DUNSTABLE mum Jo Patis really does mean business when it comes to her inspired passion for children’s fashion.
Jo, 34, of Tarnside Close, suffered a blow last summer when she was made redundant from her job in the industry.
But she decided to try a new role for size – by setting up her own childrenswear business.
The former account manager, who has one son, Ben, five, had just spent eight years working for a company selling imported children’s character clothing to High Street stores.
She regularly dealt with big names in the market, such as George at Asda, and liaised between buyers and designers.
Now she runs her own business, Wickids Clothing, selling all sorts of branded and character clothing for youngsters aged two to 10.
Jo, who has been involved in fashion since she was 20, said: “It’s my own business, and my own idea. It seemed as good a time as any to do it!
“I suppose because I was made redundant, it has made me try to do this.”
Hard-working Jo, who also has an admin job, loves running her own business.
She said: “It has been hard work but I’m really enjoying it.
“I get to make my own decisions and you can control what you do and where you take the business. There’s lots of flexibility as well.”
Husband Tim, 41, a baker at Sainsbury’s Dunstable store, has been very supportive.
Jo has a great little helper in Ben, who has inherited his mum’s eye for what’s in style.
She said: “When I’m choosing which things to buy, I ask his opinion!”
The mum was helped with a £500 business start-up grant, which she has used to promote the business and to buy equipment and a marquee for summer outdoor events.
The business stocks clothing brands such as Quiksilver, O’Neill, Joules and Cakewalk.
And the cute character clothing includes Hello Kitty, Toy Story and Tinkerbell ranges.
Jo sells through her website, www.wickidsclothing.co.uk, and at fetes and other events.
But she also visits homes to hold Wickids Clothing parties.
She said: “More and more people are buying clothes from the internet, which is why I started the website, but not everyone likes to do that.
“They might like to check the colour and the feel of what they are buying.”
Her ‘parties’ are a stress-free alternative to treks around busy shopping centres to keep the younger generation looking good.
Jo said: “This is a way of doing that in your own environment – and it’s fun!”