Betty advertised in knitting magazines and created a website, and over the years has sold 100,000 copies of her 18-page books. And aside from the printing, she still does everything for her business herself -- she creates the ads, stores the books in the basement of her San Francisco home, and mails them out to her customers.

I recently had the pleasure of meeting Betty after giving a speech at The Century Club of California, and I couldn’t be more excited to feature her here. I loved her spirit, and was thrilled to see someone so devoted to her passion and lifelong learning. In this interview, Betty shares with us her fascinating life story, and how she built a small business that keeps her going.

Tamara Monosoff: Describe your company and your product:

Betty Lampen: Betty Lampen Knitting Books consist of 12 little 18-page knitting books, which I have written over the last 19 years. All are self-published and stored in my basement.  I advertise in many knitting magazines and get most of my business through my web page. My patterns are for miniature sweaters, sweaters for teddy bears, hats, dolls and all kinds of animals.

Why did you start this company and when?

I am 86 and have always been a knitter. For many years I knit children's sweaters, but found it very stressful, so I decided to put my patterns into books and let others do the knitting.

What were your initial goals?

Sell my books. And lately I have been knitting soft 12 inch dolls that my friends really like, so I have started to sell them, too.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

An article about Betty Lampen in the 1963 San Francisco Chronicle

I learned to knit from my mother when I was about 8 years old. But knitting became a passion when I took lessons from an expert while in college back in the ‘50s in Boston. I am a fifth generation San Franciscian, and I married a English Royal Naval Officer 65 years ago. We lived in Australia for 10 years and our two sons were born there -- they are now both in their 60s. We returned to San Francisco and have lived in our 1889 Victorian home for 50 years.  My knitting has kept me sane!

How did you determine your product's marketability?

I have always been able to sell.  One selling point is that my patterns are written as they used to be in the '40s -- very simple, and you might say they have more detail than patterns nowadays.

How did you start selling your books?

I found a wonderful printer who made my books very professional.  I have sold over 100,000 copies altogether, but the advertising, postage and packing keeps me in the hobby stage. I do all the ads and mailing myself.

Were there any setbacks that had to be overcome?

Just occasional mistakes in my patterns, and I personally make the corrections myself -- like 3,000 times, as I get my books printed 3,000 at a time.

What secrets have you learned in terms of marketing your product?

Never give up.  There is always somebody out there who is interested. You just have to find them. I am always happy to talk about what I do. I also have three knitting classes a week with all kinds of knitters with all kinds of lives. Life is never boring.

How long did it take to get your books from idea to market?

About a year, starting with my first book and a new book printed about every other year.

What keeps you going?

I just need to keep busy, and knitting (and swimming) has always been the way to do it.

What surprised you most about the process of starting your business?

If you can do what you love to do you’ll be happy forever.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their ideas?

Go for it. You can always find time to do what you love to do. And get any children involved that look like they’re interested -- I used to get my son to wind my wool at 2 cents a ball back in the ‘50s.

Thank you for sharing your story, Betty! You can learn more about Betty's knitting books at BettyLampenKnitBooks.com.

If you have a great story to share about your product or business, we’d love to hear it! And if you’d like to connect with other amazing women inventors and entrepreneurs, join the Mom Invented Community!

Kati’s gourmet cupcakery relies on delicious cupcake recipes, many of which were inspired by her mother and grandmother, as well as Kati’s background in fine arts, which lets her create mini edible masterpieces.

With designs ranging from cartoon characters for kids’ birthday parties to elegant flowers and abstract designs for weddings, each order is custom. And though she’s only been in business for a year and a half, Kati is already turning a profit, taking orders online and working with local New Jersey restaurants and offices.

Kati shares how she has built a business that feeds her creative side, uses social media to market her high-end treats, and gives back to her community with monthly charity cupcake competitions.

Mom Invented®: What were your initial goals for your business?

Kati Angelini: I wanted to show my clients that cupcakes could not only taste great but also look amazing and be beyond what is traditionally thought of as standard baked goods. I wanted to wow my customers and bring the art of cupcakes to a whole new level.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

I grew up in a house where baking and cooking were a mainstay. My mom, grandmother and those before her came from a long line of ancestors who baked. I always had that in my blood. My children's birthday parties were always a treat for me because I got to showcase my talents. My husband and children love helping out with the cupcakes now and I couldn't have done it without them. My children, Alexis (11), Christian (9) and Matthew (7) are my number-one taste testers and fans!

What was your 'aha' moment when it came to starting your business?

I realized that no one was doing quite what I was doing with cupcakes. Yes, there were others making them, but no one was using the cupcake as a canvas to showcase specialty themes and custom designs for people. I said, “I can do this--I can make people feel that they are really being listened to and given something specially handcrafted just for them.” I've created Harry Potter themed cupcakes for a young fan, Phillies themed ones for a baseball lover, Winnie the Pooh and Friends cupcakes, a Parisian themed tower and so many more.

How did you determine your product's marketability?

Cupcakes are very popular right now, especially in this economy. People want to indulge in a little treat, and buying a cupcake is affordable and reminds us of the happy and joyful things in life. They make us feel like a kid again.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of starting your business?

Figuring out the pricing, ordering, and expenses. I wasn't pricing the cupcakes right at first, so I wasn’t really covering expenses. Finally I have figured that out. The baking and creating was the easy part.

