Archive for the ‘Bizzie Mom Interviews’ Category:
mompreneur interview: birthday in a box
December 2nd, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Laurie Wrigley
Company: Birthday in a Box
Website: www.birthdayinabox.com
At Birthday in a Box, busy parents can find everything they need to host their child’s birthday party. We offer over 100 themes, emphasizing classic themes such as farm, pirate, princess and sleepover. Almost all of our themes have a selection of personalized products such as printed invitations, banners, and buttons. While we offer parties for parents of children 1-13, our main niche is children 1-6. We also offer holiday themes, Santa letters, and baby shower products.
What inspired you start your business?
I hit upon the idea for Birthday in a Box when my kids were 1, 3, & 5. My daughters had been invited to a friend’s party at an indoor “fun center”. The party seemed chaotic and impersonal and my friend was getting very frustrated with the staff. So I asked her why she didn’t have the party at home, and she replied that she didn’t know what to do with the kids. I thought, “I know what to do with the kids!” I did some research about what was already in the market, put together a sample birthday box for 8 children, and included partyware and an 8-page “how to” guide based on an ocean party I’d thrown for my children. I took the “birthday in a box” to my playgroup and asked what they’d think if it was priced at $55. Luckily, they loved it! Because my children were still little, I needed something that could start small and would allow me to stay at home while it grew. The Internet was just taking hold and it seemed to be the perfect solution. My best friend put up our first site in 1996.
mompreneur interview: divine mama
November 25th, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Quinn Curtis
Company: Divine Mama, LLC
Website: createdbymom.com
CreatedByMom.com is an online boutique that sells created by mom products. Our motto is “put your money where your mama is,” because consumers know that behind every product is a mom & her family. All our mom-vendors enjoy a 20% off inner-store discount, helping them support the other moms’ products at CreatedByMom.com.
What inspired you start your business?
We bought my Grandma’s home & all decided to remodel it to make her a main-level (no stairs) mother-in-law apartment to live in while giving us some room for our family to grow, also. The remodel turned out beautifully, but the contractor told us at the end (right after closing on a second mortgage to cover some of the debt) that our project had gone over $100,000 over budget & we were stuck with the bills left on our credit cards. Since I had recently given birth to our 3rd baby (3rd under 3 years old), I had to find some way to bring in money while staying at home to help get us out of our financial crisis. We’re still trying to work through our financial crisis to keep our home, which has gotten increasingly difficult as the whole nation is struggling financially also. However, our family is optimistic that things will turn around & we’ll be able to keep our house. Meanwhile, CreatedByMom.com may not only help our family is these trying times, but is also blessing all the other moms selling their products.
bizzie mompreneur interviews
November 22nd, 2008 / No Comments » / by S. Elie
Getting an i-interview just got easy at bizziemommy.com! I just created a form on Google Docs, did I mention how much I love Google right now. If not I will tell you soon I promise. FOCUS
I wanted to let everyone know that thanks to Google Docs being i-interviewed at bizziemommy.com just got easier. So if you are interested in being featured and showcasing your product or service for FREE please go to our new Bizzie Mommy I-interview form, fill out the questions and email me @ 411 (at) bizziemommy (dot) com any photos you would like to include in the post. It’s that easy. Did I mention, free?
I look forward to getting to know some more great bizzie mompreneurs.
mompreneur interview: tote and tee
November 18th, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Amy Trusler
Company: Tote and Tee
Website: www.toteandtee.com
What inspired you start your business?
I wasn’t actually inspired to start my business, in fact I didn’t even really mean to go into business. I was a SAHM mom selling gently used clothing on Ebay when I decided to list a few of the tote bags and initial tees that I had been making for my family to see if they would sell. They did sell and I made more and those sold and it goes on and on from there.
How long has your business been in business?
It’s been about 5 years. I sold my very first initial tee in September of 2003.
What did you do in your past work life?
I was lucky to work in a super small business as a manager of a specialty bra store for 5 years. I loved that place and the women that I helped. I am sure we all know someone that can’t just buy a bra off the shelf at a regular store. It sounds funny but we would cry, hug and even dance around when they finally after years had something that fit properly and looked great. Very rewarding job and I learned a lot there. I also got VERY fast behind the sewing machine because I would alter bras on the spot while they waited. (bet you never had this answer!)
mompreneur interview: helpful hallie’s
November 11th, 2008 / No Comments » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Dara Blaker
Company: Helpful Hallie’s
Company Website: www.mightymiraclemist.com
What inspired you start your business?
My daughter was speaking to me in an inappropriate tone, so rather than getting angry, I made a quick mock of up Kind Voice spray. I told her that I was going to spray the room with kind voice, and after that everybody in the room, including me, needs to use a kind voice. She stood up next to her chair with her arms at her sides and said in her sweetest voice “Mommy, may I have a glass of water please”. I was flabbergasted. So for the end of the year gifts for her preschool teachers, I made a multipack of Mighty Miracle Mist. 2 weeks into summer vacation, my daughter’s teacher (who has been teaching for 23 years) called me at home to ask where I got this amazing and clever classroom tool. Thus, Mighty Miracle Mist was born.
How long has your business been in business?
We are really just starting out.
What did you do in your past work life?
