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!

CEO and Owner of Pitch Public Relations, Ann Noder, is a sought-after PR professional and former TV news anchor. Ann works on a regular basis with some of the top media outlets in the country -- from the Today show to Parents magazine, The Wall Street Journal and many more.

She will join the Mom Invented® community for a special chat on the true tricks of the trade. For instance, did you know…

…you don't need a fancy press kit?
…showing off previous press coverage on your site can hurt your chances for more features?
…the best person to pitch to at a TV show isn't always a producer?

Find out the top PR mistakes companies make and some of the tricks she uses herself to get companies featured on a national level.

Tamara Monosoff will be personally interviewing Ann, and they will be happy to answer your questions at the end of the interview. If you'd like to contact Ann directly about her PR services, you can fill out our inquiry form.

Although this webinar is free, you will need to register to participate so we can send you the call-in information. Sign up now!

Sign Up Now!

If you missed it, Mom Invented® Basic and Super-Charged Members can listen to the webinar in our member exclusive content area, or you can pick up Jamie's info-packed book.

Don’t miss our next webinar where Brad Kofoed will be interviewing me and my friend and co-author Jim Horan about the One Page Business Plan for Women in Business.

• "I can't tell anyone about my invention because they might steal it." Myth!
• "I can't make money from my invention because I don't have a patent." Myth!
• "I know my idea is worth a million dollars." Myth!
• "I have a patent so I have done the hard part." Myth!

Join Mom Invented® founder Tamara Monsoff this Thursday, March 18, 2010 for a live Ladies Who Launch Webinar at 1:00 p.m. EDT to bust these myths and get the insider info on what you need to do to succeed.

Sign up now! - and use the promo code TM4LWL for $10 off
(Promo code is good until Wednesday, March 17 at 11:59pm EST).

The opportunity for inventors to get their products to market has never been better as two major trends in the retail and product manufacturing industries have converged.

• First, product companies have had to find ways to do more with less. The cost benefits of using outside inventors as opposed to large in-house product development teams is obvious.
• Second, the market has been demanding more creativity and supports small entrepreneurs.

However, the market is highly competitive and there are many risks in the process of taking an invention to market and much of the "information" about inventing more accurately fits into the "myth" category.

In this seminar you will get the inspiration and the information you need from "Americas favorite Business Mom" to get your product from percolating in your mind to sold on store shelves.

In this seminar you will learn:

• You CAN take your product to market
• The difference between the two paths to inventing: 1) Going into business and 2) selling your idea
• The first five steps you can take today
• How to research the market
• How to think about the use of intellectual property tools such as patents, trademarks and copyrights

Since founding Mom Invented, Inc, Tamara has helped thousands of women take their product ideas from concept to market and build thriving businesses through her books, seminars and columns. Join her in this great seminar to get the help you need, too!

Bonuses! Attendee will receive:

• The newly updated Quick Start & Quick Resources Guide
• A generic Non-Disclosure Agreement
• Coupon code for $25.00 off our Product Evaluation Program
• Coupon code for $250.00 off our Business Launch Program

Visit Ladies Who Launch to Sign Up Today!

For $10 off use the promo code: TM4LWL
(Promo code expires Wednesday, March 17 at 11:59pm EST)

• I don't need a plan because I am not raising money.
• I'm the "idea" person not the "numbers" person so this is just not my thing.
• I don't need a plan because I have an action packed to-do list.
• I can't write a plan because I don’t know what I am doing.
• I can't write a plan because the idea of doing it makes me nervous.
• I had a bad experience with planning so I am not gonna do it.
• I am just too busy to write a business plan.

In this webinar, authors Jim Horan and Tamara Monosoff will discuss the process of quickly creating an effective, powerful One Page Business Plan using the methods outlined in their new book, The One Page Business Plan for Women in Business.

The One Page Business Plan for Women in Business is an approachable business planning workbook designed for YOU! It combines The One Page Business Plan author Jim Horan’s proven methodology with the colorful stories, sample business plans, and voices from women just like you -- without using business jargon.

Starting with a blank page wastes valuable time! The examples and fill-in-the-blank prompts Jim and Tamara share are designed to help you quickly learn and master the One Page Business Plan technique. You can create your first plan in minutes. We have learned that most people learn by seeing examples, and this book provides sample plans and sage advice from women leading the way who will guide you as you write your one page plan.

Brad Kofoed will be interviewing Tamara and Jim, and they will be happy to answer your questions at the end of the interview.

Although this webinar is free, you will need to register to participate so we can send you the call-in information. Sign up Now!

Sign up Now!

