Most people who find success are in the lap of luxury. However, Kathleen finds herself in the lap of eco-success.
Her baby blankets, made of easily renewable resources, have introduced a bamboo and soybean material that is soft enough for babies and green enough to support an eco lifestyle. Using a no waste approach, the tag that comes with each blanket is not only recycled, but you can plant it and flowers will grow.
I recently asked Kathleen a few questions about Lotus Bebe and the inspiration behind it.
Tell us a little about Lotus Bebe.
Lotus Bèbè is a line of eco-friendly and luxurious baby blankets. Our blankets are made with eco-friendly bamboo and soy both are trimmed in 100% silk to give them that luxurious feel that all little ones love. We sell wholesale nationwide to upscale children’s boutiques and online, through Amazon.com and www.lotusbebe.com. Lotus Bèbè has the only collection of both bamboo and soybean baby luxury blankets on the market today.
What inspired you to go into the baby blanket business?
After reading about eco-friendly bamboo and soybean fabrics I started searching for blankets for my son, made with either fabric. This turned out to be a challenge, due to the fact that no one was carrying these items. So I got the idea of designing and selling them myself. After 2 years of research and a few challenges Lotus Bèbè was created.
What separates your product from the competition?
We offer both bamboo and soybean blankets and both are trimmed in 100% silk. Many other blankets on the market today are made with polyester and trimmed in a polyester satin. We wanted our line to be as eco-conscious as possible. Each blanket comes with a tag printed on 100% recycled paper that GROWS! Plant it under a thin layer of soil and water a little bit each day. “Watch your baby grow as the wildflowers bloom.â€
How many colors and styles do you offer?
The collection includes luxury soy blankets, bamboo blankets, and bamboo petite blankies. The soy luxury blanket is made of a soft plush soybean fiber with a 100% silk box pleat trim. The soy comes in a natural dye-free pale gold color and the silk trim is available in a rich chocolate brown or a pale pink. The soy luxury blanket’s generous size of 42â€X31 is perfect for use as a throw or just for wrapping up little ones for many years of luxurious softness.
The bamboo blankets are made of a bamboo fiber fleece that is softer than the softest cotton, has a natural sheen to the surface and feels similar to silk or cashmere. The blankets come in 3 colors, pale blue, pink and pale green and all come with a deep brown 100% silk trim. The blanket measures 30†X 30†and the petite blankie which is a smaller version of the larger blanket measures 15.5†X 15.5â€, perfect to take along for little one’s on the go.
Do you have any plans to expand on your product line? If so, can we have a hint?
Yes, I am looking into developing more eco-friendly items for children, décor and accessories.
Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish in the next year or so?
Yes, One goal is to obtain 5 new key accounts and also to sell through our remaining inventory for the year and start the year with some fresh new styles of blankets and some different accessories, bibs etc.
What are some lessons your business has taught you?
Be persistent and never give up. I have also learned that for the most part it is a numbers game, you have to go through the numbers to get to the prize.
If you could go back, is there anything you would change about your business?
No, not really, I have learned so much from the whole experience, even my mistakes are a lesson and if I did not make them I would not have learned as much.
Do you have any advice you’d like to offer fellow entrepreneurs who are just getting started?
Yes, do lots of research on your industry, learn as much as you can and have a good knowledgeable team of advisors. Also never give up on your dream!
Remember: “Some will, some won’t so what, somewhere someone’s waiting.†(and [they’re] waiting for you!).
