MyMommysBracelets

This week’s Ms. Biz is Vanessa of MyMommysBracelets!  A great quote on Vanessa’s About Me page is: “Sometimes necessity opens doors to wonderful things!”  I think this quote summarizes the feelings of many work at home moms.

Q: What kind of business do you have?  (what you sell, service provided, etc.)

Vanessa: An upscale boutique that specializes in handcrafted, personalized jewelry for Mothers, Grandmothers, Little Girls, and Babies.

Q: What is your best selling product?

Vanessa: Personalized Mommy Bracelets

Q: How did you come up with the name?

Vanessa: My son did; he was 2 at the time.  Someone had commented about a bracelet I was wearing one day (one I had made that had his name on it) and he said “that’s my mommys bracelet.”  Who knew that soon after mymommysbracelets.com would be born!

Q: When and why did you start your business(es)?

Vanessa: For me, the decision to quit working as a nurse to be home with my premature son, brought with it the desire to start a work-at- home business.  While I knew I wanted to do something from home to bring in extra income, I wasn’t exactly sure what that ‘something’ was.  Then one day a friend showed me her amazing Mommy Bracelet and I fell in love with it! After thinking about it, I went online and researched how to make a similar bracelet for myself.  My first company mymommysbracelets.com was started around 4 years ago when I made my Mommy bracelet. I had so many compliments on it and many people were wanting one too! So, I decided that I would try to sell them on eBay. I had very limited jewelry design/making skills and decided that I would teach myself everything I could to turn this hobby into a business.  Here I am, 4 years later, and I have opened another business, Baby Girl Bracelets. Baby Girl Bracelets is also a jewelry boutique, but it
concentrates on children and even has a few baby gifts. Being a WAHM has given me the ability to stay home with my children and not miss a moment of their childhood.  That is important to me.

Q: What was the biggest obstacle you faced?

Vanessa: Juggling business and family, hands down.

Q: What motivates you to keep going?

Vanessa: My kids….they are my everything.

Q: Do you have any advice for other women wanting to start their own business?

Vanessa: Being a WAHM is a tough job. It takes lots of dedication and hard work. Success is within reach…it just may take a little time to get to it.

Q: What would you like for the readers to know about you?  (Your background, hobbies, the little things you find important, etc)

Vanessa: I have a wonderful and supportive husband of 9 years and 2 beautiful kiddos, 6 years and 2 years. I have been a nurse since 1995, but have not worked since my first child was born in 2002. I love being a nurse and miss it greatly. One day I will go back to work, but now probably part time since I have a new found passion.  My hobbies include scrapbooking/cardmaking, photography, reading whenever i get the chance (books aren’t always easy though, so it’s mostly magazines), cooking/baking, and spending time with my friends and family.

Q: Do you have a coupon code or special that you have going on or would like to offer to the readers?

Vanessa: During the month of May, save 10% on all orders over $50 using coupon code “FEATURE”. Not valid with any other special offers or coupons. Expires May 31 at midnight.  I always offer my customers FREE first class shipping to anywhere in the USA! I also offer flat rate international shipping for only $5!

Thank you, Vanessa!  Posting this feature has been a great way to end Mother’s Day!