About the Authors

Jim Horan is an experienced Fortune 500 executive, small business expert, consultant, author and professional speaker. In the last sixteen years, through his seminars group and 1:1 mentoring programs he has helped tens of thousands of entrepreneurs, business owners and busy corporate executives achieve significant breakthroughs in their businesses. You can learn more at OnePageBusinessPlan.com.

Tamara Monosoff, Ed.D, is Founder and CEO of MomInvented.com, and best-selling author of The Mom Inventors Handbook, Secrets of Millionaire Moms and Your Million Dollar Dream (to be released April 28, 2010). She is an inspirational speaker & columnist and has appeared on Today, CNN, Good Morning America, and The Wall Street Journal, Time, People, and Oprah magazine.

Reserve Your Spot Today!

Dear Fabulous Mom Invented Community,

My name is Jenna McCarthy and I am an internationally published writer, the author of several books, a wife and mom who was just named one of SheKnows.com's "top Twitter moms to watch." (Number ONE, baby!) I like tennis, sparkly things and going to bed embarrassingly early.

I am currently working on my next book (to be published next year by Berkley Books), a practical guide to living with and continuing to love the TV-addicted, sex-obsessed, not-quite-handy man you married.

Peppered throughout the book will be "true tales from the marital trenches," tiny glimpses into another wife's world -- where hopefully you see something so appalling that you realize you're married to a real gem after all. These little snippets will appear as pullout boxes titled AT LEAST YOU'RE NOT MARRIED TO HIM.  In my research so far I’ve heard stories of husbands who never ever brush their teeth, pick their noses in the car, insist on clipping their toenails outside on the front porch for all of the neighbors to see and love to groove to their Wii Fit in the living room... in their underpants. (See how great your guy looks in comparison already?)

What I want to know is... what does your husband (whom you still love and have no plans to leave, by the way) do that drives you batty? Half-close drawers, half-finish bars of soap, half-listen to everything you say? Nothing is too mundane; in fact, if it seems too benign to even complain about, chances are it is perfect for this book. Sex, sleeping, kids, money, housework, home improvements, TV, in-laws, driving, dinner, date night... the opportunities for conflict are everywhere! So come on, spill. It feels good to vent. You can weigh in publicly on my blog (go ahead and change your name if you’d like) or email me directly if you're not comfortable airing your dirty marital laundry.

Women the world over thank you in advance for your contribution. Consider it a marriage-saving act of selflessness.

Warmly,
Jenna

Frankly, most inventions, and most new business ideas for that matter, should not "pass go" -- not because the ideas are not creative, clever or innovative, but because there is no market to support them. I’ve met many inventors who have filed a patent and handed thousands of dollars to an invention promotion company only to wonder if the invention was worth the money and effort.

So inventors and new entrepreneurs should ask themselves if they are willing to change their minds if necessary. It’s important to be willing to change your mind for two reasons. First, in today’s economy, people who are seeking a new way to generate income cannot afford to waste time or money. Launching an invention can cost thousands of dollars and years of effort. If something is not going to work, it’s best discovered early in the process.

Second, when you enter the process with a willingness to change your mind, once you have concluded that the idea is indeed worth pursuing, you can do so with all the more conviction... Continue reading the rest of Tamara's March Inventions column on Entrepreneur.com...

If you want help with market research and determining your next steps when developing your idea, check out our New Product Evaluation Program. You'll get a patent search and legal opinion, a review of manufacturability and marketability, a phone consultation with Tamara Monosoff and more!

Start Your Evaluation Now!

In 2008, she made the first Carry-Her backpack, a doll carrier for 16- to 18-inch dolls, like American Girl Dolls. It's lightweight, folds up into a mini backpack -- that can conveniently fit on the doll or in a purse -- and is made in the U.S.

After getting a great response from other moms at craft shows and on the street, Roberta decided to mass-produce her backpacks. Four months later, they were on the market. Carry-Her backpacks are now sold online and in specialty doll shops.

Roberta shared with us how she brought her idea to market so quickly, her biggest business successes to date, and her advice for other mom entrepreneurs bringing their ideas to market.

Why did you start this company and when?

I made my first Carry-Her in November 2008 for my daughter. After many other moms were asking where they could purchase one, I started selling at craft shows. We were overwhelmed with the response and decided to mass-produce. We found a great U.S. manufacturer. We officially launched in March 2009.

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

I have been lucky to have more than one "aha" moment. Our first was selling out of our handmade backpacks at a doll tea, and the response from the moms. The second came a month later. We were visiting NYC for the day. We were stopped all day by moms and dads asking where we bought my daughter's Carry-Her. At these times we knew we were onto something big.

How did you finance your business?

