ROOT Crafted Cocktail Mixers are a Must for Holiday Parties and Gatherings -- Simplifies the Handcrafted Artisanal Cocktail! (Review)

Disclosure:  I was sent samples from the vendor in exchange for an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

I love supporting mom entrepreneurs, and am excited to share ROOT crafted cocktail mixers with you. These new all-natural, organic mock-and-cocktail mixers were created by two moms, and they hit it out of the park with their five blends.  

You don't have to be a skilled bartender or mixologists to whip up a great tasting cocktail (or mocktail if you prefer no alcohol), thanks to ROOT crafted cocktail. All you need is your favorite spirit (ie. vodka, gin, tequila, rum, etc.) and your favorite ROOT blend.  The current selection includes The Lemongrass, Hibi Hibi, The Hound,The Granada & Au-Pear.  

To make an artisanal cocktail right at home, just add two parts ROOT with one part of your favorite spirit; shake up with ice, and then serve straight up or on the rocks. It is that easy!  The two moms behind ROOT know that us moms don't have time to be studying a cocktail guide or mixology recipe book to make uniquely, blended cocktails this holiday season.  They no simple is best, and that is what you get with their ROOT organic handcrafted cocktail mixers.

"The ingredients in our cocktails were all ROOTed in the earth, We have established and grown the ROOTs that bond us with our family and friends and we ROOT each other on as we muddle through life! ROOT Crafted uses organic, all-natural ingredients blended to perfection—so drinking can be kinda good for you!"



I was recently sent their The Granada and The Lemongrass cocktail mixers to try, and didn't waste time in trying them. :-)  

It has been a long week with car issues and the furnace going -- by Friday, I was ready for a drink, or two.  And, while I could have taken a drink right from the vodka bottle, I wanted to be lady-like and make a cocktail to sit down and enjoy. :-)  

If you are not a fan of alcohol, you can also enjoy ROOT with Prosecco or Seltzer, too.  Being a fan of pomegranate and lemon, I opted for The Granada first.  I did save for later to try The Lemongrass, but my first experience with these ROOT handcrafted cocktail mixers was The Granada, and it was amazing!  The cocktail mixer blended exceptionally well with the vodka, making for the perfect cocktail.  Upon first sip, you would expect to get this high quality taste at a fancy restaurant or bar, made by a skilled bartender or mixologist.  But, being able to make a mixed drink like this at home is great, especially with the holidays fast approaching, and us moms going to be in over-drive trying to get all the shopping, wrapping and meal prep ready in time for the holidays.  It is nice to be able to sit down after a long day, and sip on a nice cocktail, without trying to figure out what pairs well with a particular spirit you have on hand.  All you have to remember is 2 parts ROOT and 1 part your favorite spirit...shake up and pour over ice and enjoy.  It is that easy...but, oh so good!

I could go on and on about how much I loved sampling the two ROOT crafted cocktail mixers I was sent recently. But, instead, why don't you head on over to https://rootcrafted.com/ and order a gift set, or individual bottles (Available in 32 oz and 16 oz bottles and NEW Gift Boxes and Gift Bag; 32 oz bottle makes16-32 cocktails;16 oz bottle makes 8-16 cocktails.) of your favorite blends, and try for yourself.  If you are hosting upcoming holiday parties and gatherings and usually have an open bar, why not make sure you have a sampling of ROOT cocktail mixers on hand, so guests can handcraft their own artisanal cocktails for themselves.  They, too, will be wowed, when they sip on the drink they just made, and love how easy it is to get a great tasting cocktail at home, whenever they want, thanks to ROOT.

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The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft is a Fun New Halloween Tradition Your Family Will Love (Review)

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

Halloween is only a few short weeks away.  Are you and the kids ready for it?  My girls have their costumes all picked out, and I will be one of the few neighborhood stops that will be handing out healthy snacks when the doorbell rings and the kids yell, "Trick or Treat."  While my guilty pleasure is sweets...candy, especially, I try to instill healthy eating habits with my girls, all year round.  Yes, I know Halloween is all about how many houses a child can hit and how much candy they can fill their bags with (or pillowcases like back in my day), but wouldn't it be nice to start a tradition with your kids about Halloween being more than just eating all the candy your belly can hold?  Well, thanks to a fellow mom inventor, a new Halloween tradition is now available for you to start with your kids.  It is called The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft, and comes in a hardcover book and 12-inch plush doll, all included in a lovely keepsake box