Through what markets are you selling?

I sell primarily online, however I've marketed myself to local restaurants and also work with VMeals, a company that provides offices and firms with vendor services. I also do work on corporate gift orders as thank yous for clients.

What secrets have you learned in terms of publicity and marketing?

One of the biggest things I've learned is to stay active with social media. I am constantly marketing myself on sites such as Facebook (almost 1000 followers), twitter (over 1500 followers), Flickr, Tumblr and many other sites. Joining as many sites and media outlets as possible has done wonders for getting the word out about my business.

I use Flickr to upload all of my photos and join groups on there. I also write a blog on my website to keep people aware of what I'm doing. I check in on all of these sites daily and usually throughout the day to keep people aware that I'm here, I'm working and I'm making beautiful delicious cupcakes that they, too, can have at their next event.

I also host a monthly cupcake competition in my hometown and the proceeds benefit local charities. I feel great that I am helping others through cupcakes. We've raised money for organizations such as Alex's Lemonade Stand Foundation, the Ronald McDonald House, Haiti Relief Fund through the RedCross and FoodBank of South Jersey. We most recently had a cupcake competition on May 23 for the Animal Welfare of NJ to help our four-legged friends.

How did you finance your business?

We've invested about $7,000 from our own personal savings. We are going on the second year of being in this business and we are finally starting to see a profit. Doing what you love really helps during the times when you aren't seeing a profit.

Our turn to profitability has been due to positive press and word of mouth, a lot of work through social media, and finding the right providers for our supplies, such as cupcake packaging, cupcake towers and cupcake sprinkles. We can see that the future will be bright. The business is growing each and every day.

How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom?

It's difficult to try to manage it all. I talk with my husband often about how challenging it is to balance being a mom and a business owner. I am not very good at scheduling time for myself. I've actually gained some weight since starting because I can't find time to exercise or cook meals. It's all about eating on the run and work, work, work. We actually have family meetings from time to time about what works and what doesn't. My goal is to find a balance between doing what I love -- creating beautiful and delicious cupcakes -- and finding time to care for myself and spend time with my husband and kids.

What kind of support system do you have in place personally and professionally?

My family is my biggest support system. They are always telling me how proud they are of me! I have a great group of people around me including a great web designer, SEO guru, marketing person, wonderfully supportive friends and family, and a cupcake helper who pitches in on super big jobs.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their ideas?

Don't give up, hang in there. If you love what you do, it will all work out.

Thank you, Kati, for sharing your story! To learn more about Kati’s Kupcakes, visit KatisKupcakes.com.

If you have a great story to share about your product or business, we’d love to hear it! And if you’d like to connect with other amazing women inventors and entrepreneurs, join the Mom Invented Community!

Now, Mary has started developing her own original jewelry findings and materials. Her first product is a bail, a piece used for attaching pendants to necklaces, stamped with her I Luv U logo -- an 'I' and a 'U' wrapped around a heart. The design was inspired by the love designers put into each of their pieces. She also has a Be Happy bail with a smiley face on it, and she still sells other crafting products like chains, glass pieces and jewelry kits.

Funding her business with her Etsy sales, Mary plans to continue expanding her product line, which she's selling in bulk as well as in smaller quantities. She’s already sold a few thousand items on Etsy. Mary shares how she got started and her advice for other mom entrepreneurs.

Mom Invented®: What were your initial goals?

Mary Cattapan: Originally I was trying to make some extra money by finding good materials, putting them together in kits and reselling them on Etsy. I sold things like Scrabble tile pendants and glass pendants. My goals have evolved and I am now marketing my own line of jewelry findings and materials for moms and crafters to make their own one-of-a-kind items.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

I am a mom to three beautiful little boys, Robert, 6, Zachary, 2, and Gavin, 6 months. I have worked in marketing for 20 years, and currently teach online marketing classes so I have the opportunity to work from home. The Etsy business is also something I can do from home and would like to expand on.

How did you go about creating your product?

I did research online regarding other types of bails that were out in the market and looked at how well they were selling. Then I used alibaba, asked people and did extensive online research to find a company that specialized in doing prototypes. The company I found was great -- they would do a prototype essentially for free if I purchased a minimum order quantity.

Were there any setbacks in product development that had to be overcome?

The most difficult was dealing with language barriers and not being able to clearly articulate what I wanted. This meant that I required several iterations to get my product right.

What was the biggest learning curve in creating your product?

Understanding how to communicate what you want, you have to be very concise. Otherwise you may not get the type of product you requested.

What secrets have you learned in terms of publicity and marketing your product?

It’s important to use Twitter, Facebook and blogs. And I always include information on my outgoing e-mails to promote my message in every outgoing e-mail and transaction.

How did you finance your business?

The business is self-funded via my Etsy sales, and I have invested about $10,000 so far.

How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom?

I’ve hired house cleaners once a month and work after the kids go to bed.

What has been your biggest source of inspiration?

My love for this hobby and drive to own a business that I created from the ground up. I love being my own boss and determining my own destiny.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their ideas?

Research extensively. Ask around. Find relevant blogs. And always follow your passion.

Thank you for sharing your story, Mary! You can learn more about Studio66's products at Etsy.com/shop/Studio66, and you can connect with Mary in the Mom Invented Community. Do you have a great story about your product or business? If so, we'd love to hear it!

