When Courtney Lupe shopped for blankets and other linens for her son’s nursery, she didn’t like what she found. “It was all bears and baskets,” says Lupe, 30, the mother of Atticus, 2, and Boden, 4 months.
So Lupe selected fabric she liked – supersized polka dots, swirling paisleys and daisies, 1960s motif prints – and created her own nursery décor. The number of compliments she received persuaded her to start her own business, and Bella Sera Baby was born.
“I knew what I needed as a mother, whether it was having the right burp cloth or blanket, and I knew there would be a desire for it from other mothers,” says Lupe, whose designs are sold in about 25 stores and on her website.
Lupe has a lot of company in the children’s and maternity clothing worlds, where mom-trepreneurs are creating diaper bags and graphic tees, denim overalls and dresses. Women start their own collections not only because they see a need for products, but because they want a job that they can combine with parenting.
While many of these moms might be taking some time off for Mother’s Day, they’ll be back on the phone or sewing machine tomorrow.
They’ve chosen to run their own businesses – often with a supportive partner or spouse – because they can work at home, set their own hours and decide how big or small they want their companies to be. Many have been in the traditional work force and now think they’ve found the best of all worlds.
The Denver area has seen “tremendous growth in women-owned businesses,” last year ranking ninth in the nation for new businesses that are 50 percent or more owned by women, says Sharon Hadary, executive director of the Center for Women’s Business Research in Washington, D.C.
The entrepreneurial spirit is often the motivation for women to open their own companies, Hadary says. “They have identified a product niche that they’re interested in that isn’t in the market.”
In addition, the opportunities for economic independence and to control their work lives are major reasons women start a business, she says.
Juggling a business and family is “all about balance,” Lupe says. “My kids are my number one priority. I don’t want a huge business.”
She works while the children nap, or stays up at night to get things done, working in her basement office.
“The key is organization,” says Michelle Herbert, a mother of two and an owner of Amy Michelle, which manufactures baby bags. “I want it all and want it done in a certain way. I believe in having everything on a schedule.”
Laura Amidon is another mom-treprenuer. She and partner Jodi Sokup started Cozmotots a year and a half ago. They embroider clever sayings and zodiac signs on one-piece suits that sell in baby and gift stores. Amidon, 36, had a line of children’s clothing, Young Mi, but grew tired of doing everything from pattern making to marketing the line.
“I wanted to work at home,” she says, adding that having a partner to share things with helps keep the business manageable.
Their onesies appeal to hipster parents and sport such cheeky phrases as Olive You, Recovering Colic, Whine Connoisseur and Got Boob? (the collection’s best seller).
“You have to face parenthood with a sense of humor,” Amidon says.
Retailers love them. “I’ll hang a couple of the onesies in my window, and people will stop, laugh and come in and buy them,” says Brad Young, owner of Ricochet, which has stores at 1011 S. Gaylord St. and at 7166 W. Alaska Ave. in Lakewood’s Belmar shopping district.
“I first met the Cozmotot ladies at the Ballpark Market where we both had booths and I thought their stuff was really cute,” Young says. “And it’s better quality than similar lines in the market because they embroider rather than silkscreen their messages.”
He also carries items from several other local mom-owned companies. The appeal, Young says, is the items are different and typically produced in limited quantities. “You’re not going to show up at a shower with the same thing that everyone else has from Target.”
Linde Schlumbohm, a children’s wear designer and retailer, says motherhood seems to trigger the creative impulse.
“I don’t know what happens to women when they have a baby, but it’s empowering for them,” says Schlumbohm, 45. “All of sudden they’re raising small children and starting a business.”
She’s an example of it, too. After years of designing for such companies as Roper and Ocean Pacific, she started her children’s clothing line when she couldn’t find styles she wanted to buy for her son, now 6.
Schlumbohm carries lines by a number of local moms in her two Studio Bini stores. “I always tell them that I’ll try it, but I don’t guarantee that it will work.
“I’ve given a lot of people a lot of advice. It’s a tough business and can be gut-wrenching,” she says. “I know. I have messed up and done a lousy job at times. I’ve needed breaks, too, so I’ll usually try to help.”
Speaking for herself and other moms, she says, “We create our own jobs because we can be in control, but it can be more work and commitment than just going to a job. I love designing children’s clothes, but I still haven’t paid myself.”
Local moms mix babies and business
Bella Sera Baby
Owned by Courtney Lupe, makes bibs, blankets, burp cloths, car seat covers and other accessories in colorful contemporary printed cottons and super soft chenilles.
Sold at: Ricochet, Studio Bini, Red Carpet Baby and her own store, at 481 S. Pearl St. (open only Fridays and Saturdays, 12-5 p.m.)
Information: 303-722-3334; bellaserababy.com
Amy Michelle
Owned by Amy Wright and Michelle Herbert, makes diaper bags and other accessories for mothers.
Sold at: Snuggle Bugs, Parker; Becoming Mothers, Boulder;
Information: 303-279-0690; amymichellebags.com
Bloom Maternity
Owned by Gabrielle Canino and Samantha Short, creates maternity T-shirts printed with graphics.
Sold at: Becoming Mothers, Boulder
Information: 720-838-4419; bloom-maternity.com
Cozmotot
Started by Laura Amidon and Jodi Sokup, sells onesies embroidered with humorous sayings, zodiac signs and other graphics, for sizes 0-18 months.
Sold at: Ricochet and online.
Information: 303-722-4340, cozmotot.com.
Grow
Owned by Verity Freebern, sells cotton children’s clothes, bedding and accessories. Through a new license, she’s selling products made by Grow For Basic Comfort on Target.com.
Sold at: Ricochet and online.
Information: 800-630-3910; growgrowgrow.com.
Shoofly Design, Inc.
Owned by Lisa Schulist, makes hand-painted and embellished baby shoes in size 1-7 for infants and toddlers.
Sold at: Online.
Information: 303-775-2555; shooflyshoes.com.
