Meet Rebecca Servoss, Founder and Owner of Persnickety Graphic Design

Meet Rebecca Servoss, owner of Persnickety Graphic Design. Rebecca will be sharing her wide range of expertise on branding at TouchPoint this September. Be a part of this event and register now! We hope to see you there!   

Hometown: South Jordan, Utah

Current Residence:  South Jordan, Utah

Education: BS in Marketing/Advertising, Minor in Graphic Design

Professional Background:  I’ve worked in marketing doing events, PR and design for 15 years. About 3 ½ years ago I left my corporate job and went out on my own and started Persnickety Graphic Design.

What you wanted to be when you grew up:  Remember Angela Bower from the 80’s show “Who’s the Boss”?  She was an advertising exec and I always dreamed of having her career.

What you are:  I am a business owner, a graphic designer, a marketing and branding guru, and a mom.

Brief Summary of your Start Up:  It was pretty simple, really.  I had been doing freelance design for several years, so I already had my computer and software and a pretty great portfolio.  In order to make Persnickety Graphic Design my full-time gig I had to find a few more clients.  I can’t tell you how important networking is.  Because of great relationships with former coworkers and clients people were referred to me, and I was able to lock in a few contracts.  This was all I needed.  I was a business-owner and I was determined to succeed.

Company Website? http://www.persnicketygraphics.com

What inspired you? I find inspiration all around me.  Literally.  I can be watching a movie or listening to music and find myself imagining designs.  Or shopping… window displays are another one of my favorite inspiration sources.  But when I am home and it is just me and my computer, I look to other great designers for inspiration.

How long have you been in business? 3 ½ years

How did you fund it? I don’t have a lot of overhead, which is lucky.  I work on a cash basis.  If I don’t have cash to pay for it, I don’t buy it.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I have a couple… one is my dad.  He in a very successful entrepreneur (his computer business has been around since 1986 and his accounting business since 1975). Laura Dahl is my other mentor.  She was my instructor when I went back to school to get my web development certification.  She is a great resource and I’m lucky to have her.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Just StartupPrincess.

Current Business Challenge? Knock on wood… things are going really smoothly right now.  I have a good rhythm going as far as my time management is concerned.  I have a steady stream of work coming in, for which I am so thankful.  And my clients are happy.  I don’t really think I could ask for more.

What are you doing about it? Being grateful.

Favorite motivational quote: “Your imagination is your preview of life’s coming attractions.” Albert Einstein

Family? Two darling little girls (one 8 and one 3) and an amazing husband.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I’m lucky, my husband is very hands on around the house.  He does a lot of housework and spends a lot of time with the girls, which allows me to work

Favorite book? I love cookbooks… all cookbooks.  They are so perfect… you get a list of what to do and if you follow the instructions you are left with a yummy little surprise in the end.

What do you do to relax? I love TV.  It is a total escape for me.  I also love to bake.

What do you want to change most about your world? I wish I had more time so I didn’t have to work when my kids were around.  I try spend as much time as possible with them, but I wish it was more.

What are you most proud of? My little girls.  No question.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Don’t ever lose sight of your purpose.  Why did you start your own business in the first place?

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My computer – or should I say, the internet.  I use it every single day when I need to find an answer, or inspiration or even if I need to let out some creativity or blow off steam.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Actually, I wear a pink tiara while I work, but if I could design my own tiara using actual gemstones I would choose amethyst for clarity, aquamarine for insight, carnelian for precision, hematite to reduce stress, opal for imagination, peridot for prosperity, sapphire to help with communication, and turquoise because it’s my birthstone.

Introducing our Newest Fairy Godmother, Sarah O’Leary Burningham Owner of Little Bird Publicity

We are pleased to introduce newest Fairy Godmother Sarah O’Leary Burningham, owner and founder of Little Bird Publicity! Sarah will be flying in from New York to share tips on “How to Be Your OWN Publicity Guru” at next week’s Utah County Chapter Meeting, Thursday August 18th. Don’t miss what you can learn from this New York City publicist and author! Register here!

Hometown: I’ve lived all over the country. I was born in Texas and have lived in Georgia, Washington, Utah, and now New York.

Current Residence: New York, NY

Education: BA in English from the University of Utah

Professional Background: Before founding Little Bird in 2009, I worked in publicity and marketing at a number of national publishers, including HarperCollins, REGAN, HarperStudio, and William Morrow, where I created and executed campaigns for Ralph Nader, Neal Boortz, the late William F. Buckley, Jr., Frank Warren’s bestselling PostSecret series, Clinton strategist Doug Schoen, Beth Lisick’s popular Helping Me Help Myself, and the late Jeanne Kirkpatrick. I also worked in publicity at Workman Publishing, Miramax Books, and Gibbs Smith Publisher, and I am the author of How to Raise Your Parents: A Teen Girl’s Survival Guide and Boyology: A Teen Girl’s Crash Course in All Things Boy. I’ve been featured on the Today Show, FOX News, CBS News, NPR, Oprah Radio, in Newsweek and Teen Vogue, and on local TV and radio programs around the country.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: An interior designer

What you are: A publicist and author (the owner of Little Bird Publicity)

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Little Bird Publicity is a full-service boutique public relations and marketing firm that blurs the lines of old and new media to develop creative platforms for authors and brands. I weave more than 10 years of marketing, publicity and publishing experience on major bestselling projects together with my own experience as a published author, to offer innovative, targeted campaigns.

