My Dadpreneur of the Month: Danny Maddocks from Baby’s First Calendar

1. Can you quickly introduce yourself to our readers?

Hi I’m Danny. I’m a father, an expectant father and founder of Baby’s First Calendar.

2. When and why did you decide to become your own boss?

I’d said from about 15 that I would one day be my own boss and realised that dream at 20yrs old when I launched a recruitment firm – I ended up selling that company – working abroad and going back to being an employee when I returned. It was when I become a stay at home dad after the
birth of my son in 2008 that I had an idea for a baby product and developed it during his nap times.

3. What sort of products to you produce and sell?

I produce and sell Baby’s First Calendar – a unique way for parents to record all the special milestones in their baby’s first year really quickly and easily. Baby’s First Calendar includes a milestone chart, milestone stickers, a room thermometer, safe sleeping information and more. You can visit Baby’s First Calendar for a demo video of exactly how it works!

4. How do you juggle being a successful business man and dad and husband?

I simply do my best, occasionally drop the odd ball but you have to keep going. All of us from business owners, bloggers and local shop workers do what we can for our children’s future and that involves sacrifices. The most important thing for me is too always make time for my partner and son and try and switch off from “work”, easier said than done!

5. Is there anything you wish you’d known before becoming a dadpreneur or wish you’d done differently?

Lots! But at the same time is because of the mistakes I made that I now know what I know so it’s a bit of a catch 22. My best advice to someone going down the same path would be to NOT put ALL your money into buying stock and saving NONE for marketing. I had 5000 units in stock when I started out and no money for marketing – I should have bought maybe 500 (or less) and then bought more stock as they sold – that was a lesson learned!

6. What do you love most about your job and what are your plans for the future?

I love that if I want to take my son to the park for the afternoon on a lovely sunny day I can, no boss telling me no! I also LOVE hearing positive comments from customers who love Baby’s First Calendar and recommend it to their friends – makes it all worthwhile. The dream is to bring
a range of products to market which make new parents lives a little easier but it’s still very early days for me!