Diary of a Small Business Owner, nomie baby Edition: On Patience & Balance

Meet Katie Danziger.  The saying, "necessity is the mother of invention," certainly is true for this mom of 3!  When her baby spilled formula while in her car seat she saw its care instructions read, "Do not machine wash." While trying to spot clean, and wrestling with getting the cover back on, she thought, "there has to be an easier way. Why isn't there a bib for the car seat?" After many searches which came up empty, an idea was born.  Fast forward a couple years and the nomie baby brand includes multiple products, is available not only on her website but at national retailers, and both Katie & nomie baby have been spotted everywhere from the CBS Early Show to MSNBC to New York Magazine.

And now, Katie’s Diary begins……

A little bit on balance….

Balance is tricky and depends on everything going as planned, but we all know that almost never happens.  Today for instance... I knew that I had a phone interview with the New York Times at 11am, and my mom was coming over at noon to discuss the bridal shower we are throwing, so I had to make sure that I checked the orders early, so they could be processed and sent to the warehouse for packing and shipping, while getting my 3 kids up and out to school, which meant helping the little one get dressed, and going in 4 times to wake one of the teenagers!  It all happened, but I did feel as if I was in 3 places at once, and I guess I was.  I know that this afternoon, there are about 45 minutes of quiet "in between" time, before everyone starts coming home from school, when I will be able to review orders, try to get some tweets and Facebook postings out, and research contacts for rental car companies, because I know they would be perfect for the car seat covers.

Patience, Patience!

We have all been told that patience is a virtue, but I am also learning that it is an important quality to have in business too.   I am very used to checking things off my list quickly before they land in the dreaded pile on my desk, or bed.   However, I am learning that while some things might be on the top of my mind, they are just one of many things on someone else's to-do list.  Therefore, it's important to keep plugging along, and touching base.  One of the other things I have noticed is that good news often brings more good news.

As much as people say they want to be the first, or the only..., they also seem to be afraid to be that as well.  Therefore, when I am able to show stores that other stores carry the nomie baby line, they seem more interested in jumping on board.  It's fascinating to see the interest that has gotten stirred up since buybuyBaby.com, BedBathandBeyond.com and CSNStores.com have started carrying the nomie baby line, and Diapers.com has always been a wonderful partner.

I am looking forward to talking with new retailers who are excited to be a part of the nomie baby family.  While it hasn't happened over-night, although to many out there, that is how it seems, it does happen - with patience!  Perhaps the more I talk about patience, the more it will sink in!