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.
What is your ideal workday like?
Simple and smooth. My ideal work day would be getting either one huge order of Mighty Miracle Mist or 1000 individual orders.
What have been some of your major successes and challenges?
My biggest challenge was trying to do things I didn’t now about myself, because I didn’t have the finances to hire someone. My major success are finding the people I needed to help me.
On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
Other Mom entrepreneurs and my social network. We bounce ideas off each other and inspire each other.
Do you have a motivational quote?
I’ve got two. “Chance favors the prepared mind” and “Life’s too short, and so am I”.
If there was one piece of advice you could give to your children about running a successful business, what would it be?
Learn what you can from everybody, and ask for help when you need it.
What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
Great time management skills. My mother taught me how to use my time wisely, so I take care of what I can while my daughter is at school. And, my husband is a great cook, so that really helps.
Do you have a favorite business tool and/or resource?
This is going to sound like a broad answer, but the internet is so vast, that I use it in so many aspects of learning about and growing my business. I am just getting my feet wet with social networking and marketing. Being able to turn to other mompreneurs who are or who have experienced what I am is the greatest resource.
What advice would you offer to aspiring mompreneurs?
Don’t let fear stop you from living your dream. When you are afraid, find ways to answer the questions or solve the problems that are causing your fears. Being proactive gives you control.
What is next for your business?
I am looking to create a Helpful Hallie’s brand of books, DVD’s and ultimately a TV series. My goal is to model and teach behavior skills to young children and their families.
Your two cents sales pitch?
Mighty Miracle Mist is a tool that helps positively redirect young children to behave appropriately. It is a 4-pack of unscented, water-based sprays that includes: Cooperation & Sharing, Kind Voice & Good Manners, Good Thinking & Pay Attention and Good Night.
It works much like the concept of “Santa is watching”… with the power of suggestion. When a child exhibits inappropriate behavior, choose the corresponding bottle and mist the room. Let child know the room is now sprayed for “Cooperation” or whichever behavior you are trying to redirect. It’s so much fun for kids that they want to behave just so they can use it.
It is being used successfully by teachers, parents, grandparents, caregivers and of course, kids.