You may be looking at this and think it looks like that Christmas elf tradition.  Well, it does contain a story to share with the children and doll to put on the shelf to watch over your kids, but other than hat, it is totally different.  This doll is not going to be reporting back to anyone if your child has been good or bad, thus not allowing them to trick or treat.  Instead, the Switch Witches are all about the candy.  How is that good, you ask?  Well, the Switch Witches need all the candy they can get their hands on to refuel, recharge their magic broom for flying and even heat their homes and bath water -- yes warty witches love to soak in a warm tub just like Mommy. :-)  So, the witches, once welcomed into your home, will set up on a shelf, fireplace mantle, or anywhere they can keep an eye out for candy coming into the house, so they can be ready to make a deal with your child(ren).  

What's the deal?  It is a simple one and one I think most kids and parents will like.  Your child will hand over all their Halloween candy in exchange for your toy.  Would your child be up for this deal with a Switch Witch?  

After I shared the story with them and we talked about the deal, my two girls agreed that come Halloween they were turning over their candy loot in exchange for a toy they really want.  Savannah is asking for a Patrol Patrol toy, while Bella wants a Disney Princess doll.

As a parent looking to instill healthy eating habits and limit the amount of sugar they eat, I love this idea, and will definitely be incorporating this as a new tradition in our house each Halloween. 

This is also a great idea for families who have children who suffer from candy-related allergies.  They may feel left over during holidays like Halloween. But, they don't have to anymore, thanks to the  fun new educational, healthy , and magical Halloween tradition that is The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft. I know it will be hard for my girls to give up their, and for me to say no to at least one Reese's, but we really want the Switch Witches to have all the necessary magic fuel they need, as to keep them happy in their Witchy World. :-)

I truly love seeing moms like Audrey Kinsman, invent and bring to market amazing products like this one, and love promoting them and getting the word out to my readers.  Did you know you can pick the The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft gift set up at your local Target store as well as at Target.com, in addition to other retailers including PartyCity.com?  At only $29.99 for the book and doll set, you can go wrong for this new Halloween tradition that you introduce this year.  Your kids will love the story and will want to take the deal in exchange for a toy swap. And, you will love not having to worry about cavities or upset tummies due to eating too much candy this Halloween season. :-)  It is a win-win for all -- your kids, you and the Switch Witches!

So, what are you waiting for?  Head to your local Target today, or order online, so you have enough time to introduce the The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft to your children, and to give them time to think of the toy they want in exchange for their Halloween candy.  And, if your kids love apps, make a point to check out the 3 new games, which released in August that go along with the The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft.  You can learn about this new digital app by visiting The Switch Witch and the Magic of Switchcraft interactive website.  Here you will also find fun Cooking Videos, Crafts & Games, K-5 Worksheets and so much more. 

Connect with the Switch Witches on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, and Pinterest. 

Disclosure: I was sent a review copy from the vendor in order to write up an honest review. All views shared are mine and mine alone.

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Mom-Invented Lay-n-Go Lite Makes Toy Clean Up a Breeze (Review)

Disclosure: I got this product as part of an advertorial.

It is not until I had kids that I realized why my mom used to get frustrated with my brothers and I growing up, when it came to picking up our toys.  With so many toys of varying sizes, I always seem to find myself picking up loose pieces throughout the day.  And, come night time when everyone is in bed and I am walking around the house cleaning up and getting ready for the next day, I find scattering of toys I thought I had the girls pick up.  Turns out they did pick the toys up, but then when I was off doing something else, they went back and emptied out their LEGO pieces, My Little Pony toys and accessories, etc., leaving me to pick them up.  Ugh.  If only there was an easier way to make cleaning up the kids' toys easier.  Well, I was not alone in this dilema as so many other parents I talk to also hate dealing with toy cleanup.  Out of this need, a fellow mom-inventor named Amy Fazackerley, mom to three boys, created the Lay N Go.

"Lay-n-Go started when Amy and her husband saw the need to allow their boys to be free to play, create, and explore but still be able to clean, contain and manage life’s daily chaos.  They needed an easier and smarter solution.  Lay-n-Go started with a clear goal: to create an easier and smarter cleanup and organizational product for managing life’s little pieces."

So, what is the Lay-n-Go anyway, and why do I and so many other parents and grandparents love it so much?

