Two Minnesota Moms Create Their Own Bailout Package
Business owners and sisters Jill Sandager and Amy Addington announce the grand opening of their online baby gifts boutique, HattieRose.com, specializing in original designer baby bibs that are as useful as they are cute.
So, what’s so great about another online mom-owned baby boutique? Where else can you find a ballerina bib with an actual tutu or a shirt bib with an actual tie? And these bibs work! They soak up more drool and spit up than any other bib on the market.
But why would two sisters choose to start a high-fashion baby boutique in the middle of such an unstable economy? The answer is simple. They both needed a bailout. Jill needed a product that worked for her drooling babies and Amy, a single mother of 4, needed a job.
After her recently acquired ’single mom’ status, Amy found that she needed to return to work after being a stay-at-home mom. But she needed a flexible job. About 5 years ago, her oldest daughter was hospitalized and nearly died. After numerous tests and surgeries, she was finally diagnosed with such a rare combination of diseases that she is the only documented case in the history of medicine. She has had to be very closely monitored and her treatments continue to be adapted for her specific medical needs. Amy couldn’t simply pursue a regular 9-to-5 job because of the time she dedicates to her daughter’s health. When Jill approached her sister with the idea of starting an online business, it seemed to fit the bill.
“Between drool and spit up, my daughter was constantly soaked. I started making her bibs myself because I got so frustrated. I was tired of bibs not staying on because the Velcro had worn out, and I was tired of the paper thin fabric that seemed to be just for show – and not a very good show at that! How many times do I have to read ‘Some bunny loves me’ on a bib that sports a generic cartoon rabbit? It was a necessity for me to make something that would be both absorbent and adorable.” said designer Jill Sandager.
So the two moms decided to sell Jill’s designs online. The word is spreading. During the first quarter of 2009, total sales have more than tripled. Ultimately, this e-commerce store is succeeding because it fills a practical need for many parents and it offers something truly original.
Logo from Hattie Rose Designs
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