Nothing childish about Robin's business idea

IDEAS for businesses can suggest themselves at any time.

In Robin Bray's case it was when reminiscing about her favourite My Little Pony toy.

An internet search for "vintage My Little Pony" produced thousands of results, rekindling Robin's interest and giving birth to mylittlecustoms.com, a Barnstaple-based online shop selling doll's hair and everything enthusiasts need to customise or restore cherished toys.

Robin said: "I started customising My Little Ponies and they were very popular.

"Then more people asked where I got the hair and other materials. Soon it moved from a hobby to a full-scale, full-time business and it has grown massively in three years.

"I found the biggest market was dolls; it is such a huge niche market. So many different types of people collect different dolls."

Celebrating its third birthday in February, My Little Customs now sells hundreds of doll products and materials to customers in the UK and abroad, with more than 60% of orders exported to Russia, Europe and other countries.

The business runs entirely online and Robin promotes it using internet tools.

She said: "I'm a great believer in social networking and am on Flickr, Twitter and on many forums so people can get hold of me all over the place. If you're offering the best service, then people respond to that."

Like many other business people, Robin was concerned at the impact that the recession would have on sales, but enquiries have continued to increase: "I was worried about people not spending money on their hobbies, but hobbies bring them a bit of joy.

"I've been really fortunate that dolls provide escapism and so the recession hasn't affected business at all."

After developing from a hobby into a thriving business in just three years, Robin is planning a new website to handle her ever-increasing catalogue of doll products.