Unleashing the entrepreneurial spirit with Pyjamily founder and Apprentice Star Kathryn Burn
Hey, future CEOs!
It turns out that a whopping 50% of you Gen Zs dream of becoming your own boss. Forget the same-old, same-old traditional jobs! So we sat down with Kathryn Burn, the trailblazing mind behind Pyjamily (whole family matching pyjamas), to get her tips on being an entrepreneur.
As an Apprentice star, Kathryn navigated the competitive landscape of business with tenacity and flair, proving that age is just a number when it comes to turning dreams into reality. Get ready to be inspired and discover the secrets to success.
Let’s start at the beginning. What were you like at school, and what did you aspire to be?
Kathryn: School was a bit of a puzzle for me – I wasn’t exactly an academic wizard, but I got the grades I needed and put in the grind for the A’s to C’s. I wasn’t sure what I wanted to do as a career. I am very hands-on, so I knew I didn’t want a job that involved a lot of sitting around all the time. But back then, it felt like everyone was pushing the whole “go to university, get a secure job” agenda but, honestly, I knew I wasn’t made for the 9-to-5 office life. I’m more of a gotta-be-in-the-action kind of person. It’s crazy how they never really talked about being your own boss or starting your own business at school. What about the entrepreneurs in the making? I was always torn between what everyone expected and what I really wanted. So, I get it – sometimes you just need to break away from the usual and figure out your own path.
What inspired you to become an entrepreneur, and what was your journey from school to business?
From a young age, I worked part-time in a department store. My friends would be hanging around town at the weekend whilst I was working. I used to be really envious that they could just hang around. But I wanted to be earning money.
Growing up, my parents ran their own business, so I had this nice blend of the “9-to-5” school talk and the “you-can-do-whatever-you-want” vibe at home. I’m very lucky in that sense, as I was told I could do whatever I wanted to do for a career. I’ve always been on a money-making mission from a really young age, so I started selling stuff on eBay, raiding the loft for hidden treasures, and even scoring some loot to sell from my little sister’s room (with her permission, of course).
College was a short-lived affair; it just wasn’t for me. And I realised very early on that, personally, university wouldn’t suit me either. There were no jobs that I was interested in that needed a degree. Instead, at 17, I dived headfirst into a 9-to-5 job, soaked up the office banter, and cashed those paychecks for five years. I really enjoyed it and learned a lot.
Then, cue the plot twist – I stumbled upon a gap in the market, and suddenly, the idea of starting my own business didn’t seem so insane. It was scary as heck, not gonna lie. I had no clue what I was doing, but that burning desire to be my own boss trumped the fear. So, I took a leap of faith, and that’s when the magic happened.
So, how did you go from that idea (Pyjamily) to starting the business and getting the products out there?
I was living in Australia when the idea for Pyjamily struck me. My brother also lived there too. We were heading home for Christmas, and my brother hadn’t returned for seven long years. I had this genius moment and told my mom, “Hey, we’ve gotta get matching pyjamas this Christmas!” She loved the idea, but in 2018, finding matching pyjamas wasn’t exactly a walk in the park. They weren’t all over the high street like they are now.
So, there I was, with this spark of an idea, but I needed to find out how to turn it into a business. My dad ran his own business, but it had nothing to do with e-commerce. I didn’t have any business-savvy friends. So it was just me, my laptop, and Google. That’s the beginning of Pyjamily – a mix of research, Google searches, and a lot of trial and error. Let’s be real: I didn’t know the first thing about e-commerce, but hey, I was determined. Even now, I’m still making mistakes and learning from them.
Oh, I made plenty of mistakes. The first batch of stock I ordered was a total disaster. The quality was a nightmare. But you know what? I learned. I found a better supplier and stepped up the game. At first, I made my own logo on Microsoft Paint because hiring a designer was way out of my budget back then. But as I got more money in the business, I could pay for a graphic designer to do my logo and afford better stock. Then, the more stock you order, the lower rates you get. And before you know it, you can offer more competitive prices. So it literally just goes on and on, and it kind of gets better as you learn.
What was the biggest setback you faced when starting Pyjamily, and how did you overcome it?
The biggest hurdle? I was clueless! I’d stare at my website, orders rolling in, and I’d be like, “Do I really know what I’m doing here?” It was this overwhelming feeling going from a 9-to-5 job where your boss held your hand to being the captain of your own ship. I was just 24, navigating this sea of responsibility. Imagine it – every decision, every hiccup, all on me. The pressure was real, and yeah, it was scary as heck.
You care so much about what people think, especially at that age. But you know what? You gotta dive in, mistakes and all. I was scared and overwhelmed and probably made more blunders than I’d like to admit, especially in the early days. But here’s the secret – you learn. You mess up, you pick yourself up, and you get better. It’s like trial by fire, but that’s the beauty of it. Pyjamily wasn’t built in a day, and it wasn’t built without a fair share of “oops” moments. It’s all part of the journey, and I wouldn’t trade those lessons for anything.
