Mompreneur Spotlight: Stefanie Barcus

Every week, Dirt and Lace features a different mom who runs her own business from home while juggling everything else that us moms have to deal with.

Meet Stefanie Barcus, mom of four-year-old twin boys and owner of RockStar Babies Boutique.

RockStar Babies sells baby and toddler items such as bows, hooded towels, tutus, and leg warmers, all handmade and one-of-a-kind. A link to her Facebook fan page is at the end of the interview. I highly encourage you to check her products out!

What led to the start of your business?

I started my Business making burp cloths and hair bows for my two nieces. I have twin boys and knew I needed a regular "girly fix"!

How long has RockStar Babies been operating?

As I mentioned I started just making goodies for my nieces then as they were wearing the goods people started asking to buy them. That was about two years ago!

What is the main avenue(s) you use to sell your products?

I mainly show my products on my Facebook page, but the majority of my business is from word of mouth and returning customers. I also do a couple of holiday boutiques each year, which generates wonderful new customers.

Did you try other ways of selling first?

I did try Etsy, but found I was not really reaching the "Mom population" where I am located. The market on Etsy is super competitive and I felt like I was being lost in the shuffle.

Was this your first venture, or had you tried/started other businesses in the past?

RockStar Babies is my first venture into being a Mompreneur!

Did you have instant success or did it take awhile for things to pick up?

As far as instant success goes, I would say it has been a gradual growth for me. The more products I add the more I sell! Adding a Facebook fan page has added a ton of business!

How many hours do you put into RockStar Babies on a daily basis?

I would say the amount of daily hours really depends on the season and the amount of orders I have going at one time. I always take advantage of my boys preschool days to get stuff done. Thank God I can involve my boys and keep them busy helping me when we are home together!

Where do you do most of your work?

I do all of my RockStar Babies work out of my craft room in my house. I have it set up just the way I want it, and love being in there creating. I do always keep a box of “to do’s” with me for busy work if I find myself with any down time while out and about.

Operating a business from home can be hard! Do you have support from your family?

I do have a ton of family support! Whether it's calling a family member to play with kiddos or helping me make stuff, my family backs me all the way. My husband does try to stay out of the "Danger Zone" (ie. my craft room) so he does not see the occasional bomb that goes off in there!

What is your favorite part of having your own business?

I love that by having my own business I am challenging myself daily to step out of my comfort zone and be creative. I am meeting new people and of course I love seeing kiddos sporting RockStar Babies goods!

What is your least favorite part?

My least favorite part of having my own business is when I have a "human error" and goof up.

What would you be doing if you didn't have your own at-home business, both monetarily and with your free time?

If I did not have RockStar Babies I would still be a stay at home mom! I would probably just be driving my husband crazy with home projects!

Do you have any advice to other moms who want to start their own businesses?

My only advice would be to put your family first. Your customer will understand if their bow does not make it out in today's mail because you were creating memories with your family.

Thanks Stefanie! Check out Stef’s products by clicking here.

NOTE: I did NOT get compensated or receive any products in exchange for this post. Mompreneur Spotlights are written out of a passion to help and inspire other women to follow their dreams :)

Mompreneur Spotlight: Becky Dossey

Mompreneur-adj. (mom-pre-noor)

women who run their own businesses while also acting as a full time parent. Mompreneurs are more likely to run a business out of the home than out of a commercial building. Because of family obligations, mompreneurs have to balance the requirements of running a business with the demands of their children and household.

I have had my share of at-home businesses (read all about that here). I get asked a lot about how I went about starting these ventures, what inspired me or drove me to do what I do, and if I have any advice for people who have no idea where to start but really want to start their own work-from-home business so that they can contribute to their household and still be at home with their kids.

I got to thinking, what better way to share information and inspire other moms than to feature women who have done these things and are successful at them?

I hope that by featuring a different business owner every week, I can inspire you, and offer a peek into the world of a work-from-home mom.