My past work life is still current. I own and operate a music education company www.colourmemusic.com. I have been in music education for 15 years.
mompreneur interview: mykidsregistry.com
November 4th, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Yvette Segal
Company: My Kids Registry
Website: www.mykidsregistry.com
What inspired you start www.mykidsregistry.com?
My son and my desire to be with him (plus 17 years in fashion).
How long has your business been in business?
About 1 1/2 years
What did you do in your past work life?
I was a Fashion Merchandising Executive. Lastly, I was the Director of Design and Merchandising for GSeries Handbags for Cole Haan.
What is your ideal workday like?
To have peace and quiet. No one is home. Make phone calls write one or two blogs, network and build website.
mompreneur interview: happy panda
October 28th, 2008 / 2 Comments » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Pamela Kramer
Company: Happy Panda
Website: http://www.happypandababy.com
Tell us about Happy Panda
My business is tagless baby clothing for babies who are bigger than average.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired by frustration. lol - I have two boys that were bigger than average sized babies and had a problem finding clothing to fit within their age range. I would always have to buy the next size or two up. I also wanted to find something I could do out of the home so that I could be here for my children.
How long has your business been in business?
I began my paperwork and licensing in December of 2006 and the online store was live by May 2007.
What did you do in your past work life?
I worked within the operations department for chemical corporation and purchasing and human resources. I wore many hats.
What is your ideal workday like?
My day is based on what’s inside my email. Honestly, I get pulled in so many different directions that no day is redundant. That is a positive aspect for me. There is never a dull moment. I could be processing orders, doing interviews, taking photos, doing accounting, counting inventory, blogging and the list goes on. Meanwhile I am entertaining a toddler and feeding our new baby (she’s 8 weeks old) and whatever else my 8 year old son has to throw in for the day.
mompreneur interview: Babytime Bags
October 21st, 2008 / 6 Comments » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Nia Jai
Company: LuxeLife Partners
Business: Babytime Bags™
Website: www.babytimebags.com
Tell us about your business:
Babytime Bags™ are pre-packed maternity bags – the bag you pack when you go to the hospital (or a birthing center) to have your baby. We’ve packed a luxurious and well thought out bag for our mommies-to-be. When you’re in your third trimester and feel as if you have been pregnant FOREVER, the last thing you want to do is run around pulling together all the things you’ll need when your baby tells you “it’s time!” We’ve taken care of everything. We’ll pack the best of all the essentials – and more! – that you’ll need. Our bags are great for a mommy-to-be – to get for herself, as a baby shower gift or from the daddy-to-be (who wants to surprise his partner by being on top of things!).
What inspired you start your business?
I had a particularly difficult pregnancy. I had every “symptom” they don’t talk about in the pregnancy books. From extra loose ligaments to carpal tunnel to morning sickness, beginning to end. So the thought of figuring out what I needed to take with me to the hospital and then going out and getting all of those things was just too much for me to handle. My husband is great and super-supportive but I couldn’t trust that he would get all the right things. I realized that what I needed was someone who’d been through this before to pack my bag for me. Out of this experience the idea for Babytime Bags™ was born!
mompreneur interview: wubbanub
October 14th, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Carla Schneider
Company: WubbaNub
Website: www.wubbanub.com
Tell us about WubbaNub
The WubbaNub is thoughtfully designed using a Soothie Pacifier and an attached plush animal that’s just right for babies, both preemie and full term. The carefully-calculated weight and size of the plush animal keeps the WubbaNub in baby’s mouth whether lying on his side or back, and even in a car seat, sling or stroller! WubbaNub’s combination of the Soothie pacifier and plush animal provide maximum comfort for the babies and makes it easy for them to grasp and manipulate the pacifier themselves.
What inspired you start your business?
When my son was an infant, the only way that he would fall asleep and stay asleep was if his pacifier was in his mouth. When it fell out, he’d wake up crying and I had to scurry around looking for it and then actually hold it in his mouth while he fell back to sleep! After many days and nights of frustration, I realized that my son’s pacifier would stay in his mouth if it was attached to something stable that “rested” near him. It was this inspiration that became the WubbaNub Infant Pacifier.
mompreneur interview: jaybird designs
October 7th, 2008 / 3 Comments » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Jennifer Cirka
Company: Jaybird Designs
Website: www.jaybird-designs.com and www.MyPinkZebraBoutique.com
Tell us about your Jaybird Designs
I am a professional crochet designer with published designs in major crochet magazines such as Crochet World and Crochet Today. I also self-publish many crochet patterns and give away a free pattern once a month on my website and blog. Another aspect of my business is that I crochet many items and sell the finished product and I am always happy to custom crochet something for my customers.
I am also the online manager of www.MyPinkZebraBoutique.com which is a showcase of amazing designers, who all happen to be mom’s too! It is the online counterpart to The Pink Zebra Boutique located in Katy, Texas and owned by my best friend, Trevor Thorson of Kraftymommas Boutique.
What inspired you start Jaybird Designs?
I became a SAHM after my daughter was born. I have always loved to crochet, but without my income I didn’t have the spare money to buy more yarn. I thought that if I could sell some of my items, that would give me yarn money!
How long has your business been in business?
I started Jaybird Designs in 2005 by selling my crocheted items on ebay. MyPinkZebraBoutique.com launched in September 2007.
What did you do in your past work life?
I worked for the United States Postal Service for 10 years.
