Steve Sidwell: the footballer who sold a Bentley and set up store for children

Chelsea, Arsenal and Brighton midfielder. A talented soccer player with a technical game and many awards and a caring father – all this is Steve Sidwell…

An unexpected twist

When Steve turned 35, his career was in full bloom. It would seem, what more could an ambitious and in-demand player want? But fate sometimes presents not the most pleasant surprises. In one of the matches Sidwell received a serious back injury. This injury was a test not only for himself and the soccer club, but also for the athlete’s family.

When you’re 35 years old and life is booming, it seems like it’s always going to be like that. But if disaster strikes, how can you find the strength not to stop and go on, no matter what? After the operation, Sidwell’s back pain was so severe that sometimes he could not even bend over to brush his teeth, let alone try to start training again.

The soccer player planned to quickly rehabilitate and regain his strength, but ended up being held hostage to the situation. “No physical activity” – a terrible diagnosis for a man who from childhood could not imagine his life without sports. What was he supposed to do? How Sidwell did not lose faith in himself and continued to fight?

The soccer player was helped by his wife. She was by his side during the entire rehabilitation, and one day she simply said: “Let’s sell my car?”. By the way, Christelle, the footballer’s wife, owns a Bentley. That’s a surprise twist, isn’t it? So much for Sidwell’s surprise. But only at first.

Later, he recognized his wife’s intentions and fully supported her project. And here’s the thing. Christelle loves children and children’s clothes. She always thought cute all these ruffles, ruffles and lace. Then she decided to offer her husband to create his own business – a company that creates and produces children’s clothes.

Family business

After selling the car, the couple had some start-up capital. But it was necessary to think about design, packaging and many other details. And who better than the kids themselves to tell you what they like? So Sidwell began asking young customers about what colors and styles they considered fashionable, but at the same time comfortable and practical.

That’s how the idea for the Blousey Baby brand came about in January. There is a funny story associated with the emergence of the name. Kris has an uncle. He called her Blousey when she was just a tiny baby. So tiny that it was hard to find the right clothes. So one day her uncle brought her some doll clothes, specifically a blouse. This funny situation is what prompted Christelle to suggest her name for a clothing brand, which eventually became successful.

Happy ending

Now Steve Sidwell continues his rehabilitation and does not leave attempts to return to soccer training. He is very outgoing, enjoys appearing in the media, sharing his story, and loves his wife and their new business project. “Blousey Baby” is children’s clothing with more than just a desire for high profits.