I’ve recently released two new pre-made website templates. The Butterfly Boutique template is a OOAK design, that features a landing page design and an interior catalog design. It features soothing shades of blue, brown and yellow. The Pink Dots template features a bright pink and black design that would work perfectly for a spa or salon business (or anything else!). Get them while you can!
Who is Baby Eco Trends?
Baby Eco Trends is a natural parenting, natural lifestyle store with a focus on organic and fair trade products.
What do you sell?
We sell items that are safe and pure, things that parents can feel good about using. We have selected toys, cloth diapers, clothing, furniture, skin care and much more that meet our safety requirements and are earth friendly. We believe it is important to minimize our carbon footprint while supporting our economy. Therefore, we feature many USA made products. We sell only what we are willing to use in our own household.
Why did you decide to start a business?
Baby Eco Trends started because we were frustrated with the difficulty in finding not just cloth diapers, but ones made of 100% natural fibers. We also hoped to find diapers that were organic and fair trade. We found a fitted diaper here and a wool cover there and wondered why we couldn’t buy all we needed in one place. So we set out to do just that.
How did you get started?
We started by talking to friends and family, other parents that were interested in natural parenting and developing a profile of our target customer. We did lots of research and asked a lot of questions. Most importantly, we started by focusing on our own values and basing our business on our beliefs.
What would you have done differently in the beginning?
If I could turn back time, I would hold off on stocking too much inventory, I would negotiate with my suppliers to reduce order minimums and in general, I would budget more conservatively.
What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?
Do your homework, shop your competition, develop a network, establish relationships with reliable and reputable suppliers. Make sure you work with a web designer that has a strong work ethic and understands your vision. Cicily has been a lifesaver in this respect! Lastly, follow your passion and do what you love and believe in.
Post courtesy of Nasrin, Owner of Baby Eco Trends
I have recently added a new sibling design for Big Sisters and Little Sisters. This custom design features an adorable hand drawn dragonfly in girly shades of pink and purple. Available on t-shirts, onesies, bibs and totes.
Confused about the benefits of Google Webmaster or want to learn more about how it all works? If so, Google has put together some great video tutorials to help you understand the Webmaster system.
Checkout their blog to view the video’s: Video Tutorial: Google for Webmasters
A fun new big brother and little brother design — featuring an original dinosaur illustration. T-shirts, onesies, bibs and more available at my CafePress shop.
Who is A Woman’s Place on Main Street?
A Woman’s Place on Main Street was built to serve the breast care needs of women in the Laurel, Maryland community. We are supported by the Main Street Pharmacy and offer custom bra fitting for all women, specializing in those that are large busted. In addition, we provide certified fitting of mastectomy prostheses and bras. Breastfeeding classes and support are offered by our certified lactation counselor.
What do you sell?
Since the business is really in three parts, I have three sets of products that I offer. In the breastfeeding realm, I offer Medela breast pumps for sale as well as weekly rentals of the Medela Symphony hospital-grade pump. Also, Bravado nursing bras, Bebe Au Lait Nursing Covers, Maya Wraps, Ergo Baby Carriers, as well as the Burt’s Bee Baby line and Earth Mama Angel Baby products. For women who have had a mastectomy or breast surgery, I offer Amoena and Jodee products. Finally, I offer Goddess, Freya, Fantasie and Wacoal bras for every woman.
Why did you decide to start a business? How did you get started?
A Woman’s Place on Main Street started very organically. I had wanted to get into the lactation field for years but as a stay at home mom and someone who wasn’t a nurse, it was a bit of a daunting task. I began on the journey by working on a certification in Lactation Education. One day, I stopped in at my local, independent pharmacy and asked if I might hang a flier about some upcoming breastfeeding classes I would be teaching. The pharmacist looked at me and said, “Have I been looking for you?” She took my upstairs from the pharmacy to a beautiful space that she wanted to be used to serve the women of the community. She offered me the use of the space for my classes and asked, “Are you interested in a part-time job? I do fittings for mastectomy prosthetics and bras for large-busted women and I need to find someone to take that on part-time.” Boy, was I interested! She said that we could build the space into one that served many of a woman’s breast care needs and that she would fund my additional lactation training. I jumped at the chance! We now offer breastfeeding classes and lactation support, mastectomy prostheses and bras and a full range of bras that are custom fit to the customer.
What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?
Follow your dream. You never know when the perfect opportunity will fall into your lap.
The Sweet Boutique template features charming shades of pink and brown. Perfect for your girly boutique! If you are the first to purchase this template, you have the option of making the template exclusive to you.
Who is Polka Dot Designs?
Polka Dot Designs is a monogramming and embroidery business that specializes in personalized baby and children?s gifts.
What do you sell?
We sell high quality, affordable, personalized baby and children items such as bibs, burp cloths, blankets, hooded towels, aprons, clothing, backpacks, napmats, and hats. We offer products from manufacturers such as Stephen Joseph, Infantissima, Swaddle Designs, and more.
Why did you decide to start a business?
I decided to start this business because I absolutely love personalized gifts. I was always searching for just the right gifts to have embroidered for friends and family and for my own daughter as well! My husband gave me a monogramming machine as a birthday gift so that I could begin creating the gifts myself and I just loved it. After a while, I realized that I could provide others with personalized gifts at a reasonable price, as well. And so, that?s when we decided to transition into an actual business.
How did you get started?
I started by researching everything and then I formed a business plan. I began embroidering items for friends and family while my website was being developed and, once it launched, everything took off from there.
What would you have done differently in the beginning?
I don?t know that I would have changed anything. It was all so new and challenging for me to go from being a stay-at-home-mom of a three year old, to owning my own business. It took many late nights and lots of researching but I?ve definitely learned so much and now I can appreciate it all a little more!
What advice would you offer to someone just getting started?
I would just say that if you have something you truly enjoy pursuing and would like to turn into a business, then you should definitely give it a try. Make sure and do all your research and then go for it. It can be a lot of work but it is all worth it in the end as long as you?re happy with what you?re doing.
The Indigo Boutique template features a stylish color palette and clean styling. You get a great design with a budget friendly price!
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!
