Market Mommies - Mommy Biz Listings

  

At least a couple of times a day, I get emails asking for help.  From PR to growing Facebook Fan Pages... moms have a lot of questions in starting and running their own businesses. 

I thought it would be helpful to put together a list of Business Services that I have found, have been helpful to me and maybe helpful to you.

This is by no means a complete list of all of the Business Solutions and Services on Marketmommies.com.  For our complete list - check out our directories.  There you will find hundreds of moms who can help you.  I came up with this list based on people I have worked with personally and have helped me as I started and continue to grow Marketmommies.com :)


Moxie Pear
http://www.moxiepear.com

My first dilema when I decided to do a website for mom owned businesses was that I have no website experience.  Well, other than surfing the web and shopping :)  During my career I had written tons of copy for websites - but I didn't know the technical aspects behind it.  During the course of a year, I took a couple of basic website classes, contacted designers I found and surfed the web - looking for websites I liked.

I really don't recall how I stumbled upon Lisa Bacon and her business Moxie Pear.  Fate maybe?  However it happened - I am so glad I did.  Lisa took my idea and created Marketmommies.com.  Not only did she create it - but she put up with my countless questions, calls and emails at 2am in the morning and created online tutorials to talk me through using my site.  She has gone above and beyond... and just wait and see what she has in store next for Marketmommies :)  Our redesign is just about ready to debut!

Restored 316
http://www.restored316.com

Another web/blog design service I have stumbled upon is Restored 316.  I found Lauren though the Mommyologist blog, which I adore.  I am working with a friend on a blog separate from Marketmommies.com and will be working with Lauren in the coming months.  I love the look and feel of all of her blogs which is why we decided to go with her. 

Other Designers to check out:
Kolbe Designs
Pages by Nancy
dCipollo Designs
Sashway's Studio

The Mom Entreprenuer
http://www.themomentrepreneur.com

This is just a great group of moms.  When Marketmommies.com first went live, I was looking around the web universe to find places to promote it.  I was so fortunate that I found this great group of ladies!  Traci Bisson is the lead Mom Entrepreneur and she has put together a valuable resource for all of us moms trying to make a go of it.  Their discussion boards are so useful in connecting with other moms and asking questions of moms who have been there/done that.  It is a subscription based service - but well worth the price.

More Great Mom Business sites:
Mommy Perks - Shara offers tons of different options for helping Moms and their business thrive.
Twitter Moms- Another great place to connect and meet Moms from all walks of life.

HARO -
HARO stands for Help A Reporter Out.  Its a newsletter that shows up in your email box up to 3 times a day with leads on what reporters are looking for.  I haven't followed this as close as I should - but I know several Marketmommies businesses have landed stories through this service.  Its completely free to sign up - and a great resource for moms looking to drum up some PR for their businesses.  You should also follow them on Twitter as the occassionally post emergency alerts for sources needed quickly.

Everyday, a new mom business joins our directory (ok, usually, a couple of mom businesses a day :)  But recently there have been a couple that have really caught my attention for a couple of reasons.  First, its the "why didn't I think of that" factor.  Second, the passion these moms have for what they are doing.  It may not be an invention or something that hasn't been done before - but these moms just LOVE what they are doing and it really shows.

So, I wanted to put a little spotlight on a couple of the new additions to the Marketmommies.com Business Directory in our latest Marketmommies Favorite Things.



The Bib Drying Rack
http://www.mommygenius.com
 

Stay-at-home mom, Annie Pryor, has invented several items that make a mom's life easier. The first to hit the market is the Bib Drying Rack. The Bib Drying Rack is the perfect place to hang wet baby bibs to dry between meals. No more wet bibs on the countertop. No more moldy bibs in the laundry. The Bib Drying Rack makes using and dealing baby bibs so much easier for mom.
 
Annie first contacted me about a week ago about the Bib Drying Rack.  Immediately, I thought, "now why didn't I think of that!"  My bibs usually end up drying on my faucet... which means they never get dry since someone is always turning on the water and getting my bibs all wet again. 

Annie sells The Bib Drying Rack individually or in gift sets containing Bumkins Superbibs. The gift sets come gift-wrapped in cellophane and are perfect baby shower gifts!


Red Snapper Baby
http://www.redsnapperbaby.com



As a sleep deprived new mom, I have spent more time snapping onesies and sleepers than I care to remember.  I know I used some choice words at 3am when I snapped up the sleeper, only to see my son or daughter's foot sticking out of the bottom, because I once again had lined up the snaps incorrectly, leaving a big ol hole for a baby toes to peak out of.

To the rescue, a mom of course!  Red Snapper Baby offers clothing for your children with a red snap in the middle.  You line up the red snaps first and work your way down each side of the rest of the outfit.  You will never have to snap, unsnap and resnap your baby's clothing again :0)  (Happy Mommy!!!)

Find Me Book
http://www.findmebook.com


I sit around with my kids every night before bedtime reading books (unless I negotiated trading book time for an episode of "The Backyardigans).  My son's favorite books involve search and find books.  Looking for Elmo, Woody, Lightening McQueen... you name it, we have searched and found it.  Find Me Books just popped up in the business directory a couple of days ago - and I have to say its one of my favorite ideas.  You upload photos to their website of your family, pick out scenes and you are on your way to having your own search book featuring your family as the stars.  What kid or grandparent wouldn't love that?