What are the essential skills needed to start a business at a young age?
You have to take some risks – to a degree. If you play it safe, you might be cruising along, but if you want things to change, you’ve to shake things up, which means changing yourself too. So don’t be afraid to take some risks to move forward.
Don’t give a single thought to what others think. Seriously, it’s a game-changer. Following your dreams might make you look a bit goofy at times, and guess what? That’s okay. The only opinion that truly matters is yours. Let them talk; you stay focused.
Determination – that’s your secret weapon. Having a business, it’s like a rollercoaster. Plans go sideways, curveballs come out of nowhere, and it’s tempting to throw in the towel. Life and business are all wild rides, but your perseverance separates the dreamers from the doers. So, my advice? Embrace the risks, laugh off the haters, and ride the waves of determination. It’s gonna be tough, but it’s gonna be worth it.
What are your favourite business resources and platforms to get started?
When it comes to the holy grail of all things business, my go-to is none other than Google. I mean, it’s basically the encyclopedia of the digital age, right? But let me drop a gem that I stumbled upon early on and still swear by – Shopify. Seriously, if you’re diving into the e-commerce world, this platform is your golden ticket. It’s like the Swiss Army knife for launching your business – user-friendly and inexpensive, and it’s got all the tools you need. You can often find a deal when you sign up, paying just a pound a month for the first three months. After that, it’s about twenty pounds a month, and you’re running the show. It offers secure payment, and it’s customisable to the max. Logos, product descriptions – you name it, Shopify’s got it.
Now, let’s talk suppliers – Google’s your partner in crime here, too. Type in “wholesale” and whatever you’re after, and boom – you’re greeted with a sea of options. Dive in, check them out, read reviews, and don’t forget the golden rule: get samples. Get a feel for what you’re working with, then test the waters to see if there’s a hunger for your product in the market.
So, there you have it – Google and Shopify, your dynamic duo in the world of making dreams happen.
Do you have any daily habits that help drive your success?
Absolutely. Let’s bust the myth of the glamorous “be your own boss” lifestyle. Sure, it sounds amazing – no one breathing down your neck, no 9-to-5 chains, and the sweet freedom to hit snooze on that alarm. But let me tell you, having your own business doesn’t mean endless lazy mornings; it means discipline, discipline, and, did I mention discipline?
I’ve realised that structure and routine are a necessity. I’m in my running gear early, soaking in the morning sun because self-care matters. Getting up at 7am? It’s not a must, but it sets the right tone for the day. A quick run to kickstart the engine, and by 9am, I’m in work mode – ready to conquer the world. I stick to my regular hours when I can, but here’s the beauty of it – I can flex those hours, too.
But, and it’s a big but, when the busy season hits, I might find myself burning the midnight oil. If you don’t put in the work, the money won’t roll in – simple as that. It’s about putting in the hours, creating your own structure, and realising that success doesn’t clock out at 5pm. I’ve learned to balance the freedom with a hefty dose of responsibility.
You need to be on it when you’re a business owner. But it is also important to take that time out, reset, and recharge so you can be the best version of yourself.
We loved watching you on The Apprentice. Did you find it helped your business journey?
The whole Apprentice experience is like a crash course in business and personal growth, let me tell you. Since the cameras rolled three years ago and we hit the TV screens two years back, my whole world has flipped upside down – in the best way possible.
It taught me confidence, negotiation skills, and people management. The Apprentice put me through this turbo-charged business boot camp, and I emerged on the other side with a whole new set of skills.
It also led to a lot of valuable contacts. People who wouldn’t give you the time of day before suddenly want to connect. It’s like building this epic network of awesome individuals. And it’s led to a lot of diverse opportunities, including doing school talks encouraging the next generation to kick-start their dreams. All because of The Apprentice. It’s like extreme mentoring!
Sure, it’s nerve-wracking. You’re pushed to your absolute limits, and there’s no escape. You can’t be like, “Not feeling it today, Lord Sugar.” Nope, you’re in it, and it’s sink or swim. But let me tell you, every nerve-wracking moment only makes you better, sharper, more resilient. Grateful is an understatement.
What final piece of advice would you give to young people who want to start a business?
My biggest piece of advice is to stop playing the comparison game. Trust me, it’s a game you’ll never win.
Social media is a highlight reel. I’m guilty, too; I’ll scroll and think, “Whoa, look at their life, their house, their everything.” But what you see is 10% of the whole picture. It’s the curated Instagram-filtered version of someone’s life. So, don’t let social media mess with your head. You’re not seeing the struggles, the messy bits, or the behind-the-scenes chaos.
Comparison is like a creativity killer. Embrace your journey, your uniqueness. Your story is entirely your own, and it’s okay not to have it all figured out. The next time you catch yourself in the comparison trap, remember – you’re seeing a snapshot, not the whole movie. Life’s too short to play the comparison game. Be your own hero.