A Cardiff-based businesswoman whose handmade mugs have been endorsed by influencers like Molly-Mae Hague and Stacey Solomon has opened up about her journey, including the challenges of balancing work and motherhood. For 30-year-old Mollie Warrington, “mum guilt” has been one of the biggest hurdles in her entrepreneurial journey.
Mollie launched her pottery business, Naetive Studio, in 2022 while on maternity leave. The idea, however, was conceived during her pregnancy. After spending years in an insurance job, it was the pandemic that gave her the time and space to revisit her long-standing desire to build her own business.
The Start of an Idea
The initial inspiration came during the lockdown. After eight weeks of staying home, Mollie Warrington observed influencers frequently showcasing cups in their content but rarely emphasizing the cups themselves. This sparked an idea. She wanted to create a cup that would stand out and become worth talking about.
As an interior design graduate, she had always envisioned herself creating something unique. When she became pregnant, she saw this as the perfect opportunity to take the leap. Mollie spent her pregnancy planning how she could utilize her maternity leave to start a business and save consistently to ensure she could sustain herself financially.
She had decided on a pottery business and, after giving birth to her son Rio, began crafting her handmade mugs as soon as her baby settled into a routine. She balanced caring for her newborn with her creative process, often working with the baby monitor by her side.
From Humble Beginnings to Rapid Growth
When Mollie Warrington officially launched her business in July 2022, she started small, making around 15 mugs a week. Her initial product drops sold out within minutes. Encouraged by this early success, she began to expand.
Today, just over a year later, her business has grown significantly. She now has a team of 12, produces 400 custom orders weekly, and her products are stocked in major retailers like Anthropologie.
A significant part of her growth strategy has involved targeting influencers, and creating mugs for them in hopes they might share her work. This strategy paid off when Molly-Mae Hague shared one of her mugs, resulting in an influx of over 40,000 visitors to her website. However, the unexpected surge in interest left her temporarily unprepared. Mollie admitted that at the time, she didn’t have enough stock to meet the demand.
Learning from the experience, she scaled her operations and now runs two production units to handle surges in orders.
Challenges Along the Way
While her business has flourished, the journey has not been without challenges. Mollie Warrington cites “mum guilt” as one of the most significant emotional struggles she faces. She explained that even small things, like rainy weather, can leave her feeling as though she’s somehow not doing enough.
For others considering starting a business during maternity leave, experts caution it’s important to check employment contracts for any restrictions.
Barriers for Women Entrepreneurs
Dr. Lauren Josie Thomas, an academic from the University of South Wales, has conducted research into the challenges faced by women in leadership roles and business in Wales. She highlights that female entrepreneurs often face additional pressures compared to their male counterparts.
Dr. Thomas pointed out that women are often expected to juggle multiple demanding roles, from being a partner or mother to leading a business. This pressure to “have it all” can be overwhelming.
Childcare and funding are also significant barriers for women entrepreneurs. Female founders are less likely to secure funding compared to men, often encountering gender bias in the investment process. Some women have reportedly taken steps like removing evidence of their family life—such as wedding rings or references to their children—when meeting potential investors.
Supporting Female Entrepreneurs
Despite these challenges, there are efforts to support women in business. Business Wales has shown a strong commitment to fostering a culture of entrepreneurship among women. Since 2016, it has supported 3,995 female-led start-ups, which account for 55% of all businesses assisted by the organization.
Additionally, the service has helped 6,499 existing female-led businesses develop and grow, representing 46.8% of the total businesses supported.
Mollie’s story demonstrates the potential for success when women are empowered to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams, even in the face of challenges. By turning maternity leave into a stepping stone for launching her business, she serves as an inspiration to other women aspiring to start their own ventures.