Company Website? www.littlebirdpublicity.com

What inspired you? I was inspired by the idea that I could balance my life and be my own boss, building on a career I loved.

How long have you been in business? Since September 2009

How did you fund it? I saved for nearly a year before launching the company, all while working a full time job. (I had a well-budgeted business plan to help me determine what my start-up costs would be.) I then used those savings in the first few months of the company, as I got the business going.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I’ve had the chance to learn from many talented women in the book publishing and publicity worlds, including Kim Hicks at Workman Publishing, Suzanne Wickham and Judith Regan at Regan and HarperCollins, Greta deJong at the Catalyst magazine, my wonderful editor and publicist at Chronicle Books, and even though it might sound cheesy and she’s not technically in publishing, my own mother, who always told me I could be anything I wanted to be. I also have to give a shout-out to a college professor who inspired me to start writing creatively, Melanie Rae Thon.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? National League of American PEN Women, Publishers Publicity Association, 85 Broads and now Startup Princess!

Current Business Challenge? Managing potential clients against the day-to-day work load. As a business owner, you need to deliver on a daily basis while still thinking about business for the future.

What are you doing about it? I’ve hired a part-time assistant to help manage office and administrative tasks.

Favorite motivational quote: “Proceed until apprehended,” something my dear friend Bridget Farmer once said. Her point is that when it comes to risk-taking, there will always be naysayers. You just have to go for it – make your own way – and don’t stop.

Family? A wonderful husband – I call him my 50% shareholder.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I don’t believe that a woman can have it all – I believe that a smart woman makes choices about what she wants and what works for her. For me, that includes maintaining a solid marriage and successful business, in that order. To keep those things in balance takes daily assessment and a lot of hard work, but it’s worth it.

Favorite book? For someone who works with books that’s a dangerous question! So many books, so little time. One I go back to again and again is The Great Gatsby. And I love Kate Chopin’s Awakening.

What do you do to relax? Yoga and regular vacations. I’m a firm believer in making the time to let down – if you’re a scheduler like me, be sure to work it into your calendar.

What do you want to change most about your world? There’s a lot of fear in publishing and the media right now, as companies close and budgets are slashed. I wish we could find a way to continue to publish quality books in a more timely manner. I truly believe that books have the power to change the world. I know they’ve changed mine.

What are you most proud of? The business accomplishment that I’m most proud of is starting Little Bird Publicity and making it a success. I launched the company in the midst of hard times in this recession and had a lot of people telling me that I should think twice about leaving my corporate job. Yet, I knew that I could make my business work and trusted myself enough to take that risk. It’s paid off, both financially and emotionally. I have never been happier.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? To trust your gut – but to back up your gut feelings with solid research. It’s critical to have faith in yourself, but no brilliant idea or amount of confidence alone will make for a successful business. You have to run the numbers and do the research to support your instincts. Being a good business owner is a combination of hard-work and intuition. Using them together makes you almost unstoppable.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Wordpress – being able to create and work with my own website has enabled me to keep costs down while still developing my professional profile. I’m also a devoted reader. Before launching my business, I read a number of books on business advice, which helped me greatly.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? I like funky, nature-inspired jewelry so I would probably go with some sort of cool shell or even petrified wood. Turquoise is another favorite.

Meet Kim Flynn, Founder and Owner of Fabulous Living and Tutoring Connection

We have so many great speakers lined up for this year’s Touchpoint Conference in Utah, one of which is the business-savy and extremely likable Kim Flynn of Fabulous Living and Tutoring Connection. Kim, who is also one of our very own Fairy Godmothers, will be speaking on, 5 Steps to Organizing Your Business From the Ground Up. Don’t miss your chance to learn from Kim and our other speakers on September 24th! We hope to see you there! 

Hometown: Suburbs of Atlanta

Current Residence: Cedar Hills, Utah

Education: BA Brigham Young University

Professional Background: I taught English for 3 years before starting Tutoring Connection at age 24. Ten years later I started Fabulous Living, inspiring, in-home classes for women.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: An English teacher

What you are: A woman, a wife, a mother, a business owner, an author, and a speaker.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: After having my first baby, I started tutoring kids in my own home. The business grew, and pretty soon I had 5 different tutoring “stations” set up all over the house. We had cars parked up & down the street all day long, so we switched to an at-home tutoring format: our tutors now go to the clients home. We now have up to 20 tutors, and tutor up to 150 children per week in reading, math, and specialized subjects.

Fabulous Living started when I wanted an in-home personal trainer and a personal stylist, and I figured other women would want the same services. Fabulous-Living.com now offers in-home training and image consulting in Utah County, as well as video and on-line classes in a variety of subjects available to everyone!

Company Website? www.TutoringConnection.net and www.Fabulous-Living.com Twitter @kimmo29

What inspired you? My Dad. He was always thinking up new business ideas when I was growing up. His latest idea is a tilapia farm!

How long have you been in business? 10 years

How did you fund it? I grew it organically, never needing a loan or any more than $100 in start-up funds!

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Heather Madder is my business coach extraordinaire. www.heathermadder.com

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Utah County WEB, and Startup Princess, of course!

Current Business Challenge? I just restructured and let the woman go who has been running my business for me for three years. It was time to progress, but it was a very painful decision!

