Frequently Asked Questions

·         What inspired you to open your business? After seeing a friend wearing her baby in the New Native Baby Carrier, I thought it was great and realized I hadn’t seen them at any of the big box stores. As a first-time mom, this was a revelation to me. I opened my business in October 2003, hoping it would provide an opportunity to benefit my family financially and, most importantly, to let me stay home with my son Hunter. Now that daughter Ashlyn has joined the family, I see more and more how family first was the right decision for me.

·         What is your professional background? After graduating from Dordt College in northwestern Iowa, I started teaching third grade at Redlands Elementary School in Redlands, CA. After the 2003 birth of my son, Hunter, though, I sought a way to stay home with him. Interestingly, I was a member of the Future Business Leaders of America (FBLA) and Future Farmers of America (FFA) in high school.  I guess the lessons I learned in FBLA on growing a business stuck with me more than the information on raising cattle!

·         Have you been featured by any media outlets? Yes! I have appeared on numerous radio and television programs, including three in less than two weeks in May 2007. Also in May, Entrepreneur’s StartUp featured me and my business, and a variety of Web sites and the national magazine “Parenting” have featured many of the products I sell.

·         What awards have you won? My business savvy has landed me a plethora of Web site awards, including the coveted Diaper Pin customer’s choice seal of approval and being named Entrepreneur Mom of the Month for May by MommysCompany.com.

·         Can you provide me with some business numbers? Number of customers, items sold, packages shipped, etc…?  Currently we are averaging more than 85,000 unique Web site visitors each month! We ship 40-50 packages per day. We are constantly adding new items – though only after I try them out to make sure they’re up to my quality expectations – and have approximately 450 items now. Our annual sales exceed $600,000.

·         Do you donate to any groups? Yes! I believe strongly in businesses giving back to the communities that help support them. Ten percent of every order is donated to the San Bernardino Crisis Pregnancy Center. I also recently donated thousands of pregnancy tests to multiple crisis pregnancy centers to help those women and regularly give products or gift certificates to auctions of charities of organizations that benefit mothers and children.

·         How have your religious beliefs influenced your business? They have actually been very influential.  I really feel that following Christ’s example of treating others they way I would want to be treated has been the cornerstone theme for my view on customer service.  I view my customers as I would a friend.  Taking the blessing of my business’ success and helping other women in need (such as though the donations to the Crisis Pregnancy Centers) is simply an added way to say thanks to God for being so faithful to me.

·         What are some of your most unique products? Wow -- that is a tough one!  I truly feel they are all unique.  It seems that my favorite products change each time I add a new product.  Overall, however, I would say that The Nursing Bracelet, LilyPadz nursing pads and Bebe au Lait nursing covers are three popular products that really seem to meet a unique need for moms in a practical way.