The Lay-n-Go is "a patent pending multi-award winning mat, cleanup, carryall, and storage solution in one for home and on the go.

Lay-n-Go® LITE (patent pending) is an 18 inch travel/mini activity mat that converts into an easily transportable satchel allowing for a quick and effortless clean-up of small toy pieces in seconds.  Toy collections used on the Lay-n-Go surface are easily spread out for hours of fun at restaurants, on airplanes, in cars, at Grandma's house, etc.  Once playtime is over, the drawstring is pulled and the activity mat is instantly converted back into a soft storage bag.  

• 100% nylon fabric provides a tough and water repellent wipeable surface
• Available in blue, green, pink, red and orange
• Durable nylon cord and cord lock provide an easy opening and closing system which keeps small toys securely inside
• Nylon handle adds both comfort and convenience for carrying
• A velcroed front storage pocket provides a place to stow the drawstring when closing or carrying the bag

From the beginning, Amy's focus has been to make life easier and more enjoyable by helping to solve basic cleanup and organizational challenges in daily routines; this is design with a purpose and a brand that is focused on durability, style and innovative functionality."  And, she was able to accomplish with the Lay-n-Go, along with a handful of other smart organizing products for both kids and adults, available through her website here: http://www.layngo.com/.

Recently, I was sent Amy's Lay-n-Go Lite to try out with the girls.  From the first time I used it, I found myself thanking Amy, as she has made clean up a breeze, especially when it comes to the girls playing with toys with little pieces.  I no longer have to worry about stepping on a LEGO or Barbie shoe in the middle of the night barefoot (not fun), as the girls forget to pick it up.  Instead, they simply put their favorite toys on the Lay-n-Go Lite mat and play directly on the mat.  The mat itself becomes a fun tent or house for my daughters' animals toys and little people.  And, once they get tired of playing with their toys, and I ask I them to clean up, I don't have to worry about fighting with them to clean up, as they simply pull the nylon cord an it gathers the activity mat together, storing their play pieces in a handy carry around bag.  And, when they want to play with their toys again, they can simply loosen the nylon cord and open the bag to reveal their toys.

In the past, storage containers I have bought have not been kid-friendly.  So, I found that the girls were always coming to me to ask if I could open a lid, so that they could play with their toys.  They always seemed to want to play with these toys when I was on an important phone call, trying to do the dishes or fold the laundry.  I would have to stop everything and help them.  But, thanks to this mom-invented Lay-n-Go, the girls can open and close this durable organizer with ease, and without the assistance from mom or dad.

While I have only dad the Lay-n-Go Lite since Friday, it has been getting a lot of use, at home, on the go and ever at Nana and Papa's house.  And, just last night for the first time ever, we were able to go out to a restaurant and keep the girls entertained, as they brought along the Lay-n-Go Lite filled with an assortment of their favorite toys.  As they waited for their meal to come, they opened the mat up and began playing.  Then, when the food came, we quickly closed it up, enclosing all their toys, and were able to hand the toy organizer off the back of the chair, so it was handy when it came time to leave, and we could grab and go.

I will definitely be showing this neat mom-invented product off to family and friends with children, as well as buying a few more, so that the girls will each have their own, and we can send two to Nana and Papa's house, so that storing the girls' toys when they are not there is easy.  And, when the girls do go and visit, my parents can quickly grab the bag and hand off the girls, so that they can play with their toys.

I can't stop smiling thinking about the Lay-n-Go Lite and how it has made my life so much easier, when it comes to keeping my kids' toys organized.  I love when parents come up with ideas to make theirs and other parents' lives easier, and Amy has done this with her Lay-n-Go Lite.  So, thank you, Amy from all the parents out there! :-)

Want to learn more about this and other products Amy has created and offers through her online Lay-n-Go website, visit  today.  You can purchase the Lay-n-Go Lite for only $21.95 online, or at the following retail locations:

I received one or more of the products mentioned above for free using Tomoson.com. Regardless, I only recommend products or services I use personally and believe will be good for my readers.

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Spotlight on Mom: Taseea Cruz of Ivy Kids Kits

I recently stumbled upon this week's Spotlight Mom while looking for fun, yet affordable developmental appropriate educational games and activity kits for my girls.  While I have been on the fence about homeschooling the girls, I recently decided that this is the way to go for my family.  While Savannah is only in preschool and Bella has yet to start, I wanted to be able to take advantage of my staying home with them, by starting them early with developmentally appropriate learning resources and games.

