Meet Ciaran Blumenfeld, Francie Pants

And the cutest new website award of the year goes to…Francie Pants, a brand-new website and a brand you’ll never forget. OH MY GOODNESS. You have to “play” dress up at this adorable website for fun and stylish, “privacy shorts”, (for girls to wear over undies for skirts and dresses). Francie-Pants are a clever way girls can keep doing somersaults in their skirts without embarrassment and also work great for wearing to ballet or gymnastics too. While I love these and need a drawerful for my 2 toddler princesses, honestly Ciaran (pronounced Sharon), can you also add dolls to your line NOW. I want to buy them for Christmas this week. And PLEASE can we replace BRATZ with these and give you your own cartoon series while we’re at it? The branding and French little personalities that model Francie Pants are beyond adorable. Great concept, Ciaran, glad to see you’re up and running and keeping kids modest. No doubt everyone will flock to collect their Francie-Pants and meet the Francies. Luv them!

Here’s Piper, the Punky Princess. 

I initially met Ciaran, whom is also a professional blogger on several blogs, (including Celebrity-Babies) at our first Orange County meeting in November. I instantly was so intrigued by her career and the “ADD” of it all, I’m glad I’m not the only one with my hand in a few pies. Ciaran’s got a great schedule going to keep her days going, including a mother’s helper for a few hours a day (not jealous) and admits some weeks her mother’s helper’s made more money than she has, but it’s all about the potential for growth and opportunity, right? It’s been a pleasure to get to know her, and see how she operates. Be inspired by her creativity, and mission to include her kids in her business (4 under age 12). (side note: Ciaran’s been involved in fashion for several years and Francie Pants, is her second line for kids. Like many of you, she’s also very concerned about the child-safety laws going into effect that will drastically change the children’s industry and told me she’s been writing letters and raise awareness…hope you are too, to help businesses like Francie-Pants grow!)

Enjoy meeting Startup Princess Ciaran Blumenfeld   

Hometown: Metuchen NJ

Current Residence (City, State): Ladera Ranch CA

Education: BA Johns Hopkins University

Professional Background: Freelance Writer, Owner/Designer of Little Lubbaloo

What you wanted to be when you grew up: A mommy and a war correspondent and a best selling novelist, actress, and clothing designer. I started early with the career ADD! 

What you are: A multi-tasking mom of four with a closetfull of hats. I write and edit several blogs. I’m presently in the process of re-launching Francie Pants as an independent line from my original clothing company.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Francie Pants are adorable, fun-loving, patterned privacy shorts for little girls. They are worn under skirts and dresses and to gymnastics and dance classes.  Girls of all ages love to collect all the prints and show them off, flaunting their personal style without fear of underwear overexposure. They were the best selling item in my children’s clothing line and it was time for them to fly solo!

Company Website? www.francie-pants.com

What inspired you? Watching my own two daughters were rolling around on the mat at “circle time” in pre-school. They were in that phase where they only wanted to wear dresses and were completely uninhibited about exhibiting their beloved princess panties. I was mortified! I thought, I have to figure out something cute and comfortable for them to wear that is a little more private.

Before I knew it the whole neighborhood was wearing Francie Pants, not just to school but to dance and gymnastics too. People were literally banging on my door to buy a pair! Even my teenaged niece wanted a pair for herself and friends wanted tiny ones to cover diapers.

How long have you been in business? Hard to believe but I have been in the children’s clothing business for 5 years. Since starting my original clothing company I have had two more children. 

How did you fund it? Initially I funded my business by buying and reselling clothes on ebay (before there was etsy!). I refashioned garments and sold gently used designer items and rolled all the money back into my company. I also put all the profits right back in. Each season as my company grew, this continued. I was pretty determined not to take on debt because I was in a learning mode. I put myself though school!

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? I wish! I have had “angels” along the way who seemed to show up at just the right moment with the right piece of help, info or advice. I’ve tried to return the favors.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? Not really, though I am constantly networking online and at trade shows. I am a big believer in the power of Social Networking. Twitter and Facebook never fail to amaze me in the speed with which I get responses to my questions

Current Business Challenge? Finding the best packaging for the right price!

What are you doing about it? I’ve reached out to as many other manufacturers as possible, contacted multiple packaging vendors and have asked for help from my facebook and twitter pals.

Favorite motivational quote: You are only as good as your next great idea…

Family? I have a husband and four kids – My two daughters are now aged 12 & 8 and two sons aged 4 & 8mo. Never a dull moment.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I don’t know that this is truly possible. We deal with it by involving the kids in the business. My daughters come with me on fabric buying jaunts, offer up their opinions and are the inspiration for some of the “Francie”  characters on our new website. They product test and feel a sense of pride about the company. It’s truly a family affair. One of the nice things about being a mompreneur however is the ability to take a three hour lunch and attend your kid’s Halloween parade. The downside is that a lot of work gets done between 10pm and 1am.

Favorite book? I have a library in my home! With at least a thousand books.  My own childhood books including the Little House series, and my mom’s Bobbsey Twin books keep company with the books my own kids are reading. I collect craft books obsessively and enjoy the occasional junk lit mixed in with serious novels. I tend to love a book, leave it and then come back to it. Too many favorites. I just finished reading the Twilight series and am crushing on a book about crocheted Amigurumi now.

What do you do to relax? Knit. It’s the only way I can watch TV.  I’m restless. So if I sit and watch a movie, I have to be doing something else. Usually work or housework and before you know it, I am not actually relaxing. But if I am knitting I have to be in the present, not working, not cleaning something, not doing bills…

What do you want to change most about your world? I’d like to see more love and acceptance, less anger and more fun! I would like kids to have more time to be kids and enjoy this part of their lives.

What are you most proud of? My children make me proud every day. I think that they are proud of me too – and this is what makes me most proud of any of my accomplishments

What advice would you like to offer other Startup Princesses? Don’t take no for an answer. Don’t be embarrassed to reach out to others and ask for help. Everyone starts somewhere, and has to learn some lessons and ask some questions. There is no shame in following your dreams and learning diligently! Also, believe in karma – do unto others…

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Right now it is Twitter. And packing tape. It’s amazing the things you can do/fix/make with a little packing tape!

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? I could never choose just one. It would be a rainbow.

Welcome, Ciaran to Startup Princess, you’re inspiring the world with stylish fun and color! And keeping kids modest too, always a plus.