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Yorkshire Biz August 11 - Elizabeth Backhouse - Sling Library
Want to learn how to successfully find and use the perfect baby sling?
In August, we are featuring many amazing female Yorkshire entrepreneurs by showcasing their business (#yorkshirebizaugust) and a bit of personal life on our shop blog.
Make sure you enter our big Yorkshire Biz August Giveaway (#ybagiveaway) to win one of our prizes given out by these superwomen! No need to be in Yorkshire to enjoy our prizes. (read the bottom of this post to find out how to enter)
Today we are featuring Elizabeth Backhouse and her Sling Library, a joint baby sling business with her business partner Rachel, which aims to help moms achieve safe and optimal use and fit of baby slings.
Business Name
Business Related Questions
Which part of Yorkshire is your business based?
Slinglibrary.com is based in West Yorkshire, mostly fairly local to Huddersfield. However, we are currently- like many people- running sessions online.
Tell us a little bit about your business - What makes your business a little different from others?
As many, if not all, new parents know it can be impossible to put down a newborn baby. This is completely, biologically normal. But we understand that it can make things tricky for new parents to eat their tea, drink a hot cuppa or get out and about. This is where we come in. We offer a sling hire service. We run a Bump to Baby workshop looking at safe sling use, optimal position, along with the range of slings available and help parents get fitted into the sling that is most suitable for them and their baby. We then hire out the slings at an affordable rate. Alongside this, we provide parent-to-parent support and reassurance.
What’s your favourite ever product or service that you currently sell or have sold?
For me what I love about the service I provide, is the smile on the mum, when they realise they can meet baby’s need to be held, are comfortable in the sling and still get that hot cup of tea or eat their breakfast.
Why did you choose this business to run or establish?
As a first-time parent, I used slings and found them invaluable. They are my parenting must have. However, also as a first-time parent, I bought a very expensive sling that became uncomfortable very quickly. Not because it was a bad sling but because it was not a good fit. I helped out at the Huddersfield Branch of Slinglibrary.com as a volunteer for about 6 months and saw the fantastic service they provided. I realised that I could do that to. I could help even more parents find a comfortable way to hold baby close but still manage to get that hot drink, get out for a walk across a muddy field or fold the laundry. I could support new parents, who needed a friendly face to chat to.
How are you pivoting or adapting your business during this crazy Covid virus time?
Throughout Lockdown slinglibrary.com's Yolanda has been offering weekly online Bump to Baby workshops and 1:1 consultation.
As restrictions ease, myself and Rachel, a fellow Sling Librarian, are working towards reopening with Sling Library Nature Walks for Wellbeing. We are taking our sling libraries outside to provide an opportunity to improve physical and mental health alongside a dose of nature, mindfulness and hygge. Included in the walks is sling safety, advice and fitting, a chance to try or hire a sling, an opportunity to meet other parents and get professional and peer support. We are also having a weekly nature or topical play prompt as part of the sessions.
What is your one product or service you would recommend for either a pregnant woman, newborn mom, or for babies, toddlers, or young children?
For whatever stage of parenthood you are at, I would recommend our sling walks. Newborn babies and older children are all welcome to come along, whilst you are still pregnant to get to know us and the sling options available and then pop back to hire, when baby is here.
(We do ask that parents with babies under 5 months attend one of our online Bump to Baby Workshops, before they first attend a Sling Walk.)
Personally Related
Who or what inspires you?
Many people inspire me. I am regularly inspired by women who juggle their businesses and their children.
What TV shows can make you binge on all day long?
Line of Duty
What is your favourite ‘me-time’ or ‘self-care’ activity?
I love long walks in the countryside or relaxing in a bath.
What is one thing you love about living in Yorkshire?
I moved to Yorkshire 10 years ago for a year, but I’ve never left! I love the fact that we have both towns and lovely countryside nearby and I have met so many fantastic people.
What advice can you give to a new mom?
Ask for and accept help. Parenting can be tough. It can be amazing, but it can be tough. It’s ok to need support.
Final Words
So there you go. I really hope you have enjoyed learning more about Elizabeth and her fabulous business, if you'd like to find out more, here are her contact details:
Contact details:
Website: https://slinglibrary.com
Facebook Link: https://www.facebook.com/theslinglibrary
Instagram link: https://www.instagram.com/slinglibrary/
Email: elizabeth@slinglibrary.com
Yorkshire Biz August Giveaway
What are Elizabeth’s gifts for the giveaway?
Elizabeth’s giving out two Free 0.5-hour online consultation sessions. In this session, we can cover the different types of sling or the different options available in a particular category of slings.
One winner is drawn from Facebook entries and the other for Instagram's.
Enter the Giveaways
If you want to enter our August Giveaway (entries close on 30 Aug 2020), click on the links below to take part.
Please make sure you read the description to understand how to enter the giveaway contests as the two giveaways have different requirements.
By reading this interview article, we hope it will encourage you to support more small local UK businesses. It will be even better if it inspires you to create your own business! There are many other Yorkshire Biz August businesses we have to introduce you.
Click here to find out more about the campaign and links to other interview blog posts.
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