Archive for March, 2009
Joi Sumpton of Step ‘n Wash
Meet Joi Sumpton, a mother of two, and the inventor of a product I could have used myself many times! The Step ‘n Wash is the first and only self-retracting step for public restrooms that enables children to safely reach the sink for quick, safe and easy hand washing. How many times have you found yourself trying to lift your child on one knee, reach the soap, wash his or her hands, all while balancing yourself on one foot? Joi has solved the problem for kids and parents. Read her inspiring story, learn about the risks she took, the personal challenges she faced, and celebrate her milestones…like getting into Whole Foods.
WIFE.org Empowers and Teaches Women About Money
What are women’s three biggest money “issues”? First, it’s having enough money to ensure their kids are educated. Next, it’s how to get out of credit card debt. And finally, it’s how to save for their own retirement. These are the issues that Candace Bahr of The Women’s Institute for Financial Education (WIFE) says are [...]
Quick Start Inventing Guide
So you have a GREAT IDEA. And whether it’s been percolating in your head for a week or marinating in your mind for years, the key to transforming this idea from concept to profit is ACTION. If it is truly a problem-solving idea, rest assured that someone else has thought of it. Acting on that [...]
Ask Tamara: Manufacturing Overseas
What should I know about manufacturing overseas? – Kim, Jacksonville, FL Dear Kim, There are certainly pros and cons to manufacturing overseas. I’ll talk about this issue strictly from a business standpoint. The overwhelming pro of manufacturing overseas, of course, is cost — labor and materials are generally (not always) much less expensive in, say, [...]
Gina Robison-Billups: Giving Support & Resources to Mom Business Owners
Gina Robison-Billups, founder of the Moms In Business Network (MIBN) grew up seeing the power and resilience of women first-hand. Her grandmother emigrated to America, alone with her five-year old-daughter, after escaping Nazi concentration camps. And her mother, widowed at age 19, became her family’s sole caregiver — starting a small business to support them. [...]
What You Need to Know About Product Safety Regulations
If you have begun developing your invention and have been confused about how to ensure that you are complying with requirements, don’t despair- you are not alone. The last few months, many inventors have asked about safety regulations and testing requirements with a commitment to produce safe and useful products. However, the process for identifying [...]
5 Myths of Entrepreneurship: Debunked!
Many people believe they don’t have the innate qualities necessary to find success as an entrepreneur, and that self-made millionaires are somehow “different” from them. I think that many of the most commonly held beliefs, however, are simply myths, and our Millionaire Moms’ experiences support my position. In this section, I discredit five common myths about successful entrepreneurs.
Safe, Stylish Glass Baby Bottles
We recently caught up with Pam Marcus, developer of WeeGo baby bottles, which combine cool, modern design with safe materials. They’re getting lots of attention from new moms and the design community alike. When did you begin developing the WeeGo bottle — and your company, BabyLife? My partner Daren and I started developing baby products [...]
New Safety Regulations for Toys and Juvenile Products
In the wake of massive toy recalls over the last few years, new government regulations governing safety standards went into effect last month. As part of the Consumer Product Safety Improvement Act, these standards tighten restrictions on the manufacturing of toys and juvenile products — information that’s critical to know if you produce toys, apparel, [...]
Let Go of the Guilt! Tamara Shares a Family Anecdote
Being an entrepreneur or a working mom takes time away from your kids. And yes — for most moms I know, there is the underlying guilt that accompanies it. But at the same time, it is important to look at the other side of the coin — how does being a happy, confident entrepreneur and [...]
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