What are you doing about it? Choosing to make the hard decisions when they need to be made, even when they are personally painful.

Favorite motivational quote: “When we put God first, all other things fall into their proper place or drop out of our lives.” — Ezra Taft Benson

Family? I have a fabulous hubby, and four kidlets ages 10 – 2.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I work two days a week from home with a babysitter. I involve my kids in my business choices, decisions, and lessons learned. They know that business is a key purpose and mission in my life, and I encourage them to develop and find their own.

Favorite book? Pride & Prejudice by Jane Austen, E-Myth by Michael Gerber, Why Our Children Can’t Read by Carmen McGuinness, A New Earth by Eckart Tolle

What do you do to relax? Tinker in my garden, scrapbook, take a bath, and read anything non-business related.

What do you want to change most about your world? I want to show women that they can LIVE. I am committed to strengthening marriage.

What are you most proud of? I am proud to be a teacher, in many different settings.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Take that first scary step in the dark, and then another, and then another. Pray for guidance. The Lord wants you to be on the path that you want to be on!

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Books, books, books.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Anything but diamonds. My socially conscious sisters would not approve!

Meet Danielle LaPorte, Creator of White Hot Truth, Author and Business Consultant

This September all you Startup Princesses out there will have the privilege of hearing from Danielle LaPorte, Author and  Business Consultant speak at this year’s Touchpoint Conference. She will be rockin’ the mic as she helps you move your business, your dreams and yourself forward. If you don’t already know who Danielle LaPorte is, you should. Book a flight and register for the event. This woman will knock your socks off. She’s that awesome. Plus, Danielle’s been a Fairy Godmother for Startup Princess since 2006 so she’s especially amazing and generous. We love her! Don’t miss her keynote!

Hometown: Windsor, Ontario

Current Residence: Vancouver, British Columbia 

Education: Life

Professional Background: I’m the creator of WhiteHotTruth.com, which has been called “the best place on-line for kick-ass spirituality.” I’m a former think tank exec, news show commentator, motivational speaker, and lead author of Style Statement, I’ve  been featured in Elle,Vogue, Entertainment Tonight, and the Huffington Post. My latest online book is The Fire Starter Sessions: A Digital Experience for Entrepreneurs. You can find me on Twitter @daniellelaporte

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A poet, a social worker, Wonder Woman. In that order. Seriously.

What you are: A poet, a social worker, Wonder Woman.

Brief Summary of your Start Up:

it’s all here:
http://whitehottruth.com/about/
and here:
http://whitehottruth.com/want-more-faq/

Company Website? www.whitehottruth.com and Twitter: @DanielleLaporte

What inspired you? A burning desire for creative liberation.

How long have you been in business? My whole life.

How did you fund it? Credit cards and midnight oil.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? No. I’m an introvert. That said, Twitter is a phenomenal space for connecting.

Current Business Challenge? What challenges? I only see opportunities. I’m not being coy; I’ve been doing it long enough to not take it too seriously.

Favorite motivational quote: “The privilege of a lifetime is being who you are.” – Joseph Campbell

Family? I have a six year old amazing son.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I don’t. I believe life balance is a myth.

Favorite book? To Kill A Mocking Bird. And the book I’m about to write.

What do you do to relax? Snuggling. Buddhist meditation. Kitchen disco. Lemon water. 

What do you want to change most about your world? The faulty premise that being well-rounded will get you the approval you seek. Fughet it.

What are you most proud of? That my son is gentle, hilarious and loves to rock out.

What advice would you like to offer other Startup Princesses? You know. That’s it. You know what you want, you know the answer. Don’t second guess your desires — they are your most accurate compass.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My sense of humour, and a capacity for very deep listening.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Just pure solid gold for me, baby.

Introducing Jana Francis, Founder and Owner of Baby Steals

We are pleased to introduce Jana Francis, founder and owner of Baby Steals, and to announce that Jana will be speaking at this years 4th Annual Touchpoint Conference in South Jordan, Utah on September 24th. This is an awesome event that you won’t want to miss. Jana will be speaking on How to Increase Online Sales. To view the complete agenda and to register for this event, click here. We look forward to hearing from all the speakers!

Hometown: Park City, Utah

Current Residence: Murray, Utah

Education: University of Utah (but oddly I cheer for the blue!)

Professional Background: Marketing, Advertising, Sales, Media/Broadcast Advertising, Internet Marketing & Sales

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A mommy with lots of kids, the perfect homemaker, financially free.

What you are: A mommy of 3 kids, an aspiring-to-be perfect homemaker with lots of room to improve, financially free.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Steal Network started and operates the leading deal of the day websites in the Baby, Children’s and Scrapbook industries. We connect communities of like-minded women together around things they are most passionate about while celebrating one brand per day. We entertain and bring our fans together daily at 9am with a new ’steal of the day’ – a rarely discounted high quality brand or product up for sale at 50% off or more for 24 hours or until it’s gone! We deliver their ‘joy’ quickly by same-day shipping on all products, and deliver completely fanatical and mind-boggling customer service. We truly connect with (and have become friends with) our fans. Now “stealing” has become a daily obsession for over 250,000+ women around the US and Canada.

