A business built to last

Amanda McCracken is one Mum determined to lesson the footprint we leave on the environment. Amanda is the Mum behind Mandy Mac Cloth Nappy. While researching nappies before the birth of her first child, Amanda realised not only did disposable nappies cost a small fortune, they have a cost on our environment and are not exactly a healthy option for little bums.

Amanda knew that cotton terry squares were nappies of a bygone era. She wanted a nappy that was shaped like a disposable, and just as easy to use. Like many Mums who start their own home-based businesses, Amanda found there was a lack of well-designed cloth nappies on the market. Amanda says, “many cloth nappies required multiple pegs just to hang and dry,” so she set about designing her own. Amanda acknowledged she knew it was very important to get the design right. She spent over a year improving a prototype until she felt she was happy with the final product. Ultimately Amanda come up with a unique design, that gives superior leak protection to a single use nappy, no folding, no searching for liners or padding simply everything is attached. The Mandy Mac nappies can go straight from the clothesline to baby’s bottom, got to love that!

Originally Amanda designed the Mandy Mac Cloth Nappy for her own daughter. Concerned about the health implications of disposable nappies. Amanda did not want to wrap her baby’s bottom in plastic. However what started out as a solution for her own daughter soon displayed the signs of a potential home-based business, many of Amanda’s friends began requesting Amanda make them a few nappies. Inspired by the growing demand Amanda decided to source a manufacturer and go into full production. With her experience in the clothing industry, Amanda was able to successfully locate fabric suppliers, manufacturers and effectively import her nappies.

Many budding entrepreneurs make the fatal mistake of neglecting to patent their design, and or at the very least trade mark their business name or logo. A great design can very easily be copied. It is extremely important to patent your design, especially if you feel you could be sitting on a potential gold mind. Unfortunately many dismiss this important aspect of starting a business. I believe some may hold misconceptions regarding the degree of difficultly involved in applying for a patent. Amanda was so assured of the potential for her cloth nappy design she patented her design, all on her own. Amanda says she needed to do a bit of reading through the legal jargon, nevertheless it is possible to patent your own design. Amanda’s determination has paid off she holds the exclusive right to profit from her design since she has been awarded her patent.

Amanda has some great recommendations for those Mums considering starting their own home-based business;
•   Amanda says she highly recommends those starting their own home-based business consider outsourcing. When and where possibly Amanda believes Mums starting their own business can greatly benefit from outsourcing those tasks outside their area of expertise.
•   Amanda also stressed, the importance of getting the prototype right. “Make sure your sample is perfect” says Amanda before you agree to the order.
•   “Don’t pay for advertising” recommends Amanda. Rather than wasting valuable cash flow on an advertisement hoping someone will spot your ad and then act upon it. Amanda advises budding business owners call up their contacts, and their networks. As I also advocate, Amanda says word of mouth is the best form of advertising and it is free!
•   Aim to achieve a balance between the business and the family. Whilst Amanda admits she still finds it difficult to walk away, even though she is now pregnant with baby number three, she realises the importance of striving to maintain an appropriate balance.
•   Follow your passions, Amanda says “Don’t start a business if your not passionate about what you are going to be doing.”

The Mandy Mac Cloth Nappy is available on line, click here. But keep a look out for the Mandy Mac in retail shops; Amanda aims to increase her distribution through retail stores over the coming months.

Contact Details

Mandy Mac

PO Box 927
Springvale South Vic 3172
Australia
Phone: +61 3 9548 2142
Mobile: 0401 387 206

We will show you how you can make money in the new economy!

Our aim is to Show Mummy the Money!

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