Conceived of as an educational tool, the U-Play Mat is a U-shaped pad with 15 clear card-holding pockets that puts the child at the center of the activity. It's intended for use with children ages one and up to help them learn to talk and develop social skills.

The most important part of the patent pending U-Play Mat is not its design, though -- it’s the instructional manual that accompanies it, with exercises to engage your child using the eight available educational card decks.

Jennifer brought her product to market in the fall of 2009 and it’s currently available online, in catalogs and in small shops in the U.S. and internationally. The U-Play Starter Set includes the U-Play Mat, a tote, an instruction book and two card decks for $49. We caught up with this busy mom of four to hear how she started her business and how she manages juggling her kids, her career and her startup.

Mom Invented®: Why did you start this company and when?

Jennifer Canter: My "Aha!" moment arose during a speech therapy session with her son.  He was focused and engaged while playing a simple interactive floor game involving a large paper poster and picture cards. As a typical toddler would, he crawled on top of the paper poster during the game, nearly ripping it and causing the cards to fall off. I thought, "We should have the mat curve around the child -- rather than the child sitting on the mat."

The child being the focus of the U-shaped mat was like a light bulb going off in my head.  It opened up a tremendous amount of ideas for U-shaped play.  The first, our U-Play Mat, focuses on speech and language play with young children.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

I am a pediatrician with two sets of twins who were 2 and 5 at the time I came up with the idea for U-Play.  As an experienced mom of toddlers and preschoolers, I understand the value of low-tech, interactive floor play and how it doesn't always come easily to parents.

What process did you follow to develop a prototype?

I found an amazing manufacturer through word-of-mouth and had my best friend, a designer create drawings.

How did you find a manufacturer for your product?

We went to the New York Toy Fair in 2009 and found an awesome, reliable, honest, amazing manufacturer.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of developing your product?

To expect time delays and prepare for them.  Also, I thought we'd sell out in a week!  Product ideas and manufacturing are very different from distribution and sales. Now I am bridging relationships with other companies to develop avenues for distribution -- something I didn't necessarily understand at the beginning.

What secrets have you learned in terms of publicity and marketing your product?

Being a pediatrician and a mom of two sets of twins has opened up doors -- it gives me credibility as a parent and a professional.  I Twitter, Facebook and blog as myself, and I'm honest about the multitasking motherhood madness that goes with having four kids, a full time job, business and a husband.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of marketing your product?

Social media rocks, but, I have to be careful to set priorities.  It can be very time consuming.  I had a great PR firm help at the start (Ann Noder of Pitch Public Relations) and that got the ball rolling. I also have a nice balance of professionals and non-professionals using and loving the product, so that has helped with word-of-mouth.

How did you finance your business?

The business is self-financed and I have invested more than $100,000 -- a fair portion of which was legal.  Number one to us was protecting our ideas and understand how to do that properly.  I feel that this is a solid investment in an amazing idea, and we're already seeing success.

We're currently exploring direct sales and partnerships for licensing our intellectual property.   Taking development costs aside, we're profitable already and expect a lot of growth in 2010.

What has been your greatest success or high point with your product or business?

We had phenomenal licensing discussions at the New York Toy Fair with various companies interested in totally different applications of our ideas. One CEO of a toy company I greatly admire was exceptionally complimentary about our idea, about our philosophy on U-shaped play, and the unique angle of being a pediatrician with a toy was super-cool. But, the coolest has been my daughters and how excited they are to be part of this process. They came with me to a meeting at a magazine recently, and it was wonderful to share this with my daughters.

Have you experienced a low point in business?

There have been a few pockets of time when I felt overwhelmed and shortly thereafter made decisions to delegate parts of the business.  We have help with public relations, fulfillment and wholesale outreach now. That's been a big help.

How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner, doctor and mom?

I have not changed my regular full-time work load.  I love my job and have no plans to give up being a pediatrician.  I work after the kids go to bed, early in the morning, and get as much help as I can at home to spend quality time with my four kids. When it comes to U-Play, the kids are part of it as much as possible.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their ideas?

Network, network, network. The answers are usually out there with a little bit of research, and most problems are easily solved.

Thank you for sharing your story, Jennifer! To learn more about the U-Play Mat, visit PlayThisWay.com. Do you have a great story to share about your product or business? We'd love to hear it!

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You just place your spoons or other items in the Spooneez’s pockets, fold the top over, roll up, secure and you're done. No more yucky spoons stuck to the bottom of your diaper bag. No more having to lick baby food off your little one's spoon before packing it up. And they come in different sizes and patterns to suit the style- and space-conscious mom.

Though it took many prototypes and a lot of late nights to bring Spooneez to market, Maythi and Robin’s year-old product is now in boutiques and online stores, and they've moved from manufacturing in their homes to outsourcing to a local North Carolina textile manufacturer.

Maythi shares how she came up with the Spooneez concept when her daughter was an infant, how she developed a prototype without knowing how to sew, and how she and Robin manage juggling parenthood and business.

Mom Invented®: Why did you start this company and when?

Maythi Calvert: We started the company because we felt we had a wonderful product that moms everywhere would love. I used our prototypes, which were very rough sketches of our final product, when I was out with my baby and would get questions from people about where I bought it and could they buy one too. I also got a lot of "Wish I had one of those when so-and-so was a baby," and we knew we had to turn this idea into a reality.

