Today we meet the lovely Carolyn from Fourzero –
Tell us about your business:
Fourzero is an Australian owned company that manufactures all our products in Brisbane. Fourzero is beautiful baby wear range designed with the newborn in mind. The boutique clothing and accessories are made from Organic Cotton and Bamboo that is so soft it drapes over the baby like silk.
Fourzero is committed to being an ethical and quality produced brand for newborn babies through to toddlerhood. The clothing fits from birth to ten weeks and the accessories will become firm favourites up to toddler years.
What inspired you to start your business?
Fourzero was founded after I immigrated to Australia with my husband from Europe. I am originally British and have worked in the UK and Switzerland for over a decade as a paediatric intensive care nurse.
My passion is newborn babies and their families. I feel that Fourzero is an extension of the existing skills I acquired in nursing and although I am no longer a practising neonatal nurse, my skills, experience, and nurturing nature is embedded into each and every stitch of the garments within my Fourzero brand.
I have nursed newborn babies from 24 weeks gestation to full term and each baby regardless of how healthy or sick they were have the same needs, love, support and comfort. A newborn baby settles easier after birth in to a routine if they are dressed and swaddled in well-fitted clothing that is soft and comfortable.
Is there an interesting anecdote behind your business name?
Fourzero is focused on the niche market of newborn clothing and gifts. The brand name is derived from the size 0000. Fourzero has been trademarked and so has our butterfly logo that depicts the size 0000 in its wings.
Although we are focused on the newborn stage all our clothing fits from birth to ten weeks of age and the accessories are one size.
What is the most satisfying part of what you do?
Receiving feedback from customers and experts in the Fashion Industry.
As the designer and owner of the brand I feel a sense of pride and achievement when I hear the feedback from customers in regards to how happy they were of their gift or purchase and that our quality exceeded their expectations. I have made the quality of our garments a top priority in the development of the garments and brand presence in the baby wear sector.
Fourzero will become a brand known for being made in Australia that is quality newborn clothing and accessories.
Have you tried something in business that didnt work as planned, or on the flip side “ worked out better than expected?
Take the time to find the right team to work with. It took me nearly 18 months to develop the brand and products before launching our products on to the retail market. In that time I developed our brand identity and quality for the goods. It has taken a lot of time to get the right procedures in place for our company but I feel that the effort it took has enabled our brand to continually grow and build when we have entered the retail sector.
Our first company name wasnt right and we have hit hurdles along the way. Be open-minded and seek advice from mentors and business networks. Never be afraid to look at things from a different point of view.
Obtaining our Innovative Patent for the NapSnap„¢ – The magnetic pram strap to hold light weight blankets to the hood of a pram to enable a shady settled environment for baby to sleep when out was a highlight. The NapSnap„¢ is a simple product and with the protection of the Innovative Patent means that we are the only company that can produce the product in the Australian Market Place.
What would be your best tip for someone thinking about selling their handcrafted goods?
The best advice would be to treat any business venture as a business and never just a hobby. Make sure that you research your brand development and take the time for market research to minimise problems when you hit the market place. Brand identity and Intellectual Property development is worth the expense at the outset.
Customer service should always be a number one priority in any business especially if you are product based.
What is your favourite item you make?
The Newborn Babygrow $69.95. Made from Organic Cotton and Bamboo the suit is very soft and a beautiful gift to receive in hospital after birth.
The babygrow has nickel free press-studs from the neck to the toes to allow easy nappy changes and dressing of the baby. The curved neckline rests comfortably on the babys chest with minimal irritation and the sleeves and legs have fold over cuffs to protect the hands and feet. The fold over cuffs mean that as baby grows the babygrow can be used well after birth with socks. The fold over cuffs also help midwives take blood samples from the babys feet causing minimal undressing keeping the baby settled and soothed during these procedures.
Each of the collection comes in three-colour ways, Blue, Pink or unisex green& Yellow striped star on the neutral coloured suit.
Any personal or business highlights in the last year:
Since our launch in June 2012, we have been awarded the ˜Fellowship 500, by the Ethical Fashion Forum in London for our innovative and proactive approach to the fashion industry and Fourzero came seventh in the nation designer competition Launch Your Label. Fourzero was the only babywear designer in the top 15 amongst womens couture, accessories and swimwear. Fourzero is also in the process of becoming accredited with Ethical Clothing Australia.
Boutique stores in Australia have taken on Fourzero and our domestic sales are steadily growing. Fourzero international sales and brand awareness is also increasing.
3 things about you (not business related) that people might not know:
I am a snowboarding instructor, I am fluent in French and at 32 years old I am finally learning to drive!
