Businesses Conceived by Pregnancy
Laurie Wing
October 23, 2006
These mothers of creation all have one thing in common. Their businesses were inspired by pregnancy. All moms find their pregnancies inspiring but these women turned their ideas into successful businesses.
Have you ever looked at a product or a business and wondered, "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, necessity is the mother of invention. More and more inventors and business owners are moms who have found a need and created a product.
MY STORY - BUTTERFLIES, HICCUPS, AND JOURNALS
More and more inventors and business owners are moms who have found a need and created a product to fill that need - this was me. During my first pregnancy, I was looking specifically for a guided pregnancy journal. I wanted to document the special moments during this, the most miraculous time in my life, pregnancy! When I couldn't find the journal I was looking for, I was inspired to create my own. My prototype sat on a shelf however, until my second pregnancy, almost four years later. When there still wasn't a journal available that would work for me I made the decision to bring mine to market. Butterflies & Hiccups: A Guided Pregnancy Journal for the New Mom-to-Be was conceived.
Butterflies & Hiccups was written in interview style, which works well for those daunted by a blank page. It covers almost every detail of your pregnancy with beautiful artwork by artist Maya I. Christensen, who I was so fortunate to have found online. I designed Butterflies & Hiccups as a hardcover with a spiral binding - which makes it easy to journal while you are in a bed or comfy chair.
Rather than spending the time and energy trying to convince a publishing house to accept my idea, I decided to do it on my own and self-published. Not knowing the first thing about publishing, I had a lot of learning to do! I was involved in every aspect of the writing, designing and publishing. All of this was done on my computer from the corner of my dining room with my children playing around me. It was a wonderful learning experience and the end result has been incredibly rewarding. I now opened Butterflies & Hiccups Pregnancy eStore offering only quality pregnancy products for the mom-to-be to enjoy her pregnancy.
Butterflies & Hiccups has taken on a life of its own in the maternity market and as a result, Barnes & Noble’s publisher, Sterling Publishing, made a formal offer to buy the rights to Butterflies & Hiccups as well as contracting for future versions.
For more information on Butterflies & Hiccups, call (973) 448-9550 or visit us at www.pregnancyjournal.com. Butterflies & Hiccups is available at our website, at most bookstores, maternity stores and other specialty stores.
A NEW BUSINESS MODEL
Liza Elliott-Ramirez worked for over 20 years in the modeling industry. Pregnant modeling wasn't very popular, so pregnancy was something one put off unless she wanted her career to end, or be put on hold. Expecting Models, Inc. has proved that modeling can begin during pregnancy!
Elliott-Ramirez, president of Expecting Models, Inc. says, "I got the idea to start Expecting Models, Inc. when I found myself not having the proper representation for this specific market. There were no agencies that specialized in this niche market. In fact, most modeling agencies requested I call them after I had my baby and got back into shape!" With an an abundance of knowledge in the modeling and acting industry, she used her valuable hands-on experience and skills and transferred them into a flourishing maternity modeling agency and now Liza is the Executive Producer of Discover Health’s Runway Moms show going into their second season!
Like myself, Liza took it one step at a time when building her business. The first step led her into what needed to be done for the second, and so on. We both operated on intuition and admit to not creating a formal written business plan. Liza said, "If you operate with integrity and grace, you're on the right track!" I agree.
For more information about Expecting Models, Inc, call (212) 473-5152 or visit their website at www.expectingmodels.com.
GETTING "PLASTERED" DURING PREGNANCY
Also working on intuition was Wendy Tuey, President of ProudBody, Inc.. She was watching a TV show where an expecting mom was having a pregnancy belly cast made at an artist's studio. Wendy was instantly intrigued. She and her husband searched high and low, found all the materials, and clumsily went about creating their own plaster belly cast. When the plaster dried, they loved it!
After the birth of her son, Wendy decided to find the best materials and simplify the process of making a belly cast. Proud Body Belly Cast Kits were born! She packaged the materials at an affordable price so couples could enjoy the wonderful experience of creating a keepsake belly cast in the privacy of their own home. Since then, Wendy has expanded her product line with Tummy Tatts temporary pregnancy tattoos and other keepsakes for the mom-to-be.
For more information about Proud Body, call 877-972-1859 or visit their website at www.proudbody.com.
TWO MOMS AND ONE POP - A PRODUCT IS BORN!
It’s actually somewhat amazing when Noni Martin, President of Three Lollies Inc, a Registered Nurse for over 20 years and Lamaze educator, thinks back to that cool, dark evening when, driving home from teaching a childbirth class. The seeds for her invention were only electrical connections in her head when she found herself unable to get consistent, quality labor lollipops for her childbirth couples. Later came the hard work of discovering all the unknown elements that go into eventually producing a real product; including the appearance of supportive partners. Only natural flavors would do, and they had to be the flavors she and other childbirth educators had been recommending for years. This proved to be a more daunting task than she anticipated while raising two teenagers, working, and keeping connected with her husband of 28 years. Thus, with a little help from her friends – TWO MOMS AND ONE POP (no pun intended!) – Jeannie, JoAnn and Jim, they decided to take the leap of faith that created the product her clients were yearning for; and now the Preggie Pops, Preggie Drops, Queasy Pops and Queasy Drops are all realities and being enjoyed during labor and to combat morning sickness.
