Stay-at-home rose sells second-hand children’s clothes online
It has been one year to the day that stay-at-home mum Catherine Bateson set out to sell her
way out of financial strife.
Armed with part of the stimulus package ($90) and 4 years of her children’s clothing, she set
up a website to sell her children’s second-hand clothes, on her website:
because that’s how old her children were.
Fast forward 12 months and the site is going strong and is turning over thousands of dollars,
with 10 percent of all sales going to charity. This month’s charity is ACT for Kids. Her simple
goal for the next year of business is to double her net profit.
The success has prompted Ms Bateson to expand into sizes 6 - 10, and this also has been
doing better than expected.
"When I make enough money to cover food and bills comfortably, I will hire someone to do my
housework but meantime I am finding a home/work balance is something that has to be re-
addressed every day. I have 2 young children that stay at home with me for most of the week
and they come first regardless as to how busy the site gets."
The kids have inevitably become involved in the home business. After what she calls a 'hunting
trip' for clothes every Saturday, her son Joshua comes running up yelling “Did you find any
Pumpkin Patch mum?” He’s getting to know his labels and what sells best.
"I'm constantly amazed at the quality and excellent condition of the pieces I find," she said.
“Kids grow so fast, they often don’t wear out their clothes before they are into the next size. It
really is sustainable living at its best. We are giving these beautiful clothes a second life.”
Catherine says her sources for finding the clothes are a well kept secret but look out for her
when you put up a garage sale notice.
She works two full days a week and every evening for a couple of hours, her simple goal for the
next year of business is to double her net profit. Right now she is still balancing parenting,
housework, and the business, with dreams of dropping off the housework, but that will take time.
“It's more than just putting photos up on the site - I have to find the clothes, wash and de-stain
them, repair them if necessary, photograph and describe.”
So with lots of enthusiasm, $90, and a genuine interest in clothes this mum is on her way to the
BRW rich list.
(ends)
Media Enquiries
For more information or to interview Catherine Bateson call 07 3395 8775 / 0402 332287. For
NEWS 
