Interview with: MiniMe BabyGear

Meet the Mom Behind MiniMe BabyGear!

Who is MiniMe BabyGear and what sets you apart from other boutiques?
MiniMe BabyGear has changed forms a few times, and each step has been an adventure.

I had always been fascinated with creating clothing and accessories, but had no idea how to sew. After a visit with my parents in 2003, I lugged my mom's 30-year-old solid steel sewing machine from Michigan to California determined to learn. I went to the library in search of a good how-to book, and started sewing anything and everything. Thousands of ripped out seams and hundreds of baby gifts later, my friends started encouraging me to sell what I was sewing. My son was born in late 2004; I took one look at him and knew I had to give it a shot.


My New Years Resolution was to set up a website and sew baby items out of my house. One problem - I did not know how to create a website! Back to the library I went, and Frontpage for Dummies became my new best friend. 60 hours later, I went live with my first website hoping to make my money back the first year ($100). Little did I realize the demand there is for handmade, quality products. Before long, I was sewing instead of sleeping, and knew I needed some help.

I now have many seamstresses helping me, and love that I can create and sell unique handmade products while still helping out other moms in my community. Due to demand, two of my other items, the Wet Happened? wet bag and Breastfeeding Buddy, are manufactured right here in the US. I love what I do, and am so happy all of this began with that 30-year-old clunky machine.


Where are you located?
I am located in Grand Rapids, Michigan


How did you come up with your business name?
The name started as MiniMe Embroidery. My son looked so much like me when he was little, everyone called him MiniMe. After the old sewing machine was upgraded into an embroidery machine, I embroidered names on anything and everything so the rhyming nature fit. However, after a few of my friends could not figure out how to spell embroidery...it was switched to MiniMe BabyGear in 2005.


When and why did you decide to start your own business?
I started my business for the same reason I am still doing it- I love to be at home with my son. I enjoy the flexibility of being able to watch him grow up and take part in his every day silliness. I adore him, and have another on the way in April that I will desire to spend just as much time with. It is fantastic to do fun things with him all day.


What motivates you to keep your business going?
I love my customers. I am so grateful and thankful that so many moms shop with me. Many customer relationships have turned into online friendships that I cherish.


Do you have a particular product that's unique, a best seller, or that you are promoting on your site?
My best seller is definitely the Wet Happened? wet bag. Made for fashionable moms, it is perfect for all the times you need to separate your wet items. It is perfect for: Soiled Clothing or Bibs, Wet Bathing Suits, Dirty Diapers, and Potty Training. It is washable, re-usable, and environmentally friendly. Let’s face it…kids will make the mess, (why not) have a fashionable place to store them!



How do you advertise your business and which methods worked best?
I have only advertised through online blog reviews, small family magazine reviews, and word of mouth. Many of my customers come back to shop with me, and I am honored to have customers that spread the word.


How do you juggle family and work at home?
This is probably my biggest struggle. I usually work from 9pm until 3 am, and am thankful I need very little sleep. It is a horrible habit! One day a week my mom takes my son, and I also have one employee that helps me with paperwork and invoicing which also lightens the load. Because I love what I do, it does not always seem like work so I often need to remind myself to prioritize and focus on the things that NEED to be done as opposed to the things that can wait.



What advice would you give to moms seeking to become a WAHM?
The biggest advice I can give is to just jump in! I meet so many moms that would like to work from home, and fear or lack of knowledge holds them back. Ask a lot of questions. Find someone that does what you want to do, and start learning. It is cliché, but the journey of a million miles begins with a single step. Even small steps are forward progress.


Visit MiniMe BabyGear at: www.minimebabygear.com


Current promotions/specials at MiniMe BabyGear:
Please enter MINIME during checkout for 10% off, no expiration. Also, free shipping on the Wet Happened? wet bags