Welcome to MomBoss Spotlight, my blog series where I interview kick-ass entrepreneurs who are mums building their own businesses and going after their dreams.

Daman Issar is the founder of Roses and Rhinos – a cool, casual clothing brand for kids aged 3 to 12. Roses and Rhinos celebrates kids love for life and their imagination. I love that the brand’s core belief is that we’re all the same, and no matter what skin colour, background, religion, culture or creed, we can achieve anything we put our minds to.

Hello, Daman. Could you please tell us what’s your story? How did you get into the business?
I have worked in the fashion industry for 20+ years and noticed that there were a lot of cool clothing companies for babies and younger kids but not a lot offering super easy clothes for the +5 range online. Hence I decided to explore.

How long have you been running your business?
My business was very low scale as of August 2016, mainly working with a local t-shirt printing company and working on a drop ship model also buying white label from Bangkok. the main reason for setting up the website was to learn a new skill…and I did. I saw main success from attending fairs and this is how I developed the range. I am now producing my own range in Bali and will be launching this range over the next few weeks. My hobby is now becoming a reality! So my current format is still being born.

How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful?
Success for me is now having the knowledge on how to run a business end to end – how to build a website, paid and non-paid marketing, sourcing and design, logistics, payment gateways, setting up legal entities, supply chain and recently becoming a photographer and stylist for my very first shoot! It is been crazy challenging but I have achieved it all through my own determination. I will make it a success and will learn from my mistakes.

How many children do you have? How old are they?
3 children. Aged 6, 7 and 9 years old

What do you enjoy most about what you do?
My kids help me to design so I love understanding more about what they think and enjoy day by day. Also, I have worked in online retail before but have always been on the front end, I have enjoyed building the business up from scratch BY MYSELF and understanding the ins and outs of what is needed to build an online website.

What is the easiest part of building your business?
Nothing! Actually, there are so many platforms out there that help you build your website and make it easy for you to get a build an online platform I am surprised to say that this is the easiest part of it all.

What is the hardest part of building your business?
Marketing and brand awareness 100%. Still doing this now!

What were your biggest mistakes, or biggest waste of time/money in your mompreneurship journey?
Spending so much time and money on logos. Always keep it simple and effective.

What are the biggest pains or frustrations you face on a day to day basis? At business or at home?
Time – not enough of it. I have 3 kids so my time is spent with them and trying to grow the business. Luckily I love what I do so I find time.

What resources or tools did you find most helpful when you were getting started?
Google. I googled everything. How to build a website? Which was the best platform to use? T-shirt printing? How to market? It’s a mass of information.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
Launching the web in 3 weeks. I didn’t want to procrastinate. No, it wasn’t perfect but learn quickly and move on.

What motivates you?
Passion for what I do. Starting something from nothing and see it grow.

If you were to do it all over again, what would you do differently?
A few things – but probably spent more time on photography so the shop front looks slicker. This can always be developed though.

How do you make time to work on your business?
Work early, work late when kids are at home, When they are at school I have more time. Am going to start going to a co-working space now the web is launched to get more solid time.

What is your advice for a mum wanting to start a business?
Go for it and make sure you pick a subject you are passionate about to make it really work. You honestly live and breath every part of the business no matter how small it is, so needs to enjoy it.

Thank you Daman and all the best!