Young Entrepreneur: Dallas and Peumalee Martin of Snuggle Bug

This week we feature a husband and wife duo who used their combined skills in IT, project management, hospitality and advertising to launch Snuggle Bug a company specialising in  creating great bed linen. Still a fledgling business, Dallas and Permalee are going to great lengths to make their enterprise a big success.

What is the single most important reason for your success?

Well from a very young age we both wanted to start up our own businesses and our combined exposure in the corporate world helped us immensely to take on the various challenges. The ability to have a vision and take risks as well is key to success.

How did you come up with this idea?

We were both involved in our projects at the time and we were keen to start something new which involved my mother as well. My mother is an excellent seamstress and we realized it would be great to use her expertise. She had also nursed a secret ambition to launch her own collection of bed linen. So we combined forces and launched Snuggle Bug.

 
How do you balance work, life and friends?

We enjoy what we do and are very passionate about our work ethic. We set aside weekends for friends and family and with technology at your finger tips we can work whilst on the move. So it’s never been an issue per se.  

What were your most difficult obstacles when starting your business?

There were many, initial capital requirement, insecurity of not having a fixed income, lack of technical knowhow and people who were saying business is a risky affair. In a sense this is what motivated us to work harder and push ourselves more to prove to us and our detractors that a dream can be a reality.     

Any advice for young people who don’t have the courage to start up their business?

Go for it, back yourself to the hilt and don’t look back. Don’t make the mistake of trying to do big things, start small and take baby steps..  

When did you first get the idea for your business and what did you do towards making it a reality?

Snuggle Bug was born because we wanted to get in to imports/exports and manufacturing. To make it a reality it was taking a dream and bringing it to life using the number of business tools available at your finger tips and that’s the most satisfying feeling ever.   

If you could add a famous entrepreneur to your team who would it be and why?

CEO of Air Asia Tony Fernandez, because he is a dreamer, risk taker and he never takes no for an answer.

How did you get the capital to start up your venture?

Meagre savings that I had when I left the corporate world.

What is your “Golden Rule” in business?

Keep it Simple but remember the world is your oyster..    

Where do you hope to see your business in 5 years time?

We would like to see Snuggle Bug expanding its online presence both here and overseas and having a branch network in Sri Lanka.

By Tina Edward Gunawardhana