Noni says, "Lick 'em, You'll like 'em!".
For more information about Three Lollies products, call 866-773-4443 or visit their website at www.preggiepops.com.
BENEFITS OF A BUSINESS AFTER BABY
All of us started our businesses at home. Expecting Models, Inc., because of the nature of the business, quickly established a beautiful office space in the heart of New York's Union Square area, still very close to home. The decision to launch a business has allowed us to spend more time with the very thing which inspired the idea in the first place - our babies! We have the flexibility to create balance, fulfillment, and income while taking the kids to mommy and me class, attending class field trips, and helping with homework after school.
Advice for women who would like to start their own business:
Laurie J. Wing: If you believe in your idea, just do it. Don't let the unknown scare you off. Research the business and learn each step of the way. It becomes priceless experience! Get involved with a networking group of other small business owners to share ideas, experience and offer suggestions and advice. Stay focused and don't give up!
Liza Elliott-Ramirez: Go for it! You will only know if you try. What is the best thing that can happen? You might be successful! Follow your heart, your dream and become unstoppable. Push all negative input aside. Be the leader of your parade. Don't let anyone rain on it!
Wendy W. Tuey: Try to separate your work time from family time. Make a list of items for each work day with a must do or would like to do and review and revise at the end of the day for the next day. Get involved early in a discussion group with other small business owners so you can ask questions and get advice on areas where you don't have any or little expertise.
Noni Martin: I now understand the phrase - if you can think it, you can do it……….because it is true. Her passion is a belief that the family is the heart of any home, and that human relationships can nurture the spirit. Take that leap of faith and make it happen!
Nancy Cleary, Editor-in-Chief, Mom's Business Magazine www.momsbusinessmagazine.com says,
"I have profiled many business moms and I think one of the most rewarding results of launching your own business, creating your own products, or publishing your books, is the legacy you are creating for your children. Not only are you available for them when they need you, but you are showing them that, with passion and hard work, it is possible to make your dreams come true. And here's a tip - if you start during pregnancy, by the time they can read you'll have created something for them to be proud of!"
Helpful links for starting your own business:
United States Small Business Association www.sba.gov
National Foundation for Women Business Owners www.nfwbo.org
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council www.wbenc.org
Women Owned – Small Business Resources for Women in Business www.womenowned.com
Have you ever looked at a product or a business and wondered, "Why didn't I think of that?" Well, necessity is the mother of invention. More and more inventors and business owners are moms who have found a need and created a product.
MY STORY - BUTTERFLIES, HICCUPS, AND JOURNALS
More and more inventors and business owners are moms who have found a need and created a product to fill that need - this was me. During my first pregnancy, I was looking specifically for a guided pregnancy journal. I wanted to document the special moments during this, the most miraculous time in my life, pregnancy! When I couldn't find the journal I was looking for, I was inspired to create my own. My prototype sat on a shelf however, until my second pregnancy, almost four years later. When there still wasn't a journal available that would work for me I made the decision to bring mine to market. Butterflies & Hiccups: A Guided Pregnancy Journal for the New Mom-to-Be was conceived.
Butterflies & Hiccups was written in interview style, which works well for those daunted by a blank page. It covers almost every detail of your pregnancy with beautiful artwork by artist Maya I. Christensen, who I was so fortunate to have found online. I designed Butterflies & Hiccups as a hardcover with a spiral binding - which makes it easy to journal while you are in a bed or comfy chair.
Rather than spending the time and energy trying to convince a publishing house to accept my idea, I decided to do it on my own and self-published. Not knowing the first thing about publishing, I had a lot of learning to do! I was involved in every aspect of the writing, designing and publishing. All of this was done on my computer from the corner of my dining room with my children playing around me. It was a wonderful learning experience and the end result has been incredibly rewarding. I now opened Butterflies & Hiccups Pregnancy eStore offering only quality pregnancy products for the mom-to-be to enjoy her pregnancy.
Butterflies & Hiccups has taken on a life of its own in the maternity market and as a result, Barnes & Noble’s publisher, Sterling Publishing, made a formal offer to buy the rights to Butterflies & Hiccups as well as contracting for future versions.
For more information on Butterflies & Hiccups, call (973) 448-9550 or visit us at www.pregnancyjournal.com. Butterflies & Hiccups is available at our website, at most bookstores, maternity stores and other specialty stores.
A NEW BUSINESS MODEL
Liza Elliott-Ramirez worked for over 20 years in the modeling industry. Pregnant modeling wasn't very popular, so pregnancy was something one put off unless she wanted her career to end, or be put on hold. Expecting Models, Inc. has proved that modeling can begin during pregnancy!
