Entrepreneurial sisters who launched a fashion firm for breastfeeding mothers are set to brave the Dragons’ Den.
Sisters Jenny and Alex McFadden launched Pretty Mama in 2018 after spotting a gap in the market for feminine and comfortable maternity clothing.
While Alex was pregnant with her daughter she struggled to find suitable clothes, so joined forces with her sister Jenny, who was was in her final year of a business and law degree at Northumbria University, to launch their own business.
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Tapping into her skills after gaining a fashion degree from Sunderland University, Alex combined her design talents with Jenny’s business and legal knowledge, aiming “to empower mothers on their nursing journey by feeling beautiful, confident and comfortable” through Tyneside based Pretty Mama's clothing.
Alex said: “When I was pregnant with my daughter four years ago I really struggled to find any pretty nursing lingerie and clothing. I went from having beautiful, feminine lingerie and outfits to really plain, boring and frumpy bras and tops.
“My body had changed so much during pregnancy and the maternity wear really lacked in boosting my post birth body confidence during this amazing bonding experience with my daughter. I want all our customers who orders our products to feel beautiful, confident, comfortable and amazing - because you are.”
Pretty Mama also received business support and advice from Northumbria’s student and graduate enterprise team.
Jenny believes the university’s support, coupled with its focus on entrepreneurial teaching, were key factors in Pretty Mama’s early success and in its continuing growth.
Tomorrow night, March 31, the siblings will be aiming to gain investment from the TV Dragons to help grow it even further.
Jenny said: “Starting any new business can be a scary process but we knew we had hit on a great idea and that there was a ready market out there for our products. Having the backing, support and knowledge of the business enterprise team at Northumbria was incredibly useful and gave us the confidence to put our entrepreneurship to the test.
“Now to be selected to be appear on Dragons’ Den is an equally daunting prospect. We will be nervous because it is such as high-profile programme with some of the UK’s most successful businessmen and women, but it is also really exciting to be on such a well-known and popular show.”
Graham Baty, head of student and graduate enterprise at Northumbria, added: “We are justifiably proud of our student and graduate entrepreneurs, and the significant contribution they are making to the economy, social prosperity and jobs. Jenny and Alex have shown real entrepreneurial flair by identifying and solving a problem for new mums, and their drive, determination and innovation are delivering real success.”
Northumbria’s Student & Graduate Enterprise (SGE) team specialise in helping students and graduates start their own business or work freelance, up to five years post-graduation, by providing mentoring support, workshops and co-working space at a start-up incubator hub based at the University’s Newcastle campus.
