Spotlight on Mom -- Jennifer Walker of New Orleans Baby & Child Fest, A Pregnancy & Parenting Expo...Big Easy Style

My second Spotlight Mom this week is Jennifer Walker, creator of the New Orleans Baby & Child Fest, A Pregnancy & Parenting Expo...Big Easy Style.  If you live in and around the New Orleans area and are expecting or a new mom, Jennifer's Baby Expo is just for you.  While pregnant with her second child, Jennifer saw a need for a Baby Expo in her area and decided to create one so that other mothers could find useful resources for their children.  

Now in year 3, the New Orleans Baby & Child Fest, A Pregnancy & Parenting Expo...Big Easy Style will be taking place on October 6th, 2012! They will have more than 100 exhibitors, local children's musicians, character meet and greets, Pirate & Princess tea parties, a kids' play area, family lounge, changing station and nursing lounge, giveaways, contests and more.  Sounds like a lot of fun, and an event not to miss.  So, if you are in the area or have family or friends who are and are expecting, share the news and mark your calendars.

But, in the meantime, please enjoy my Spotlight on Mom interview with Jennifer Walker, creator of the New Orleans Baby & Child Fest, A Pregnancy & Parenting Expo...Big Easy Style.

Name:  Jennifer Walker

Company Name/Product/Service: New Orleans Baby & Child Fest, A Pregnancy &Parenting Expo...Big Easy Style

Company Location: New Orleans, LA

Company Website: www.NewOrleansBabyFest.com

Facebook URL:  http://www.facebook.com/NewOrleansBabyFest

Twitter Handle: @NOLABabyFest

Age of Company: 2 1/2 years

Favorite Book: The Help

Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How many children do you have?  What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.

 

I'm a mom, wife and entrepreneur. I have two active boys, but what boys aren't active, right? Jack is 6 and Beckett is 2. When I'm not working, taking them to soccer or baseball practice, swimming lessons, the zoo or the library, I'm either at Boot Camp, sewing or playing Scramble with Friends on my iPhone, my guilty addiction. 

Briefly explain your business.  How did it come about?

My husband and I thought for years about the need for a Baby, Child and Family Expo in the New Orleans area. Our second child was about 6 months old when we decided to make it happen in the Spring of 2010. My background was Marketing and Event Planning and I had two children, so I knew there was a need for this type of event. We knew the concept would work, but in 2010 all we had was an idea. Lucky for us, 77 exhibitors and nine sponsors believed in it enough to take a chance on us. The result was a hugely successful first Baby &  Child Fest. 200 people were lined up outside the Pontchartrain Center before we opened the doors. Approximately 3,000 people came through the doors during the six hour event. Year two was even bigger. Now we’re gearing up for the best-ever Baby & Child Fest. Our third annual event is October 6th, 2012! We'll have more than 100 exhibitors, local children's musicians, character meet and greets, Pirate & Princess tea parties, a kids' play area, family lounge, changing station and nursing lounge, giveaways, contests and more.

What is a typical work day like?

I work on Baby &Child Fest year round - planning, event follow up, monthly newsletter and exhibitor postings, but my busiest time is around April - October. I try to keep my work days to M/W/F when both boys are in school. I just started a 5:45 boot camp on M/W/F a couple of months ago. I have NEVER considered myself a morning person, but I actually love working out at a time when nothing else can get in the way and getting home before my family wakes up. Then it's breakfast, make lunches and get the boys to school. Next I come home and get to work. It's challenging because I work from home and often get distracted by dishes, laundry and Facebook, but I try to stay focused during the time I have alone. I update our website, follow up with potential exhibitors, work on our monthly newsletter and answer emails. I pick up my kids at 2:30 and 3:00, then we usually meet friends at the playground when the weather is nice or come home to rest up for soccer or baseball practice for my oldest a couple of days a week.

What has been a struggle while starting up your company? 

The first struggle was selling people on our idea with no stats, pictures or success story to back it up. I developed a media kit. My husband developed the website and we started contacting businesses. We were thrilled to pick up a couple of big sponsors early on - Ochsner Health System signed on as our Presenting Sponsor and nola baby & family magazine, a sponsor, early on which gave us more credibility when selling the idea to potential exhibitors.

What did you do in your past work life?

I have a Communication degree and a background in hotel event planning and marketing for a historic restaurant. Plus, I created an online children's boutique after my first son was born - JackaroosBoutique.com. I custom made children's clothing and gifts for a couple of years before I put it on hold to have my second child. When I launched New Orleans Baby & Child Fest, I knew I wouldn't have time to continue with my boutique, so I extended my break indefinitely. I may pick it back up one day...one day.

What have been some of your major successes?

I was selected to Gambit magazine's 40-under-40 in 2010, a list highlighting the most inspirational people of the city of New Orleans.  

The manager of our local Pottery Barn Kids said that New Orleans Baby & Child Fest was the first expo of its kind for any Pottery Barn Kids store to participate in when they exhibited at our inaugural expo in 2010. Their experience was so successful that other Pottery Barn Kids stores throughout the nation now participate in their local baby & child expos. During the six-hour New Orleans Baby & Child Fest, she opened up the amount of baby registries that usually takes her six weeks to open at the store. 

What have been some of your major challenges?

Getting national companies to exhibit at our event. It's a one day event which local exhibitors love but the one day event makes it more challenging for national companies to consider traveling and exhibiting. However, we have put together an Out Of Town Package that is very reasonable and are continuing to target that market!

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?

I've always wanted to be able to stay home with my kids. Starting my own business has allowed me to do that. Also, knowing how successful the event has been and knowing that we are providing such a great resource for the attendees and the local small companies that exhibit at Baby & Child Fest, is a great motivator too.

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?

I won't lie. It's a daily struggle. I sometimes tell my husband, I know I've made the right decision in being a stay-at-home mom and running a business from home, but it does have its challenges. I aim to stay as organized as possible. I created a Baby & Child Fest binder this year which will be a great resource for future years. It includes all email, mail correspondence, ads, etc. I recently developed a weekly page that has a space to list and check off a to do list and goals for the week and a space to keep track of accomplishments - new exhibitors, etc. It's also a great record to look back on for the following year. My next goal is to meal plan.

What is next for your business?

I hope to continue to grow the business here in New Orleans and possibly expand the concept to other cities.

Do you have any advice for other mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business?

I think you have to be realistic about your expectations. How much time can you really devote to the business and what do you expect in return. Is it the satisfaction of owning your own business? Is it a little extra spending money? Is it to support your entire family? If you are the creative mind, make sure you have someone assisting you with a business/technology mind. I have a little bit of both, but my husband helps a lot with the technology and the business side - website development, setting up the LLC, taxes, etc.

If you have the opportunity and it seems like the right time and right place in your life, go for it!