We started the company in December 2008 and launched our product in April 2009. Our eco-friendly line is BPA-, PVC- and phthalate-free as well as machine washable, and all materials used in the production of Spooneez products are manufactured in the USA.

What were your initial goals?

Our initial goals were to simply sell to our friends, family and local stores and boutiques. However, we have gotten a great response and our products are in two local boutiques -- one of which has sold out 4 times -- and Spooneez are also currently available on three online retail sites. Last summer, we made it on our local news as a "Favorite Summer Must Have for moms" and have received several positive reviews.

What is your background and how does it relate to your business?

I am a stay-at-home Mom to two beautiful daughters. I do not have a background in anything business related, although my Mom would say that this is my calling since I always had a "business" as a little kid -- everything from a hair salon to a bookstore. However, I truly believe that being a mom is the best preparation for successful multitasking.

Robin is also a stay-at-home Mom to three daughters. Her background is in accounting -- thank goodness! She is amazing with Excel and keeps all of our books in order.

What was your 'aha' moment when it came to starting a business?

When I had my first child, I decided to stay at home with her and couldn't believe how much goes into caring for a child day in and day out. As much as I loved being home, I needed something else to feel like I was using my brain. My first child was a horrible sleeper. I would sit in her room brainstorming about what I could do that would allow me to still stay home, but be able to feel productive. Many late nights led to the design idea for the Spooneez utensil carrier.

How did you develop a prototype?

The idea for Spooneez products came well before I had read The Mom Inventors Handbook. The only thing I could think of doing at the time was drawing my idea. I cannot sew, so trying to create one was out of the question. A few months later, my mom made the very first Spooneez prototype. It was nothing like I had envisioned, and she and I kept tweaking.

I then let the project sit, as I had my second child and was very busy. Then, I showed my friend Robin the product and she was onboard after I explained it to her. She is now my business partner as well, and together we continued to tweak the product until we were satisfied. We kept all our prototypes because we were amazed every day at how far we had come. We created, sewed and tweaked every prototype ourselves.

How did you determine your product's marketability?

We had such a great response from friends and strangers that would see our Spooneez utensil carrier that we felt it was worth giving it a shot. We also conducted a focus group prior to the product launch and had so many amazing suggestions and advice. It was overwhelming, but incredibly helpful. We also have friends who do PR and marketing, and they were blown away by our product and have helped us a great deal.

How did you find a manufacturer for your product?

At first, we didn’t have enough money to go out and find someone to make our products, so Robin and I decided we'd create our own assembly line of sorts and we single-handedly made the first batch ourselves. Once we got to a certain number, however, we began to need some help. At that point, we would assemble them and found a local manufacturer that agreed to "finish sew" them for us.

Once we started having higher demand, we outsourced most of the production to our local manufacturer. However, we still make some ourselves, mostly to save on cost, since we are still a fairly new startup. We also decided it was incredibly important to us to support our local economy and were proud to have them manufactured right here in North Carolina. Many of our textile manufacturers have shut down due to outsourcing to overseas facilities, so supporting them was very important to us.

Did you have any setbacks in product development?

For anyone creating their own product, there are setbacks. We had so many prototypes we lost count. We wanted the final product to be perfect. Finding the perfect fabric was tough, and once we found it, a lot was out of stock or backordered, so some of the patterns we had counted on and marketed were unavailable all of a sudden. Fortunately, we were able to replace them with other wonderful fabrics and have had a great response.

What was the biggest learning curve in product development?

It is amazing how much tweaking is involved. I used to see a product and think, "Geez, I could have thought of that -- how easy is that?" Then you start working on something yourself and realize how much went into that one simple-looking product. I certainly look at everything with a different perspective these days and have a great appreciation for mom-invented -- and any other invented -- products out there.

What secrets have you learned in terms of marketing your business?

Take any free publicity you can get! And the internet is an unbelievable place for marketing. There are millions of mom blogs and baby blogs out there that can get your product in front of a large number of people. Also, advertise within your local market. We found a wonderful Mom blog that attracts many moms and dads in our area and they had a special "mompreneur" rate for their advertising -- we got 50% off on a 6-month ad that runs on their site.

What has been the most difficult part about marketing your business?

Realizing that not everyone thinks you have an awesome product. You put so much heart and soul into it that you forget not everyone is as invested. Also, it takes time. You can't expect to just get out there and hit all the major magazines or publications. Just as the product took time to come to fruition, so does the marketing.

How do you manage to balance the roles of mom and business owner?

It is very hard, especially since right at the beginning I had an infant. Robin and I have all girls that all get along and love to play together, so when we meet for business the girls all think they are meeting for a play date.

Our families come first regardless of what is going on and we always make time for our children and our spouses. We normally try to meet while our children are at school and do our computer work at night or early in the morning. It is not easy to juggle, but it is possible if you prioritize. It also helps to have a supportive spouse.

How did you finance your business?

We each decided to put in $1,250 and see how far we could take it. We did great until we started to grow and had to purchase larger quantities of materials. We then opened two credit cards and have needed to use one of them so far to finance some of the bigger purchases that we have had to pay up front. We hope not to have to take out a loan, but know that might be something we look into if we end up with a large order.

Right now, we are not turning a profit, but we hope to be able to break even at the end of this year and pay off our small debt.

What has kept you going in your business?

