Mommy Appelseed Keeps Mom’s-To-Be Fashionable

Maternity clothing has come a long way from where it began as large tent-like dresses that were embarressing to leave the house in. Mommy Appelseed celebrates that special time in every mom-to-be’s life by offering great clothing that can be enjoyed, feel comfortable and look good.

Having been friends for nearly their whole life, Savannah Hernandez and Tabatha Jones are now partners in business. A business which is still very much growing and doing quite well. Both of them mothers, they’re able to work from their homes and take care of their own families.

What is ‘Mommy Appelseed’?

Mommy Appelseed is an online maternity boutique that offers a wide range of styles for the ever changing fashion world. Our focus is to help pregnant women feel beautiful and to build relationships by offering outstanding customer service. Mommy Appelseed walks with their customers as they share their memories through our free pregnancy journal.

Do you sell any specific brands of maternity clothing?

We aren’t committed to selling any certain brand however, we do have our favorites like Habitual. We mainly try to sell brands that our customers like, mixed in with the brands that we like.

What is your best selling item?

Definitely the Knocked Up Jean by Habitual. They do run at a higher price but it’s definitely worth the fit, especially when your pregnant.

How long has your store been online?

We launched in March 2007 but it seems like just yesterday we were contemplating the name.

What was the inspiration behind it?

We were inspired to come with Mommy Appelseed through our own unsatisfying experience shopping for maternity clothes.

What things have you learned since you started that you wish you’d known before hand?

Savannah:

It would be that something like this takes time. It took us a year preparing before we actually launched Mommy Appelseed but I’m glad we did because all that preparing helped us to be where we are right now.

Tabatha:

That there are places such as business-opportunities.biz that are there to help you get started.

Have you received any advice that has been invaluable in starting or running your business?

Savannah:

No, most people we speak with are pretty helpful. Even if it’s something small, every little bit of advice counts and can help in some way or another.

Tabatha:

I think the only invaluable advice we received would be no advice.

What was the hardest thing about getting started?

Savannah:

I think money. We didn’t have any and we didn’t take out any loans. So we had to sacrifice and save a whole lot.

Tabatha:

Patience. You don’t just get an idea and become a success over night. It takes a lot of time and hard work. Savannah and I came up with an idea that we are really passionate about and we have faith in. With that faith has came patience.

How do you manage your time as a parent and working on your business?

Savannah:

I try to get the most done for Mommy Appelseed while my husband’s at work and my son’s at school. With no one around I can focus better with less distractions and get more done. When they come home it’s back to mommy/wife status.

Tabatha:

Everyone is different but for me I have to put a time limit on work. After a certain time, I turn my computer off and do my best not to look back. From that time on, it is family time.

What types of experiences have you been able to take from being a parent and use in business?

Savannah:

I would have to say when my son has a bad day or if he’s extra grouchy he just needs extra TLC to make him feel better. It kind of goes the same with customers, we all have bad days but it’s always that bank teller or that cashier that is extra helpful making your day go a whole lot better.

Tabatha:

I guess it sort of is one of my babies. Although it will always take the back seat to my family, I tend to nurture it and learn from it. And watching it grow is the best part.

Do you have any advice for other mom’s who would like to start their own business?

Savannah:

Talk to as many people as possible. Business people are everywhere and most of them want to share their knowledge.

Tabatha:

Although you may be tested, stay positive. You may go through a slow patch but many businesses do, it is making it through them that counts. Also, do research, research, and more research. Savannah and I had no clue how to start a business, but we did a lot of research on how to get started and other maternity clothing businesses. You can never know too much.

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