Business Opportunities Weblog

June 19, 2007 by Angela Shupe | 0 Comments

MiamiHerald.com:

Women inventors are nothing new. But as more professional women — women with all kinds of business experience and skills — stay home to raise children, more are looking for ways to continue their professional lives. Women hold 10 percent of the patents in the United States and there’s even a website devoted to inventive moms.

FORM MEETS FUNCTION

”Women really appreciate a product designed by women because we think it through and it’s logical,” said Nancy Allen, president and CEO of the Women’s Business Development Center, which certifies women-owned businesses and offers a networking base. “The best designs for babies and children or women’s products really come from women.”

SIMPLE BEGINNING

Take, for example, Rappaport and Goldman. The two women, whose bags are now sold in 25 stores in the United States and Canada as well as online, had just moved to Miami from New York in March and May 2005 when they were introduced by mutual friends.

”It wasn’t like, ooh, let’s go into business. We just wanted to be friends,” Goldman said.

But eventually those play dates led to talk about motherhood and work. Both were itching to do something more. Years earlier Rappaport had toyed with the idea of starting her own baby gift business out of her home and even attended some trade shows. The move to Miami quashed the plans, but not the idea. When she suggested it to Goldman, she found a willing partner.

SOLVING A PROBLEM

They particularly wanted to make something with a wipes dispenser so moms wrestling with poop, spilled milk, and any of the other messes baby seem to continually secrete wouldn’t have to root around in the bottom of a diaper bag.

There was only one problem: Neither knew anything about design or manufacturing.

So they started networking. Goldman turned to a friend whose husband runs a sportswear company. He gave them advice about material and costs. Then they Googled ”Miami and manufacturer” because they wanted their product made locally and came up with a list. But first they needed a designer — again a friend stepped in. Then a pattern maker. Then material.

After calling the manufacturers — and getting many disconnected numbers — they finally found someone who made their first run of 340 bags for $5,000, paid for on their credit cards.

Photo by Mom Inventors, Inc.

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