew}?
My plans are to keep writing for everyone for free, that's not going to change. I am getting advertising on bard now which is a huge change and very exciting one. The next step would be to find a sponsor for Little Crew which I think is achievable, we have the traffic, it's growing at a steady pace and I am working on it continuously. I am also very happy to work alongside a sponsor to grow it to a suitable level for them. I won't stop.
11.What is your favourite place in the world?
My favourite place in the world is lake Wabby on Fraser Island.....the peace and tranquility is second to none. Unfortunately I think it will disappear one day as the sand creeps in. The water is crystal clear and its just untouched, the beautiful trees and bushland around it is superb. I just adore the area. I miss it already.
email: peta@littlecrew.net
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LittleCrewApp
website/blog: http://www.littlecrew.net/
I launched Little Crew about a year ago, on the 9th of July 2010 actually and I was inspired by the birth of our baby girl Indigo. She is now 2. I thought it would be great to have all the shops on an iPhone app so that parents could go check somewhere reliable and have like an "umbrella" of beautiful stores to always shop at online that have been road-tested. So I currently run the iPhone app and website (internationally based) called Little Crew -www.littlecrew.net, which features children's sites from around the world. I personally write about the items from seeing the products up close, look, touch, use as this makes a huge difference to my writing style. I have 3 children that road test things for me-sometimes.
2.Who and what inspires your work?
My children inspire me and I just love what I am doing.... if you have passion for what you do the rest will all fall into place for you, it all flows. The sites that I write for, the wonderful people I write for are what inspire me as well. I love to see what is new out there for the all of our children, all the beautiful new clothes, toys etc.....it really excites me and drives me.
3.What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
I love writing about the beautiful products that I get to actually see. Also getting the feedback from the wonderful shops about how I write, this really excites me as they say I am so sincere but this is what I am honestly feeling. I do write from the heart and this does show and come through in my work, I love to give everyone, honest and lovely features for their stores for free.
4.What was the most rewarding thing that has happened in your career so far?
Having sites approach me now to have their shops featured on Little Crew, even as far away as the United States, being called the " industry expert" which was just such an honour. I have worked really hard to get Little Crew to this stage.
5.Can you tell us your favourite handmade item you have brought recently?
This is tough! I think I would have to say "recently" the Forest Scene Tutu by heavenly creatures which is so delicately made, just beautiful. Oh and the Little Pink Pinafore by Little Miss J.
6.What would be your best 3 tips for someone thinking about starting their own business and blog?
1. Think about what it is you are passionate about
2. carefully plan the setting up of your business, blog and who you are marketing and how plan to go about marketing it as well.
3. Go for it and really enjoy it, have a wonderful time exploring and don't be afraid to talk to people, you are going to be surprised at just how many are willing to help you out there. It's a steep learning curve but well worth it.....keep at it.
7. Name your three favourite products and tell us what do you love about them? Okay!
1. I love love my 2 year old's munster halfway tee, it's super, so stylish, super cute and she calls the cat Mario after her Granny's cat. Which sounds so adorable, The top itself just looks so good on her what else can I say, except that her sister who is 9 wears the same top and they look adorable together.
2.I also love my sons framed picture from Ministyle called "Hamish's world" which is a nautical map of the world and its brilliant, we had his name placed on the bottom which is what can you do-it's all about Hamish and it makes him feel special, like the captain of a ship which is the theme of his room.
3.The last thing that I have to say is a favourite in this house is the Magic tree house, now I think most us of had one of these as a child and they have brought them back again......I got this from Design Child, these are just awesome.
8. Do you have a favourite trend? {it could be related to anything}
I really love the baggy pants that are coming back into style, the whole bollywood theme, like Shampoodle are doing, Rittenhouse have done some and they were fabulous, my girls have a pair each of baggy Littlehorn trackie pants in a similar style called Littlehorn Rough and Tumble Pant and they are just great with huge pockets that sit on the outside. They look like they are inside out. Very cool look, comfy and I think quite practical for kids.
9. What is your day-to-day like?
VERY VERY busy. I am up early, I drive to 2 different schools, back home to tidy up. I am a neat freak and then it's try and get some writing done, emails, calls etc before Indigo goes off for a nap, more writing and oh yes maybe eat something....YES a coffee!! Then before I know it I am back to pick everyone up again. I think I am like a typical Mum with 2 or 3 children. EXHAUSTED.
10.What does the future hold for {Little Crew}?
My plans are to keep writing for everyone for free, that's not going to change. I am getting advertising on bard now which is a huge change and very exciting one. The next step would be to find a sponsor for Little Crew which I think is achievable, we have the traffic, it's growing at a steady pace and I am working on it continuously. I am also very happy to work alongside a sponsor to grow it to a suitable level for them. I won't stop.
11.What is your favourite place in the world?
My favourite place in the world is lake Wabby on Fraser Island.....the peace and tranquility is second to none. Unfortunately I think it will disappear one day as the sand creeps in. The water is crystal clear and its just untouched, the beautiful trees and bushland around it is superb. I just adore the area. I miss it already.
email: peta@littlecrew.net
facebook: http://www.facebook.com/LittleCrewApp
website/blog: http://www.littlecrew.net/
Thank you for sharing Vesna and Peta. xx
ReplyDeleteThank you Vesna, I am pleased you enjoyed ShoppeGirls....xx
ReplyDeleteGreat interview..this is exciting..now I have to se the festlig your Blog / Marie
ReplyDelete