Fifth Entrepreneur - Amber Miner

December 20, 2007.

I am really sorry that these posts are not as frequent this month as I had hoped.  Not only did I have over 85 orders on the last day we took orders- um and everyone in the office was out sick, with sick people or a sick dog....yes, I said dog.  Sometimes family has to be priority - and that has been what I have been doing the last few weeks.  I will delve more into what this Christmas season was like (good and bad) for Jamie's Painting & Design.

First though, I would like to introduce a very inspirational entrepreneur.  I am sort of fuzzy as to how I actually met her, though I think it went a little something like this.  I was checking the stats on my blog and found someone doing a search, her blog ended up on the search just like mine.  I checked her blog out and started reading it, I was enthralled, I was inspired and I was so excited to find another business owner able to speak honestly about running her business. 

Not only had she read my blog, but we had much in common in the whole "Mompreneur" thingie-mabopper life style.  If you have not already (I recommend it highly, and tend to repeat myself....see it's listed over to the left) do check out her blog for an honest look at starting, growing and running your own business.  Amber tends to give straight from the belt, honest stories of what it takes.  Her positive attitude is something I need to try and follow - 'cause you know I tend to put my cranky pants on every once and again.

Amber Miner, Owner & Founder of Baby Fabulous

I had the idea to start a baby clothing line shortly after my daughter was born in October 2002.  After testing the market, learning a new industry, and developing our brand and company, we officially launched Baby Fabulous (b*fab) at the end of September 2006.

Reason for Starting a Business

My kids are the reason we decided to follow our own path.  Where we live, it takes two incomes to survive, so we had to put our daughter into daycare when she was just a few months old.  Just knowing that hands off time was coming up made my brain start ticking - what else can I do???  Kids changed me in so many ways, made me think about so many things - reaching your dreams, living by example, and most importantly being there.  It took longer than I thought to finally launch, bur we're living our dream, because we both work from home and we're raising our own children.

I see the future or our company big, BIG and fabulous things are in the future of b*fab.  We will continue to grown, we will continue to promote job growth in the US and someday, the b*fab brand will be a household name.  In just a year, our customer base has grown exponentially, we've got a celebrity clientele, and our products have received numerous rave reviews.  We hope to maintain steady growth and keep it on the up & up.

I really love everything about my job right now, but especially the flexibility and freedom to be  creative.  After you've given yourself to a career that makes you dread going into work, finding something you love is no comparison.  I love knowing that I've created every aspect of my job from ideas in my head.  I love the challenge, and subsequent satisfaction of solving problems.  I love the journey more than anything and that I can already look back on things I never would have dreamed I would be capable of accomplishing.

My least favorite part of my job is how tired I am, (isn't this true for every Mom though?) and that is when stuff does not work out right, the only "idiot boss" I have to blame is myself.

Following Trends & The Family Balance

Sometimes I find myself following trends, sometimes it's artwork I have seen, or flowers, or seasons.  I take inspiration from all sorts of things.  I love to blend the past trends with modern trends.  I love color, and I love to get out and be inspired by nature.  A little fresh air goes a long ways.

Balancing running a business with family life is something we work on every day and never perfect.  We are constant trying new systems, keeping what works, and when something doesn't, trying something else.  We find that as soon as a system seems to be running smoothly, something comes a long and there is a kink in it anyway.  New school schedules, new activities, new volunteer and side commitments all change our routine.  It is best to stay flexible and good communication is the big difference. 

Comments

[Julie Swanson]

Jamie,
Merry Christmas to you and your family. I hope you are able to enjoy some wonderful family traditions and maybe make a few new ones. May all your dreams come true in 2008.
Blessings, julie

[Jamie Risdon Lentzner]

Oh Julie - thank you so much! Our holiday was nice, the kids had a wonderful time. ALL my dreams come true - I hope so too, cause I have some pretty lofty dreams!! Look forward to reading more of your blog this year, and see that studio work!

[Jamie Risdon Lentzner]

Julie - thanks for commentng so much and even with our loss our holiday was nice, the kids had a good time. I can not wait to hear how Atlanta goes for you - and the Mama Mia Show Room. Best of luck in the coming month - I will check your blog for details...you know I LOVE details!

[Erin Gutierrez]

So funny. I just met Amber and Baby Fabulous at the Boom Boom Room in LA. She gave my son the cutest hat and said his picture will be up on her website soon. I too am a momtrepreneur. I brough www.cottoseedclothing.com to LA. Aside from the celebrities, and press, I met the most amazing people. So many of the business owners are moms like us, working and mommying all at once. It is so helpful to know that it is this hard for everyone, because it is certainly hard for me. Though I wouldn't choose any other road.

Erin

[Jamie Risdon Lentzner]

Hi Erin - thank you for comment and I agree, you either have the 'entrepreneur gene' or you don't. It's kind of like being a 'tiny bit' pregnant = not the case. So jealous you got to meet Amber at the Boom Boom Room - she is amazing, and super talented.