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Woman's Weekly July 2004.

"Mothers of Invention"

"Jeni Crichton was six months pregnant and having a mid-morning break in front of the TV when she saw an idea that would change her life.
"It was a cold winter's day and I had just made a coffee," says Jeni who was on maternity leave from her job as a Plunket nurse. "An Australian talk show was taling about entrepreneurs and a woman, who had a company called babybuds, was discussing her idea of a small business. I didn't know exactly what her business was about so I looked it up on the Internet."
It turned out babybuds was a company that delivered bouquets to new mothers. Jeni thought there was nothing unusual about the colourful arrangements until she looked closer. Each bouquet contianed items of practical infant clothing, rolled up to resemble flower buds.
"I thought, 'Wow! What a great idea,"" says 40 year old Jeni. "I had been looking around for my own business and my gut instinct told me this concept would work well in New Zealand. I loved it and I thought others would too."
Jeni contacted the woman in Australia and negotiated to set up the business in New Zealand. Then she flew across the Tasman with her mother, Barbara Cullen, and learned how to make the bouquets.
The business now employes five people, including Barbara, who does quality control. The staff includes serveral mums who work part-time.
Another family member who has provided support is Jeni's partner, Richard O'Brien.
"Richard manages a printing company and he's helped me with branding my boxes," says Jeni, sho is also a former model and graphic deligner.
Most of babybuds sales are from its website, www.babybuds.co.nz, where bouquets cost between $42 and $150. The cheapest arrangements contain six pairs of cute socks, while the most expensive also feature four singlets, two jumpsuits and two bodysuits.
"These are basic essentials for mothers," says Jeni who has a seven month old baby daughter, Jamisen and four year old son, Thomas.
"Unlike the usual bunches of flowers you get, these don't dry out or die.
They're easy for couriers and new mums to carry about and you can use the items for other babies.
"I wish I had somone give me something like this when my children were born."

Woman's Day June 2004

"If you're wondering whether to give the new mum in your life flowers or a gift, here's a way to send both! Babybuds is a clever arrangement of 100 per cent-cotton newborn baby clothes, (socks, singlets and jumpsuits), hand-crafted into tiny rosebuds and presented in a gorgeous bouquet. For details see www.babybuds.co.nz or phone 0508 222 928."

New Idea June 2004

"Will deliver"

"Babybuds is a unique bouquet of flowers made up of quality baby socks, singlets, jumpsuits, bodysuits - the perfect gift for a new mother. With prices beginning from $42, Babybuds bouquets can be delivered New Zealand wide. Order online www.babybuds.co.nz, or phone 0508babybuds (222 928), or (09) 820 3437."

Home & Garden July 2004

"Little Buddies"

"If you're wondering whether to give the new mum in your life flowers or a gift, here's a way to send both! babybuds is a clever arrangement of 100 per cent-cotton newborn baby clothes, (socks, singlets and jumpsuites), hand-crafted into tiny rosebuds and presented in a gorgeous bouquet. For details see www.babybuds.co.nz or phone 0508 222 928."