An inspirational single mum-of-two who was left heartbroken after losing her baby, grandad, and close friend within the space of just three years turned her pain into strength to follow her dreams.
Priscilla Karsan, 41, who lives in Farnworth, always dreamed of starting a baby company which was unique and affordable, and decided to pursue her ambition whilst raising her two children aged seven and four.
Baby Bambinos launched whilst Priscilla was on maternity leave with her youngest.
Priscilla said: “Setting the business up took me quite a while as with having two girls.
“I had to make time when they went to bed, staying up long hours to pursue my dream.
“It took me over six months plus to develop my website and buy my products, and look for suppliers, and set it all up with limited funds.”
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Her business became so successful that she was able to open a unit at Market Place in August 2021, in the town centre, which soon expanded.
As the business went from strength to strength in a short space of time Priscilla tragically lost her baby while four months pregnant in October 2021.
Priscilla's grandad Morgan Parmer died in June 2022, and her close friend in July 2023.
But Priscilla was determined to turn her pain into strength for her children, and did not want to walk away from her dreams.
Priscilla said: “It’s been traumatic losing the baby and upsetting losing those close to me, but I have learned to get on with things.
“I just decided to concentrate on my goals and turn my pain into strength.
"I have never been the type of person to give up.
“I can’t be that way; I need to be strong for them because all they know is me.
“If I stop then it’s a domino effect.
“There have been times I felt like giving up but that’s not my ethos.
“I rise and fall but rise again.
“I found a purpose in my life, and I found how creative I can be, and unlocked my true potential.
“I trust in the process and will achieve my goals in life and thank God how far I have come.”
Priscilla moved from Leeds to Manchester when she was just 18 years old, and says she is used to being on her own and having to grow up so quickly.
She said: “It’s been very challenging.
“And it’s difficult starting a business with young kids, dropping them off at school, and going to work is mentally and physically exhausting because you are constantly doing something all the time, and I sometimes don’t have time to myself.
“But, with my business I just had so much passion for it, and spent lot of time on it, and didn’t want to give up on my dream because I really think it is going places.
“I am into spirituality and positive thinking, and I feel as though it’s a calling to me to make a difference in the world.”
Priscilla had to move out of the Market Place and go completely online due to the rising cost-of living crisis and looking after her children by herself.
She continues to work in probate, five days a week, whilst trying to run her online business and put as much into it as possible.
Priscilla added: “There is always someone going through worse than what I am going through.
“And the world would be a better place if people were kinder to each other.
“I was only meant to stay for a weekend, and so I think it was a blessing in disguise being at the shopping centre because the business has become very successful.”
Priscilla hopes to be able to open another shop again, given all of the positive feedback she has had.
Baby Bambinos has worked alongside different charities including Derian House, as well as purchasing presents for children at the Royal Bolton Children’s Hospital and donating money to various charities on the ward.
Priscilla has also worked on an event on the Pakistani floods and worked alongside Bolton Fm.
She has also worked with the likes of Amir Khan’s nephew - Harry Khan’s son, Rafay - and made him a bespoke gift set.
And as if that was not impressive enough, she also won a Small Business Award, from Dragon’s Den panellist Theo Paphitis, and become a finalist for Bolton’s Business Women, and nominated for woman of resilience, but became a finalist for the e-commerce trailblazer award for Biz Women recently.
For more information click here (www.babybambinos.co.uk) or follow them on Instagram.
If you have a story and something you would like to highlight in the community, please email me at jasmine.jackson@newsquest.co.uk or DM me on Twitter @JournoJasmine.
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