I stumbled upon this week's Spotlight Mom while managing my LinkedIn contacts. If you aren't on LinkedIn yet and have a business, you should really sign up for a free account. It is a great way to keep your contacts organized, as well as meet other people you may not have otherwise met. This is the case with Megan. I am so glad she reached out to me and wanted to share her amazing Hot Tot styling products for children and personal entrepreneurial story with us. With two little ones of my own, I am always cautious on what health and beauty products. And, just like Mommy, they both have sensitive skin, so I have to be extra cautious on what I use, or they break out instantly in rashes. My husband found this out the hard way the other day when he gave Savannah a bubble bath with an Elmo wash he picked up at the store. Within minutes of sitting in the tub, Savannah's skin became red and irritated, and she wasn't a happy camper for the next few days.
Because of their sensitivity to products, I haven't been able to find good hair care products for them. And, our littlest one, Arabella, has some wild punk rock hair that we are always trying to tame. I will definitely have to pick up Megan's Spotless Tot product, as well as her conditioning detangler and finishing mist. In addition, Megan also offers other styling products, as well as infant and toddler apparel on her website. So, if you have been searching for natural and organic hair care products for your little one, why not take a look at the Hot Tot product line today. You will not be disappointed. And, it is a great way to help support another mom entrepreneur!
Please enjoy my spotlight interview with Megan Gage, the creator of Hot Tot styling products for children.
Name: Megan Gage
Company Name/Product/Service: Hot Tot (styling products formulated for children without the use of harsh or harmful chemical)
Company Location: Denver, CO
Company Website: http://www.hottot.com
Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/
Twitter Handle: @HotTotHaircare
Age of Company: We will be celebrating our first birthday on 4/15/2012!
Favorite Inspirational Quotes: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care."
Favorite Book: Man's Search for Meaning by Victor Frankl
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How many children do you have? What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.
My name is Megan Gage
and I am a wife and mom to two lovely children (Jaiden, my daughter, is
nearly 12 and my son Christian is 2 1/2). We live in a suburb just
south of Denver.
Briefly explain your business. How did it come about?
I
created Hot Tot, my specialized hair styling line for children, after
the birth of my son in 2009. I was mixing a small amount of lotion with
pomade to give him a simple baby curl and was constantly approached by
strangers that were curious about his hair. After jokingly telling my
husband that "someone should create a product to achieve this look" I
stumbled upon some research (No More Toxic Tub, 2009) that outlined the
dangerous chemicals commonly used in children's products. Outraged, I
set out to create a styling line formulated for the physical
characteristics of immature (children's) hair without the use of harsh
or harmful chemicals.
What is a typical work day like?
Checking email tends to be the first and last
thing I do each day and I try to get started around 7am. Most of my
time is spent working from my home office which is wonderful since my
son isn't in school yet. I have the freedom to fulfill my duties as a
mom while making calls, shipping boxes, and responding to emails. The
trade off for flexibility, however, is extended hours. I work seven
days a week.
What has been a struggle while starting up your
company?
In the beginning, I called around to
different product manufacturers seeking a lab to formulate my line. It
was very difficult to find a chemist that was willing to work with me,
as my project required a great deal of time in the lab since I wanted to
create products from scratch (rather than make slight adjustments to
pre-existing formulas). I don't think people took a mom with no beauty
industry experience very seriously.
I eventually found
a Canadian company that was willing to work with me and jumped at the
opportunity. After producing a small order of Hot Tot's four initial
products, I was in business. Things were going well and I quickly began
searching for an American manufacturer because I wanted my products to
be made in the U.S. I tracked down a cosmetic sample given to me at a
luxury department store by calling the number on the back. I was
shocked to learn that it was manufactured in my home state of Colorado.
Even crazier, the facility was located on the same street as the place I
worked while in graduate school (though I didn't know what actually
happened in those buildings). I think it's a great example that all
roads truly do lead to home. In October 2011, we added two new products
to my line and moved the entire operation to Colorado. I am so proud
to be an American company and love that I get to be so hands-on with the
development of new products since my manufacturer and lead chemist are
local.
What did you do in your past work life?
Shortly
before the birth of my son, I quit my full-time job as a social worker
to spend more time with my family. When people ask "what do you do" I
instinctively tell them that I'm a social worker though I haven't
officially been employed as one for years now. I have always felt very
committed to my profession and I think it's a part of who I am. Hot Tot
is very committed to being a socially responsible company and donates a
portion of our proceeds to charities that benefit children. It has
proven to be an unconventional way to work with several agencies who's
purpose I've always admired. Even better, I don't have to sit in rush
hour :-)
What have been some of your major successes?
I
have poured my heart into Hot Tot and always consider positive feedback
about the concept, company, or products a major success. I have put so
much of who I am into my company so it's difficult not to personalize
positive or negative comments. Hearing that a child with severely
sensitive skin is able to tolerate my products is equally as exciting as
receiving an email from an enthusiastic beauty editor. Hot Tot has
attracted the attention of three luxury department stores (which has
always been my ultimate dream for the line) and it is exciting to think
about our possibilities for the future. I recently learned that we have
a few famous fans and am BEYOND excited that Hollywood has discovered
the products within our first year of business. A well-known beauty
industry executive reached out to congratulate me on a job well done. I
am both flattered and humbled by all these things. We all have our
critics. I choose to focus on the positive.
What have been some of your major challenges?
It has been very difficult to get noticed, as
I think people
automatically assume that I'm mixing product in my bathtub when I tell
them that I'm a mom who has created a children's styling line. Most
people are creatures of habit and are resistant to the idea of trying
something new, be it in a boutique or salon or in any type of media
publication. This was very difficult in the early stages so I decided
to focus on the people who were most critical to our success: moms. In
the nine months since our launch, Hot Tot has been featured by over 60
magazines, upscale mommy blogs and television programs. We have not
paid for one single placement which I think clearly illustrates that
moms are ready for something new and different. The interest from media
sources, industry professionals and retailers has followed as a result.
On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
I am really passionate about healthy products
and want to share what I've learned with others. I know it's a tall
order, but I want Hot Tot to serve as a prime example that healthy
products can be both posh and effective. When I was seeking products
for use on my own children, I was frustrated by the lack of choices. I
combined all the elements (elegant packaging, healthy and effective
formulas, baby-fresh scent...) that I was looking for in hopes that
other moms would appreciate the result. I really believe in my concept
and have always been a hard worker. I don't ever want to fail because I
didn't put in the proper amount of effort.
What is your balancing secret in managing a business and
family?
I don't feel suited to give advice when it
comes to balance because that is something that I struggle with. I
think my family would say that at times, I work way too much. I try to
remember that my kids will only be small for a short time and have to
force myself to take a break from time to time. The work is always
there when I return.
I hope that my
strong work ethic sets a good example for my kids. I want them to see
that effort and determination can overcome feelings of fear and being
overwhelmed. I share some of these emotions with my daughter and want
her to see me persevere so that she will apply the same principals in
her own life.
What is next for your business?
Good things! Hot Tot is different from any
other company so it's unrealistic to even attempt to follow behind
someone else. I am so excited about the possibilities and will continue
to do my best to give the line the attention it needs to grow.
Do you have any advice for other
mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence
about starting a business?
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