We did not want to go in debt when we first started out. We used our savings. Unfortunately, my husband got laid off early into our business and we had no choice but to get a small loan.

We now have under $20,000 invested and our financial picture looks good. We have so many other plans for the Carry-Her brand. We are hoping to triple our sales in 2010.

What process did you follow to develop a prototype?

I made about twenty different backpacks. I had my daughter test each and every one. She made the final decision. Our main goal was for it to be lightweight and easy to use.

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

Yes, our first sample from the manufacturer was not up to our standards. After, many phone conversations back and forth, we decided to go meet in person at the factory. We were able to sit down with the owner and work out the kinks in a few hours.

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

It went quick. We officially launched four months after making our first prototypes. I feel it happened so fast due to our manufacturer being only a few hours away.

We are now selling in a few specialty doll shops. We are also selling on our website, Amazon, and Womentorz.

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

I am a mom of a 9-year-old daughter, Emily, and a wife of ten years. I have been a stay at home mom since my daughter's birth. I have always loved being creative -- friends and family call me Martha. I owned my own business before the birth of my daughter. This has helped because I know how to run the business end of Carry-Her.

What has been your greatest high point with your business?

I feel like being a mom inventor is like being on a roller coaster. One day you are up and one day you are down. I've had many high points. One of my favorites was a retail shop we sell to was so excited about Carry-Her, they put in on a mannequin in the front window display of their very busy store.

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

That has been a challenge. I try to work when my daughter is in school and after bedtime. The housework has fallen by the wayside, and unfortunately so have my volunteering services. I believe being a mom is the most important job I will ever have. My family still comes first.

Who has been your biggest source of inspiration?

My daughter always inspires me to be my best. Just seeing the excitement in her face when she talks about Carry-Her keeps me going. Proving to her that she can do anything makes this all worth it.

What advice would you offer other moms developing their ideas?

Join all the social networks. There are so many women just like you. One thing is for sure... you can't do this alone. There are many women inventors willing to help you free of charge.

Thank you for sharing your story, Roberta! To learn more about Carry-Her, visit Carry-Her.com. And if you have a great story to share about your product or business, we'd love to hear it!

It turns out clearing your clutter can really make a difference, and Jamie Novak, expert organizer, TV host and author of the new book Stop Throwing Money Away will be having a special chat to teach the Mom Invented® community exactly how we can start turning our clutter into cash on Thursday, March 11, at 10 a.m. PST (1 p.m. EST).

Jamie will expose the four ways our clutter makes us poor and how to change our habits and behavior by offering new ways of thinking and inspiring you to change your mindset about organizing, making money and saving the planet all at once.

You will learn how to make money by paring what you own by half and plugging cash clutter traps by shopping at home. Most importantly, Jamie will inspire you to take ACTION!

This is a free teleconference/webinar where I will personally interview Jamie and she will be happy to answer your questions at the end. Although it is free, you will need to register to get your login/call-in information. Sign up Now!

Sign Up Now!

First and foremost, you must display your products in a way that is attractive and gives buyers a chance to easily see and evaluate them. It isn't necessary to break the bank on your displays, but it should be tasteful. While each company has its own approach to trade shows, based on our experience there are a few additional basics to keep in mind for first time exhibitors.

• If there are specific companies you wish to meet, find out if they will be at the show. Then contact them in advance and invite them to your booth.
• Plan to attend any industry events at the show that you can. These are a great place to get information. We always learn things about our industry we never expected.
• Promotions can add to your presence. Some exhibitors will have a prize on display that they will raffle away at some point. Visitors to your booth deposit their business card into a jar and that is how the entrants are drawn. Gift baskets, product samples, or a trip to Hawaii are all examples of special giveaways. (Check out Mom Invented® Super Charged Member Karen Horrigan's company Galaxy Promotional Products for great promotional items)
• Candy Jar Buyers seem to prefer chocolate.
• Think about your colors. You will want to be sure that your booth attendants are color-coordinated with each other and your booth colors.
• Wear comfortable shoes! You will be on your feet a lot. You will be miserable and not very effective if you choose fashion over comfort.
• Don't eat in your booth.
• Bring a tool kit: We have a trade show tool box that has some of the essentials we might need.
  • String
  • Wire
  • Stapler (plus a backup)
  • Blank file folders
  • Note pad
  • Receipt book
  • Pens
  • Business cards
  • Multi-head screw driver
  • Small hammer
  • Pliers
  • Scissors
  • Pocket knife
  • Double sided tape
  • Small tape measure

Looking for the right trade show to attend? If you have a maternity, baby or toddler product, check out Bebe Paluzza expos -- there will be five shows this year in different cities across the country. Learn more and request information...

Photo by Sam Galison