Company Website? www.babysteals.com, www.kidsteals.com, www.scrapbooksteals.com, parent company www.stealnetwork.com (under construction)

What inspired you? The gut-wrenching feeling I had the morning my maternity leave was over, when I pulled out of the driveway to go back to work. I worked for 15 years in the corporate world yet wanted nothing more than to have an ‘at-home’ career.

How long have you been in business? Since April of ‘08

How did you fund it? Self-funded through personal savings that I was able to pay back within a few months. Approximately $5k for the initial basics.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Not necessarily, but one of my dearest friends Rachel Coleman (www.signingtime.com) has given me some great advice along the road. And after starting a very successful company of her own based on her own passion, it inspired me that I could do the same.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? I really wish I did! I love nothing more than to meet new people and network. At this time, 3 kids, 31 employees and 250,000+ customers are more than I can manage!

Current Business Challenge? Finding talented people with very niche skills and expertise that I need, and can afford at the same time. My business is an entirely new model and the job descriptions of my employees are not standard or mirrored anywhere else, which makes recruiting very interesting!

What are you doing about it? Outreach- to people I trust and mirror a similar work ethic and passion for business.

Favorite motivational quote: “Nothing great was ever achieved without enthusiasm” – Emerson

Family? I have 3 children; Easton (16) Brandon (10) and Jane (4). My husband is a Chiropractor and owns Murray Park Chiropractic.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I wish I was better at this. I am still trying to find my balance. Right now, balance means working late into the night the majority of the time. I have faith that will change over time, but I understand in the meantime, you gotta do what you gotta do! Having worked in the corporate world for 15 years and now being able to work from home about 70% of the time, I truly cherish my ability to do that- even though work and home tend to blur into something new.

Favorite book? Simple Abundance

What do you do to relax? Anything domestic. Gardening, cooking or baking, and music!

What are you most proud of? My children. They are the center of my universe and are 3 really incredible and amazing kids!

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? If you are going to partner with someone in your business, make absolutely sure that you enjoy and trust this person and that they mirror your values, ethics, and bring as much to the table and have as much passion for the business that you do. I have been so fortunate to have an amazing business partner and I can’t imagine running my company without him. Because of how great of a team we are, I can see how that relationship alone can make or break the success of a company, especially in the beginning stages.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Google. I am not sure what I’d ever do without their toolbox of free cloud computing.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Aquamarines. It’s my birthstone, and I love pastel blues.

Introducing Saren Eyre Loosli, Co-Founder of The Power of Moms

We are pleased to introduce Saren Eyre Loosli, co-founder of The Power of Moms, and to announce that Saren will be speaking at this years 4th Annual Touchpoint Conference in South Jordan, Utah on September 24th. This is an awesome event that you won’t want to miss. Saren will be speaking on Growing a Business While Raising a Family. To view the complete agenda and to register for this event, click here. We look forward to hearing from all the speakers!

Hometown: Boston, MA; Salt Lake City, UT; London, England; McLean, VA; San Jose, CA

Current Residence: Saint George, UT

Education: B.A. from Wellesley College, Master’s in Education from Harvard University

Professional Background: I did humanitarian and missionary work in Bulgaria, did service expeditions to Kenya and Bolivia, ran volunteer-promotion efforts nationwide for The Points of Light Foundation, ran regional conferences and produced a manual for educators for the Corporation for National Service, did evaluation and consulting for the YMCA and Boys and Girls’ Clubs, ran a small interior design company for a year and designed my own home, continue to run an educational curriculum company (The Joy School Company) that helps moms run their own little preschools

What you wanted to be when you grew up: The person who would finally bring real world peace. Plus I thought interior design would be pretty fun.

What you are: I’m a mother and wife, first and foremost, but I’m trying to save the world in my spare time and sometimes that makes for some serious balance issues. I work in the local schools trying to improve programs. I head a foundation that provides start-up funding for non-profits that strengthen families. I run The Power of Moms, an organization that helps moms become the mothers and women they really want to be through unique programs and trainings.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: The Power of Moms is more than a website – it’s a movement of deliberate mothers striving to be the moms and women they really want to be while helping other mothers do the same. We offer moms programs and resources to help them find balance, reduce stress, increase joy, achieve their goals, and find the support, motivation and ideas they need. Our tagline is “growing ourselves, building each other, shaping the future.”

Company Website? Powerofmoms.com

What inspired you? My mom, Linda Eyre, is an amazing mother who has not only raised 9 pretty darn good kids but has also helped mothers and families worldwide through writing books and presenting speeches and workshops.

How long have you been in business? 2 years

How did you fund it? Sweat equity and a little money out of our pockets. My husband has donated countless hours as our web designer and my partner. April Perry, and I work 6-8 hour days without a lot of income yet.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My mom

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? No

Current Business Challenge? Finishing major new products (that are always ALMOST done) while managing the day-to-day needs of our website and keeping up our marketing efforts

What are you doing about it? Training and involving more volunteers to run specific aspects of our website, learning to let go of the things that don’t really matter and be less of a perfectionist and control freak.

Family? My husband Jared and 5 kids (2 boys, one girl, twin boys on the end) ages 5-10

If so, how do you balance family and business? I’m getting better at drawing strict boundaries around my work hours and setting goals each week regarding quality family time. I’ve committed to closing the computer when the kids need me and have learned to jot down my thought and come back to it later rather than saying “just a minute” about 1000 times while I finish “one more thing.”

