As any new parent knows, it can be nearly impossible to figure out which products are a must and what is a waste when purchasing baby products. There is just too much to choose from.
Kimberly Shore Levin of Nursery Know-It-All can tell you all about it. As the mom of 3 children under the age of 5, she has been there. Unlike other mom’s, having children has inspired her to create a business. Taking her experience and applying it to help other parents and parents-to-be she has been able to start up a concierge service that can help the confused or those that are just too busy to sort through all the products available.
If you’re in Washington D.C., she is the woman to look for. If not, then maybe the advice below will inspire you to start up a baby concierge of your own.
What is a baby concierge and what are some of the services you offer?
A baby concierge is a service for expecting parents that aims to take care of all the things that one needs to do to prepare for the arrival of their little ones. The goal of Nursery Know-It-All is to give thorough, up to date advice that will take some of the stresses and time involvement away from the expecting couple or mother. For example, one could spend hours researching via books or the web about strollers; where as I can come in and know right away after talking to someone what features they need in a stroller, which ones are durable, fold easily, etc.
Nursery Know-It-All provides services such as assistance with registering for baby items, nursery design and organization, nursery set-up, lining up post-partum care, locating classes, finding a pediatrician, baby naming/bris planning, baby shower planning, etc. There is nothing baby related that Nursery Know-It-All can’t provide!
What inspired you to create Nursery Know-It-All?
I had 3 children in 3 1/2 years and spent countless hours in baby stores along with countless dollars buying stuff! My friends starting turning to me for advice and assistance with registering for gifts. I really liked being able to help people and make them feel less nervous about the process.
I realized that although there are services similar to this in other parts of the country that there was nothing like this in the Washington, DC area.
Although you’ve only just recently opened for business, what are some of the top things that you have found people need the help with most when preparing for a baby?
I have noticed that people get very overwhelmed when they walk in the big baby stores and they feel like they need to buy everything. Expecting parents need help with the registering process and narrowing down what they really need. Clients also benefit with assistance in selecting a stroller since there are hundreds on the market and it can be difficult to differentiate between them. Also, clients benefit from suggestions on how to organize their home for baby such as setting up a remote changing station in another room of their house that they frequently utilize. Expecting parents also benefit from pediatrician, lactation consultant, and doula referrals. Parents are also wanting to create a “green, eco-friendly” environment for their babies and I point them into the right direction for where to purchase items and what items are made from organic or eco-friendly materials.
In what areas are some of those customers that come to you in? We always hear about famous people hiring someone to help with the process, but how has it expanded outside that specific group?
Clients come from all walks of life and in different areas of the Washington, DC metro area. Often time, clients are busy professional women who are overwhelmed with work, friends, and family and have little time to do the legwork. Clients are also occasionally confined to bed rest and they need someone to pick up things from the stores and set up the nursery. This is not a service for the famous! It is for anyone who could use a little assistance so that they may focus their time and energy on enjoying their pregnancy, not sweating over diaper bags, baby bath tubs and bottles. Think of it along the same lines as a wedding planner. The wedding planner is there to oversee things, take care of the details and make sure that things run smoothly. That’s what Nursery Know-It-All aims to do.
How do you determine your fees when it comes to tasks you’ve been hired to complete for a customer?
Clients are able to hire Nursery Know-It-All by the hour or purchase packages for services. There is a flat hourly fee and package fees are determined after consulting with a client to get a better idea of their needs and the time involved. Generally, a package would be the most economical way to go for a few hours of services.
What kind of niche do you see when it comes to the baby concierge business in Washington DC and what will set you apart from anyone else available?
As a recent mother of three, who’s oldest is turning 5 this November and who’s youngest is 13 months, I feel like I can give clients real life experiences with most of the baby gear that is available. I don’t want to see anyone make the mistakes I made which include spending $500 on custom crib bedding and buying 8 different single and double strollers. There are much better ways of spending your money! I offer customized services to clients in a time efficient manner. I know how valuable bits of free time are! I also stay current on trends, stores, safety recalls, and have developed relationships with vendors around the area.
Washington, DC is an area filled with many very busy, accomplished professional women who are often having their first children in their mid to late thirties and early forties. My clients are used to hiring out for services and this is another avenue for them to receive assistance.
Do you have any specific goals you’d like to meet in a certain period of time? What are some of those goals? Where do you see yourself in the coming years?
My main goal is balancing my new business with the needs of my family. So far, I am off to a good start. My other main goal is to provide excellent, customized service to each client. I would love to have pages of satisfied customers of Nursery Know-It-All. I see myself in a few years focusing more time on this new “baby” while my babies grow up and start elementary school.
As the trend continues to grow with moms starting up businesses, there is always a need to find ways to split time between that business and time with the family. How have you been able to accomplish that? Are there any special tips or resources that have been especially helpful in creating that balance?
I am extremely fortunate that I have a wonderful, hands-on, supportive husband. He is always willing to pitch in if I need to spend a few hours with a client on the weekend or in the evenings. I also have a wonderful nanny who comes 3 days a week. I try to work on my business around picking my two oldest children up from nursery school and volunteering for their school. My children come first so my business is second. I also try to work when the baby naps every afternoon and in the evenings after everyone is in bed. At this point, it is all manageable but we’ll see what happens in the future. I think women need to be kind to themselves, not take on more than they can handle (which I know is easier said than done) and have reasonable expectations. Dinner might not always be done on time and dishes might be in the sink but if everyone is healthy and happy, then that’s all that really matters.
Have you always wanted to be an entrepreneur? What made you want to consider that path as an option?
I never really thought of myself as an entrepreneur. Once I had children though, I realized that I wanted to work for myself so that I could set my own schedule and only answer to me! I really like the intellectual challenge of starting up a business and seeing where it goes. I have never done anything like this before and am learning as I go. I knew that I would regret it if I didn’t at least try and start this business and see what happens. Even if it doesn’t succeed, I won’t regret trying.
Do you have any advice for other women interested in launching a business of their own?
My only advice is to just go for it!!! You have absolutely nothing to lose by putting yourself out there. If you can afford it, have someone watch your children for at least a few hours once a week so that you can have time that you completely focus on your business. It can be hard to do that when your child is asking for milk every five seconds. I have found that I am more efficient when I know I only have x amount of time to get everything done.
cassy on August 27th, 2008 at 4:55 pm
This is a very nice program, especially those busy moms. Good also for those first time mom, they wont be confuse anymore coz this kind of service can help and teach them to what to do.