We’re on a mission here at TreatBox (we’re always on a mission of some kind or another!). As a business built for women, our aim is to provide a place with flexible working hours for women to come to work - and be a Mum. TreatBox’s founder and owner, Zoe, is a mum herself and created her business around her children, and we wanted to share more of Zoe and the rest of the team’s story…
So, how did an idea become a business?
Zoe was looking for a gift to comfort a friend she had not long moved away from. She couldn’t be there in person and so wanted to send her something that was personal, from the heart and was easy to post.
“I was a new mum with not a lot of spare time on my hands, but I didn’t want it to look like that. I wanted a personal gift where I had complete control of the contents that wouldn’t take me forever to create but looked like I had made all the effort! There was nothing like it at the time!
I realised this could be something special, so I created my own.”
The response was so incredible that I started to offer them to others.
“The best thing about owning my own business? Being able to work around my family and be there for them, for special occasions and dates and still do something I absolutely LOVE, I do not work a day in my life because this is my passion!”
So, as a female-owned business, we thought it would be nice to hear from our all-female team and to share what it’s like to start your own business, who inspires them and exactly what it is about TreatBox that they love.
First up, we asked the gang:
What do you like most about working in a female-owned business?
"It’s a very positive and supportive work environment!" - Liberty
"It’s just so much fun! We all love what we do, and the love, support and friendship are just amazing." - Elsa
"THERE IS MORE OF A CONNECTION WITH A FEMALE BUSINESS OWNER, THEY ARE MORE SUPPORTIVE IN PUSHING YOU TO BE YOUR BEST. ZOE MAKES A HAPPY AND HEALTHY WORKPLACE, AND SHE UNDERSTANDS AND CARES ABOUT WORK-LIFE BALANCE." - JESS
"Because girls run the world ;-) It's incredibly inspiring to see what Zoe has built; it just makes me feel so proud to be part of it!" - Amy
"It’s very inspirational, and I fully support anything female-led." - Natalie
Any advice for starting your own business, Zoe?
Treatbox was born because Zoe spotted a problem that needed fixing. As a result, she has built her own empire, keeping women’s wellbeing and work-life balance at the forefront of her priorities.
“It is hard work! This isn’t an easy road to go down, do something you LOVE and expect to work hard; this isn’t going to happen overnight. I think social media and the press is to blame for exaggerating timescales to make it sound like it has happened overnight.”
“STAY IN YOUR OWN LANE AND DO NOT COMPARE WHAT YOU ARE DOING TO SOMEONE ELSE BECAUSE YOU COULD BE COMPARING TWO VERY DIFFERENT TIMELINES AND STORIES."
It’s certainly inspired a few people to join you, Zoe! Let’s ask your team why they wanted to work for you.
And unsurprisingly, there are a plethora of reasons.
Liberty fell in love with the atmosphere on her trial shift and never left. Amy just HAD to be part of something that was the first of its kind (practically begging Zoe to let her help out!) Jess loves that Treatbox is all about doing good and found the supportive environment a huge inspiration, and Elsa simply feels incredibly lucky to do a job she loves so close to home.
And the challenges of being a female business owner?
Thankfully, there haven’t been many for Zoe; however, things almost got off to a rocky start…
“A few years after I had started TreatBox, the stock was taking over my house, so I was looking for a small unit to move into. So I asked my partner to come along with me to view one; when we arrived, even though I was the one to book the viewing through my name, both the male agents went straight through me and introduced themselves to my partner and didn't even acknowledge me!
Safe to say, I let them know who would be making the decisions.”
Mirror, Mirror, on the wall
We asked the ladies if they would share one piece of advice with their 12-yr old self, and the answers were all very similar and accurately reflect TreatBox’s ethos and stance today.
"You are good enough!" - Zoe
"Be more confident. You think people are judging you, but they really aren’t bothered at all" - Amy
"CHILL OUT! You don't need to know what you want to do just yet. Be happy! Enjoy yourself and make memories - life goes so quick!" - Jess
"You’ll never know unless you try, so just give it a go’"- Liberty
"Stop worrying about what other people think! We spend too much time worrying about what other people might be thinking and miss out on so much because of it" - Elsa
And our favourite one!
"You need to keep being brave - you turn out amazing!" - Natalie
Think we should make these into cards for our next boxes, don’t you?!
