Business Opportunities Weblog

May 12, 2008 by Angela Shupe | 4 Comments

With newborns and babies in general it can be a trick figuring out how to keep them warm in their crib without having to use a blanket, which can be viewed as dangerous. Every parent wants to make the right decision for their children and themselves.

Melissa heard about the Kindersack from her cousin who lives in Germany. When she learned about them she knew they’d do very well sold in the US but didn’t have the time to be able to start her business… yet. In 2000 she was finally able to launch her business, incorporating in 2001. Passport Baby is the brand she started to sell these great products to people here in the US.

I recently got the chance to interview Melissa about the products that she sells from her Passport Baby website. She was also kind enough to donate one of the Kindersacks to one of our readers.

If you would like the chance to win the 3-9 month sleepy bears kindersack pictured above, please leave a comment on this post. The giveaway starts now and ends on May 18th at 11:59pm. I’ll choose the winning comment on May 19th. Passport Baby ships everywhere!

What is ‘Passport Baby’?

Passport Baby (R) is a brand name created by Founder Melissa Atherholt that manufactures its main product, the Kindersack(R) is the Original European baby sleeping sack used by parents since the 1960’s to keep babies safely warm while sleeping. Passport Baby owner also invented the droolie (TM) which is basically a fashionable way for babies to soak up what they’re named for!

What products do you offer through your website?

We are the manufacturer of kindersacks and droolies but also offer many other products that we feel are interesting and innovative. Our tagline is Passport Baby – Bringing the World to you….and taking you to the World! We are in the process of making our website truly live up to our tagline and want to offer products that will assist parents as they travel.

When did you launch your business?

I had wanted to offer kindersacks over here as early as 1996 when my 1st child was born – my cousin in Germany told me about this phenomenal product, but as you know, when you have your first child it puts you into a tailspin! I was working full-time as the bread winner for my family at that time also so it didn’t leave anytime to begin a new venture. However, in 2000 after the birth of my 2nd daughter I launched my business and in May 2001 incorporated.

What was your inspiration?

When my 2nd child was only 8 weeks old (1998), we were just trying to let her cry a little to fall asleep on her own and I waited about 5-10 minutes (very hard to do!) but when I went in I found her little blanket all the way up over her head – it was extremely scary and that’s when I remembered my idea to offer kindersacks – they’re MUCH safer. Searching the internet, I found no information at all and I couldn’t believe they were not offered in this country yet. So, I began the research process.

What steps did you need to take to get Passport Baby up and running?

Research took most of my time for the first 2 years. I spent countless hours combing over safety regulations, etc. and reading documents about SIDS. That took the bulk of my time. Then, finding the right manufacturer, designing the product – it all takes way longer than you plan. Funding is also another obstacle. I found that it was actually quite difficult to get a small business loan that was….well… a small loan! Most banks wanted you to borrow $50,000 or more and I wasn’t prepared to do that since we had just moved into a new home and I had just quit my job. I opted for a home equity loan of only $16,000. With that money I was able to purchase my first order from the manufacturer and pay attorneys to make sure my products and designs were legally protected.

Do you have any past experience or education that you were able to apply to your business?

My degree is in Telecommunications – I took mostly international communication courses in college, but I really think all of my positions helped in many ways. My experience in marketing and public relations truly helped me get the word out and in key industry magazines like Earnshaw’s, CHILD magazine and American Baby.

Have you learned anything since you’ve launched that you wish you’d known before?

Everything! Mostly though, I’ve learned that you can’t do it all yourself. I dislike the accounting part of the job, but you really do need a good financial picture of your company all the time.

What experiences as a parent have you been able to apply to your business?

Mostly, we use kindersacks! I have learned how invaluable the kindersacks are especially when the children become toddlers! I used to have to just take the word of my customers that it was a great product, but until I really used it myself I didn’t know that. My youngest just turned four and she is still using her kindersack. They’re more of a safety issue until the baby turns one, but then, they’re invaluable as a way to keep the baby warm all night! If I get lazy some nights and don’t put her in her kindersack I’m inevitably called to her room at 3am to cover her up.

This goes for the droolies as well. In Germany, children use a non-absorbent type of droolie just as a fashion statement, but I realized they were so great for teething time. It helps so much to be able to just change the droolie instead of the whole outfit!

How do you manage your time between family and your website?

? This is the HUGE challenge. Family comes first and always has, so I’m always referring to “real time” and “Mommy time”. Things that used to take me 8 hours in my nice, windowed office now take me close to 3 weeks!!! Or more! Or, they never even happen. I work before the kids wake up and after they go to bed. During the day I process orders with some help when my daughter is in school or at dance class. It frustrates me on a daily basis, however, because I have so many great ideas that I want to implement to the website – products to add, etc. but I have learned patience!

Do you have any advice you’d like share with other moms who are interested in starting their own online stores?

Oh dear. Part of me wants to say, “Don’t do it!” Because I know what it takes to make it work, and how much funding it takes! You have to be prepared financially first. I financed this totally on my own and put every penny back into the business. You definitely have to be ready to not be paid for years. I think people have preconceived notions of making their first million in the first year and that just doesn’t happen. You have to have a very strong passion for what you’re doing and it can’t be about the money. It can be very rewarding because every day I get emails from Moms that say they couldn’t live without our products – that’s what makes it all worth while!

In Giveaways, Internet, Interviews, Women, Work at Home | 4 Comments