Watching our children be excited for us and our products. You know it’s a big part of your life when one of the words in your 20-month-old’s vocabulary is “Spooneez”. Our girls see their moms working hard at something they love and believe in. It has been such a great opportunity to teach our children, and especially our girls, that anything is possible if you put your mind to it and that success is not measured by money or material possessions, but by doing your best and trying your hardest.

What advice do you have for other moms bringing their ideas to market?

No matter what anyone else says, if you believe in your product, go for it. Use all the resources you can find. It is amazing how many people have helped us, many for free, because they are excited for us or remember what it was like when they were a new business.

And don't give up. It sounds cliche, but it’s true. There are many ups and downs, but focus on your product and you will make it happen.

Thank you for sharing your story, Maythi! To learn more about Spooneez, visit RollUpTheMess.com. You can also interact with Maythi in the new Mom Invented® Community. And if you have a great story about your product or business, we’d love to hear it!

Michelle, who worked in retail fashion, hated how visible bra straps could ruin an otherwise beautiful outlet, so she envisioned a simple, flexible plastic device that could keep them in place and out of the way -- without having to buy a new bra.

She created her first Strapper by cutting up credit cards, and the moment she received her patent pending number, she quit her job, invested all her savings, focused on development full time and brought The Strapper to market in just two months.

Now, six years later, The Strapper is sold online, in boutiques and in catalogs, and Michelle aims to bring in $500,000 this year.

This mom inventor shared with us how she developed her product with less than $10,000, found a manufacturer who would do a small test run, and how she continues to deal with copycat companies.

Mom Invented®: When and why did you start your business?

Without using The Strapper, bra straps show in a raceback top

Michelle Ostraseski: We started April 2004, after receiving our patent pending number, but The Strapper was actually a concept thought of back in 1994 when I saw some girls wearing racerback tops with their straps all showing.

The Strapper is a bra accessory that gives added lift and support, keeps straps from falling off shoulders, and also hides straps when wearing sleeveless tops and dresses.

What is your background and how does it relate to your business?

When I thought of the idea I was 22 yrs old working in the Garment Center in New York City. I have always worked in retail because I love fashion. Seeing bra straps to me would ruin sometimes a beautiful outfit. I had to do something!

How did you develop a prototype?

I knew I wanted the product to be a thin plastic that did not break and I immediately thought of my credit cards, so I started cutting them up in the shape that’s now known as the Strapper.

How did you find a manufacturer?

I called everyone! It wasn't until I had lost all hope that I finally found a company that not only worked with Inventors but would do a small test run. Most companies had either a 10,000 piece or $10,000 minimum to first build a mold then run a product.

Were there any setbacks in product development?

When testing my product I realized that my size was way off. Thanks to my mom who said the prototype was too small and uncomfortable, I had to reconfigure what would be a comfortable one-size-fits-all.

What secrets have you learned in marketing your product?

Don't send samples to everyone who asks for them -- a lot of people are just looking for free products

How long did it take to get your product to market?

Two months. As soon as I received the patent pending number I quit my job and spent all my days and nights getting The Strapper ready for selling.

How did you finance your business?

I started with all my savings and have been able to run the business through the business. I never took a loan or borrowed money. My initial investment was less than $10,000 and it was worth every penny!

We continue to set goals and ensure that we meet them. Our business has continued to grow and we are aiming for $500,000 this fiscal year.

What’s your inspiration to keep going?

Watching the business grow year to year even with the imitation products that have popped up. Also knowing that we provide a superior product with excellent customer service and are able to keep key accounts not only happy, but profitable

What was you’re your low point in business? How did you move past it?

When our largest competitor first came about, we became hurt, nervous and concerned. We regrouped and launched efforts to display our product as being superior in quality and design. This helped us rise above our concerns.

What advice do you have for other moms developing their products?

Don't just sit on your ideas, act on them! Be careful who you trust and always trust your own instinct. People will try to talk you out of it.

Thank you for sharing your story, Michelle! To learn more about The Strapper, visit TheStrapper.com. And if you have a great story to share about your business or product, we'd love to hear it!

Alison is now the single mom of three children and is busy running Safety Mom, a company that provides tips and advice to parents on a range of issues and advocates for children’s safety. She also works as a spokesperson for many companies and offers babyproofing services in the Connecticut, New Jersey and New York area.

Alison’s ability to connect with parents in a down-to-earth, uplifting and engaging manner while providing important parenting information has helped her land guest spots on many national TV shows, including the Today show, Fox & Friends, and CNN International. Alison has also been featured in a variety of publications, including American Baby Magazine, Parents, The Los Angeles Times and The New York Times.

Alison shared with us how she started her business, how she stays inspired, and how she moved past losing her first babyproofing business in her divorce.

Mom Invented®: Why did you start this company and when?

Alison Rhodes: I am a national family safety and wellness expert and media spokesperson. I cover the gamut of issues facing children today, from the importance of healthy eating and an active lifestyle to cyber bullying and toy safety. Every day I offer insights and tips to readers on my blog, The Safety Chronicles, and on other popular parenting sites such as Parenting Weekly and Baby Weekly.

Over the years, I have worked as a spokesperson for numerous clients, including SC Johnson, Crest, Symantec Technologies, Schlage Locks, Evenflo, Safety First, and Lands’ End.

I also have a baby proofing division of my company, Safety Mom Solutions, which services the Connecticut, New York and New Jersey markets.

