A new gift card business has been founded in Derbyshire which aims to help employers show a more personal touch when it comes to staff on parental leave.
Little Starts Gift Cards, based in Melbourne, near Derby, offers company bosses the chance to buy a range of tailored activities and experiences for parents to enjoy with their babies and young children as gifts, instead of traditional presents like a bunch of flowers or vouchers for the high street.
The firm has launched its own website, www.littlestartsgiftcards.com, selling gift cards for any value between £10 and £200.
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It was founded by Katie Lavis who was inspired to set up the business after having her own children.
Mother-of-two Katie, who has given up her job as a commercial solicitor to run Little Starts, said: “When I had my first baby, Olly, I quickly realised that if I spent my whole life in the house with a screaming baby I was going to lose the plot.
“So, I signed up for every class and activity going and before long I met tens, if not hundreds, of parents in exactly the same situation.
“I realised that, other than asking for cash, which seemed a bit impersonal, there was no way for people to buy these classes and activities as gifts for other people, where they could choose what they did at a time and location that suited them. Many of my friends echoed these experiences.
“So, the idea for Little Starts was born – the first gift card in the 海角视频 that can be used with lots of different baby, toddler and pre-school activities.”
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Since launching Little Starts with school friend and business partner, Liam Usher, the firm has set its sights on the corporate market.
Currently, the gift cards being sold by Little Starts can be used across Derbyshire, Nottinghamshire, Greater Manchester - and soon Leicestershire. The ultimate aim is that the gift cards can be used nationally.
Katie Lavis, who is chief executive at Little Starts, said: “In order to attract and retain talent, employees need to feel that their employers value them as the people they are both in and out of the office.
“Being able to show employees that you, as their employer, want them to cherish this precious time with their young children by giving them an experience to enjoy together, helps employees feel that you care about them personally and, as such, maintains and enhances their relationship with the company.”
Katie said that Little Starts Gift Cards can also help employers remind parents who have been away from the office on maternity or paternity leave for a few months that they are looking forward to them returning to work.
She said: “Being on maternity or paternity leave can be a really unsettling time for a parent, which can lead to worries about how they will cope when they return to work.
“Being able to let employees know that they are remembered and you are looking forward to having them back, helps smooth their transition back to the workplace so they are ready to hit the ground running emotionally when they do return.”