Who is Taylor’s Baby?

The story behind Taylor’s Baby is quite neat.  Taylor actually was the last name of the mother of the original owner of Taylor’s Baby.  She inspired her daughter to share her artistic talent by selling her art which happened to be art catered to baby and children’s items.  That is how Taylor’s Baby Boutique originated.

What do you sell?

We sell high quality, unique, trendy gifts and decor for babies and children.  We specialize in custom apparel, artwork, bedding, furniture, playhouses and specialty gifts!  You can also find designer diaper bags and totes perfect for moms with style!

Why did you decide to start a business?

I was actually fortunate enough to purchase Taylor’s Baby boutique fully established from a women that did an amazing job building it up.  I am the the mom of a two year old little girl that absolutely loves dress up and just feeling pretty and special.   I knew I wanted to be able to spend more time with her so I wanted to find a career that I could manage my own schedule and time with family.   With my business sense and passion for success I knew starting or purchasing a business was right for me and I knew this business was right up my ally!

How did you get started?

After lots of research and lots of prayers I decided purchasing Taylor’s Baby was right for me and my family.  I began training and learning the business right away.  I was fortunate in the fact that the former owner loved and cared for this business so much she was willing to stand by me and my team of help through all of it!

What would you have done differently in the beginning?

Relaxed…I’m always second guessing myself.  Making the decision to completely take over a business was scary and overwhelming at times.  I knew there was a lot of work and responsibility in store for me.  Sometimes I need to just go with the flow of life and not let myself get too stressed out.  It always works out it the end!

What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?

Go for it!  Don’t let you fears take over.  If you never try you’ll never know what great things may of happened.  Running a business is very time consuming.  Know that in the beginning so it’s not a problem once you start.  Learning to manage time is also very important.  I wish you lots of luck!

Stacey of Star Hitched Wagon came to me needing a business card design and wanting to create a cohesive look with her website. We are both pleased with how her business cards turned out! They will compliment her jewelry and bath & body business wonderfully.

Who is Baby Elephante?
Baby Elephante is an online boutique for infant & toddler boys. We specialize in boys because we believe there is a niche to fill on the baby boy clothing market. I work out of my house and take care of my baby boy Lucas.

What do you sell?
We sell high quality, affordable and comfortable boys clothing for both infants and toddler boys. Some of our designer boy clothing brands include: Kissy Kissy, Sweet Cottons, Tea Collection and Zutano.

In addition to stylish boy clothing, we also carry unique accessories and room décor, including an exclusive hand made baby room collection by Petit-Décor.

Why did you decide to start a business?
I always wanted to combine my entrepreneurial drive with my artistic creativity. During the first year as a mom of a baby boy I realized how difficult it is to shop for boys. I decided to assist all other busy parents by showcasing a wide variety of boys clothing and accessories all in one place.

How did you get started?
I first started by researching boy clothing lines. I also did a market study of baby boutiques in my area. I then wrote a business plan and the rest is history.

What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?
Don’t forget to write a business plan. It will help put all your ideas together and enable you to get financial backing. Finally, networking is key.

Who is Pure Baby Joy?
Pure Baby Joy is an online store that supports natural parenting. Behind Pure Baby Joy is me, Wendy. I work outside the home and out of my home and am the mother of three little girls. My girls are my inspiration. I have a very supportive (and patient) husband, Dan, and we live in Cleveland, Ohio.

What do you sell?
I sell cloth diapers, baby slings/carriers, nursing accessories, and all natural & organic bath and body products. Helping the novice cloth diaper user is my specialty.

Why did you decide to start a business?
Although the web market is overwhelmed by baby boutiques, there really is no one in my local area that offers these types of products. Although I do not have a storefront, I do meet with local customers for cloth diaper and baby wearing consultations and participate in local venues to showcase my products.

How did you get started?
I started looking into cloth diapers for my daughters and got hooked. Once I saw that there were no local resources supporting cloth diapering, I decided to start my business.

What would you have done differently in the beginning?
I would have done a little more research into the financial aspect. I did not obtain a loan, but used all my own personal funds. I did not realize how much money it would take to get going.

What advice would you offer to a WAHM just getting started?
If you are getting in a business with lots of competition, don’t forget your local customers. Customers like knowing that there is a real person behind a web store and once they meet you and know that you take the time to introduce yourself or are willing to present your products in person, they often form a loyalty to you.

Who is Kickshaw Confections?

Kickshaw Confections is me, Heather, my husband Karl and all my little taste testers. I’m a work at home mom and confectioner/chocolatier. Candy making is in our blood and we love being in the business of satisfying sweet tooths.

Why did you decide to start a business?

We started Kickshaw to help supplement my husband’s income so he can eventually work less hours and spend more time with his kids. I also needed a creative outlet. My mind is always running and it needs to stay busy. I guess 4 kids doesn’t keep it busy enough.  :0)

How did you get started?

We purchased a little lollipop e-store and then decided to take on the family tradition and expanded to a full line of confections. My inlaws have been confectioners for over 20 years.

What do you sell?

We sell a full line of handcrafted from scratch confections. We do not use dyes or preservatives. Our chocolate is very fine and we are so proud of that and our best selling gourmet almond roca.

What would you have done differently in the beginning?

