At Légoe Heritage, we’re proud to be a brand built by women, for women. And who better to share insight into this journey than our Founder, Annie? In an intimate conversation, she reflects on what it takes to build a global brand while raising four boys.
Running a much-loved global brand whilst juggling motherhood is no small feat! What inspired you to start Légoe Heritage?
Running a global brand while raising four boys is definitely challenging, but it's also incredibly rewarding. The inspiration behind starting Légoe Heritage came from a lack of not being able to find clothes that I was wanting and needing during my first pregnancy to feel like myself and I truly felt that I couldn’t be the only one feeling like this - so I wanted to create something meaningful and purposeful that aligned with my values, for other Mums and Mums to-be. I wanted to build a brand that celebrated timeless, high-quality pieces, but also one that supported the modern family lifestyle. I saw a gap in the market for stylish yet functional clothing that could help busy mums feel confident and stylish, without sacrificing comfort or practicality.
Work-life balance can feel like an impossible ideal - how do you personally navigate the juggle?
After 10 years of running a business, I am not sure I have fully mastered this as yet. However, somethings that help me are:
Prioritising things and setting boundaries: I focus on what's most important at any given moment, whether it's a critical work task or family obligation. I try to establish clear boundaries like setting aside certain hours for work and others for family or personal time, so I can give my full attention to whatever I’m doing in that moment.
Being realistic and flexible: I’ve learned that things don’t always go according to plan, and that's okay. There will be days when work demands more of my time, and other times when my family and personal responsibilities take precedence.
Outsourcing and asking for help: I have an incredible team of women (nearly all of them are Mums), and they are all amazing at their roles and managing their responsibilities, whilst also being wonderful people who I absolutely love working with - I couldn’t do what I do without them!
Taking care of myself: This is also really important to be able to show up for both my family and my work team, so I get up early or stay up late to ensure I fit something in for myself.
For fellow mums with dreams of starting their own business, what’s the one piece of advice you’d give them?
My advice is to start small and take it step by step. And whilst it’s important to get help along the way as things grow and you need to not burn out, for me working in every aspect/job of the business before hiring someone to help in any area has ensured I have my head around all parts of the business so I can manage the business as a whole a lot more effectively.
It can be hugely overwhelming to juggle motherhood with the demands of entrepreneurship, but building your business gradually allows you to learn, adjust, and grow without feeling like you have to do everything at once. Focus on your passion, find a balance that works for you and your family, and remember that progress doesn’t have to be immediate - consistency over time is key.
What does your morning routine look like? How do you set yourself up for a productive day?
My husband also runs his own business and so we are team players with the kids – both hands are on deck in the morning. Not just getting the kids ready but getting other jobs done like the washing & dishwasher and a quick tidy up of the house to start the day right & fresh. Our 3 bigger boys (Hugo 10, Will 8 and Jock 7) are now at that age where they can get themselves dressed and get themselves breakfast (most of the time!) so that is a huge win for us in the morning now.
As a busy mum, do you have any time-saving hacks or non-negotiables that help you get through the day?
I have a to-do list for every single day of the week that I break down into every hour of the day. I do this about a week in advance and it helps me keep my days structured, keeps me focused and helps me get things done! Being organised when you’re a working Mum (running a business or not), is essential if you want to get a lot of things done, so I highly recommend to other Mums out there that may be struggling with staying focused or getting tasks done is to set a to-do list for themselves to stay on track and tick those jobs off!
Do you have a favourite way to unwind or carve out ‘me time’ in your schedule?
I have succumbed to Tik Tok ha! A real time waster but for me that’s what I love to do to wind down from a busy day.
Is there a product or daily essential you can’t live without, whether it’s for motherhood, business, or self-care?
At the moment I’m really into electrolytes in my water such as sodium, potassium, magnesium – all to help give me as much energy as possible to get through the day.
If you could go back and give yourself advice in your first year as a mum, what would it be?
This one hits hard for me as my first year of being a Mum I had started the business and I felt I missed out on being completely present and immersed into Motherhood as things were very full on with the business from day 1. I wish I could have been more present and purely focused on being a Mum, and not have any worry in the world other than taking care of my newborn, but I am also very grateful for the business which has taught me a lot in so many different ways, and I hope that one day my boys can see how hard I’ve worked for them, teach them life lessons I've learnt from the business and inspire them to go after their dreams.
As Annie continues to grow Légoe Heritage, each collection is designed with the same passion that started it all - helping mums feel their best at every stage. Discover her latest collection designed to be loved across all stages of motherhood.