My search led me to Ivy Kids Kits, which I found out was created by a fellow mom, Taseea, who, like me struggled to find cognitively stimulated and engaging products for her children.  So, what did she do...she created her own fun activities, which turned into a monthly subscription service, called Ivy Kids.

In addition to answering my Spotlight on Mom questions, Taseea also sent me a sampling of her upcoming Ivy Kids Kits for me to share with my girls.  And, just like friends and family she has shared her kits with prior to her business launching (she will start sending out kits in July, so pre-order now), her educational kits were a hit with my girls.  Filled with creative activities for children ages 3-8 years old, not only was I able to enjoy quality time with the girls completing the different activities, but I liked seeing how the kits are helping them build important foundational skills.  

Sneak Peak at July's Ivy Kids Kit

Click here to see all activities in the July Ivy Kit, which you can pre-order now!

Stay tuned on Friday, when I will be sharing more about the Ivy Kids Kits I was sent to review with my girls.  But, in the meantime, please enjoy my Spotlight Mom interview with Taseea Cruz, creator of Ivy Kids.

Name: Taseea Cruz

Company Name/Product/Service: Ivy Kids

Company Location: Brooklyn, New York

Company Website: www.ivy-kids.com

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/ivykidskits

Twitter Handle: @ivykidskits

Age of Company: Just launched - April 2014

Favorite Inspirational Quotes: “You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream.” C. S. Lewis

Favorite Book: A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How many children do you have?  What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.

I have two children. Anna is almost 4 and George is almost 2. A year and a half ago, after my son was born, I officially became a stay-at-home mom. I had intended to go back to my teaching position, but that option turned out to be unavailable. Although money was tight, losing my job turned out to be a blessing in disguise. Staying at home to enjoy my children was the best thing that could have happened to me. It gave me the opportunity to watch them grow and learn each day. That was something I had felt sad about when I went back to work after my first child was born. Now I get to be there for every important moment. As for hobbies, before becoming a mom and an entrepreneur, I liked going to the gym, playing tennis, traveling, and eating out at different restaurants. Presently, I have limited free time, so my hobbies have truly become playing with my children and working on my business.   

Briefly explain your business.  How did it come about?

Trying to entertain two young children at home proved to be more difficult than I had expected. Since I had a restricted budget, I could not afford those great early childhood classes. I also became frustrated with the lack of developmentally appropriate educational games available for young children. As a result, I began creating my own projects and activities to keep my children engaged and cognitively stimulated. I wanted the time that I spent with my children to be meaningful and not just trying to get the day to go by. I noticed that when the activities were based around a favorite book and characters, my children were more invested. I worked hard to create activities that would encourage problem solving, creativity, and critical thinking. I started making kits for family members and friends that were also staying at home with their kids. I always included one personalized item or activity in the kit for the child, which was a big hit. I received so much positive feedback about the creative, entertaining, and educational value of the activities that I thought I might try starting a business and sharing the kits with others. I have now recruited other teachers (turned stay-at-home moms as well) for their expertise in developing the contents of each kit.

We are offering the kits as a monthly subscription for children ages 3-8. Each month the child will receive a kit containing a classic book and over ten fun-filled activities based upon the story and characters. We also offer six-month, discounted subscriptions which also come with a monthly personalized item or activity for the child. We believe Ivy Kits are a great resource for busy parents and caregivers looking for creative ways to spend quality time with their children while also helping them build important foundational skills in math, literacy, and science. The activities have been carefully crafted to encourage curiosity, problem solving, and imagination in young children. Each Ivy Kit contains instructions with ways to modify games to best suit each individual child and provide adults with questions to structure a child’s learning. There are enough games and materials in each kit to engage and cognitively stimulate a child throughout the month and can be replayed for years to come. To assure the quality of each kit, each activity has been tested and enjoyed by young children.

What is a typical work day like?

I have a good routine set up right now. After the kids are dressed and fed, I take my oldest to her three-hour nursery school class and my son to his grandma’s house. Those three hours of solitude in the morning are my most productive and that is the time I concentrate solely on the business. At 11:15 a.m., I drop everything that I am working on and go back into Mommy mode for pick-up. During the afternoon and evening, I focus on my children and spend quality time with them. After I have put the children to bed, I resume work on the business. Many nights I work from 8 p.m. to 2 a.m. It doesn't give me a lot of time to sleep, but it is the only way to get it all done. 

