January 9, 2007.
Okay I am back on track, and starting with the lucky number seven, none the less! And I am living up to one of my goals for 2008, okay it has only been a week, but give an ol' girl some credit - regular posts three days a week....wonder if anyone will notice. The Entrepreneur Interviews must go on, no matter what drama is going on in my life or anyone else's.
We had a little snafu here at the Lentzner Home, with our heater going out, an office/studio break-up (it was awful fighting over who got what printer cable, which roll of tape and the last paper clip - having my own space is fun....but splitting up the kids photos - sheesh). Did I mention my husband is also taking a 3 day vacation.......er, I mean business trip? Oh, how he hates it when I call it that - but come on, you know he is enjoying himself a little bit, and in a hotel with a mini-bar none the less!
So, with my fingers thawed out, my toes are not quite frost bitten any longer and my nose is no longer running, and I am in my own space (I will post pictures soon) I give you my seventh entrepreneur:
I am hoping after I post this Carrie will remind or correct me of how we met - but I think I found her through
the Switchboards or The Daily Stroll forum. I saw her "Target.com" connection and her humorous blog and HAD to email her. We emailed back and forth and then even spoke on the phone for a good hour - I am happy to say she is as funny on the phone as she is in her blog. I love her spunk, I love her products and I am sure if you have not heard of her - you will soon!
The crazy thing is that I remember seeing her in Working Mother, and reading about her inspirational story and products. It is so strange to me to read about someone, have them strike a cord with you and then months or even years later you are lucky enough to meet them and connect with them. Again, I so love the Internet, email and blogs for that very reason! She is great at this blogging thing and I could learn a thing or two from her.....no really she is great at plugging her company!
If I ever make it back out to Atlanta (another post, I almost went back this week) she is my first phone call to get together....oh wait I mean second person I call...don't worry, London I will call you too!
So without further ado, I am happy to introduce you to Carrie Ferguson Weir:
Carrie Ferguson Weir, owner of Los Politos Dicen (The Little Chick Says)
Our company was formed early in 2005 and launched our first product in the fall of 2005. I happened upon an untapped niche at the same time I was exploring ways to make a living and more fully participate in the day-to-day raising of my young daughter. I was a full-time newspaper features writer before we launched Los Politos Dicen. We create baby and toddler tees that celebrates our Spanish heritage though hipness and we capture the unique color combinations and colloquialisms of our people.
A New Product Line
There were no premium tee shirt lines targeting Latino/bilingual children. It appears others are
now entering the game, which is good. The market can bear some healthy competition. My favorite part of the job is by far getting a note from a happy customer, either a grandparent or a parent who is thrilled to find something reflective and honoring of their culture. I love the fact that we touch people at their core.
My least favorite part of the job is that I need to think of Christmas sales in July.
Inspiration & Balance
We are both inspired by our families - my business partner, Oscar Alonso, and I come from funny, sweet, nutty, exhausting Cuban families. They alone, will keep us in design ideas for years to come. We do also spend a lot of time talking with other Latino and even non-Latino friends about their childhood and their children. We definitely pay close attention to trends in T-shirt styles, fabrics and popular color combinations, among other things.
Some days there doesn't seem to be much balance with raising my daughter and running a business. But, I try - try to be mentally present when my daughter is home, to play, have fun and spend real time with her.
I work as early as 5 a.m. while she is sleeping, then when she's off to pre-school and at night after she is in bed. I also couldn't do it without my husband, who is in there giving her baths, feeding her, and hanging out with her when I have to work. As hard as it can be, the bottom line is - I enjoy what I do and that translates to joy in my family life....even if I am wiped out by 8 p.m. some nights
J, thanks for this awesome introduction to your readers. I am grateful and so happy to have met you too! You rock.
Posted by: Carrie_in_TN | January 09, 2008 at 06:03 AM