Favorite book? The Good Earth by Pearl Buck

What do you do to relax? Go for a long hike or bike ride. Watch a good movie with my husband. Chat and laugh with my sisters and friends

What do you want to change most about your world? I want every mother to be able to feel great about herself as a mother and as a woman, to feel the value and beauty of her work as a mom, and to feel the sisterhood and support of other mothers who have so much to share.

What are you most proud of? I’m really happy with the way our website has struck a chord with so many mothers who find it to be “a great combination of comforting and motivating.” I’m really glad that we’ve been able to reach 20,000 moms in the last 6 months.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Our network of great bloggers and our great board of volunteers who help move this work forward.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Moonstones. Moonstones come from Sri Lanka and an ancient fable said they were formed when these three princes cried in great joy when they finished seemingly insurmountable tasks and learned the greatest lessons in life.

Introducing Sari Crevin, Founder and President of BooginHead

We are pleased to introduce Sari Crevin, Founder and President of BooginHead! Sari’s favorite quote, “Passion is a force that cannot be stopped”, describes this entrepreneur to a tee. Working as a Human Resource Manager for X-Box, being a wife, mother AND owner of her own business, Sari obviously has some passion and energy! Read below to find out what lead Sari to create BooginHead, and discover the joys and challenges that she has encountered from an ever-growing business. Connect with Sari on twitter and facebook or visit her website. We hope you enjoy the interview!

Name: Sari Crevin

Hometown: Lafayette, CA

Current Residence: Bellevue, WA

Education: University of Arizona, degree in Human Resources Management from the School of Business; The Coaches Institute, Life and Business Coaching Certification

Professional Background: I started my career at New Line Cinema in Los Angeles as a Human Resources Assistant and was quickly drawn to the recruiting function. I left New Line for a recruiting agency and spent three years with them learning how to successfully build a client base and the art of making the perfect match in the marketplace. Before the company closed, I briefly spent time as a Senior Recruiter at Arthur Andersen in San Francisco and from there opened my own recruiting and coaching company, “Advancement Group.” The company did well but when Microsoft came calling, they presented an offer I could not refuse. I joined their Zune team when they were less than 100 people and helped them grow to over 800 employees. In March of 2009 I was offered a position as a Human Resources Manager on the X-Box team.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: When I was a little girl and my parents would ask me what I wanted to be when I grew up I always responded with the same two answers, “Either mayor of a small town or a talk show host like Oprah.” I know they don’t seem related, but if you think about it, both involve being curious about people, connecting with them and trying to help them. Looking back, it makes sense that I chose Human Resources as a career; it helps satisfy my need to be involved in a business, but with a very human element. So, in essence I AM doing my dream job! I have always been driven and entrepreneurial, and having my own company helps to satisfy that need.

What you are: I am Human Resources Manager for Microsoft’s X-Box Division and Founder and President of my parenting product company, BooginHead LLC.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: BooginHead LLC is a privately held company. In 2005, as a working mother, I created the very first prototype of SippiGrip. After an evolution of prototypes, research and testing of the SippiGrip, I formed BooginHead LLC. in September 2007 and dedicated myself to launching new and useful product for parents – and for parents everywhere I have helped end the cup throwing game!

BooginHead LLC. is currently located in Bellevue, Washington where the sister product, PaciGrip was created in 2008. BooginHead’s PaciGrip is a universal pacifier holder in matching SippiGrip colors. Although not a new concept, the PaciGrip is fashionable, UNIVERSALLY compatible with all pacifier brands and is one of the most affordable products available. PaciGrip is currently BooginHead’s best-selling item.

The third product, SplatMat, a unique 48” round reusable mat in three fashion forward colors guaranteed to catch every spill, was introduced last year at The ABC Show in Las Vegas. I have 2 new products due to launch later this year.

Company Website? www.booginhead.com

What inspired you? A few years ago, I became increasingly frustrated when my 1-year-old son, Jake, would throw his sippy cup to the floor from his high chair, stroller and car seat. I was constantly picking up the cups that were either getting dirty or getting lost. Necessity really was the mother of invention and I could not find any product, in stores or on-line, that met my needs. Hence, I was inspired to invent and the SippiGrip was born. My entrepreneurial spirit has always been inspired and nurtured by my family. My mother started her own business and worked 7 days a week, my father was incredibly supportive and cooperative, and having that type of upbringing showed me that all options were open to me. It was stimulating to be shown that there were many different paths in life that I could take both professionally and personally.

How long have you been in business? BooginHead LLC officially launched its products to retailers in September of 2007.

How did you fund it? In the beginning my entire business was financed out of my own personal bank account. After I was accepted into Target’s 2009 Parent Invented Product’s Program, I knew I would need more capital to manufacture larger numbers. At that point, we took out a second mortgage on our house to pay for the manufacturing costs. Within a year I was able to open a business line of credit, pay myself back the initial investment and was fortunate enough to move into the profit zone.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I have been fortunate to have many mentors along the way. There are several women that were a few years ahead of me with their success and they “paid it forward” by giving me the guidance and knowledge of how to navigate the industry successfully.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? NWEM (Northwest Enterprising Mom’s), Mommy Millionaire, www.mommymillionaire.com and I am often online viewing and contributing to sites such as Entrepreneur.com.