Honestly, I probably wouldn’t have bought the little lollipop shop. I would have just went straight on with our other confections. I was nervous to have people try my treats, because even though my family and I loved them, I was so nervous what others would think. I would have put that fear behind me instead of hiding behind it for nearly 8 months.

What advice would you offer to a WAHM just getting started?

Don’t let fear stop you. Look at it straight in the face and tell it to move on over. Go straight to your dreams and when you face a hurdle, don’t stop, go over it, even if it takes a while.

Who is Georgie Designs?

Georgie Designs is a handcrafted jewelry business. But who is it really? It’s me, Robyn Klauer, the owner, marketing manager, money manager, researcher, secretary, and oh…I design and make jewelry, too!

Why did you decide to start a business?

I have always been crafty. Jewelry making has been my favorite of all things tried. I had been making it for years and giving it away. I decided it was getting too expensive so I started selling it on the side. Then after I had my daughter, it just seemed the perfect fit to work from home doing something I loved while still getting to give 110% to my daughter.

How did you get started?

I first sold on eBay. But eBay is difficult. There are so many jewelry people selling that it is hard to make any money. So I decided to have my own website. My current website is actually my second attempt. I had a site back in 2005 but gave it up because it was too expensive to maintain and I was discouraged by how hard it is to get Google to find you. I was working full time as a School Psychologist at the time so I didn’t really give it my all.

What do you sell?

Handcrafted jewelry using quality ingredients such as sterling silver and semiprecious gemstones.

What would you have done differently in the beginning?

I would have not given up so easily! It is a lot of work, but the harder you work and the longer you’ve been doing it, the smarter you get. It takes a lot of time to get it right, in my opinion.

What advice would you offer to a WAHM just getting started?

Don’t get discouraged when things are slow in the beginning. It is a learning process that takes time. And just because you have talent and put up a website, doesn’t mean people will buy from you. Marketing is the most improtant part of the business. If you don’t have an image, and people can’t find you, you won’t be successful! Oh, and don’t be afraid to tell everyone you meet that you own a business. Word of mouth is huge!

Who is Cute2Carry?

Tracey - Owner and Designer of Cute2Carry

I’m SO ordinary!!! Just like many of you….I’m simply a mom who loves to sew and be crafty! And I like cute handbags, of course. I have 3 very busy, sporty boys (one being my husband), and my girly sewing room is often my escape! When I’m not designing and sewing handbags, I’m outside enjoying our gorgeous Arizona weather - swimming, running and hanging out with my family.

Why did you decide to start a business?

It was a dare…my sister dared me! Plus, she liked the handbag gifts I’d make for her. Who was I to back down? She even named the business for me.

How did you get started?

Very simply! I found an online shopping cart (www.hyenacart.com) that was reasonable and offered a free template to set up my online store. I made 8 handbags and put them up for sale. I emailed the link to family and friends and within hours I began to make sales.

What do you sell?

Handbags. Really cute handbags! I also sell diaper bags, knitting totes, and accessories to match.

What would you have done differently in the beginning?

Not too much. I kept things simple which helped me build my confidence as an Indie Designer. Utilizing a light box made a huge difference displaying my products. This was recommended to me after a couple of months in business, and I have been told on more than one occasion that a particular product sold because of how it was photographed. They are inexpensive and available on Ebay, believe it or not!

What advice would you offer to a WAHM just getting started?

Go for it! It doesn’t have to be expensive to get started, and you will likely find that your passion carries interest for others (buyers), too. Consider what you look for when making a purchase (for me, it was professional looking images), and be sure that your own store reflects this as well. Also, don’t be afraid to take it to the next level, once you’ve gotten your feet wet, and challenge yourself to succeed! Get your own domain name if you haven’t yet, build your site to look more professional (Cicily has done wonders for mine!) and consider focusing a bit more on advertising your product.

Who is Earth Angels Diaper Co.?

An online cloth diaper boutique run by a SAHM turned WAHM who knows her clientele, because she is a cloth diapering mom herself. Items are put to the test before being included in the product line-up, and special care is taken to promote product lines made and invented by other WAHM’s.

Why did you decide to start a business?

I’ve always had a passion for retail and had always imagined owning my own store, but I could never figure out exactly what I wanted to sell. After the birth of my twin sons, when the disposable diaper supply we had been gifted began to run out, my husband and I began to explore the world of cloth diapers. Something came over me and I *literally* woke up the next morning, called my husband and said “We’re going to start our own business, and we’re going to sell cloth diapers!”

How did you get started?

A lot of research and a little luck, Capital One sent a credit card and we were off to the races.

What do you sell?

A unique variety of cloth diapers, accessories, natural parenting and baby accessories, with a focus on WAHM made items.

What would you have done differently in the beginning?

Had I not been such an impatient person, I would have waited until I had more money to invest in inventory because I learned the hard way that drop-shipping can eat up a good portion of your profits.

What advice would you offer to a WAHM just getting started?

Be creative, especially if you are interested in opening an online business. You have to imagine that the world-wide web is a mall, and you are only one click away from all your competitors. Be creative and strive to set yourself apart from the rest with excellent customer service, inventive marketing and promotions. Most of all, be optimistic and imagine that anything you set your mind to you can achieve.

Julia Clark
www.earthangelsdiaperco.com
“Saving the planet one diaper at a time.”