Unfortunately, my passion was born out of tragedy. After the death of my first son, Connor, to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome, I restructured my life and left an executive position at one of the world’s top PR firms to dedicate myself to saving and improving children’s lives. I have determinedly worked to increase national funding for SIDS research and peer support, testifying before Congress when I was eight months pregnant with my second child, producing a PSA with Oprah Winfrey and forming the Connecticut SIDS Alliance.

What were your initial goals?

Alison Rhodes on Parents TV

While SIDS is unpreventable and unpredictable, childhood accidents are the leading cause of death for children 1 to 14 years of age. I felt if I could save one child's life I would have done something in honor of my son. While losing my son was an incredible tragedy, through this I have found my mission and my passion, and for that I am eternally grateful. I truly love what I do and am proud that my children see me doing something that makes a difference in this world.

How did you determine your business’s marketability?

While there are many "mom experts" out there, none is dealing with family safety in as comprehensive a manner. Prior to starting Safety Mom Solutions I was a Senior Vice President at a major PR firm. I also worked in the post production industry producing commercials. With my background in production and public relations, I have the ability to easily communicate brand messages to consumers.

What secrets have you learned in terms of publicity and marketing your business?

The greatest lesson I have learned is that I need to continue to reposition myself as it relates to issues affecting parents. While cyber-bullying might be a hot topic right now, tomorrow it will be something else. It's imperative that I stay in touch with parents in order to better understand what's top of mind for them at any given time.

What has been your greatest success or high point with your business?

The greatest success for me is being approached by licensing agencies to create a Safety Mom line of products.

Have you experienced a low point in business? How did you get back on track?

Alison Rhodes with her family

My low point was losing my initial baby proofing company to my ex-husband in a divorce. I had partnered with him and he ran the business into the ground. Financially he ruined me and I needed to rebuild a new company and completely disassociate myself with the old one, which I had established.

How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom?

I don't know that there ever is a real answer to this. This is the holy grail for moms! I'm a single mom with a son with severe learning disabilities. As with most mom entrepreneurs, my job is 24/7, but so are my son's needs as well as my two daughters’.

I surround myself with an incredible support system -- a babysitter who has been with me for three years, an assistant who keeps me on task and a wonderful mother who continues to inspire me and emotionally support me -- and I insist on stopping work for dinner time every night and resign myself to being completely engaged with the kids on snow days or holidays when I don't have babysitting coverage.

My most stressful times are when I'm trying to work and be engaged as a mom. I've learned I need to engage fully in one role or another at any given time in order to succeed and feel accomplished.

Who has been your biggest source of inspiration? What keeps you going?

My greatest source of inspiration are my three children here on earth and my son in heaven. Connor was the catalyst for doing what I'm doing and every day I pray that he gives me the guidance to say the right thing to parents. But it is my children here on earth that inspire me to achieve success and, most of all, personal satisfaction. I want them to realize that following your passion is the most important ingredient for success and that you can do anything you put your mind to!

What advice would you offer other moms developing their products/ideas?

Network, network, network! Don't be afraid to ask questions and find others to help you in areas where you are not strong. Delegation is essential to success!

Follow your passion, act with integrity and success will follow

Thank you for sharing your story, Alison! To learn more about Safety Mom, visit SafetyMom.com. If you have a great story about your business or product, we'd love to hear it!

Jennifer (left) and her friend Lisa Church (right) are both fashion-forward women who love the style of wearing jeans tucked into their boots. But they hated how their jeans wouldn’t stay in place properly. Lisa, who rode horses as a child, remembered using a product to keep her riding pants in her boots, and the two women went about redesigning the original clips, first hand-sewing a prototype, then testing all sorts of different clasps and strap configurations, making sure their product was comfortable and secure enough to wear all day.

Launched after a year of development, Stiruppz quickly started getting a lot of media attention, from DailyCandy to the Today show, and the product is available online and in many retail stores nationwide. It has also inspired a number of knock-off companies.

We talked to Jennifer about how she raised $50,000, got her product to market and manages being a single mom and the owner of multiple businesses.

Mom Invented®: What were your initial goals?

Jennifer Crittenden: Our initial goals were to create a functional yet cute product that everyday boot-wearing women would like.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

I am a single mom who put herself through college and bought a business -- a Robeks Fruit Smoothies and Healthy Eats franchise. I have never gone the traditional route. I bartended through college and still do. I own my store as well as creating Stiruppz with my business partner and dear friend.

Having to raise a child at a young age taught me very early on the importance of hard work and responsibility. I have worked my tail off every single day since I had my son. Everything I do I give 100 percent because my fight is not just about me -- it’s about my son, who is now in middle school. He is my fight, my love and my inspiration.

What process did you follow to develop a prototype?

Lisa and I hand sewed a prototype. I then found a technical drawer to create a CAD that I could submit to manufacturers.

How did you determine your product's marketability?

We surveyed countless women and did countless searches online and found nothing that solved our problem.

How did you find a manufacturer for your product?

I used a website called MFG.com and eventually found a manufacturer’s rep based here in the U.S.

Were there any setbacks in product development that had to be overcome?

Quality Control. My manufacturer was not producing the quality that I needed. We're still working on improvements.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of developing your product?

Every step takes months. One simple change involves so many people and takes so much time.

How did you finance your business?

