Mompreneur: Johanna Leestma La Fleur
Company: Loom

What inspired you to launch your product line?

Well before I had children I had many friends who had babies and couldn’t find rugged, modern, attractive diaper bags – that didn’t have baby teddy beards on them etc. They were young professional people and first time parents who didn’t want to look like they were carrying a diaper bag.

The opportunity was ripe for reinventing the bag/gear category for new parents – so I dove in! First, by launching the bag company Fleurville, then after selling that venture launching Loom.

What did you do before becoming a Mompreneur?

I was a business development manager working on large corporate software/web projects in San Francisco.

Tell us about your products.

The Loom collection (www.loomlife.com) is comprised of 8 different products that modern design conscious parents can ‘Graduate’ thru as their needs, and their families evolve: The Beginner Diaper Bag – (The Marsupial), The Bandicot Backpack Diaper Bag for parents of toddlers, The Go Tote series for traveling and beach/park excursions, the Zoom Kit stroller bag, and canvas Pop! Bins for home storage of toys, shoes and laundry.

If you’re ready to carry your baby gear in a modern and attractive bag, then shop LaLaBabyBoutique.com for the Loom product line.

What is the most rewarding part of being a Mompreneur?

Being able to have dedicated family time with my children and husband and have creative/intellectual pursuits that challenge me professionally. I’m a lucky woman in deed.

Do you have any advice for someone that wants to mom’s who are interested in becoming entrepreneurs?

Talk to others and get advice and ask all sorts of questions.

What are your most popular products?

The Go Tote this summer has been a real hit – it’s perfect for the beach, pool or cross country flights to grandma’s house!

Does this scenario sound familiar? You and your pretty daughter dressed in the pinkest of pink outfits are at the mall and a stranger approaches and says “HE”S so cute!”  This shirt is perfect for those times when pink just isn’t enough. Make it obvious with this pink onsie with “I’m NOT a boy!” stamped on the front.

Shop for the I’m NOT a boy onsie now.

If you’re looking for a diaper bag that is both fashionable and functional, then you have to check out the O Yikes Messanger Bag. It’s the perfect bag for the on-the-go parent you will want to use it 24/7.

With its easy to clean and water resistant micro-fiber lining it is sure to last through the years and even on to the next baby! This baby bag is available in a variety of colors that our sure to satisfy both mom and dad.

Shop for the O yikes Messenger Bag now!

Why do some people feel it’s necessary to comment on the size of your stomach why you are pregnant? Why is it so hard to find maternity shirts that hug your curves instead of exaggerate them?

I was having a good day today even growing comfortable with my ever expanding belly. Happy that the size of my belly almost matches how far along I am. I went through the entire day wonderfully. No comments, even though I am wearing one of those maternity shirts. The kind that scream I’m pregnant, that make you look like your closer to having a baby then growing one.

Everything was great until I picked up my daughter at daycare. First, it was the psychologist, “Are you sure you’re due in December?” I politely laugh it off. After all I can excuse him since he is a man. But then he is a psychologist and should no better. Then it was one of the mother’s, “Almost there?” I again say politely, “No, not yet.” And then my favorite of all, “Wow, you sure there aren’t two in there?”

What are you really supposed to say after that? I mean this is another mother who no doubt had people making the same comments to her at some point. Is it the slip of the tongue? Do people just forget what it’s like?

My 2 minutes are up.

Mompreneur: Renae Plant
Company: [bump]

What inspired you to launch your product line?

When I got pregnant with my daughter Ilan, there was an awkward yet exciting stage of pregnancy when no one could tell I was pregnant except me and as my body changed I wanted to scream to everyone that stared and were too afraid to ask “I’m not fat [bump] on board”. So I came up with “baby under manufacturing process” as an acronym for [bump], trade marked it and started to incorporate that in every single design.

Tell us about your products?

I have a novelty maternity line – [bump] which includes, tees, vees, tanks, long sleeve marocs, a [bump]alicious yoga line and a [bump]-daddy line for the dads-to-be.

What are you most popular products?

Our [bump] original tee is our best seller and closely followed by any of a line that has Swarovski Crystals on them…people love bling…

What is next for you with your products?

I’m introducing more sayings and changing some of the designs and putting nail heads on the back of our yoga pants…so keep checking our website www.bumpbabies.com for our latest designs.

LaLaBabyBoutique.com is giving away the black original tee in September, register now to enter the drawing.

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According to promom couture it’s not just a tag line, it’s their mission statement and if you have seen the clothing line you would probably agree. These t-shirts give you a chance to celebrate your love of mothering in a stylish and comfortable way. I especially love the Well Balanced Mom, the Metropolitan Mom, and the Rock n Rule t-shirts.

You can purchase them all at LaLaBabyBoutique.com.

