Adina Belloli - Aged 29. Owner and Director of Littlelunalu.com and mother to Luna Marie Belloli.
Name: Adina Belloli
Age: 29
Family members: Husband Giorgio Belloli, Daughter Luna Marie Belloli 18 Months, Mini Yorkshire Terrier ‘Pinky’.
Previous Career:
After completing my Masters I began working in the Non Profit Sector. My last position was Program Manager for Cure2Children Foundation where I developed and implemented family support programs for our treatment facilities in Pakistan (5 hospitals). We provided free life saving treatments for children with blood disorders and cancers.
What is the name and nature of your business?
I just launched an online shop Little Lunalu (www.littlelunalu.com) It’s a multi-brand online store targeting urban parents. We have over 40 different brands including our own label. I also have a foundation Lunalu Foundation which gets its funding from 5% of all sales from the online shop. The foundation supports charitable organizations helping disadvantaged children around the globe. Most recently we donated to Global Action for Children(www.globalactionforchildren.org). And lastly, I have a blog, The Lunalu Diary (www.littlelunalu.com/blog).
What inspired you to start your business?
After the birth of my daughter Luna Marie, I began scouring the internet for more unique products and had a hard time finding them. The first thing I wanted was a footmuff for my Bugaboo Cameleon pram that was fun and different. After realising there was nothing out there that met the quality and design standard I wanted. I decided to go that extra step further and make one myself with a matching canopy and seatliner too. I chose the fabric and had someone make it for me. The minute I put it on the pram I had people stopping me on the street asking to make them one as well. I realised I was on to something. My husband happens to be an expert in the luxury fashion industry and has extensive experience with brands. He was able to point me in the right direction of getting a manufacturer set up so I could produce these pram sets. I realised that there were other mums out there who like me, wanted to have more urban products for their children but just didn’t know where to find them. I decided to solve that problem by creating the online shop.
How does it fit in with family life?
The great thing is that the whole family is involved in Little Lunalu. I go to my husband for business advise and support and Luna is my little muse. I only want the best for her and when I choose things for the shop it is with this in mind.
Biggest learning curve so far?
Time management has been a huge learning curve. I have lots of ‘balls’ to juggle such as wife, mother, business owner, daughter, sister, friend etc. I try to be the best at all of these but time to time I drop a ‘ball’. I am learning to do the best I can and really manage my time wisely. Schedules and organization is key! The other learning curve has been the endless potential and possibility of e-commerce.
Most positive experience?
Everything has been such a positive experience. I enjoy all of it. I get to meet the most talented and inspiring people in the children’s industry. I get to share my great finds with other mothers. I am still able to help disadvantaged children in the world through the Lunalu Foundation and I’m able to have a flexible schedule which allows me to spend more time with Luna.
Where would you like to be in five years time?
This venture is still in the early stages but hopefully it will prove to be successful. In 5 years time, I hope to have expanded the online shop and continue to be a leader in making urban products more accessible to parents. I foresee Little Lunalu having concept shops in London and New York City. With the success of the Little Lunalu comes the ability to do even greater things with the Lunalu Foundation.
What advice would you give to other mothers hoping to combine motherhood with a new business idea?
Don’t sweat the small stuff. Do the best you can. Learn how to prioritise. And enjoy it.