Current Business Challenge? BooginHead has grown so quickly and that is a wonderful thing. However, there are a lot of challenges that come along with that. Having the right infrastructure in place to meet the ever-changing demands of the market and to compete with larger brands has been a daunting task. One we have made a lot of progress with, fortunately. I am also at a crossroads, where I have an opportunity to maintain my current success or bring the business to the next level and really become a recognizable brand in the industry. Having the right guidance, financing and support to do the latter is the challenge.

What are you doing about it? I have always believed that in every business you should hire people that are smarter than you and then get out of their way. Doing this in my own company is no exception. I have continually surrounded myself with consultants that are experts in their field and am currently in discussions with a consultant specifically skilled in solving my above challenge, how to wisely bringing the company to the next level.

Favorite motivational quote: In my office I have the following quote hanging on my wall: “Passion is a powerful force that cannot be stopped.” I think this truly speaks to the heart of an entrepreneur. Entrepreneurs are born with that passion, it is not a choice but something they are naturally drawn to do. I feel that way about my business, I am so passionate about it – the need to continually drive it forward is a powerful force.

Family? My husband and I have two young sons, Jake (6) and Charlie (2 ½).

If so, how do you balance family and business? In our family we have a “no work zone” between the hours of 5:00 and 7:30pm. This is when the 4 of us spend time together eating dinner and playing without any interruptions – no phones, tv, work, etc. Having that structure in place, so that you know you are carving out time for your family and for yourself, is very, very important.

Favorite book? I love to read but can’t choose just one favorite book. Right now I am reading “The 4 Hour Work Week” and it is opening my mind to a whole new way of running my business.

What do you do to relax? I am one of those people that actually loves to exercise. I work out 6 days a week and do hot yoga, high cardio, weights, and power walking. Anything that allows me to break a sweat and lets my mind check out is such a stress release and how I blow off steam that for me is relaxing!

What do you want to change most about your world? There are just not enough hours in the day for me to feel like I can get everything done between my job at Microsoft, running BooginHead and having a family. It is a miracle that I find time to sleep! Can I change the universal format that 24 hours make up a day?

What are you most proud of? Even if my business were to end tomorrow, I am so incredibly proud of what I have built. When I entered the industry, I had no prior knowledge of how to bring a product to market, how to manufacture and distribute the product or even how to figure out what the wholesale price should be. When I look back on how far I have come I am very proud of the success that I have had.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Research and learn!! Whether from others who have found success before and/or from your own mistakes, reviewing, evaluating and changing are the best preparations you can make. I never anticipated the depth of the investment needed to start up my company and do everything the right way. There was a point where I really had to ask myself, “is this a hobby or a business?” Make sure you really are prepared financially, at least to the best of your research, knowledge and advice. Also, utilize the Internet! Discussion groups for working moms, mom-inventors and mompreneurs are full of smart and savvy women with great experience. Lastly, the sooner you realize that you can’t do everything yourself, the better! This includes details like filing trademarks or patent applications. It will cost you much more in the end, in time, frustration and money, if you don’t do it right the first time.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? I do not know what I would do without the many resources the Internet brings. Not only for research, but as a way to connect and learn from other people like me.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Is it possible that this is the most difficult question I have ever had to answer! I would most likely use amethyst, my birthstone, and create something simple and clean. I am not a big jewelry person and would want something understated.

Introducing Shelli Ashton, Founder and Owner of Infinite Jewelry Co.® OFFICIAL Licensed Jewelry for TWILIGHT

We are pleased to introduce Shelli Ashton of Infinite Jewelry Co.® Shelli has taken her passion for the Twilight series and with the help of Stephenie Meyer, designed jewelry that the author envisioned for her books. Now that Eclipse just released readers and movie goers will flock even more to Shelli’s website to get their own “Bella” jewelry, lucky her! Scroll below to view Bella’s Engagement Ring ® and Bella’s Bracelet ™ and to read how Shelli started her enchanting business. We hope you enjoy!

Hometown: Provo, UT

Current Residence: St. George, UT

Education: 1yr. @ UVSC, Murdock Travel School

Professional Background: Tropical Sno, Limited Express, BYU Graphics Department – Asst. Secretary, Sherson Lehman Brothers – Asst. Secretary, NuSkin – Order Department, Murdock Travel – Travel Agent, Preferred Choice Cruise and Travel – Owner, Travel Agent, Infinite Jewelry Co. – President

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A Mom, a Secretary, a Stock Broker or a Designer.

What you are: A Wife, Mom, President, Room Mom, Young Women’s leader, a kid at heart.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: In 2007, I was obsessed with the Twilight Series.  I read and reread the books five times in a five week period.  I was making timelines, notes about the characters and cross-referencing my favorite passages.

Our family has always loved jewelry!  On a trip to visit my family, my mom and my sister both gave me jewelry pieces that, unbeknownst to them, tied into the Twilight books.  I was ecstatic to say the least, and the three and a half hour ride home to St. George was filled of thoughts about how much I loved my new jewelry.  It was something tangible that tied me to the characters that I loved so much.  Then I got an idea that if I loved my jewelry so much, others would want to have jewelry that represented their Twilight obsession as well.

I didn’t want it to be my version of the jewelry though, so we got in contact with Stephenie Meyer and with her help designed the jewelry that she envisioned in the Twilight series.

Today, we have sold thousands of Bella’s Bracelet ™ and Bella’s Engagement Ring ® around the world to happy Twilight fans.

