Hi Caroline. It’s MuslinZ’s tenth anniversary this year – congratulations! Can you tell us a little about what inspired you to start the company?
“My three children all used muslin squares and became very attached to them, but the high street versions weren’t great quality and I wanted a product that would wash well, be soft yet hard wearing and be available at an affordable price. And so MuslinZ was born!”
How long did it take to get the company off the ground?
“I spent the first three years researching what materials were available, speaking to factories and looking at hundreds and hundreds of fabric samples. I then did many, many wash tests! Our first muslin squares only hit the market after I was totally satisfied.”
What makes your products unique?
“We aim to ensure that all of our products are of consistently high quality. Our muslin products are made with very high quality muslin fabric that has little shrinkage, doesn’t crinkle when it’s washed and actually gets softer the more it is used. I love seeing them consistently receive such excellent public feedback and reviews.”
That must be very satisfying. Is there a new spring/summer range in store?
“Yes and I have been looking at new prints and researching the colours and patterns that parents are looking for. Grey is still the most popular colour for nursery at the moment with mint coming a close second. There are two new designs; a Mint and Grey Spot and a Mint and Grey Star. We have also added a solid Mint muslin square as this is such a fresh unisex option.”
After ten years, what would you say is the best part about owning a baby accessories business?
“The best part of being involved in the baby sector is meeting lots of excited new parents and parents-to-be. And the babies are just so gorgeous too of course! We try to engage with our buyers and provide help and advice that is hopefully useful to them.”
Where do you see the nursery and preschool industry heading?
“That’s a difficult one. We try to attend as many baby shows as we can manage so that we can meet and talk to new parents and parents-to-be. I think it is still very important in the baby sector that parents can see and feel a product and discuss its merits face-to-face. You cannot get that level of interaction online; having said that, when you are up in the middle of the night with your baby at least you can go online get some shopping done! There’s a place for both the baby shows, shops and buying online really.”
