Mum trades kidney for home based drop shipping business

This week Cas interviewed inspirational mum Shirley Potter about a kidney transplant that lead to her work at home drop shipping business.

Tell us a little about the person behind the business?

I am a mum of three great adult children and married to my loving husband Steve. I’m a geek tech and a lover of pretty things.

And now a little about the business itself?

My business has changed and evolved as I have grown. I originally had a gift shop with computers, but I had a kidney transplant five years ago and decided to bring my business online. I found something online that I had never heard of when I was running a shop. It was called Drop Shipping, wholesalers pack and send products to your customers for about $3.00. You carry no stock but use their product pictures and put them on Facebook or your website and start selling making between 10% to 25% with no outlay to stock.

How did you come up with your business name?

That was easy. I used my name shortened.

What made you want to begin a work at home business and how did you get started?

I already had my hands on wholesalers and computer stock, so proceeded to build my website with my online shop. Having been sick and then feeling great I needed to do something, but going back to owning a shop or returning to work was not an option with visits to the hospital every day. So began Shirls.

What inspires you to keep your business going?

Personal learning with the laptops. There is always something new being made. I enjoy study, but mainly my lovely customers & my family has always been with me on my journey.

Do you have a current best-selling product or service? If yes, tell us about it.

At the moment pink laptops are my best sellers and my costumes. Pirate costumes are the best ones at the moment. Blackboard wall decals also do well.

How do you advertise your business and what methods have proven more successful?

Word of mouth is my best resource and Facebook.

How do you juggle your family and your work at home business? Any tips for other WAHPs?

Try and get them involved somehow. For the little ones, a blackboard next to your desk is great to get them to add up. You might need them as your accountant when they’re bigger.

And finally, what advice would you give to anyone wanting to start a home based business?

Cash flow is important, but you can start a business pretty cheaply using vistaprint for business cards. Sometimes they’re free. Look into drop shipping. The only outlay is for you to be the first customer. Check how they send their products.
You can start a business like lingerie, wedding supplies, shoes, children’s clothing etc. There is probably a lot more to look into.