Other styles and designs are available as well, so there’s no limit to how you choose to express your momness. All of promo couture t-shirts are extremely soft and light weight with tapered waist and extra long body length. Best of all there’s no shrinkage.

Each and every one of us deserves to feel special, appreciated, celebrated and honored. Shop for your promom couture t-shirt today at LaLaBabyBoutique.com.

Check out our newly opened “For the Room” section on LaLaBabyBoutique.com. You will find the most adorable step stools and hand crafted tables just the right height for your little one.

Shop For the Room now and add some vibrant color and hand crafted-furniture in your child’s bedroom.

Mompreneur: Tonjia Coverdale
Company: divasNbabes

What inspired you to launch your product line?

Benjamin, my experiences as a mom, and my experience as a babywearer inspired me to start Divas N Babes. Like many new moms, I struggled with being mom-me. I had to trade in my stilettos for sneakers and my skirts for sweats. I had a beautiful baby boy, the love of my life, but it was just so difficult to find clothes that were comfy and not frumpy. I decided to design a “comfy chic” apparel line for mommies, and their babes, that would allow them to be chic, yet comfy. Also, I am an avid babywearer, I wear Benjamin every day, we don’t even own a stroller! I have tried many ring slings, mei tais, pouches, and wraps that were comfortable, but didn’t have the high-fashion edge and sleek look that I desired. I wear my most valuable accessory everyday, which now, instead of designer heels and handbags, is the ring sling or mei tai that helps me to nurture and care for my baby, and I believe that mommies shouldn’t have to sacrifice fashion for function. I wanted to bring fashion to mommies in a different way; Divas N Babes was born.

What are you most popular products?

Mommies always think all our shirts are hilarious, and our “I am at work!” shirts for divas, our “I am NOT a BOY/GIRL!” onesies and “Are Your Hands Clean?” tees for babes are our most popular products this summer, in addition to our DivaBabe Couture Julia Ring Sling and Julia Mei Tai.

What did you do before becoming a Mompreneur?

Before becoming a Mompreneur, I was a professor of Information Systems at a State University and a former IT professional.

What is the most rewarding part of being a Mompreneur?

The most rewarding part of being a Mompreneur is connecting with other moms on a deeper level that only other moms can understand. Seeing them smile as they try on a divas shirt that is flattering to them and helps them recapture their sense of style, watching them giggle as they talk about how they can’t wait to put a certain onesie on their babe, and seeing the love bloom between an mommy and her baby as they form a special bond through wearing one of our slings or mei tais makes all of the hard work and sleepless nights worthwhile. I love meeting new moms, sharing their experiences, and growing together with them as mothers, a sisterhood like no other that withstands time and distance.

How many kids do you have in your household?

I have one son, Benjamin, who is almost 23 months old.

What is the most difficult part of being a Mompreneur?

The most difficult part of being a Mompreneur is trying to have a work-life balance. Since I am a stay at home mom to Benjamin and I have a home office, I am always at work! I work with Benjamin on his various projects, social events, and enrichment activities and when he takes a nap, I immediately retreat to my office to get work done. When he wakes, I am back to being Mommy, and when he retires for the night, I am back in the office working to the wee hours of the morning. It is exhausting, but I am committed to my family and to Divas N Babes and the happiness that I bring to my family and to my client-friends keeps me going.

Do you have advice for someone that wants to start a new career as a Mompreneur?

My advice would be to follow your heart, even when your head is saying “what are you doing and why?” Believe in yourself, will it to happen, and it will. Your love and enthusiasm for your project will shine and make it work for you. Just smile, breathe, and remember to eat lots of chocolate ?

The Rock and Roll Baby One Peacey is the perfect gift for your future rock star. Check it out now at LaLaBabyBoutiqe.com. This Onsie is created by the wonderful mothers of by PeaceLoveBaby the same company that has brought us the PeaceLoveMom Collection.

Other styles in the peacey collection include, PeaceLoveBaby, Happy Baby, Born to Love Mom and Wonder Baby.

All of the t-shirts are in two sizes: six months and twelve months and made with 100% ringspun cotton.

To view the PeaceLoveMom Collection, go to LaLaBabyBoutique.com.

Hip and cool Messenger and Slingback diapers bags for parents on the go.

The O Yikes! diaper bags are fashion meets function at its best. They are available in two hands-free styles, messenger and slingback. These bags are perfect for the hip and organized because there’s a place for everything from wipes to an insulated bottle holder to a portable changing pad. Did we mention that both bags even come with the insulated bottle holder, accessory case, changing pad and wipes case?

These diaper bags are available in colors that are great for dad too. Check out the Frosted Titanium or the Blueberry Keylime. He’ll never complain about having to carry the bag again.

O Yikes! diaper bags have a strong sturdy construction and easy clean nylon that will last through the toddler years and on to the next sibling.

Both the messenger and slingback O Yikes! Diaper bags are available at LaLaBabyBoutique.com, shop for yours now!