Wet Happened? Answers Baby Messes On-The-Go

Moms within the cloth diapering community already know of the wet bag. Outside of that group there are a whole bunch of women who do not know what they are missing out on. Jamie Bird, the owner of Wet Happened? and Mini Me Babygear, has taken the traditional wet bag and renovated it. She’s made them stylish, and colorful. The best part of it all, she has also expanded on it’s uses. Besides the traditional use, it can also hold messes from soiled clothing and bibs to wet bathing suits. No matter what goes in, her wet bags are washable and reusable.

Giveaway

Jamie has been kind enough to donate a medium Dotted Daisy wet bag to be given away to one of our readers.

If you would like a chance to win this wet bag, send an email to bizop.giveaway@gmail.com with the subject “Wet Happens?” The giveaway starts now and ends on July 27th at 11:59pm. This opportunity is limited to people within the US and Canada, only.

All giveaway rules apply. Only qualifying entries will be counted.

What is the Wet Happened? bag? When did you officially launch the finished product for sale?

Created for fashionable moms, Wet Happened? TM wet bags are perfect for all those times you need to separate wet items. Easily folded and stored in any diaper bag, this is one bag you will wonder what you ever did without. The Wet Happened? TM wet bags will grow with your child from diapers through potty training, giving you a fashionable and stylish way to store wet items.

I officially launched the product in February of 2007.

How did you come up with the idea?

Wet bags have been around for a long time in the cloth-diapering arena. I saw the value of a bag that stored wet items, regardless if you cloth diapered or not. Knowing how often we had diaper blowouts, bibs covered with food, spit-up accidents, and now potty training blunders, I thought it would be nice to have a beautiful place to store them. Plastic baggies were not only a nuisance, as they never stayed tidy in my diaper bag, I wanted something that was washable and reusable as well.

What was the process like for taking it from idea to final product? What are some of the steps you needed to take?

When I started my business, I actually did not even know what I was going to sell. Inspiration struck while I was visiting my mother across the country and happened upon her 30-year-old sewing machine. It was a solid metal Kenmore and weighed close to 22 pounds. Looking at my mom’s clunker of a machine, I am not really sure what I was thinking. Even sewing a straight stitch was not all that natural to me. After I had sewn a miniscule buttonhole that no man-made button would fit through, my mom hesitantly encouraged me to give it a try at home. I am sure she thought that because the machine was 20 plus pounds, I would have said no. I weigh around 120 pounds, so to lug a 20-pound machine through three airports should have deterred me. All I knew was that I needed to find something to do from home; working long hours away from my baby was no longer cutting it.

As for learning how to sew—well, that was just a matter of a good How To book, easily found at the local library. I went to work, sewing seams, ripping them out, and sewing them again, better the second and third and fourth time around. The first wet bags I created was a process of testing out different waterproof fabrics, stitching them various ways to best water holding abilities, scouring over fabrics, and trying to make the sides look seamless. Endless hours were spent perfecting that, as the bag is sewn entirely inside out.

Once I had mastered sewing it, next came trying to give the bag a beautiful presentation. The first two hundred bags had hand-designed tags on each of them. I soon realized I needed a better and more efficient system if I was ever going to sleep again! I created a printed hangtag and wrapped them in gorgeous tulling.

Do you have any long-term goals for your Wet Happened? product, if so what are they?

My goal is to make the process more efficient. It seems no matter how many wet bags I manufacture (I no longer sew the bags myself), I am always running out of certain styles. I would love to make the process of ordering fabrics and materials more seamless so it does not always feel like I am trying to keep up with demand. I would love to just feel proactive for a change!

What is Mini Me Babygear? When did you launch your online store?

MiniMe BabyGear is my initial website, created to sell children’s items. My concept originally was to sell all handmade items. Sewing endless hours in my basement led me to change focus and add products from other moms as well. I only feature items I love and would use myself. There really are some fantastic baby products out there! A favorite past time is attending craft shows and finding unique local finds; many of the products offered are from other Grand Rapids natives.

MiniMe BabyGear launched in 2004, after the birth of my son. My goal for that year was to make back the money I had invested in creating a website ($96 for my web host). Once I easily surpassed that goal, I knew I needed to put down on paper a few concrete goals for the next six months and add a few more interesting products.

Why did you choose to create an online store? What are some of the products you have listed?

I wanted an online store so that people feel welcome to shop any time of the day. As a mom, I know that some of my best shopping sessions are long past my kids have gone to bed. The convenience of ordering online and having it show up at my door is so appealing to me, and I know with the busy lives we all lead, it just is easier sometimes!

I carry so many fantastic items, it is hard for me to choose just a few! Some of my best sellers are:
The diaper clutch — designed to keep your diapers and wipes together for crumple free diapers and easy access to wipes. The built in window allows busy mom to grab a wipe without hassle.

Ja*lu organics- 100% certified cotton swaddle blankets. They have just the right amount of stretch in them to make your baby feel cozy, a beautiful thick blanket cotton binding, and are a great weight for any season. They come in a chocolate gift box, and are as beautifully presented as they are to use.

Minkee tag cuddlebugs- With wings made of soft minkee and then lined with satin, the ribbon tabs are added at the side to give color and interest. The chenille terry top is lush and thick, giving your child different textures and shapes to touch and rub.

What kind of knowledge were you able to bring in to your business?

I would love to say I had a ton of knowledge, but I really feel like I had none in the beginning. I said my prayers and jumped.

Did you receive any advice, either while starting out or after you’d already got going, that has helped you significantly along the way with your ventures?

I believe this is one of the greatest things about being a working mom. There are so many other women willing to help. I have received great advice over the years from successful woman entrepreneurs. Most of them sacrificing time away from their own families to lend a helping hand. Trying to learn this all on my own would have taken me twice as long. That, in turn, would be my advice. Surround yourself with cheerleaders willing to give advice or a helping hand. You will use it. One of my favorite quotes is “A rising tide lifts all boats.” Helping each other out does not hurt business, it only makes each stronger.

How has being a parent affected your business? Have you been able to use any of those parenting traits in business?

Having kids is not cheap! Therefore, I try to find not only the best products, but the best deals as well. Everything must be exceptional quality, but I try to find products that are also affordable. I know that there has been times we have been stretched pretty thin financially. Baby Item splurges need to be something that you are going to feel great about buying; something that will make life easier and hold up through multiple kids.

How do you manage your time between family and work?

I do not require much sleep! Most of my work is accomplished after my boys are in bed for the night. It is not ideal, but it works for me right now. I have always hated giving up family time, so it is the sacrifice I make to spend each and every day with my boys.

What advice do you have for other mom’s looking to find a way to work from home?

Jump in. I meet many moms so caught up in what they do not know; they forget what they do know. Moms are great entrepreneurs by nature, as they know what works and what doesn’t within their own family. Don’t wait until you know everything about business, because chances are you never will. I have been in business four years, and there is still a lot I need to learn. Each stage of growth brings with it more questions, but don’t let that paralyze you into not taking action. Make a business plan, do some research, roll up your sleeves, and get working! You will learn many things as you go along.

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