Company Website? www.infinitejewelryco.com

What inspired you? The Twilight Saga, Stephenie Meyer.

How long have you been in business? Three years.

How did you fund it? With our personal funds.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I have many Fairy Godmothers.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? No.

Current Business Challenge? I am currently trying to clone myself so I can get everything done.

What are you doing about it? Learning how to delegate.

Favorite motivational quote: I have several…I love quotes!

Proverbs 3:5-6

“The Crème will rise to the top”

“You’re focusing on the problem.  If you focus on the problem, you can’t see the solution.  NEVER focus on the problem!”

“It just got too hard…The hard is what makes it great.  If it wasn’t hard, everyone would do it.”

Family? Yes, we have a 13 yr old son and 10 yr old daughter

If so, how do you balance family and business? I work when they are at school and try to include them in my work when I can.  I stop whatever I am doing when they come into my home office and look at them when they talk to me.

Favorite book? There are so many…

Favorite leisure books: Twilight Series by Stephenie Meyers (of course), Austenland by Shannon Hale, Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, The Dark Divine by Bree Despain

Favorite Business books: The Secret by Rhonda Byrne, The E Myth Revisited  by Michael Gerber, The Portable Coach by Thomas Leonard, Secrets of the World Class by Steve Siebold

What do you do to relax? Read, watch movies, go to lunch with my friends, go on a drive by myself and sing really loud.

What do you want to change most about your world? Having more time to do things that matter most.

What are you most proud of? Serving an LDS mission to The Canary Islands, marrying the most amazing man, our two great kids, my family, the races & marathons I’ve run, turning my obsession for Twilight into a fun business and being the only authorized manufactures of Bella’s Bracelet ™ and Bella’s Engagement Ring ®.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Whatever it is that you want to do…you can do it!

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My computer, my Blackberry & my Mom.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds, of course!  Among all of the diamonds, I would have one stone in the shape of a star for our daughter, one stone in the shape of a moon for our son, and a large stone that would be in the shape of the sun, for my husband.

Introducing Elisa Op’t Hof, President and Founder of Undercover Mama

We are pleased to introduce Elisa Op’t Hof, President and Founder of Undercover Mama! Elisa started her business nearly two years ago and has since provided many mothers the comfort and modesty of nursing without the worry of “something” showing. Connect with Elisa and her business partner Elena at Undercovermama.com or on twitter. Enjoy!

Hometown: Holladay, UT

Current Residence: Spanish Fork, UT

Education: Still plucking away at my Bachelor’s Degree (almost finished).

Professional Background: Full time mama who loves to read and learn. I frequent the library and devour their business section to help me on my road to entrepreneurship.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: I wanted to take care of animals. I still have a big soft spot in my heart for them.

What you are: I take care of my own little “animals” ; My five beautiful children! I love homeschooling them and I enjoy squeezing in time to run a quickly growing business too.

Brief Summary of your Start- up: Undercover Mama sells nursing undershirts that attach directly to any nursing bra. It helps breastfeeding mamas to nurse with ease keeping their bellies, backs and sides “undercover”.

Company Website: www.undercovermama.com

What inspired you: After the birth of my forth baby I was STILL trying to find a comfortable way to nurse in the clothes I already had. I wanted to go back to my regular wardrobe and not have to buy nursing clothing. When I couldn’t find a solution I liked, I created the Undercover Mama.

How long have you been in business: Undercover Mama launched in August 2008

How did you fund it: I couldn’t afford much at the time and since I had “only” been a SAHM for years I wouldn’t qualify for a big loan. I started Undercover Mama with less than $1,000 by doing what I could myself and utilizing resources in the community and also the skills of family and friends.

Did you have a Fairy Godmother (or mentor)?: Not specifically, but I leaned on many when I got stuck or just needed a boost of confidence or courage to keep going.

Do you belong to any business organization or networking groups?: I belong to MomPack and joined them right after I launched. I still find them a great resource of colleagues who are willing to help with just about any dilemma I run in to.

Current Business Challenge: Isn’t it always time? Or the lack thereof. Finding time for the business on top of an already busy family life sometimes feels like it takes Supergirl strength.

What are you doing about it: Now that I am mostly settled in my new home, (moving is tough!) I am setting aside specific hours to get the work done early, so I can enjoy the rest of the day with my kids. They are motivated to not distract me when they know we can have some fun as soon as I am finished.

Favorite Motivational Quote: “Our greatest glory consist not in never falling, but in rising every time we fall.” -Oliver Goldsmith

Family: Husband and five precious children (ages 9,8,5,2,and 1). Balancing work and family takes constant revision because life is always changing. It changes with the seasons, school year, illnesses, new babies, etc. There isn’t one schedule to stick to. Being flexible is a must. I have made it a point to find the time no matter what. Sometimes that means burning the midnight oil. I have found that often my most productive hours are in the middle of the night.

Favorite Book: Too hard to name just one… I love reading the classics and especially ones I can read aloud with my family.

What do you do to relax?: Read, play games, take walks. I love to unwind with my husband at the end of the day when all the kids are in bed and the house is quiet.

What do you want to change most about your world?: The world is always trying to get us to speed up until we are going at a break-neck pace. I am always trying to slow it down. I treasure these priceless years while my kids are all small. I want to enjoy each day and have time to just be with them.

What are you most proud of?: I am not a quitter. No matter what area of life I am dealing with I always strive to improve no matter how many times I fail.

