I've been getting tons of emails from all of you requesting to hear more about the mompreneur experience.  I share similar things with each email response, so I thought a better way to share is by blogging about it.  This is the journey of a mom starting up a business wth a toddler by her side. 

sdlfart vihdfgi347129 dghdsfjkldfjogiod ffijofjodfjo (uh...THAT was literally Kayla, my 21-month-old daughter, saying hello by slamming on the keyboard.  It's much better than pulling OFF the keyboard keys like she usually does when I'm not looking.  Once I went a whole week without the "N" key because I couldn't find it on the floor!)

So, the 2 questions I get asked the most so far are:  When did you start this?  How did you come up with the BabbaCover idea?

I started BabbaCo in concept 3 years ago.  I didn't even have a baby yet!  In college, I had a baked goods company that I started out of my dorm room (literally!).  I started baking my special custom treats for my friends and started selling them at the Quick Mart across the street.  They kept selling out, so I produced more and eventually started a business.  In less than 18 months, we were in 320 locations and I had a full manufacturing process, 13 employees, and investors!  I started it as a 19-year-old student WITH braces (yes, I got braces very late in life) and grew up fast through the experience.  After years of running nonstop, I was worn out and knew it was time for me to move on.

I KNEW that the next time I started a business, it would be for something that I truly loved, enjoyed, and believed in because it requires all of my commitment, heart, and soul.  When Kayla was born, I started creating products that just made my life easier.  I quit my corporate job at Kraft Foods in November 2007 (almost one year ago!).  A lot has happened this year!  Do you want to hear more details?  Email me your specific questions and I'll share, but I won't bore you now. :)

The creation of the BabbaCover was inspired by my own frustration.  Kayla was a blankie gal.  She self-named it "Dee Dee" (no idea where that came from) and we had to drag it everywhere!  We live in Chicago where the winters are brutal.  It is just bitter cold!  Covering the infant car seat all day and night, the blankie kept falling off, I couldn't see what she was doing, and I almost dropped the entire carrier b/c the blanket was satin and slippery. 

My frustration opened my eyes to every parent around me struggling with the same thing!  So, I designed the product and started using it on Kayla.  The BabbaCover was born!  No more fumbling with blankets!  We especially used it when we went out to eat at restaurants.  Pre-BabbaCover, I used a waiter's apron (!!!!) to cover Kayla, so she could take a nap.  No more of that. 

Thanks to everyone for emailing me and being part of this journey.  Keep sending us your pictures and testimonies about the product!  I can't tell you how much it energizes me.

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