Please welcome my first ever Mompreneur Monday mom, Becky Dossey of Purdy Things. Purdy Things specializes in crochet hats, accessories, and photography props. You can find links to her shop, blog, and Facebook page at the bottom of this post.

Hi Becky! What led to the start of Purdy Things?

I’ve always been creative, and I had made myself a scarf, and my daughter some hats, and kept getting compliments, and people kept asking me where I got them.. so I thought why not sell them?? Once I got started, it became a way to finance my many creative ideas!

How long have you had your Etsy shop? Did you try other ways of selling first?

I’ve been selling on Etsy for about 4 years, but it wasn’t until a little over 2 years ago I became serious about it.

Was this your first venture, or had you tried out others in the past?

HAHAHA no. My first venture was making scrapbooked checkbook covers. Those were fun, then I was selling altered clipboards, greeting cards, altered tins, anything that had to do with scrapbooking I was there!!!!! It was while I was doing that shop that I realized people wanted my crochet skills more than my scrapbooking skills.

Did you have instant success with your crochet products, or did it take awhile for things to pick up?

When I became serious about my online shops, and started doing the work, and research into SEO (search engine optimization) and marketing I found success. The best site I’ve EVER found geared towards selling online is http://www.handmadeology.com/. Selling handmade isn’t as easy as posting a listing and waiting for people to find it.. you have to put the effort into lighting the way to your store, and then once they are there, how to keep them interested long enough to fall in love. So it wasn’t overnight... but it really didn’t take that long to pick up either.

Do you have support from your husband/kids?

I absolutely do!! When I get into my busy season, my hubby does all of my shipping for me, he does a lot of the marketing for me, the customer service, SEO, adding new listings. I always say he’s my business manager, because in the off season he works on efficiency, and pushes me to have inventory. My sons, they support me by making sure their chores are done.. my daughter would love to help more then I allow her... but she’s 7. So she’s my best model. But they all love Purdy Things... and are always telling people what their mom does and passing out cards.

How many hours do you put into your business on a daily basis?

I spend about 5 hours a day crocheting, and at least 3 marketing, networking, and working on SEO.

Where in your home do you do most of your work?

Depends on what I’m working on.. if I’m crocheting it’s a comfy spot, the couch, sitting on my bed... if I’m designing something new, or working on jewelry, assembling, or marketing... it’s at my deskIf I need inspiration..... I sit and stare at the wall of color.

What is your favorite part of having your own business?

I get to stay home with the kids of course but I love that I have a creative outlet. I’m super creative and crafty and my mind is ALWAYS going on what to make next. AND I get to meet new people all the time. Many customers have become friends. I love that!

What is your least favorite part?

Stress... (though it’s worth it)

What would you be doing if you didn't have Purdy Things?

I would be rocking myself sucking my thumb in a mental ward because I wouldn’t have a creative outlet. No, really I don’t know.. I would be a stay at home mom with a super clean house!

Do you have any advice to other moms who want to start their own businesses?

Don’t be discouraged... building a following takes time. Be confident that what you make is AWESOME!!! Don’t sell yourself too short. Be willing and open to learn.. this business is a constant learning process. Get some thick skin.. sorry but it’s true, not everyone is going to LOVE what you do. Make sure you research and learn all you can to be successful.

Is there anything else you would like to share with Dirt and Lace readers?

Do what makes YOU happy... if you don’t LOVE making it, DON’T make it, because people WILL see your passion in your quality.

Thank you so much, Becky! Aren’t her products the cutest? I will be ordering an owl hat for Jace for sure. You can find her here:

Blog

Facebook

Shop

I don’t normally beg for comments, but pleeeease show Becky some love and also let me know what you think of the Mompreneur Spotlight. If you would like to be featured, please send me an e-mail!

NOTE: I did NOT get compensated or receive any products in exchange for this post. Mompreneur Spotlights are written out of a passion to help and inspire other women to follow their dreams :)