What has been a struggle while starting up your company? 

Starting a business and being a mom is definitely a balancing act. Setting up an efficient routine and managing time effectively are essential elements. Sometimes some daily tasks are postponed, like cleaning and laundry, but I just accept that. I feel that starting a business is like trying to complete a very complex puzzle with many pieces. There are so many details to think about, and every day there is a new problem to solve. I encountered issues that I never initially thought about when I first had the idea of creating monthly educational activity kits. For example, I had to find out how to start an LLC, how to trademark my logo, how to package and ship my product, how to collect sales tax. There are just so many steps involved from the initial product idea to an actual business launch. It has taken me a full year to launch this business, but I do feel as though I have learned a lot. 

What did you do in your past work life?

I majored in Chemical Engineering at Tufts University, and then I worked as an engineer for a couple of years at Merck, a big pharmaceutical company. However, I eventually realized that this profession just wasn't for me. I left my job and went back to school to earn a Masters in Early Childhood education. After that, I worked as a teacher for six years at a private school in New York City. 

What have been some of your major successes?

My biggest success in life is my family. I am very lucky because I have two beautiful, healthy children, a very supportive husband, and very loving parents. Without my family's support and love, I really could have never started my own business. 

In terms of my business, the major successes so far have been all the positive reviews I have received from the "testers." I sent a lot of kits out to parents, teachers, and caregivers. All the feedback has been positive, and most importantly the children have loved them. Some of my teacher-friends that received the kits loved them so much that they wanted to join the Ivy Kids team and help me with the business. The outpouring of support has kept me motivated to work hard and build the business.

What have been some of your major challenges?

It is hard introducing a new product into an over-saturated market and having it stand out. I do not have a big budget for marketing. I build the Ivy Kits in my home and fund all the start-up costs with our savings. This has been a big financial risk, since I have put a large chunk of savings into starting the business. However, I have so many people that have encouraged me and believe in the product, that it's worth the risk. 

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?

Honestly, an unpleasant experience is what motivates me every day. After having put in long hours and devoting myself to my students for six years, I didn't realize that being on maternity leave a second time would give the impression to the school administration that I was no longer dedicated to my job. This professional crisis made me want to be my own boss. Now I work hard, put in long hours, and spend time away from my children for my own business. It is what keeps me going on only three hours of sleep. I want to show my children that with hard work and commitment, you can do anything you set your mind to. No one is allowed to tell you how much you can handle or are capable of doing. Mommies can have a business and work too!

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?

My secret is my supportive husband and parents. Without their help, I do not think I would be able to manage both. 

What is next for your business?

Our first Ivy Kit subscription will ship out at the end of June. I am currently taking pre-orders. 

We are also working on developing "Specialty" kits that will be offered in our store. The specialty kits will provide fun tools to build individual skill sets. 

Do you have any advice for other mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business?

Take the risk. It's better to try and fail than always to wonder “what if?”  Don't be afraid to ask for help.  People will be more supportive and helpful than you think.

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Spotlight on Mom -- Venessa Banks of Kidable Adventures

Like most businesses and inventions, Kidable Adventures was created out of a need.  Venessa Banks, mother to an active little boy was on the hunt for fun creative activities that her hands-on child could do that were not only fun, but educational as well.  Not finding what she was looking for, she decided to create adventures boxes for kids, to meet the needs of her growing child, as well as other parents and grandparents out there.  And, with that Kidable Adventures and the Little Thinker Box was born.

I was like Venessa and have been looking for creative activities to do with my girls.  But, even though I am a stay-at home mom, I don't have the extra free time to put together kits like Venessa offers, let alone run to the craft store or other store buying supplies needed for a given activity.  

This past Christmas, my mom's meet up group participated in a busy kits swap, where we each had to create fun activities for the 5 other families, as well as one for ourselves. The kits would include all the supplies needed, instructions,etc., all placed in a resealable gallon size bag.  Then, we got together and exchanged the busy kits, so that during the winter break and holidays, the kids would have fun activities to do, while not burdening the parents with having to come up with fun activities to keep little ones busy and entertained.  My girls loved these kits, and I made a point to look for them in the new year.  But, of the kits I found, none really kept their attention, or helped them with developmental learning, which I was hoping for.