We have invested around $50,000 from credit cards and investments from family and friends. I am comfortable with my own personal investment, but I get nervous about failure because of my friends’ investments.

What has been your greatest success or high point with your product or business?

Our greatest success has been getting picked up by two retailers that put us in multiple locations.

Have you experienced a low point in business? If so, how did you get back on track?

Our lowest point was finding competition that has not only ordered our product and copied it, but basically stole our website. It’s frustrating, yet we try to be flattered.

How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom?

I have managed both well due to the fact I work in the evening and am able to work all day long while my son is at school. He loves Stiruppz as much as I do at this point.

Who has been your biggest source of inspiration? What keeps you going?

I am inspired by all of the stories I read. Finding Mom Invented has inspired me even more. Sarah Blakely, who started Spanx, might be my biggest inspiration. I just love to hear of other people's successes. It pushes me and validates what I have been working towards.

What surprised you most about the process of starting your business?

I guess the most surprising part is how long everything takes. Nothing is overnight and anyone who thinks things happen without a lot of sweat and tears is plain crazy.

Is there a resource that proved to be invaluable that you would like to share with other moms?

Simply talking to people. I have met so many people who have offered so much help by just talking and learning what people do. So many resources have come my way through conversation. Talk to like-minded people. They will inspire you and push you!

Thank you for sharing your story, Jennifer! To learn more about Stiruppz, visit Stiruppz.com. And if you have a great story about your product or business to share, we’d love to hear it!

During the 155 nights Zachary spent in the hospital, Yamile spent at least 10 hours a day with him in the neonatal intensive care unit, but she hated leaving him at night. She had learned from the nurses how to use her hands to comfort him -- how to hold him and how to touch him to give him boundaries, but she wanted something to continue to comfort Zachary in her absence. So she sewed hand-shaped pillows, which she slept with to give her scent, that she could leave with her son to keep him feeling warm and secure.

She could see a difference in Zachary’s monitors when he was being cradled by the pillows, and seeing that he was at ease helped Yamile feel more relaxed. Two weeks after she finally brought Zachary home, Yamile got a call from the development director at the NICU to see if she could make her "little hands" for the other premature babies, and she knew this was how she could keep her promise to help babies and their parents.

Yamile spent the next three years refining her hand-sewn design and bringing The Zaky to market. It’s now available in many retail and online stores, is used in hospitals nationwide, and has won numerous product awards.

Yamile shares with us how she went from working in construction to infant products, how her product has affected other mothers, and where her business is headed now.

Mom Invented®: What were your initial goals for your product and company?

The Zaky hand-shaped pillows

Yamile Jackson: I invented the first Zaky for my son when I had to leave the hospital without him. I wanted to decrease the association of touch with pain, and of movement with stress of babies in the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit. I also had two distinct goals: that I offered a product that fit everyone -- no "small/medium/large" or "light/medium/heavy"; and that the product could be used with the sickest of the sickest of the babies in the NICU, so the specs were very strict.

I created Zakeez Inc. to use ergonomics and human factors to develop products that help babies and parents feel closer to each other. Our products also help by providing neurological, sensory, and developmental stimulation for babies.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

I am a very lucky woman. I have a wonderful husband for 13 years, and we have Zachary, who is healthy, smart, and very loving 8-year-old. I am a native of Colombia and came to the USA when I was 21 pursuing my dream of earning a PhD. I have 4 degrees in engineering, including the PhD in ergonomics and human factors engineering. I worked for the engineering and construction industry for over a decade and taught engineering management and MBA courses in different countries and universities.

What process did you follow to develop a prototype?

I spent 3 years on the research and development of The Zaky, testing prototypes in the NICU where Zachary was born, and with focus groups that included neonatologists, therapists, nurses, parents and babies.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of developing your product?

My personal shift from offering services to engineers to goods to the medical industry, and going from the most professional type of work environment to dealing with the most personal and probably the most traumatic time in a mom's life -- when she delivers a sick baby.

What secrets have you learned in terms of publicity and marketing your product?

The best marketing is word of mouth. We spend very little money on advertising because we choose to use that money to donate items to sick babies.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of marketing your product?

We had to start with education. We are overturning methods that, in my view, are sometimes cruel practices, such as leaving a baby to go to sleep from exhaustion from crying. We are also helping parents help their babies by providing a non-medicinal alternative to colic and not being able to sleep that has not been offered before. What is nice is that mothers get the purpose of the products after the first night of not being able to sleep because their baby feels unprotected or scared in the new environment.

How did you finance your business?

The company is self-financed. We used personal resources to pay for the research, and by continuing to work as a consultant and trainer until I could devote all my time to Zakeez in 2007.

I have spent a lot of money, and a big part of the proceeds are donated to help sick babies around the world. My business is not about money -- my business comes from the heart -- and the emails and stories I hear about how we are helping families of healthy, sick and special needs children are more than a reward.

What is your company's current financial picture and what are your projections?

The Kangaroo Zak skin-to-skin contact top

We are very healthy and stable financially. Our projections are to continue developing more products. We recently introduced the Kangaroo Zak, a top that facilitates "Kangaroo Mother Care," also called skin-to-skin contact, for the first couple of weeks for a full-term baby, and for preemies until their due date. We are also developing and starting to market a clothing line for preemies size 3-7 in the NICU, and for the sensitive subject of bereavements of babies 1-7 lbs.

