In the past I shared how we were trying to get Savannah moved into her own bedroom. Early on, she ended up co-sleeping with us (well for the most part me, as my husband also ended up on the couch for more space). And, when baby #2 came the end of 2011, we finally got her to sleep in a toddler bed we had put at the end of our bed, while baby slept in a pack-in-play in our room. As time went on, we found it difficult to get Savannah acclimated to the bedroom she should have been sharing with her little sister. So, we thought that if we gave her her own room, that transitioning her would be easier, but it wasn't. Now, she grew scared of sleeping in a big room all by herself, and each night anxiety would set in about having to go upstairs and stay by herself. Flash forward to today, and Savannah is still sleeping at the foot of our bed, but beginning to come around thanks in part to this week's Spotlight Mom and her invention -- Debbie Glickman of Fairytale Wishes, Inc. Debbie created a line of All Natural Aromatherapy Sprays for Kids, that can be used to help ease anxieties felt by children for various situations, like being away at camp or a new place, scared of monsters or the tooth fairy, and in our daughter, Savannah's case, sleeping alone.
I will share more about how Debbie's spray has been working in my Feature Friday post, where I will also give one lucky reader a chance to win a Fairytale Wishes spray of their choice. But, in the meantime, please enjoy my Spotlight on Mom interview with Debbie Glickman of Fairytale Wishes, Inc..
Name: Debbie Glickman
Company Name/Product/Service: Fairytale Wishes, Inc. All Natural Aromatherapy Sprays for Kids
Company Location: Highland Park, IL
Company Website: www.
Age of Company: 3.5 years
Favorite Inspirational Quotes:
"It's nice to be important but it is more important to be nice!"
"Dance like no one is watching, Sing like no one is listening, and Live each Day as if it were your last!"
Favorite Book: The Giving Tree by Shel Siverstein
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How many children do you have? What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.
I
am the mom of Gracie (13) and Joey (10) and the wife of Jason. Before I
was a mom, I worked in the very fast paced world of advertising for 15+
years. In my spare time—I love to do yoga, read voraciously, watch
trashy TV, or steal a coffee with my girlfriends. I look forward to
someday traveling the world with my husband and my children.
Briefly explain your business. How did it come about?
When
my son was about 2 1/2 we were transitioning him from his crib to a big
kid bed and he was very anxious about having bad dreams and sleeping in
such a big bed by himself. After looking everywhere for something
holistically soothing for kids to calm him and coming up with a $25 2oz
bottle of pillow spray from one of the fancy bath and body stores, I
decided to find a way to get something manufactured.
I
knew of the calming properties of Lavender so I started with a Sweet
Dreams Spray and then after talking to many other moms, I realized that
young children have a host of common anxieties associated with childhood
and decided to create a whole line of products with the goal in mind of
"Giving Kids a Happily Ever After!"
What is a typical work day like?
After
getting the kids off to school, I typically go to the gym right away or
I don't do it.:) Then I come home and fill any orders I have and get on
the phone and start calling accounts and reps to see what there current
needs are and do some social media. Additionally, I do a weekly
Internet radio show featuring entrepreneurs and people who are doing
something with their life to make the world better as a whole. It is
called "Believe in Your Fairytale and your Zing will Come True. It airs
on Tuesdays from 11-12 Central Standard time on www.toginet.com
What has been a struggle while starting up your company?
I think the biggest struggle has been
getting the word out about our products without a whole lot of money as
well as doing everything myself
What did you do in your past work life?
I was a Vice-President of an Advertising Agency here in Chicago
What have been some of your major successes?
Getting into Bed Bath and Beyond, Penetrating the Canadian Market,
having a presence in 29 states throughout the USA. Also the many awards
we have won including the coveted Dr. Toy Best Picks award.
What have been some of your major challenges?
Figuring
out how I can turn my business into a money making enterprise. People
think that because they see your product everywhere you must be making
money but they don't know that it takes a lot of money to sustain a
small business.
On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
The wonderful emails I get from parents who write to tell me how our products have helped their kids.
What is your balancing secret in managing a business and
family?
If
there is a secret out there—I would love to know it. Ha! It is
eternally difficult. I really try to shut down by 3:30 and then answer
emails again after the kids are asleep. But during the week, the laundry
needs to get done, the shopping needs to get done, dinner needs to get
made, the list goes on and on.
What is next for your business?
I
just introduced a new product Tooth Fairy Spray! Very exciting. We have
a lot of product extension ideas so we are looking for investors.
Do you have any advice for other
mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence
about starting a business?
My
advice to anyone out there is to ask a lot of questions! Take it one
day at a time. Remember Rome wasn't built in a day. Due your due
diligence on the product category you are trying to enter and protect
your idea with the aid of an attorney.Start small. Lots of good, free
advice on a non profit website called United Inventors Association. Www.uiausa.com
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