(Hugs Included)
http://blankets-hugsincluded.blogspot.com/


Each of my kids has their favorite blankie.  Ross' is from Target... Hogan's is a discontinued lovey that I have spent hours looking for backups.  Katherine's is a pink elephant.  Kristan hand makes each of these adorable fleece blankets.  Measuring 3 feet by 5 feet, they are perfect for daycare too. 


Con Leche Nursing Watches
http://www.conlechewatches.com


I proud to say that I nursed all of my children.  During my nursing career (totaling about 3 1/2 years) I have spent lots of brain energy on trying to remember what side I last nursed from.  I tried all the little tricks I had heard, but none of them worked for me.  To the rescue... a mom!

Con Leche™  watches were conceived and designed by someone who truly understands the commitment and challenges of new nursing moms: a nursing mother. Tired of writing down her baby's last feeding on scraps of paper scattered around the house and switching a safety pin back and forth on her bra strap, she decided there was a better way to getting it right. If all the important details of proper breastfeeding were handled in one convenient way, moms could spend their time connecting with their babies. 

There you have it - the newest Marketmommies.com businesses we had to showcase!   Happy shopping!

Welcome to another What's New Wednesday!  This is the post when we turn over our blog to Mom Owned Businesses so they can shamelessly promote their newest offerings.  Make sure you contact us if you have a product you would like to plug on our blog!

This week we feature - Con Leche Watches!

It's about time someone made nursing easier.

Con Leche™  watches were conceived and designed by someone who truly understands the commitment and challenges of new nursing moms: a nursing mother. Tired of writing down her baby's last feeding on scraps of paper scattered around the house and switching a safety pin back and forth on her bra strap, she decided there was a better way to getting it right. If all the important details of proper breastfeeding were handled in one convenient way, moms could spend their time connecting with their babies. 

It was the birth of a great idea for nursing moms everywhere.

The Con Leche™  Watch. The one tool every nursing mom needs. 

 With a Con Leche™ watch, you can actually record your last nursing time and on which side. So you'll never have to worry about compromising your baby's nourishment. All the details are on your wrist in one stylish, discreet timepiece.

The straps on the watch are interchangeable. See below for the choice of colors! Purchase extra straps - match the timepiece to your outfit! 

 

The watch is available at http://conlechewatches.com or at a boutique near you. If you don't see Con Leche™ Watches at your favorite local boutique, please let us know by emailing shane@conlechewatches.com and we will get right on it! 

The 4th of July is a pretty big deal here in Upper Arlington, a suburb of Columbus, Ohio.  The parade goes down our street, and people put out their chairs along the parade route 2 weeks in advance.  No lie... really, I couldn't make that up.

I am in a bit of denial that the 4th is coming up so quickly.  Maybe that's why I'm a little late getting this list out - but you still have time to get all of these things for your 4th of July celebrations!

 

Because kids have stuff to carry EVERYWHERE, try our 100% cotton canvas Duffel Bag with our signature namimal desi9s.  Colors available are Natural/Grass, Natural/Earth, Natural/Deep Sea and Natural/Pink Peonies.

Take a closer look, what do you see?  The Frog spells Hayden.   lit’l Desi9s takes the letters of a name and Artfully arranges them to create stranger safe designs.  Have an unusual name…No problem.   lit’l desi9s can custom make a desi9 just for you!  Visit the website at www.litldesi9s.com and view the over 4000 desi9s in the Name Gallery to find your name or you contact Carrie Pope at cpopelitldesi9s@yahoo.com to create a new name design from over 40 design recommendations including Scary Dinosaurs, Lovely Ladybugs, Pirates, Fairies and more.

No lit’l ones to buy for? lit’l desi9’s graffiti line appeals to tweens, teens and adults with edgy but sophisticated art made from your Name, a Saying, Date or Phrase.

Already got a bag for all that kid stuff? lit’l desi9s offers a whole product line of apparel and accessories for the young and young at heart of all ages from infant to adult and even dogs!

lit’l Desi9s is also offering job opportunities!  If you are looking for a Fun & Rewarding job, email me at cpopelitldesi9s@yahoo.com  for more details.  This is the perfect time to get in on the ground floor of a growing company.  You could be the first consultant in your area! 

Wanted to let you know about this great party kit for your Toy Story 3 fans!

From Mom Owned Business Bear Haven Boutique:



Just in time for Toy Story 3: Have a Toy Story 3 party! Great for birthdays or just for fun, this party kit for 8 includes everything to get the party started!
The basic party kit is $160, but is worth about $180 in stuffable plushy goodness! It is also customizable, so if you want to swap out something, just ask. The kit includes:

-2 Cowboy Bear Kits

-2 Cowgirl Bear Kits

-2 Astronaut Bear Kits

-1 Pig and 1 Dinosaur

Also included is the fluff, birth certificates, take home backpacks, and party guide which mostly just includes games and other ideas such as these really awesome cupcakes that I found in this month’s Family Fun Magazine.

If you have any questions or any suggestions, I would love to hear them. For more party kits, please check out our website!
http://stores.bearhavenboutique.com/-strse-102/toy-story-party/Detail.bok

*I am not affiliated with Disney/Pixar.  My products are only my interpretations and are inspired by their movies.