StyleNest talks to mum and founder of Hush, Mandy Watkins.
In 2003 Mandy Watkins launched Hush from her kitchen table. Less than a decade later the business has grown from strength to strength and is dedicated to bringing women luxury nightwear and loungewear that is both practical and stylish. The brand also offer a line of gorgeous accessories from comfy slippers to cosy socks, as well as loungewear and PJs for men.
We caught up with the brains behind the brand, Mandy to get a peak inside her life as a business women and mum.
Tell us about Hush. How did the idea come about?
I’m from Australia and moved to London after living in Hong Kong for five years. Before moving here I’d never experienced a northern hemisphere winter, and the cold and long hours of darkness made we want to curl up and never leave the house. I went searching for cosy pyjamas and comfy clothes to lounge around in and couldn’t find anything I liked. Thus the idea for Hush was born.
Hush started off round a kitchen table. Did you ever see it taking off as well as it has in the early stages?
I always thought it would work, although in hindsight much of that was probably naïve optimism. However, I never really considered what that would mean in terms of office size, number of staff, VAT bills – all of which are much bigger than I ever dreamed. We have no external financing, so the growth has been by necessity quite gradual, which means it also feels less obvious. We’re much bigger than we were 8 years ago, but still comparatively small.
Can you give our mum readers any advice on going it alone and starting up their own business?
Number one would be to write a business plan. There will be parts of any business you love and parts you’re not interested in. A business plan forces you to think about everything, including the things you mentally skate over.
Number two; be clear about what you want to achieve. Do you want a commercial business, a lifestyle business or a hobby? Either way, it will take up much more of your time than you think.
And finally, friends and family are great for help and encouragement, but they’ll tend to tell you what they think you want to hear. Try out your business idea on someone impartial and you’ll soon get an idea of whether it has a future.
You’re a mum too, tell us how you juggle a successful business with motherhood?
The kids’ school, our office and our home are within a half-mile radius, which means no time wasted on long commutes. I’m always home before 6pm, I never work from home when the kids are awake and I hardly ever work weekends. It’s pretty chaotic, but we’ve never known any different. There’s not much time for me, but there’s enough.
How would you describe your personal style?
Casual, easy – very much what you see in the Hush catalogue.
What are your three favourite high street and designer brands?
For high street it would have to be COS and Zara. And Acne, Zadig & Voltaire and Current/Elliott for designer pieces.
What three pieces will you be investing in this season?
New boyfriend jeans, Havaiana wedge flip flops and a Maybe bag. I would add loads of things from our summer range, but I get those for free!
What’s your failsafe look when you’ve only got a minute to get ready?
Boyfriend jeans, a vest top, a t-shirt, a jacket and a scarf.
What is your hero beauty product?
Eight hours of uninterrupted sleep. It’s very hard to get hold of and I’d pay a fortune if someone could bottle it.
Can you offer any top tips on dressing for comfort and style?
I love layers, contrasting textures and tonal colours. They look great and make for a very versatile wardrobe that can be worn from winter through to summer.
We love the Hush blog here at StyleNest. Are there any bloggers you follow yourself?
My husband gave me an ipad for Xmas a couple of years ago and I’ve since developed a serious blog addiction. Some of my favourites are Remodelista, Veronica loves Archie, Vosgesparis and Kool and Kreativ,
When you’re not working, what do you like to do with your family?
Walks in the country, bike rides, Connect 4 with Rosie, Zingo Bingo with Finn, any craft project and beach holidays.
Are there any childrenswear brands you love and buy?
Bonton, Miller and Zara.
What are you currently reading, listening to or watching?
I’m reading Still Missing by Beth Gutcheon about a mother whose six-year-old son goes missing. I’ve had to read the ending as I couldn’t handle the suspense. It’s brilliant. I’m currently listening to the Hush playlist which we do every month for our newsletter every month. I particularly love Somebody That I Used To Know by Goyte. And I’ve been watching The Good Wife – I got very overexcited when my husband told me it was back on.
We’re always looking for delicious, healthy and quick recipes the whole family enjoy. Do you have an secret signature dishes you can share?
My cooking skills leave much to be desired. Salmon cooked in the oven in foil with a bit of lemon, pepper and salt and mushy peas (peas, grated parmesan cheese, mint and a bit of butter).
Hush clothes are so comfy we imagine they would make the perfect travel wardrobe. What can you never travel without?
My Hush Long Harem Trousers – they were designed with the 24-hour flight to Australia very much in mind. They’re flattering, they move with you, they don’t stretch out of shape and they are incredibly comfortable. Worn with an oversized cashmere jumper and our Vest Top which has an internal support so there’s no need for a bra.
What’s the best advice you’ve ever been given?
Jump and the net will appear.
Hush’s SS12 Collection launches February 2012. For more information or to shop online visit www.hush-uk.com