I didn't give up my search, and was glad I didn't because this is when I stumbled across Venessa's Kidable Adventures website and fell in love with her monthly subscription box for kids.  

Here is a video that Venessa has shared on her Kidable Adventures YouTube Channel that explains more about her Little Thinker Box and reason for starting her business...

After reaching out to Venessa, she graciously sent along a sample adventure box for me to share with the girls, as well as took time out of her busy schedule to complete my Spotlight Mom questions.

I couldn't wait to receive the Little Thinker Box and share it with the girls.  And, when it arrived, both the girls and I had a blast completing the different activities included in the activity box. 

Here is a quick YouTube video that gives you glimpse into a Little Think Box monthly subscription box.  This video showcases activities and items found in the March Rainbows themed box...

If you follow Kidable Adventures YouTube Channel, you will be able to find out what is in each month's Little Thinker Box.

Stay tuned on Friday, when I will share more about the Little Thinker Box I was sent for the girls to enjoy, as well as share a money saving promo code only for Inspired by Savannah.

In the meantime, please enjoy my Spotlight on Mom interview with Venessa Banks, creator of Kidable Adventures. :-)

Name: Venessa Banks

Company Name/Product/Service: Kidable Adventures; Products: Little Thinker Box and Kidables

Company Location: Athens, GA

Company Website: www.kidableadventures.com

Facebook URL: https://www.facebook.com/kidableadventures

Google+: Kidable Adventures on Google+

YouTube: Kidable Adventures YouTube Page

Age of Company: 6 months on May 1

Favorite Inspirational Quotes: I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me.

Favorite Book: Right People, Right Place, Right Plan

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How many children do you have?  What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc. 

I am married to the best man in the world, and we have one son. He is seven years old.

I work three jobs. I have a full-time job with the area convention and visitors bureau. I am the event planner for a regional kids expo, and I am CEO/Founder of Kidable Adventures. I am working on getting rid of that full-time job, but I know from experience, it is a good thing to have when you are trying to get a business going.

Briefly explain your business.  How did it come about?

Growing up, I loved school and loved learning. I did not want to miss a day of school. There was something about learning that excited me. Now, as a mom, I want my child to have that same excitement.

My son is an active little boy who responds better to hands-on creative ways of learning. Therefore, I am always looking for creative ways to keep him excited about learning, but sometimes a lack of time can hinder the best intentions. One day, after spending hours researching activities online, I wondered how many moms were experiencing the same struggle ̶̶ finding time to gather activities for their kids that were not just fun but educational, too. I knew I could not be the only mom experiencing this dilemma, so I decided to create Kidable Adventures.

Kidable Adventures creates hands-on educational products for kids that help them learn through creative play. We do all the work, so mom (or dad) won’t have to. Our mission is to create excitement about learning.

What is a typical work day like? 

I have a full-time job, too, so it is crazy. Really crazy! Often, you will find me up at 3:30 a.m. working on Kidable Adventures stuff. Sometimes I am up that late, working through the night, or sometimes I wake up that early to get an early start. It just depends on what’s going on.

What has been a struggle while starting up your company? 

Time and money!!! Being completely debt free is a big goal of my family, so I wanted to start the company and keep the company debt free, so that required me to wait a little longer to launch. I had to save a little at a time, until I had what I needed to launch. It was so hard being patient and waiting on the funds. When I originally decided to do this, there were not as many kid related subscription boxes as there are now. It was really hard watching all the others start, while I waited to accumulate the necessary funds. Also, working a full-time job makes start-up more complicated, time wise, but this allows me to put money made by the business back into the business until things get going good.

What did you do in your past work life? 

I worked at Walmart for over seven years. It was my first job. After college, I worked for the local government as a Management Analyst, conducting performance audits.

What have been some of your major successes? 

Developing and launching a regional magazine, women’s expo, kid’s expo, and Kidable Adventures.

What have been some of your major challenges? 

Finding time to do everything and managing that time well.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going? 

The possibility of being able to do my business full-time!

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?

I have an awesome husband that helps a lot.  

What is next for your business? 

This year we are working on getting our name out there. There are still so many people that have not heard about us. Also, we will be adding more themes to our Kidable line.

Do you have any advice for other mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business? 

For those on the fence about starting: pray about it, research it, and if it makes sense, just do it. The first step is always the hardest. For those who are doing it and struggling, you need to decide if it is a bad apple. If it is, you have to let it go. If not, keep fighting and don’t give up.

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