Posts Tagged ‘mompreneur interview’
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.
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: 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: cutie booty cakes
September 30th, 2008 / 2 Comments » / by S. Elie
Bizzie Mommy: Renée Ross
Company: Cutie Booty Cakes
Website: www.cutiebootycakes.com
Tell us about Cutie Booty Cakes:
Cutie Booty specializes in Diaper Cakes, cakes that are not edible but are loaded with the essential ingredients all new mommies need - Diapers!!! Cutie Booty diaper cakes are designed to look like real cakes and are great gifts for new parents. They can be given as baby shower gifts, at the hospital, anytime - because every Cutie Booty needs covering!
Our diaper cakes are designed with the discerning customer in mind. Each diaper cake is meticulously handcrafted and made to order. All of the diaper cakes are created with materials of the highest quality - Pampers Swaddlers, silk flowers and top of the line ribbons and decorations. All diaper cakes are wrapped in tulle with a matching bow.
What inspired you start Cutie Booty Cakes?
I have been inspired to create Cutie Booty Cakes by the original cutie booty - Mekhi Eli, my one year old son. I had never even heard of diaper cakes before my pregnancy and now I am in love with creating them! Since I spend a lot of time with diapers I figure why not make it enjoyable?
mompreneur interview: ilunchbox.com
September 16th, 2008 / 1 Comment » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Beth Ann Bentley
Company: iLunchBox.com
Website: www.ilunchbox.com
Tell us about your business:
iLunchBox is a resource center and portal of information for parents and caregivers dedicated to the pursuit of a healthier lunch for school aged children. It is an online community encouraging the input and contribution of its readership through weekly blogs; monthly webcasts; and social networking.
The site consists of:
- recipes and menu ideas with a focus on lunch and portability.
- tips and tricks to make lunch easier.
- best “off the shelf” items when making something from scratch is just not an option.
- featured gadgets and products that help us get the job done.
- best products to transport lunch.
- help and inspiration on improving your school’s hot lunch program.
- articles and information on nutrition and children.
- links and resources for more information.
What inspired you start your business?
My children; being a mom; discovering more and more how important the 180 days of school lunches and snacks really are to the well being of my children, of all children.
mompreneur interview: trending solutions
September 11th, 2008 / 2 Comments » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Janene Jaroscak
Company: Trending Solutions
Website: www.TrendingSolutions.com and www.DynamicWomenEntrepreneurs.com
Tell us about Trending Solutions
Trending Solutions is a customer service and order fulfillment company. Our mission is to help woman owned businesses outsource their day-to-day responsibilities, which includes handling customer inquiries and shipping the product for their on-line stores. Woman now have the time to go out and market their business and find a balance between work and family.
What inspired you to start your business?
I have worked in the customer service industry for 23 years, many of those years in Fortune 500 companies directing, developing and opening call centers across the country. They were wonderful positions, however, I never felt truly fulfilled because I wasn’t making a difference in someone else’s life.
I noticed that so many women had a passion to start their business, but were struggling to do all of the tasks that are needed to get their business off the ground and take it to the next level. I felt my experience could assist these multi-tasking women realize their dreams by finding an effective resource to outsource their customer service and fulfillment needs, which is a time consuming endeavor for many business owners.
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mompreneur interview: ellie bags
September 3rd, 2008 / 3 Comments » / by S. Elie
Mompreneur: Deanna
Business: Ellie Bags
Website: http://www.elliebags.com
Tell us about your business
We started our Ellie Bags™ store to make life simpler for moms & dads. Our feature product is the amazing new Over Tote System™, “The smart new way to carry a diaper bag.” We also have our “Make Life Simpler Collection” which is full of products that make your day a little easier.
What inspired you start your business?
As a new mom, I was tired of constantly switching things back and forth between my purse and the diaper bag. And I really didn’t like lugging around a big diaper bag when I only needed a few things. I enlisted the help of my mom and we found a solution. The Over Tote™ carries all of your baby supplies and goes OVER your purse!
How long has your business been in business?
We’re brand new! We opened in August and are still celebrating our grand opening.
What did you do in your past work life?
Actually, in my current work life I am a 3rd grade teacher. I was lucky enough to have the time to create my business while I was on leave. Wish me luck doing both this fall!
What is your ideal workday like?
I love networking and meeting other moms that are doing the same thing. It’s so great to learn from others and then to be able to pass that knowledge on. The best part has been being able to see my son’s smiling face “at work.”
What have been some of your major successes and challenges?
One of my biggest successes is with networking and meeting new people. That has opened up so many different opportunities to learn and grow my business. It has been challenging because this is all so new to me. I’ve had to learn and research how to do every step. Right now the biggest challenge is getting the Over Tote™ out there for everyone to see. It’s new and unique, so it’s difficult to explain how it works.
