Tot Tote

I may make the Naturally: Diaper Disaster Kit for little ones but no counterpart for toddlers. And age I really should have something for. This is a time when mommies are more willing to leave the diaper bag behind but still want to keep necessities handy. I wasn't looking in that direction, even when I came up the go-go kit. The go-go kit is just a shrunken version for your purse- a mini diaper bag if you will.
Recently, a friend and reoccurring customers asked me to customize a Naturally kit for her car. Her child is turning 3. No problem!


The tot tote includes an organic toddler tshirt, eco pull on diapers, eco wipes, biodegradable disposable toddler toilet seat covers, biodegradable diaper disposal bags, Boogie Wipes, Clean Well alcohol free hand sanitizer spray, biodegradable coloring placemats, 2 crayons, spf 30 sunscreen, lotion, latex-free bandages and alcohol wipes (for cleaning wounds). This kit has it all.

As usual I am always working on the packaging. But, for now this is where we are. The best part of the Naturally: Tot Tote is the price. $32.95 Better price point, better age range, and I think a great gift for families with a toddler and baby, or preschooler and toddler.

Eco commentary

Who decides what your level of your eco activism is in your home and community? There is always going to be someone who is more green, more vigilant, more vocal. That is great- they lead the movement and help teach us new and exciting ways to slowly and permanently incorporate changes into our lives. They are the people that recycle and rehab old objects into useful new pieces. Thank you Ed Bagely Jr. and Larry Hagman for sharing with us, along with countless others.
That said, the person/people who determine your level of eco participation is you and yours. Making grandiose changes with principles that are new to you will doubtfully make an everlasting impression on your home. Making small changes create a large impact. Being eco friendly is not "Keeping up with the Jones'" but we all need to do something.
What our house does?
My home has some negatives that keep us from being as eco-friendly as I want. Namely, it's a rental. But, that being said we do have some perks. Here in the Bay Area we have a recycling program in place so my busy boys are growing up with the concept. The first memories of recycling in my community come from the 4th grade. It's been awhile-and again something we are lucky to have. Additionally, we compost- due to a community program we learned how to compost and have the area to do so in our side yard. My husband loves to garden so we plant one every spring. This is something I am proud to share with our children- even though I prefer to pick the veggies and nothing else-it is a family piece of our household.
Then the other changes- solar powered security light, replacing bulbs with CFL's, trying to replace batteries with rechargeable ones, turning off lights and televisions when not in use, unplugging the toaster and coffeemaker when not in use, reusing items (including fabrics that would have been thrown away for my business products), using cleaning products that are natural, buying items that have reduced packaging, buying eco friendly products, using cold water for our most of our washing, using an HE washer with He eco detergent, buying as much local and organic foods as we can afford. There is more but you get the drift, in our case our household can handle this, I enjoy this. To other people we are doing too much or too little. But, for us we know we are making changes 1 at a time that over time just evolve into our lifestyle. Then we make another adjustment. We live in comfort with our 'greenness' Small changes, plus more small changes will make a difference, and it will teach our children. Don't let others tell you your level of eco- you decide it- you live with it. The point is to have some sort of positive eco output in your home/ life. Make a plan.
Up next in our plan is getting a rain/ gray water barrel to help reduce the water output for our garden. (It takes our house a long time for the water to warm up for showers and baths- that would go in the barrel too!)
What's in your plan? I would love to know what your household does to be 'green' or what is next in your plan. It is definitely a new time of change, one in which we all need to participate at some level. 1 small change makes a big difference. 1 small change, 1 big difference in the world and a good feeling in spirit/soul/responsibility wherever you feel it. Be proud!

One step closer

Today I approved a proof of my sell sheet for our new Disaster Kit. So excited!!! Thank goodness for graphic designers- the sell sheet went from amateur to perfect in minutes! Now, I just need to get sales made.
Yes, I did end up getting eco printing with eco paper and added some technology to the piece with a QR.

New products

I think the most exciting thing about having my own business is creating new items for my store. I love it! So far I am still in the process of learning to use a camera that I am borrowing to shoot my new creations, and manipulating it with photo software Picnik and storing/sharing it on flickr. I think I am starting to have fun with this!

Trying to stay green

My big green push this year was to get Christmas cards that were made from recycled material or other more natural or eco conscious materials. I found a few, but noticed they were not made in the US. Then I got on a kick about finding US made. I did find one site that makes eco cards- in this case they all have photos on them. I already had photos (wallet size) to send out so I didn't want to go that route. However, they were willing to design something for me with what ever concept I had in mind...problem is I didn't have a Christmas card concept in my mind.
I went on for what seemed like forever, until I stumbled upon a Hallmark card that was made in the US. It was made with sustainable trees- I was sold! They had so many choices too!
I want to give a big thumbs up to Hallmark and there eco and US promotion. It's tough to find. And to Nesting Shoppe for their beautiful cards and helpful owner. I can't wait until we do business together!

Just the outside

2010 is around the corner and LBBP will need to continue its growth.
Goals for the new year-
1: Get my first and main gift item set to market in the big leagues.
2: Add the next age group to toys, clothing and accessories
3: Vamp what I have going- switch to a green web host, get a better looking shopping cart that allows me more freedom with sale/discount issues.

Objectives: Create/Maintain an Eco-baby business that allows me to create and be available for my own children.
Stay true to the green factor and try to stay with companies who manufacture their products in the USA, and keep LBBP made products here in the USA 100% of the time.
Allow the growth and potential to occur and be steadfast to pursue it.

It isn't the new year but already I feel a push to figure this out quick. Small things come about and can throw me off in a second. I need to be prepared, I will over think, over write, over talk this issue and go around in circles until everyone is more tired of hearing about my ideas than they are now. I will be losing sleep in the new year until these items are set in stone, the store continues to climb month over month proving to myself and my investor (my husband) that this is worth the time and money and we can begin to breath again. I don't want the little pieces: sales pitches, boutique shows, buying, creating, sewing to set me off track-they are the support I need to get my objectives fulfilled.

So far, my plan includes : The list above.
I have found 1 packaging option. the best so far and I have been dealing with that off and on for 9 months. The store has been up and running for 7months. But, This is just the beginning.

My deadline: March for a mock up, I need to be ready for the EXPO in October but to get in they need to see my product is serious and looks the part. Eco, helpful and is buyer friendly. March is around the corner. I've only got a lead on the packaging- just the outside that is it! I'm getting hives thinking about the list I need to write of the things I need to get done for my first goal.

Ta-da! Day 1 with Lizzy

This blog, I've decided, is going to be a place where I can vent and just be informative about what is going on in my world.

Me-Lizzy: 30 year old
Mother of 2- E. 3.75 years old, J. 18months
Married to 1, Stressed out man who is attached to his technology
I am a former elementary school teacher
Currently, I am beginning a home business-creating eco baby pieces and
finding other like minded vendors
And always trying to find a balance in being a mother, wife, entrepreneur and self.
My business: Web store went live in May 2009
Eco-friendly, always looking for made in the USA companies
Trying to make it work in the Silicon Valley in the worst economy we could
have imagined.
Trying to stay afloat on 1 income and 1 start up leaching from it.
Loving it!
Sewing, phone calls, shipments, advertising all with little ones running, crying, screaming, playing, jumping, talking, hopping, destroying,coloring, building, reading, climbing- all around, with, pleading, starring and hugging me.

I hope you stay posted and help me figure this life out and coach me in being successful and hopefully I can let you in on a thing or two about the trials and tribulations of starting a business as a busy mom and committed wife in the wild world of the Silicon Valley.