Heather Allard, The Mogul Mom

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Name: Heather McCarron Allard

Hometown: Pawtucket, Rhode Island

Current Residence: Rhode Island:

Education: Bachelor of Arts in Humanities from Providence College

Professional Background: I worked in sales, customer service and teaching prior to having children, then after my first daughter was born, started a freelance copywriting company called HMA Copywriting and wrote press releases, web content and ad copy.

After my second daughter was born and had some real sleep challenges, I designed a wearable swaddling blanket that I thought would solve her problems and end our mutual sleep deprivation. I called it Swaddleaze, started my company, 2 Virtues Inc. and the rest is sweet dream history.

Over the summer, I signed a licensing deal with Summer Infant and they’ve since taken over the manufacturing and distribution of both Swaddleaze and Blankeaze (the second wearable blanket that my second daughter inspired!).

In true serial entrepreneur style, I’ve just launched my own consulting business and ebook series under the name The Mogul Mom. I am so excited about this venture—I can now help other moms who are just starting their businesses through my personalized one-on-one mentorship program and my handful of books about topics like start-up steps, licensing, marketing, manufacturing overseas and running a business & raising a family—at the same time.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Believe it or not, a PRINCESS! Back then, I didn’t know that you had to be born a princess or marry into royalty.

What you are: A mother of three wonderful children and a serial entrepreneur
Brief Summary of your Start Up: Inspired by my second daughter’s slumber struggles and my own sleep deprivation, I designed two innovative wearable blankets, Swaddleaze and Blankeaze, and built a successful infant sleepwear company called 2 Virtues in just three short years. Swaddleaze and Blankeaze quickly became best-selling baby products favored by bleary eyed parents everywhere. Both products have won awards and received rave reviews in magazines, newspapers and blogs. I recently inked a licensing deal with Summer Infant and they have taken over manufacturing and distribution of both of my products.

Company Website? www.2virtues.com and www.themogulmom.com

What inspired you? Severe sleep deprivation!

How long have you been in business? I celebrated my 3 year anniversary on November 15, 2007.

How did you fund it? Loans and credit cards.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Well, I didn’t have one when I first started my business—I did everything on my own and it was often a lonely road. That’s what motivated me to start The Mogul Mom. I consider my mother a fairy godmother and mentor in one and I have also come to see Heather Ledeboer of Mom 4 Life as an amazing business guru. That young lass knows her stuff! ☺ She has advised me on many occasions and I am in awe of her.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? NAWBO and The Center for Design and Business—a collaboration between the Rhode Island School of Design and Bryant College.

Current Business Challenge? Growing yet another new business from the ground up and finding the time to do it while my youngest naps.

What are you doing about it? Networking, taking it one step at a time and not putting too much pressure on myself. I’m taking a “Field of Dreams” approach in a “Rome wasn’t built in a day” manner. If I build it, they will come…even if it’s not until 2011. Ha!

Favorite motivational quote: “Whatever you can do or dream you can, begin it. Boldness has genius, power and magic in it.” by Goethe and a fortune from a Chinese cookie that read, “Many a false step is made by standing still.”

Family? Hope, 7, Grace, 4 and Brendan, 1 and my darling husband, Scott. Oh, and I can’t forget my first child, my 10 year old dog, The Dude.

If so, how do you balance family and business? Well, I try to balance family and business by being supremely flexible and by always trying to find the humor in things. My sense of humor has probably saved my life several times over.

But, after the birth of my third child in 2006, I really struggled with balancing my family and my business. My son was very sick for the first 6 months of his life, with ear infections, RSV, severe eczema and bronchialitis and honestly, running my business became too much for me. That’s when I began thinking about licensing my products. Coincidentally, Summer Infant (also a Rhode Island company) had gone public about that time and I read about it in the paper. I had an “Ah ha!” moment and contacted them about partnering in some way. About two months after that, we signed the licensing deal and I felt an enormous sense of relief. Licensing my products to them has enabled me to focus on my family and to be more fully “present” in their lives, without the constant distractions and stresses of trying to run a company single-handedly.

Favorite book? The 4-Hour Workweek by Timothy Ferriss and The Once & Future King by T.H. White. I also enjoyed Letting Go of the Person You Used to Be by Lama Surya Das after my father died from cancer in 2004.

What do you do to relax? I’m not sure what that word means—please define “relax”. Really, on the rare occasions that I get to sit down with my husband and attempt relaxation, I usually have a glass or two of wine and we reminisce about when we had lives.

What do you want to change most about your world? Well, I’m not sure I can change my world but I can tell you how I’m trying to raise my children…which may someday change the world. I’m trying to teach my kids to appreciate everything they have, especially the experiences they have more than the things they have. I am trying to teach them that most times, less is more. I’m trying to teach them that they can do and be anything. I was thinking about The Wizard of Oz a few years ago and how they sing, “We’re off to see The Wizard…” and I thought to myself, “I’m not going to go see The Wizard, I’m going to BE The Wizard” and that’s what I try to teach them—that they are The Wizard in their own lives.

What are you most proud of? I am most proud of my three kids and I am proud of being a mother who nurtures, praises and encourages. I am proud of instilling confidence and gratitude in my children. I am proud to be someone worthy of their love.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Reach out—find a veteran SUP and ask her for help. Don’t get overwhelmed—take things one day at a time. And most important—never, never, never give up.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? GOOGLE!!!!!! Really.

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds, emeralds, sapphires, aquamarines and peridots.

Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? Yes

What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? Almost any that don’t include math.

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