Moms Make It Work

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Several local mothers are proving that, with a little effort and a lot of passion, starting a mom-related business makes for rewarding work.

Many new moms can't imagine suffering the headaches and heartbreaks of returning to work, and these "mom"-preneurs are no different. Most of them never planned to work after having their babies. A variety of factors led them to go into business for themselves, however.

Let It 'Bee'

For Moundsville native Randi Chavanak and her sister-in-law, Gina Berisford, it all started last spring with an overabundance of baby clothes, courtesy of their enthusiastic parents and in-laws. Randi's daughter, 18-month-old Grayson, and Gina's daughter, 14-month-old Mya, are the first grandchildren on both sides.

"The closets were full and we had to get rid of these clothes," Randi said. E-bay involved shipping costs and hassles. They decided to open a brick-and-mortar resale shop for children's clothing and toys, ages birth to 6. They looked into the Once Upon a Child franchise, but found the investment to be "astronomical." Randi then met with a small business development specialist at West Virginia Northern Community College, who pointed her in the right direction as a first-time business owner.

"Everything kind of snowballed from there," Randi said. In June, Gina found an empty storefront at Centre Market in Wheeling that was right-priced, and the Let It Bee Boutique opened in October.

"We were like, this has to be right. We had no setbacks," Gina said.

Rather than dealing with consigning items, which involves tagging and coding them so each consigner gets her share of the sale price, Randi and Gina buy items outright.

"This way, instead of you going through a yard sale and digging through everything to find things in good condition or of any value, we do that and then it's right here for you," Randi said. "We kind of cut out the middle man." Seventy-five percent of the merchandise at the beginning was from their own homes, they said.

The shop, located on the west side of the Lower Market House, is bright and neat, with high ceilings and plenty of room for moms or grandmas to shop while kids keep busy in the toy area. They made their own clothing racks or purchased them secondhand. Colorful baby hats are hooked onto a pegboard that came with the space.

Grayson and Mya accompany their mothers to work most days of the week, adding to the child-friendly nature of the store. A portable DVD player is propped on a chair behind the counter, ready to play Big Bird and Elmo DVDs to entertain the girls.

"We walk behind them and pick up after them. They tear stuff down; we pick it up," Randi said - just like at home.

For Randi and Gina, it's the best of both worlds.

They set the store hours so it's convenient for their families - 10 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in the winter months - enough time to get everyone up and out the door in the morning, and avoiding the cold, dark evening hours.

"We both have (college) degrees and we needed something to occupy our time," Randi said. "But we're both old-fashioned" and had always planned to be stay-at-home mothers.

Randi's husband, Rob, is a teacher with Marshall County Schools, and while the store isn't turning a profit yet, it surely will be welcome when it does. Gina's husband, Julian, was killed in Afghanistan in November. The shop, which is named after one of Julian's favorite Beatles' songs, has been a blessing to her.

Her advice to other mothers wanting to start a business: "If you can do it, do it!" Said Randi: "If you really want to do something, you can find a way."

Momma Says ...

Near the cash register at Let It Bee Boutique is a display of hats and headbands for little girls, adorned with giant blooms. They are among some of the new, locally handmade items Randi and Gina offer at the boutique.

The little hats are made by Jenny Iverstine of Wheeling, but the hats are a sideline of Jenny's No. 1 passion (besides her 8-month-old daughter, Rose): Momma Bear Wear, a line of one-piece outfits and bibs to encourage proper social etiquette around babies.

First-time mom Jenny started Momma Bear Wear in October after becoming fed up with strangers who think it's OK to poke and prod babies in public.

"The last straw was when a man from church actually stuck his finger in Rose's mouth," Jenny said. She designed Momma Bear Wear with two to-the-point messages: "Do Not Touch" and "Wash Your Hands ... momma says."

The Louisiana native and graduate of Lousiana State University launched a Web site and is marketing her products nationally. For Jenny, it's not so much about the money as the message.

"With the help of my own inner momma bear, I hope to spread a message that can make the world a little safer for babies. I want to encourage the moms and dads that are ridiculed for speaking out about their protective side. Parents need not fear and should 'trust their instincts' when it comes to their children," she said.

She also found she enjoys being an entrepreneur.

"Each step is a learning experience: building a Web site, designing and printing my product, sales and marketing ... and the list goes on. These things can be especially difficult when having a 4-month-old! But Momma Bear Wear also saved my life. Yes, my baby girl was the most precious thing that ever happened to me. I was feeling isolated and engulfed in the monotony of the "newborn shuffle." I was in need of something else to occupy my thoughts ... a creative outlet, a work outlet and a way to connect with other parents."

Jenny said she always puts Rose's needs first and finds she can get the most accomplished when Rose is asleep. Daily workouts and household chores have gone by the wayside, she said, in order to balance work and motherhood.

Her advice to other mom-preneurs: "If you have an idea ... research it, talk to your friends about it and seek wise business advice. And if you still think it a good idea for you, go for it!" She also encourages finding a mentor and writing a business plan.

"Above all, remind yourself daily that your family is your most important investment!" ... momma says.

Banking on a 'Bum 'Wrap'

Lesley Dubiel of Belmont found she could invest in her family, invest in the environment and save money by switching to cloth diapers with her youngest child. Making the switch was difficult, however, because of the lack of cloth diapering resources in the Ohio Valley.

So in 2008, the Ohio Valley native and mother of five started Cute Caboose, www.cutecaboose. com, an online cloth diapering resource including sales, education, how-tos, giveaways and, most recently, a blog, The Cloth Diaper Buzz.

A graduate of Wheeling Jesuit University, Lesley and her husband, Patrick, always planned for her to stay home with their children, "which I wouldn't change for the world." But starting Cute Caboose also allows Lesley to help others make positive changes in their lives.

"I love what I do, pure and simple. Though being a mom and caring for my family always comes first in my life, my business gives me a chance to be something more. It enables me to help people, which makes me feel as though I am making a difference in other's lives. My favorite part of my business and prime reason that I started it was to educate others," Lesley said.

Her online store sells a large variety of cloth diaper brands, including the popular Bum Genius and Thirsties, as well as diaper covers, liners, wet bags, pail liners and diaper cream. Dubiel said cloth diapers are better for babies because the materials are natural; they are better for the environment because they cut down on landfill waste; and they are less expensive than disposables.

She ships anywhere in the United States and Canada but gives locals the option of picking up the products. She also invites potential customers to come out and see the products for themselves .

"I have many plans for the future to expand and grow the educational side of my business locally," she said.

For moms interested in starting a business, Lesley recommends becoming an "expert" in your chosen field.

"Doing so will help others to value what you say and will essentially help you to grow your business and prosper."