Mom Entrepreneur: Kristen Ferguson on behalf of Pam Liyanage
Business: Baby Rhys Adventure Gear
Website: www.babyrhys.com

Baby Rhys Adventure Gear is a fresh new baby & toddler accessories collection that is both stylish and functional. We are extremely proud of our beautiful, bright line of soft soled cotton crib shoes, funky hats and essential travel totes that are a must for every busy mom and little adventurer!

Baby Rhys Adventure Gear is well known for the thoughtful design, modern elegance and handmade quality of its collection. There is absolutely no automation used in the creation of this line. It is inspired by the need for convenience and purpose without sacrificing style.

Baby Rhys Adventure Gear is designed by today’s active parents for today’s active parents!

What inspired you start your business?
Baby Rhys Adventure Gear was inspired by CEO Pam Liyanage’s son Rhys. As avid traveler’s Rhys began globetrotting at the early age of 8 months. While traveling with Rhys, she found that convenience & baby’s comfort made the trips much more enjoyable. The entire line has been designed around making any trip, over sea’s or to the grocery store, a little more convenient & enjoyable for everyone.

How long have you been in business?
Nearly 4 years

Describe your ideal workday.
As close to any working mommy ever gets to “balance”; crossing off items on the “To do list”, connecting & building with other like-minded businesses, closing a new sale, keeping up to date on what’s going on in the world, some time for fun & business on the social networking sites & most importantly, quality time with the kids. Isn’t that what we’re all striving for?!

What have been some of your major successes?
Seeing our product line sold North America wide & in Japan, with countries being added as we speak!

What have been some of your major challenges?
Creating the awareness about our fabulous line; the world is a BIG place for 2 mommies juggling the delicate “balance” mentioned above, with spreading the word. There are simply not enough hours in the day, however, the journey is incredible so far!

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
The fact that we really do have the best of all worlds, even on the toughest days. To be present for all the precious moments with the children & to be part of building & growing our own company..it really does not get any better than that & we wouldn’t change it for the world. The positive FAR outweighs the negative.

Do you have a motivational quote?
“There is no end to the adventures that we can have, if only we seek them with our eyes open” Jawaharial Nehru

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
Time management skills are essential to success & with children that is probably the biggest issue we all face. You have to be flexible enough for the unexpected issues, but focused enough to get things done. You are constantly needing to re-evaluate & prioritize & shift gears on the fly. We do this naturally as mothers, so adding a business is second nature to a many of us!
I always say that there may never be perfect “balance” but as long as there is HARMONY, you will be successful in life & in business.

If there was one piece of advice you could give to your children about running a successful business, what would it be?
To follow your heart, your gut instinct & ALWAYS strive to be doing WHAT YOU LOVE. Dream BIG. Anything is possible.

Do you have a favorite business tool and/or resource?
In this modern age, the importance of social networking is absolutely crucial to the success of a business. Sites like Twitter, FaceBook, LinkedIn & other similar sites will help increase brand recognition, develop important relationships, as well as contribute to the human connection, which more than “work” of any type, is vital to a happy life.

What is next for your business?
Our goal is to see Baby Rhys as a household name & our products available on every continent worldwide. Just as we teach our children to Dream BIG, so shall we.

What is your two cents sales pitch?
I am going to go a little outside the box here for this part & give you a bit of ME & not just a run of the mill business pitch.

For a change, how about some personal press, something a little different than “just” a company profile….you know, more about the gals behind the scene & how we are regular moms like everyone else, Mommy’s first & business second, helpful, friendly, connected & “out & about” on the Mompreneur scene…..you know what I am saying. I think EVERYONE, when they can get press, is getting the main message of the business out there, but that to me, doesn’t stand out. I am a CONNECTOR & people person FIRST, and so is Pam, the CEO. Let’s be honest, in EVERY business you essentially “sell yourself” & then business follows, but not a lot of people behind the scenes, come out & give their real, authentic selves to the public eye. That is what I would want portrayed

(I actually spent some time on the speaking/coaching circuit on exactly what I am talking about above, it is AMAZING how people interact & how much success will come your way if you come out from “behind” a business as a real person)

Whew, ok, now I am probably rambling, but you get the general idea I’m sure

So that’s my pitch & to be honest this is what interests ME as a consumer & a person, so maybe, just maybe, it will appeal to your readers as well!

Many thanks!

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Tagged as: baby rhys, mom entrepreneur interview, moms in business, WAHM