It takes more than vision to build a successful babywear business. Here, Blues Baby founder Angela Marsland discusses inspiration, challenges and what’s next for her new babywear brand.

 

Laura Turner: How did Blues Baby happen?

Angela Marsland: I had spent the last decade immersed in the world of babywear and really enjoyed range planning. I’ve gained experience and instinct to know what will work and what won’t – what people will fall in love with. I know how to balance large collections with the help of my designers and I understand the sector well. When I was given the opportunity to take over the brand I just went for it, launching my first Blues Baby collection for 0 to 2 years in spring/summer 2021. In our first year in business we acquired premises and designed and despatched the first season’s collections. It was one of those ‘go for it’ moments, we had to succeed, despite several challenges we’ve worked hard and are proud of all we’ve achieved in such a short period of time.

LT: What’s the inspiration behind the brand?

AM: A baby’s first couple of years are such a precious time. Virtually every day there’s a new reason to capture their latest adventure. But what to capture their adventure in? That was the inspiration for Blues Baby, a team devoted to creating gorgeous moments through classic styling. Our roots are in Lancashire, but our design-led approach blends global trends with a very British sense of comfort and pastel calm.

LT: And what inspires you personally?

AM: My dad, Gordon Marsland. He was a professional footballer. If you’re a Blackpool or Carlisle United fan of a certain vintage, you’ll know him. After he retired from football, he became a sportswear agent. It’s from him I learnt my trade. I was the first girl on the road selling sportswear and we worked together – he showed me the ropes.

 

 

LT: How did that experience help shape your career?

AM: I learnt early on about the importance of the longevity of customer relationships. It’s something I pride myself on too. My dad always used to say, “Angela, if you’re not providing the best service, guidance and support to your customers, they won’t come back to you.” He didn’t just sell to people, he really cared about them and got to know them. He always received a warm welcome wherever he went. He was a conversation starter, a massive people person, full of fun and laughter, which is clearly where I get it from!

Aside from everything my dad taught me, I’m grateful for the love and support of my family and friends. I’m extremely lucky to have a strong team around me to create our beautiful, timeless ranges. I value all the connections I’ve made throughout my career – lots of which have turned into long-lasting friendships.

LT: What’s your vision for the brand?

AM: Our mission is to bring the latest Blues Baby collection to every family that appreciates excellent quality outfits with classic style. We do this through a range of department stores, boutique partner stores and online, which ensures our collections are available to everyone globally. We’re always excited to see how our partners are showing off their latest Blues Baby collection. We’re even more excited to see what our most important customers are up to in our rompers, dresses, jog sets and more, and invite them to share their latest images with us on Facebook and Instagram.

 

 

LT: What are the biggest challenges you’ve faced so far?

AM: Launching a business in a pandemic? Dealing with the closure of stores and the impact of that on planning stock was a real challenge. Then there’s Brexit and the documentation, shipping costs, increase in yarn/production costs and customs delays that have come with it. We’ve had to be very resilient to overcome the obstacles we’ve faced and to come through them as we have – it wasn’t bad for the first year in business.

I’m a naturally positive person, a do-er. You learn to overcome obstacles in life and that makes you stronger. It’s good prep for running a business. My mantra is to live every day like it’s your last and/or seize the moment. Actually, I suppose it’s seize the next moment, because when you’re developing collections you always need to be working a season or more ahead, planning ranges, briefing and working with designers.

LT: What’s next for Blues Baby?

AM: I’ve so enjoyed transforming Blues Baby. We now have complete control over how we operate and that means we can be ourselves a little bit more. I think that shone through in our first collection and I’m really excited about what’s coming next.

You’ll also see that control in the way we develop the brand, the website and our photoshoots. It means we can do things the way we believe they should be done, which includes being able to get to know our brilliant mums and gorgeous children at our modelling shoots. I think that’s my favourite thing of all.

For further information on Blues Baby, please click here.