Nothing says “Touch Me” quite like a baby. Whether it is their pinchable cheeks, little feet or that ticklish belly, almost everyone loves babies. Sometimes we love them so much that we want to touch them, whether or not we know who the kid is. However, sometimes parents just don’t want random strangers touching their children.
That is exactly how Kimberly felt when her son was a baby. While she was glad these people took such joy in admiring him she couldn’t help but worry a little. Determined that there had to be a way to get her message across without hurting any feelings, she went to work and created Kind Signs. Her signs are a friendly reminder to strangers that sometimes it’s best to look, not touch.
Tell us a little about your business, Kind Signs.
Kind Signs was born out of my desire to communicate to strangers in a Kind Way messages to protect my little one. The first product, Kind Signs, are signs that are meant to provide your baby with a voice too. These signs assist in telling strangers to respect your child’s space. The signs can be placed on strollers, car seats, bassinets, cribs and even shopping carts. As new parents and even for seasoned parents, it’s not always easy to ask others to not touch your child. We use the alibi of not wanting to spread germs as a deterrent but the truth of the matter is that as parents we really aren’t that keen on anyone other than family members touching our children. In this current environment of the swine flu being of major concern for children specifically, it warrants a reminder to all to remember the rule we all learn as youngsters and that being of “look with your eyes not with your hands.” We launched our website, mamabears.com in December 2009.
How many different styles/colors of signs do you have?
We currently offer our Kind Sign in three different colors: Blue, Orange and Pink. We offer one Kind Saying: “Your Germs Are Too Big For Me, Please Don’t Touch.”
What inspired it?
This idea came about after my son, Bronson was born in January 2009. I knew before my son was born that I was not a germaphobe but that I certainly did not want any one that I did not know personally to be touching my son. Besides the whole possibility of spreading germs, I just really felt that it was a lack of respect for our child’s personal space. As adults, most of us, would never dream of going up to a stranger and touching them so why do we do it to babies and children. Yes, they are adorable and so special but touching them can spread germs and it can even scare a child. I just don’t think you need to touch another child to admire them. I thought a sign was the perfect solution to also avoid having uncomfortable interactions and it reminded me of the “Baby On Board” signs so I thought–why not?
For the most part,what has the reaction of people who have seen your sign been like?
It’s amazing the number of positive responses I have received! I love that people totally respect and feel the same way and I hope that our sign helps to deter and perhaps make strangers think first about touching another’s child. I have received the odd negative email where the writer has accused me of being a snob, germaphobe mother who probably keeps her child in a bubble–that could not be further from the truth. I’m a very normal mom who has been taking her child to playdates and classes since he was 3 months old, I’m simply a mom who wants to know who is touching her child.
Might we see any new signs, styles or colors in the near future? If so, care to tell us a little more about it?
Absolutely! We are currently working on a new Kind Sign–it will not be a stroller sign but it will be a sign that will communicate in a Kind Way a message to others that will assist moms and dads. We don’t want to tell too much but it will definitely be launched by 4Q10.
What are some goals you still hope to accomplish with your business?
My goal is to not only make our products available online but we are currently in talks with some bricks and mortar establishments to take our product to more moms and dads.
Have you always been entrepreneurial?
Most definitely! I worked for Pfizer Pharmaceuticals for 12 years, had great success and obtained my MBA. But I always knew from a small age that I had a passion to be creative and to operate my own business. My grandfather was my greatest inspiration, he was an entrepreneur starting in his early 20’s and he was able to support his family for his entire life. He was truly amazing!
What are some lessons you have learned from your business?
I have learned that even a small online business can be a full time job. But if you are doing something that you are passionate about then it can be a truly enjoyable full time job. I have also learned that it is so important to network with other small business owners because you can learn so much from each other about how to better market your product.
Any advice that you would like to offer fellow mompreneurs that are just getting started?
When you are a mompreneur, you are most likely doing something that you are very passionate about–this can be a double-edged sword because you may find yourself having difficulty pulling yourself away from your business but you MUST! You have to make sure that you have a balance and that when you are with your children you are truly “with” your children. My whole purpose of starting my own home-based business was so that I could be with my son and see his every milestone. I love having my own business but I love my son much more and have committed to myself that I will only engage in my passion (some people call it work) when he is sleeping.
