Spotlight on Mom -- Donna Brin of Pueri Elemental LLC / Eco-Bonk Wildlife Series

 

 

With the holidays right around the corner, I am excited to share this week's Spotlight on Mom with you, and her product the Eco-Bonk Bop Toy with you all.  


WHAT MAKES ECO-BONK DIFFERENT THAN OTHER INFLATABLE BOP TOYS?

 

• Biodegrabable
• Free from BPA
• Quality and Safety Tested
• Made in the USA
• All About Wildlife

Pueri Elemental strives to make a more reliable, dependable and better quality inflatable toy product. Unlike other inflatable bop toys which don't seem to last long after you blow them up, the Eco-Bonk is not intended for one-time use. It is their goal to give customers a positive, memorable and long lasting active-play experience.  In addition, if you are not completely satisfied with your Eco-Bonk, contact Donna and let her know why, and she and her team will work with you to rectify the issue. They want to make sure all customers are happy.  Now, how is that for great customer service? :-)

Head back here on Friday, when I will share more about the Eco-Bonk inflatable bop toy with you, and offer one lucky reader a chance to win one of these eco-friendly toys for their little one.  But, in the meantime, please enjoy my Spotlight on Mom interview with Donna Brin of Pueri Elemental below.


Name: Donna Brin
Company Name/Product/Service: Pueri Elemental LLC / Eco-Bonk Wildlife Series
Company Location: Brooklyn, NY
Company Website: www.pueri-elemental.com
Facebook URL: http://www.facebook.com/puerielemental
Twitter Handle: @ PueriElemental
Age of Company: Less than 12 months
Favorite Quote: "Find out who you are and do it on purpose." -- Dolly Parto
Favorite Book: Love in the Time of Cholera by Gabriel Garcia Marquez
Favorite Band: Current favorite is the Killers; all-time favorite is the Beatles



Tell us a little bit about yourself -- family, hobbies, etc.:
 
About Me: When I was a little girl, my parents called me “Donna Do” because I always had to be doing something … little has changed. 
How many children do you have?  I’ve been blessed with an amazing son who turns three in December and just had a son, Oliver Nicholas on Saturday.
Favorite Pastimes: Hiking/skiing the Headwall in Jackson Hole and cooking/entertaining at home … great food, great friends and great conversation. 

Briefly explain your business.  How did it come about?

My husband came home with a superhero-themed inflatable bop bag for our son. My first thought, “what an eye-sore”; my second, “how long before it breaks”; and my last, ”how long will it sit in a landfill” … one week and three busted inflatable bop bags later, a product concept was born … 

Pueri Elemental is striving to make a more reliable, dependable and high-quality bop toy that is healthier for children to play with and better for the environment around them –- it’s made in the USA; it’s earth-friendly; it’s built to last; and it’s no Bozo -- Eco-Bonk is not meant to be a one-time use inflatable toy product. It is our goal to give customers a positive, memorable and long lasting active-play experience … oh and a portion of our proceeds are donated to Wildlife Alliance and there are interactive storybook apps that feature the Eco-Bonk animals sold separately.

My typical workday: often times I feel like a circus clown in-training, lot of balls in the air and a kooky smile on my face.

What has been a struggle while starting up your company? 

The learning curve has been extraordinary … understanding supply chain management, production, logistics, public relations, marketing and the list goes on … it’s exciting yet overwhelming!

What did you do in your past work life?
 
I worked in energy commodity sales for twelve years … I was the female version of Bud Fox, only I never got mixed up with a GG type.

What have been some of your major successes?
 
Earning my MBA – I was a terrible student in high school; meeting my husband – he challenges me to go beyond myself; becoming a mother – I never knew that I could love so much.

What have been some of your major challenges?
 
Learning patience and being selfless

On those impossible days, what motivates you?
 
I look back on how far the business has come and relish every single success that we’ve had along the way.

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


You’ll set yourself up for failure if you try to do it all yourself. Being nimble, respectful of others and willing to compromise is the key … mix in a strong marriage and that’s my balancing secret.

What is next for your business?
 
It’s skies the limit!

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.