I am excited to share my Spotlight on Mommy, Bobbie Rhoads, with you this week, not just because she if from CT like me, but because I just love her product, FunBites. Now, kids will have an excuse to play with their foods, thanks to Bobbie's nifty invention.
Not only does the kitchen tool/molds that Bobbie made cut foods into fun shapes, but they come out into bite size pieces. This is great, as it has saved me on cutting up my daughter's food into manageable pieces. Instead of dealing with a fussy toddler who wants to eat now, and can't wait for me to cut up her food, now, I simply put in food in the mold, rock it back and forth, and viola, her food is cut into fun, bite-size pieces, in seconds.
I will share more on this great invention this Friday, when I do a Feature Friday review and giveaway (and offer a coupon code). But, today, I wanted to share my interview with mom entrepreneur, Bobbie Rhoads. Enjoy!
Name: Bobbie Rhoads
Company Name/Product/Service: FunBites LLC
Company Location: Westport, CT
Company Website: www.FunBites.com
Facebook URL: www.facebook.com/funbites
Age of Company: 1 month! we launched 11/1/11.
Favorite Inspirational Quotes: Enjoy the little things for someday you will realize they were the big things.
Favorite Book: Rebecca
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How many children do you have? What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.
I have 2 beautiful little girls. Jackie is 12 years old, and Dylan 8. We love to play sports together as a family with my husband… like tennis, biking and basketball. We also love to play board games …. Which can become quite competitive!
Briefly explain your business. How did it come about?
The idea for FunBites came about over 7 years ago. My girls were quite young. Jackie always like her food “cute” neat and organized; Dylan never liked to try new things unless of course it was junk food! I would cut their food into fun shaped bites. That’s when it all started to come together. I worked with a designer in NYC and in the end … FunBites was born. FunBites is a 2 part system – a strong curved plastic blade that cuts though any kids’ food and a popper top that pops out the bite-sized fun shapes so hands are clean, food is untouched. FunBites goes way beyond any sandwich cutter! Made of Delrin – the bridge between plastic and metal – FunBites is durable. FunBites is 100% USA – from inventor, designer to manufacturer.
What is a typical work day like?
I work from home… primarily in the kitchen at my computer. We wake up early, get the kids to school, the work on FunBites…. until school is out. When not at the computer, I am visiting retailers or other vendors to help spread the word about FunBites.
I work from home… primarily in the kitchen at my computer. We wake up early, get the kids to school, the work on FunBites…. until school is out. When not at the computer, I am visiting retailers or other vendors to help spread the word about FunBites.
What has been a struggle while starting up your company?
The biggest struggle with starting up business is balancing FunBites and the kids. I never want to sacrifice my family for the business. Most of the time, I can enlist the girls to help me – so we get the best of both words…. Being together and working on a business as a team!
The biggest struggle with starting up business is balancing FunBites and the kids. I never want to sacrifice my family for the business. Most of the time, I can enlist the girls to help me – so we get the best of both words…. Being together and working on a business as a team!
What did you do in your past work life?
I was VP of Marketing at Revlon NYC.
I was VP of Marketing at Revlon NYC.
What have been some of your major successes?
My kids!
My kids!
What have been some of your major challenges?
My Kids! Just kidding. My biggest challenge really was going from a corporate totally driven business woman to being a stay at home mom… and now trying to balance both worlds.
My Kids! Just kidding. My biggest challenge really was going from a corporate totally driven business woman to being a stay at home mom… and now trying to balance both worlds.
On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
Again I say my kids. To them, FunBites is proof that 1. women can do anything and, 2. if you try hard and follow your dream, it will come true! You just have to be a bit patient.
Again I say my kids. To them, FunBites is proof that 1. women can do anything and, 2. if you try hard and follow your dream, it will come true! You just have to be a bit patient.
What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
The biggest secret is to involve your family in your business… it is motivating to everyone and you get so much more done with teamwork!
The biggest secret is to involve your family in your business… it is motivating to everyone and you get so much more done with teamwork!
What is next for your business?
We plan to launch more designs.
We plan to launch more designs.
Do you have any advice for other mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business?
Never give up. Believe in yourself.
Never give up. Believe in yourself.
The kids would have so much fun with these and I like that they are bite size.
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