An Ashby mother-of-two - who was inspired to launch a re-usable nappy business after postnatal depression - has seen the company go from strength to strength.

Stephanie Revill, 29, suffered with postnatal depression following the births of both of her children in 2016 and 2018.

Worried about her children's futures and the health of the planet, the entrepreneur made the swap to re-usable nappies for her second child, but soon found the choices on offer were daunting.

She said: "I suffered with postnatal depression after my daughter was born, that was a big part of why I wanted to make change.

"I was worrying about the future, what sort of future I would be leaving for my children and feeling responsible to make change.

"So, I started looking into reusable nappies.

"I decided there was a gap in the market for something to be just as easy to use as a disposable but was a re-usable and had all the great aspects of an eco-friendly reusable nappy."

Launching Modern Cloth Nappies in 2019, Stephanie worked from the family home, including the dining table and hallway, but the award-winning business grew, and more storage space was needed.

Help towards the move came from North West Leicestershire District Council (NWLDC), in the form of a Business Start-Up Grant.

The six-month programme, launched in 2021 with the Leicester and Leicestershire Enterprise Partnership, targeted businesses under two years old or those who were looking to start a business.

A total of 11 district businesses, including Modern Cloth Nappies, benefitted from the support, which also included training sessions and access to one-to-one business advice.

With the £5,000 grant, Stephanie was able to buy a second-hand portable cabin, saving it from landfill.

The upcycled unit now acts as the company's head office and storage space.

She added: "When I applied for the grant, I was shocked that someone gave me the chance.

"Someone believed in me.

"It's changed my life in terms of my home life because the business has a home, I have a place of work now."

Councillor Tony Gillard, Portfolio Holder for Business at NWLDC, said: "We're committed to supporting businesses to grow and develop across the district, and it's very humbling to hear how our grant has made such a difference to Stephanie, her business, and her family.

"North West Leicestershire is home to a host of entrepreneurs and businesses of all sizes, and we're very proud they choose to call the district their home."

Sonia Baigent, LLEP Board Member and Chair of the Business Gateway Board, added: "Sustainability is a key pillar of the LLEP's Economic Growth Strategy and it's wonderful to see how Stephanie's idea for improving the environment has turned into a growing business. 

"Our Business Gateway Growth Hub advisers are always interested in hearing from people with innovative ideas for start-ups in Leicester and Leicestershire and we can help to get start-ups established."