About four years ago, I told my husband that I wanted to learn how to sew. My mother gave me her 30-year-old machine and I flew cross-country carrying that 20 pound machine. Too worried that it would be broken if I checked it, I lugged it across the airport, determined to get it back to California in one piece. Arriving home, I headed straight to the library in search of a good HOW TO book. Not wanting to spend the money for the yards needed for adult patterns, I chose children’s clothing to do my learning. Hundreds of ripped out seams, 2 new sewing machines, and thousands of hours later, sewing became my passion. I would wake my husband up on my way to bed after a long night sewing baby buntings, intent on finishing each project I started. Once my son was born, I knew I wanted to stay home with him while contributing financially to our family. What better way than to join my two loves – babies and sewing. MiniMe BabyGear was born.
For Christmas that year, my father-in-law got me a hot pink robe as a joke and attached two fluffy pink boas along the collar and cuffs. Growing up, my parents struggled financially, so indulgences like boas or dress up items were not deemed a necessity. I loved that adult robe and knew some little girl would love to receive one too. The Boa Princess Robe was the first item I tried to sell in stores and online. Personalized with “Princess” and a name on the back, the front has two pockets with a carriage, glass slipper, and a magic wand. I made four of them and brought them to a local children’s boutique. All of them sold the first day! I went back to work restocking and added a Ballerina option for dancers at recitals.
I then started adding more items I used and cherished with my own son. First was the diaper bag I was carrying around; then the dedication pillow after he was dedicated. Mother’s Day rolled around, and again I was unprepared. My home turned into a pillow- making factory, and I enlisted the help of many family members to sew and ship. I now offer a whole line of products handmade by me, personalized for FREE. My focus has always been keeping prices low while maintaining high quality and excellent customer service. Truly the best part about my job is that I get to stay home with my son. Even when he is dumping out barrels of thread, I enjoy seeing the little things daily that I might miss if I worked outside the home.
About six months after I started MiniMe BabyGear, my friend was on bed rest all summer with triplets. Again and again, I stumbled across an article about long-term pediatric patients; how they do better during hospital visits if they feel pampered. All summer I left with one thought in my head, “How can I make a difference?” Finally, it hit me – I needed to make dress up robes for long-term pediatric patients. 10% of every sale on my website goes towards making these robes for pediatric patients at DeVos Children’s Hospital. My goal is to someday be able to make a robe for any terminally ill little girl that wants one at DeVos hospital.
When I had my son, a visitor told me, ‘Take the most joy you have ever had in your life, now times it by ten. Now take the most work you have ever done, and times that by eleven.” Starting my own business feels that way as well. If I realized how much work actually went into it, I would have run immediately the other direction. However, the self-pride and joy I receive from running a successful business surpasses any dream I had for my future. I am so thrilled that I get to stay home and mold my son into a man.
