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Jamie Bird, MiniMe Baby Gear


birdfamily.jpgName: Jamie Bird

Hometown: Jenison, MI

Current Residence (City, State):Kentwood, MI

Education: College, Grand Valley State

Professional Background (brief, please): I started my career as a licensed stockbroker. I then tried acting in Hollywood, with a few things I will be proud to show my son someday. After I became pregnant, I knew I wanted to stay at home and looked for a way to contribute financially.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: I always had the dream to act, but became disillusioned after I actually pursued it. I always loved children and knew that I wanted to be a mom, too.

What you are: Work at home, online boutique owner; but mostly a great mom

Brief Summary of your Start Up: A 30 year-old sewing machine, a will to learn, and the internet. I learned to sew from a HOW TO library book, created my website from a different HOW TO book, and have been having a blast ever since! I currently hand make all of the products on my site. I do not ever want to give up that part of it, but I wouldn’t mind giving up the ‘business hat”- the taxes, shipping items out, preparing them for shipping, website maintenance.

Company Website? www.minimebabygear.com- online boutique

What inspired you? My son and the desire to stay home with him, but also NOT having a daughter- making fun things like the Princess Robe and girl coats, hats, and muffs. It let’s me “get my girly-girl” out.

How long have you been in business? For about one year, started in November of 2005 doing local craft shows

How did you fund it? Well, my website host is $100 a year, and I have just reinvested the funds from the items I make back into my business. I have relatively low costs because I do not make the items until they are ordered, so I do not have a lot of inventory to manage.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I wish I did, but unfortunately no.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? MOPS, lots of mommy chat groups

Current Business Challenge? Finding time for business. Before I worked from home, I had standard hours of 9-5. With a child and a husband, it is hard to find time to get all the work finished. The other problem I have is determining prices for my items. It has been an adjustment finding the right price to make money and yet be affordable.

What are you doing about it? Late nights, sometimes four AM- I wouldn’t recommend it! However, I am trying to adjust and get a babysitter one day a week to catch up.

Favorite motivational quote: “I want my life’s work to glorify and honor God, using my highest gifts. Help me to unfold my wings so I can FLY…” I love this quote and have it framed above my sewing area. I just need to remind myself daily that if I do exceptional work, my labor will be rewarded.

Family? Yes, I have been married for seven years to a man that has supported me unconditionally and always believes I am extraordinary. My son just turned two and we are contimplating adding on.

If so, how do you balance family and business? It is a struggle. As we think about adding to our family, part of me worries about finding time with a newborn and an older child. Thankfully, I am close to my family and always have a great babysitter in Grandma.

Favorite book? My favorite book of all time is Redeeming Love by Francine Rivers. However, the book I have learned the most from for business (besides all my HOW TO books) is Martha’s Rules. Martha Stewart gives a great overview of business and reminds the reader throughout the book to find and follow your dreams even if people think it can’t be done.

What do you do to relax? It sounds funny, but when I am not working, I love to sew. I rarely find time these days to sew for myself, so when things slow down, I like to whip up a pair of PJ’s for my son or a coat for my niece. My relaxing isn’t really relaxation. I have a hard time sitting still.

What do you want to change most about your world? One of the things I would like to change is the authenticity of relationships. Life, mine included, is so fast paced now. Between the internet, e-mail, and answering services, it is hard to really connect with people. I want to not only connect, but touch others through the way I live my life and the Christian example I set.

What are you most proud of? I am sure every mother feels this way, but I am most proud of my family. I love being a mom, and love that I get the priviledge of molding my son. As far as business, I am incredibly proud of how much I have learned and created in such a short amount of time.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? I would say to find something you are passionate about and just get going! So many moms I meet would love to work from home, but don’t ever just get the nerve to do it. I am going to sneak in one other quote by Mark Twain-“ All you need in this life is ignorance and confidence, then success is guaranteed.”

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? I have two, actually. The library, and my sewing machine. The library is full of all sorts of information about business, crafts, hobbies, marketing, websites. Anything you want more information on, grab a book and read it. Best of all, it is free. My sewing machine because it truly is a handy hobby, one that I enjoy, and has helped me build a business from scratch.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Only the best- diamonds! Lots and lots of them.

Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? (I am working on a secure system to do this, any ideas?)  I would love to be one, and have one

What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? Honing in on your passion and making something profitable from it

Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party”? yes, I would love to

If you are out of Utah County, would you be willing to be a facilitator of such an event? yes

  Startup Princess is an international network committed to empowering Women Entrepreneurs by offering resources for women in business to support, mentor, collaborate, learn from, and inspire one another. In 2006, after struggling to raise funding for an initial startup business venture, Kelly King Anderson recognized an important market niche existed for reliable resources educating women desiring to start and grow successful businesses, thus Startup Princess was developed.

Successful women entrepreneurs understand that for every business venture, they are in charge of creating, organizing, developing, managing, and assuming all the risks associated with their enterprise. That can seem quite intimidating but as other women business owners will tell you, it’s a lot of work, but it’s worth it! Success is within your grasp and Startup Princess is here to help.

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