New parents have enough to worry about with a new baby, but what about all the baby products they are bombarded with? It can be confusing, and BetterClothDiapers.com helps parents sort through that mess.
BetterClothDiapers.com offers parents and relatives a one stop shop for quality products, with some organic options. Based around the idea that parent education is important, Ina O’Connor helps her customers find the right products for baby and important information to help them get started toward parenthood.
I recently asked Ina a few questions about her business.
Tell us a little about BetterClothDiapers.com.
BetterClothDiapers.com is an online store designed with today’s moms and dads in mind. We provide the best mom-baby friendly items at an affordable price. At the same time, we are thoughtful about our environment and our fellow travelers in the world. We offer a selection of organic products and products made in the USA. We strive to fulfill our mission of “Making the world a better place – one family at a time.â€
What inspired it?
I was inspired to start BetterClothDiapers.com for the same reasons I chose a career in childbirth and breastfeeding – a passion for parent education. This passion began with the birth of my first baby. Absolutely everything I was told was wrong. Don’t gain any weight, labor by yourself, don’t nurse at all for 24 hours, start baby food at one week, take the birth control pill while nursing and more. All of it quite ridiculous and quite harmful.
Today information abounds but the statistics for perinatal-maternal health and breastfeeding show we are still missing the mark. As the owner of BetterClothDiapers.com, my desire is to help today’s busy parents get off to a good start with information, resources and products that have been carefully selected by a professional.
Besides cloth diapers, what are some of the other products you sell?
BetterClothDiapers carries the Ameda Breast Pump line. The Ameda Purely Yours breast pump offers hospital grade technology in a personal pump. Its patented HygieniKit Milk collection system prevents milk from leaking into the pump’s tubing. It is the only milk collection system approved by the FDA to keep milk and outside air separate from each other.
Our Family Resources Page offers parenting books written by professionals and based on both solid research and parenting experience. We carry Bumkins diaper bags and bibs. They are attractive, very sturdy and very reasonably priced. My family wouldn’t be without their Bumkins bibs. We also carry baby gift baskets for easy and fun shower and new born baby gifts.
What are some of the other resources people will find on your website?
I am currently writing articles on Ensuring Breastfeeding Success starting with preconception through the first three months after birth. These articles are on the website. Much of time as an obstetrics nurse was spent caring for extremely ill pregnant women. I still see today women struggling with breastfeeding problems. Based on my own training, and experience, I’m convinced that these problems can be avoided much of the time. I hope that the articles on pregnancy health and breastfeeding will be useful to those looking for information. All the books in our Family Resources Section are written by professionals and based on both scientific data and practical experience. I also have selected third party tested, quality nutritional supplements for parents concerned about the quality of the supplements that they purchase.
What separates you from the competition?
I founded BetterClothDiapers.com because I wanted to share my knowledge and expertise with new parents and families. As a retired inpatient obstetrics nurse, La Leche League Leader, childbirth educator and lactation consultant I have over 40 years of experience in the fields of prenatal education, childbirth and breastfeeding. I believe my experience is unparalleled. In addition to my more traditional experience, I grew up on a dairy farm. Believe it or not, everything I learned there applies to breastfeeding. I was also a donor for 4+ years to the San Francisco Mother’s Milk Bank and a support person to other donors. This experience gave me a lot of insight into milk expression and supply. I am available to answer questions over the telephone or by email.
Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish over the next year or so?
My focus for this year is to improve my marketing skills by learning the ins and outs of social media marketing and blogging. My goal is to have a page rank of 3 by July, 2012.
What are some of the lessons your business has taught you?
I think the challenge for many new business owners is learning to employ themselves. Start by setting your business hours and keeping them. Let your family and friends know your business hours and ask for their help. You will need to work consistently and many people who are used to punching a clock find that difficult. It is also helpful to make a prioritized list of to-dos before you go to bed at night. Then you won’t waste your work time doing easy but not essential things.
Do you have any advice you’d like to offer fellow entrepreneurs who are just getting started?
For those just contemplating a new business, do your homework first. Don’t jump in with both feet because there may be better options available. When you do start, organize your paperwork and bookkeeping system sooner rather than later. Don’t be afraid to ask for advice at any point in the game. SCORE, an organization of retired business professionals is a great free resource.