No matter how many success stories I hear, I still get excited! Not only am I happy for the entrepreneur, but I also feel a sense of hope and excitement for people who may read a particular story and get going with their own dream business.
Many dream of starting a business, but unfortunately not all dreams come to fruition. Jaime Bird is the exception. She found the right guidance at the right time in her life from Heather Ledeboer of Mom4Life, whom I secretly nicknamed the Fairy Godmother to Mompreneurs.
Jamie recently sent me the following e-mail about the steps she took to launch her business. It is remarkable that she started out not knowing how to sew, taught herself, and then began designing and selling adorable clothing for babies.
Dear Michelle,
I started MiniMe BabyGear after my son was born–largely because Heather Ledeboer opened my eyes to the wonderful world of selling online! I had no vision of where I was going; in fact, I did not even have the first clue about how to sew a stitch at the time. I was determined, however, to do something that would allow me to stay home while contributing financially to my family.
So I packed up my mom’s 30-year-old sewing machine, lugged it cross-country back to my home in California, and set out to the library in search of a good how-to book. Hundreds of hours later, I created six key baby products to offer up for sale. Back to the library I went to inhale “Frontpage for Dummies,” $95 for my webhost, and a huge fear of failure on my part. I had no idea what I was doing, and was praying that I would just make my money back. I gave myself an entire year, not realizing how ridiculous that time frame was. After reaching that the first month, I needed a new focus. Mom4Life started carrying my products, Heather suggested a few others for me to sew that moms would enjoy, and the business and product line really grew from there.
This past summer, I decide to manufacture my biggest seller–the Wet Happened? wet bag. Designed to hold items such as soiled clothing or bibs, potty-training accidents, dirty diapers or wet swimming suits, it is fashionable, reusable and environmentally friendly. As more and more retail stores have started carrying it, everything else has been nudged out and it is becoming my sole focus and vision.
I feel really blessed to have the opportunity to stay home with my son while doing something that I am so passionate about. I agree with Heather that the hardest part is the juggling–and lack of sleep 
At the end of the day, though, I am thrilled to be in the baby business and am inspired so often by other moms and their stories. Thanks for sharing them!
Jamie Bird, owner
MiniMe BabyGear
www.wethappened.com
Thank you, Jamie, for sharing your story.
Sincerely,
Michelle
P.S. I am very very sad about the news I just heard via e-mail from a friend of Heather Ledeboer ’s concerning her recent pregnancy and the fact that she lost the baby. Although I don’t know any other details about what happened, Heather’s blog says that she and husband are making funeral arrangements for their baby Sawyer.
Heather’s blog: http://blog.mom4life.com/
Heather’s e-mail: Heather@mom4life.com
I know how difficult this must be for Heather and her husband as well as for their two children. I am praying for them and I know that with her family close by she is surrounded by lots of love and support.
This entry was posted on Tuesday, May 13th, 2008 at 10:07 am and is filed under Online Business, Starting a Business, Work at Home Mom, Growing a Business, Women in Business. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.6 Responses to “A Real Life Fairy Godmother Who Teaches and Inspires”
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May 13th, 2008 at 7:59 pm
Jamie, I have loved watching your business grow, you have done so well in such a short amount of time. I am so proud of you and thankful that we know each other.
Michelle, Thank you so much for your kind words and support. We have so many people praying for us, it is such a comfort in this difficult time.
May 17th, 2008 at 7:30 am
Thank you so much Heather! It has been inspiring to watch your business grow from the three items you initially carried to the hundreds you carry now. We are praying for you often as you go through this difficult time.
Thanks, Michelle! I appreciate you featuring women entrepreneurs and sharing my story.
May 17th, 2008 at 7:34 am
Congrats Jamie! It’s great to hear your business is booming! It couldn’t have happened to a sweeter person!
-Monique
May 17th, 2008 at 9:46 am
Michelle,
thank you for featuring these two amazing women. Heather has also been a great inspiration to me, when I first started my business, Heathers was one of the first stores to carry my designs. She even took the time to educate me on the process and gave me great ideas. She encouraged me and helped me gain self confidence as I started my online business selling comfy crawlers, (which are padded pants for crawling babies)really without any clue of what I was doing. I met Jamie about two years ago and we began to email eachother daily, we bounced many things off eachother and were there to encourage one another. I am so proud of her for how much she has accomplished! From sewing her products in her basement to now manufacturing for many large scale retail stores! She never ceases to amaze and impress me!
I admire her and always value her input, my business wouldn’t be half of what it is if it wasn’t for her and her always ready to give honest input!
May 17th, 2008 at 1:28 pm
Your story is such an inspiration, Jamie. It’s amazing what you have been able to accomplish is such a short amount of time!
May 19th, 2008 at 10:03 am
Kudos Jamie! I love you! You lead your life and business with a heart, passion and compassion. Every phone call or email we share gives me that special umph..to move forward with resolute purpose.