How it all started...
Bo Belles began back in 2013, at a time when I found myself at a familiar crossroads - one many parents face when their children start nursery or school. I'd been lucky enough to spend a few years as a stay-at-home mum, but once my kids were starting part-time nursery and school, it felt like the right time to return to work.
The challenge? Finding a job that fit around their hours and still allowed me to be there for school runs, sports days, and bedtime stories. It felt almost impossible - so I began thinking about ways to work from home, to create something that could be truly mine.
One day, I came across some videos and products from an American hand-stamper, and something just clicked. The creativity, the craftsmanship, the personal touch - it all piqued my interest. So, I decided to give it a go. I ordered a few basic tools and materials and started experimenting at the kitchen table, learning as I went along.
What I didn't realise at the time was that hand-stamping was still quite new in the UK. Hardly anywhere stocked the tools I needed, so I had to import most of my starter kit from abroad. It was a slow process - but as Bo Belles grew, so did the UK's supply base. These days, I'm proud to say I'm almost entirely stocked by other UK-based small businesses.
That's one of my favourite parts of what I do - by supporting Bo Belles, you're not just supporting my small business, but also the many independent suppliers I work with. It's a lovely little chain of creativity and community - a real win-win!
Even now, Bo Belles remains a very small business, run solely by me, Gemma, with a little help from my other half, Rob, who handles some of the postal runs (and keeps me stocked up on cups of tea!). Every piece is designed, stamped, polished, and packaged by hand - with care, love, and a lot of pride.
When I first started, I thought this might just be a short-term project, something to bridge the gap while my kids were small. I never imagined that all these years later, Bo Belles would still be going strong, with loyal customers and a thriving little brand. What started as a simple idea at my dining room table has turned into one of the best decisions I ever made.