Elliott-Ramirez, president of Expecting Models, Inc. says, "I got the idea to start Expecting Models, Inc. when I found myself not having the proper representation for this specific market. There were no agencies that specialized in this niche market. In fact, most modeling agencies requested I call them after I had my baby and got back into shape!" With an an abundance of knowledge in the modeling and acting industry, she used her valuable hands-on experience and skills and transferred them into a flourishing maternity modeling agency and now Liza is the Executive Producer of Discover Health’s Runway Moms show going into their second season!
Like myself, Liza took it one step at a time when building her business. The first step led her into what needed to be done for the second, and so on. We both operated on intuition and admit to not creating a formal written business plan. Liza said, "If you operate with integrity and grace, you're on the right track!" I agree.
For more information about Expecting Models, Inc, call (212) 473-5152 or visit their website at www.expectingmodels.com.
GETTING "PLASTERED" DURING PREGNANCY
Also working on intuition was Wendy Tuey, President of ProudBody, Inc.. She was watching a TV show where an expecting mom was having a pregnancy belly cast made at an artist's studio. Wendy was instantly intrigued. She and her husband searched high and low, found all the materials, and clumsily went about creating their own plaster belly cast. When the plaster dried, they loved it!
After the birth of her son, Wendy decided to find the best materials and simplify the process of making a belly cast. Proud Body Belly Cast Kits were born! She packaged the materials at an affordable price so couples could enjoy the wonderful experience of creating a keepsake belly cast in the privacy of their own home. Since then, Wendy has expanded her product line with Tummy Tatts temporary pregnancy tattoos and other keepsakes for the mom-to-be.
For more information about Proud Body, call 877-972-1859 or visit their website at www.proudbody.com.
TWO MOMS AND ONE POP - A PRODUCT IS BORN!
It’s actually somewhat amazing when Noni Martin, President of Three Lollies Inc, a Registered Nurse for over 20 years and Lamaze educator, thinks back to that cool, dark evening when, driving home from teaching a childbirth class. The seeds for her invention were only electrical connections in her head when she found herself unable to get consistent, quality labor lollipops for her childbirth couples. Later came the hard work of discovering all the unknown elements that go into eventually producing a real product; including the appearance of supportive partners. Only natural flavors would do, and they had to be the flavors she and other childbirth educators had been recommending for years. This proved to be a more daunting task than she anticipated while raising two teenagers, working, and keeping connected with her husband of 28 years. Thus, with a little help from her friends – TWO MOMS AND ONE POP (no pun intended!) – Jeannie, JoAnn and Jim, they decided to take the leap of faith that created the product her clients were yearning for; and now the Preggie Pops, Preggie Drops, Queasy Pops and Queasy Drops are all realities and being enjoyed during labor and to combat morning sickness.
Noni says, "Lick 'em, You'll like 'em!".
For more information about Three Lollies products, call 866-773-4443 or visit their website at www.preggiepops.com.
BENEFITS OF A BUSINESS AFTER BABY
All of us started our businesses at home. Expecting Models, Inc., because of the nature of the business, quickly established a beautiful office space in the heart of New York's Union Square area, still very close to home. The decision to launch a business has allowed us to spend more time with the very thing which inspired the idea in the first place - our babies! We have the flexibility to create balance, fulfillment, and income while taking the kids to mommy and me class, attending class field trips, and helping with homework after school.
Advice for women who would like to start their own business:
Laurie J. Wing: If you believe in your idea, just do it. Don't let the unknown scare you off. Research the business and learn each step of the way. It becomes priceless experience! Get involved with a networking group of other small business owners to share ideas, experience and offer suggestions and advice. Stay focused and don't give up!
Liza Elliott-Ramirez: Go for it! You will only know if you try. What is the best thing that can happen? You might be successful! Follow your heart, your dream and become unstoppable. Push all negative input aside. Be the leader of your parade. Don't let anyone rain on it!
Wendy W. Tuey: Try to separate your work time from family time. Make a list of items for each work day with a must do or would like to do and review and revise at the end of the day for the next day. Get involved early in a discussion group with other small business owners so you can ask questions and get advice on areas where you don't have any or little expertise.
Noni Martin: I now understand the phrase - if you can think it, you can do it……….because it is true. Her passion is a belief that the family is the heart of any home, and that human relationships can nurture the spirit. Take that leap of faith and make it happen!
Nancy Cleary, Editor-in-Chief, Mom's Business Magazine www.momsbusinessmagazine.com says,
"I have profiled many business moms and I think one of the most rewarding results of launching your own business, creating your own products, or publishing your books, is the legacy you are creating for your children. Not only are you available for them when they need you, but you are showing them that, with passion and hard work, it is possible to make your dreams come true. And here's a tip - if you start during pregnancy, by the time they can read you'll have created something for them to be proud of!"
Helpful links for starting your own business:
United States Small Business Association www.sba.gov
National Foundation for Women Business Owners www.nfwbo.org
Women’s Business Enterprise National Council www.wbenc.org
Women Owned – Small Business Resources for Women in Business www.womenowned.com
Print
Email