What advice would you like to offer other start up princesses?: One piece of advice is to do your research at the beginning of your business venture. Don’t hesitate to ask the questions that could save you from wasting a lot of time and money. Sometimes you may feel like you don’t even want to know the answer. It is better to do what it takes in the beginning to find out if your venture is worthwhile. Get a lot of outside input.

Favorite magic wand (tool/resource): Mompack and the Small Business Development Center or other resources to give you honest, knowledgeable guidance and encouragement.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? If I could design a tiara, I would use my favorite colors. I love bright green, orange and yellow! They make me feel happy.

Introducing Rachelle Anne Miller, Owner of Rachelle Anne Miller Creative Studios

We are pleased to introduce Rachelle Anne Miller, owner of Rachelle Anne Miller Creative Studios! Rachelle has designed and illustrated children’s books, greeting cards, craft supplies, children’s room decor, and more. To connect with the multi-talented Rachelle, visit her website at www.creativestudios.rachelleannemiller.com. Enjoy the interview!

Hometown: Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada

Current Residence: Ottawa, Ontario, Canada

Education: NSCAD University, Bachelor of Design

Professional Background: After graduation from NSCAD University, I worked as a graphic designer in various agencies for about three years before deciding to leave my job and work at home as a full time illustrator.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: I wantd to be a lot of things when I was little! Art was always in the mix though. I loved art from an early age and knew whatever career I chose, it’d be a creative one.

What you are: I’m an illustrator and designer, specializing in the children’s field.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: I have always been a very motivated and independent individual so I knew that eventually, I was going to be my own boss. I left my job as a graphic designer two years ago to start my own illustration and design company, Rachelle Anne Miller Creative Studios. I offer a full range of design and illustration services and specialize in children’s work. I have designed and illustrated children’s books, greeting cards, craft supplies, children’s room decor, and more! I also offer prints of my artwork in my Etsy store: www.etsy.com/store/RachelleAnneMiller

Company Website? http://creativestudios.rachelleannemiller.com

What inspired you? My son is my biggest inspiration but I am also very inspired by other children and nature. I love animals and cute little things! I am also inspired by the many other creative artists out there.

How long have you been in business? I have been officially in business for just over two years.

How did you fund it? There was very little need for funding my business up front. All my work is done digitally so all I needed was my computer equipment to start (which I already owned). As I achieved more and more success, I purchased more equipment as needed, such as my Wacom Cintiq and Epson professional R1900 printer. This equipment helped move my business and art to the next level.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Elizabeth Dulemba (www.dulemba.com) was immensely helpful to me in my very early days. She is an amazing children’s illustrator and is very established in the business. I was always inspired by her amazing digital paintings and read her blog all the time. I decided to contact her one day in order to get some advice on my artwork and how she got started in the industry. She was more than willing to offer lots of email support and art critiques. I have always been very thankful for her help in this critical time of establishing my new business.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? I am a member of ChildrensIllustrators.com and have past been a member of the Society of Children’s Book Writers and Illustrators.

Current Business Challenge? I am currently working on expanding my Etsy store (www.etsy.com/store/RachelleAnneMiller). I opened this store late last year and this is where I’ve been selling prints of my artwork. I enjoy working for clients but even moreso, I enjoy interacting directly with customers. I hope to create many more pieces for the store and have it become a larger part of my business.

What are you doing about it? In order to achieve this goal,  I’ve been working on promoting the store through my blog and through other advertising outlets. I am also attempting to add new prints on a regular basis so the selection of artwork appeals to a larger customer base.

Favorite motivational quote: “Never settle.” – Steve Jobs

Family? I have a wonderful and supportive (and also very creative) husband who is always very encouraging of my work. I am also blessed with a super active and happy little toddler, Isaac who makes me smile every day

If so, how do you balance family and business? This question is everything right now! Having a toddler at home makes it very difficult to get any work done. I do as much as I can during his naps but get the bulk of my work done in the evenings and on the weekends. My husband is very understanding and helps take care of Isaac during these times. I also make sure to set aside some family time on the weekend. We usually go on a family outing on Saturday and I also try to keep 1 or 2 evenings free per week to spend time with my husband.

Favorite book? Would it be cheating to name a children’s book? I love children’s books and that’s about all I have time to read lately since my little one adores them! Our favorite series right now is the Duck and Goose series by Tad Hills. Ok, so they’re super simple and there isn’t much ‘reading’ involved but the images are too cute and Isaac loves them!

What do you do to relax? A hot cup of tea and a good magazine on a rainy evening sounds like a perfect relaxation time to me.

What do you want to change most about your world? I think it would be very beneficial if we all slowed down a bit. It’s hard sometimes when you have a lot to juggle. But when you slow down, you can think more and that’s very important.

What are you most proud of? I am proud of the fact that I’m living the life I dreamed of. I have a wonderful family and a fullfilling career. I couldn’t ask for more.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? The best advice I can offer is to learn from your mistakes. Your first business idea may have failed but there is always something to learn from it and to put forth into your next idea. We all make mistakes but what you do with those mistakes can determine the outcome of your future pursuits.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? The internet! There is so much information out there and there is nothing that can’t be answered. I find inspiration and information on the internet and it’s become an integral part of my business.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Hmmm every girl loves diamonds eh? A diamond tiara sounds good to me

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