What has been your greatest success or high point with your business?

Every day brings a big success -- emails from moms and medical professionals that write to me telling me how our products help them. One email that still makes me emotional is one of a mom that told me that the Zakys were what allowed her to bond with her baby that only lived for 3 weeks, and she buried the baby with one Zaky and kept the other. Moms of healthy babies also write thanking me for allowing them to comfort their babies and help them sleep.

Businesswise, a high point in 2009 was when our company brought home our 11th award, "2009 Outstanding Woman-Owned Small Business of the Year" from the SCORE Foundation sponsored by Constant Contact in Washington DC.

Who has been your biggest source of inspiration? What keeps you going?

My son. He was born to save my life and for that I will be forever grateful to him. To me, he suffered the most incredible pain, he survived the unimaginable, and still he never gave up. He is an example of perseverance and love. He went through so much, and he held in there. He is a miracle, and he is my son, my teacher, and my loving inspiration. He is the reason I have my company, and he is our CIO -- Chief Inspirational Officer.

What keeps me going is thinking that he never gave up, so why should I? I'm also touched by the thousands of emails and conversations that I have around the country and internationally with families, medical professionals, and child-care providers that have been touched by our products.

Is there a resource that proved to be invaluable to you?

I believe SCORE is the best kept secret. They are "America's small business mentors" -- they give counseling to small business owners at no cost, and their intentions are to help you succeed. The SCORE's Houston District has been my "fee-free consultants" that continue to help me in my journey.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their ideas?

First, follow your heart and be passionate about what you are doing. Then do your homework. Prepare, prepare and prepare, and test before presenting a product to market. Learn about the process of developing a product, and don’t cut corners.

Thank you for sharing you story, Yamile! If you want to learn more about Zakeez, visit Zakeez.com. And if you have a great story about your product or business, we'd love to hear it!

She also knew she wanted something attractive and fun that would help indicate who the present was from without wasting too much paper or costing too much, so she created Move Over Cards -- small, double-sided gift enclosures made from 100% post consumer recycled paper.

Nicki spent four months designing the cards and getting them ready for market, and she launched her company in October 2008. Move Over Cards are now available online and at several retail outlets, including specialty kids' stores and stationery stores, and Nicki is looking to expand into even larger outlets.

Hear how this Ohio mom went from getting laid off to starting her business in a matter of months and how she turned her creative inclinations into a growing gift card venture.

Why did you create your product line?

As a mother of triplet girls, I could not believe the number of birthday parties I was attending when the girls started school. I knew that what I really needed was something to indicate who the present was to and from without wasting so much paper.

Move Over Cards are an environmentally responsible way to give gifts. Our gift enclosures are made from 100% post consumer recycled paper and reduce paper waste by using no envelopes. Move Over Cards' uniquely packaged six-pack enclosure sets provide organization and save time.

What were your initial goals for your business?

To help parents save money and become more organized. There were times I knew I had a card somewhere in the house but I couldn't find it. Also, I liked the price point of less then a dollar -- our tags retail at 66 cents each.

What is your background and how does it relate to your company?

I have a BA from Kent State University in Communications. I worked in Corporate Relocation for 12 years and was laid off in 2008. I felt the timing was perfect to start my business.

What process did you follow to develop a prototype?

I have a software program that I had been using; I started with several sizes until I felt a 3-by-3-inch square was the perfect size -- not too large or small.

How did you determine your product's marketability?

Once I started attaching my cards to my own presents, other moms started asking me where I purchased the tags.

How did you find a manufacturer for your product?

I do all the designing and found a great printer to handle the printing and cutting.

Were there any setbacks in product development that had to be overcome?

At first I had every design developed, I was just so excited. I should have found out what would be my best sellers and then ordered those in the larger amounts.

What was the biggest learning curve in terms of developing your product?

Not everyone is going to think your product is a great idea. When I first started I thought, I save people money and time, what’s not to love? It's hard to step back and do a real reality check.

How did you finance your business?

My initial costs were quite low since I did all the designing and packaging. My husband and I paid for everything on our own. We have invested about $3,500. It would have been less had I not printed so many cards, but I chalk that up to "that's how you learn." I am very cautious about money. I also have a patent pending product that is going to coordinate with my tags.

What has been your greatest success or high point with your product or business?

My products are in a specialty toy retail store, and when I was at my doctor’s office for a checkup, she said that she purchased one of my tags for her son’s gift. It made me feel good.

Have you experienced a low point in business? How did you get back on track?

I thought I would be in more retailers at this point. To get back on track means to make a commitment to call and stay in contact with buyers and I have resolved to do that more effectively.

How have you managed to juggle the roles of business owner and mom?

I am very clear on my priorities: I love my daughters and husband very much and ensure they understand that in order for me to feel good about myself I want my company to succeed and that I need time on the computer or away from home.

Who has been your biggest source of inspiration? What keeps you going?

I get so inspired when I meet other entrepreneur moms. Here we are trying to juggle so many things to make our dreams come true. We might not make it to the Big Box but we should still be proud.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their ideas?

Before you spend one dollar, do some research. Ask people if they would be interested in the product or service you are considering.

Thank you for sharing your story, Nicki! To learn more about Move Over Cards, visit HelloMOC.com. And if you have a great story to share about your product or business, we’d love to hear it!