Kelly Pierson-Whole Lotta Sugar

Kelly's Story

     Tell us the story of your journey. Include details about what inspired you to go into business, was this a lifelong dream or a newer desire. Share as many details as you are comfortable sharing.

      I never thought I would end up with a cake business. I have always enjoyed cooking and baking and sharing it with others. However who knew it would lead to this!

       I started making cakes when I moved to the Weddington area 8 years ago out of necessity more than anything else. There is a certain type of cake that I enjoy, a moist cake with a creamy butter cream frosting. You think that wouldn’t be hard to find but it was. Before I had children, my professional background was in the creative field of advertising. I knew I could come up with  ideas for cakes I just needed the practical skills on how to do it. So I took some cake classes and went from there. So I have to say this path was not intended, but now, besides being with my family it is one of the only things I want to do. I so enjoy it!

      Did you go into business before or after you had children? How do/did your children affect your decision to go into business.

     I started the business making cakes for my children. From there 

     friends asked me to make their cakes. Then people at their   

    parties  started asking me to make their cakes. It just snowballed    

    from there.  Having a creative side I was looking for something I   

     could do that would not interfere with the needs of my family. 

     Creating cakes gave me the ability to work around their schedules.

      Share your trials and triumphs. We want to hear about your highs and lows. Did you have any low points or worries as well as high points and huge shining moments?

      I have learned a lot on this sugar sprinkled journey! Although I didn’t want my cake creating to cause friction with my family it eventually did. I am such a perfectionist, so when I was working on an idea or actually in the act of creating, I often times would not be in the best mood. I always want my product to be the best it can be. So I am hard on myself, and I would in turn be hard on my family at that time. I have learned to let that go. It is a lot easier now for me to leave the cake at the work table. I also stopped doing big cakes. I now focus on my cake balls, which I call itty bittys, and whoopie pies. Those all my true calling. Themed cakes were fun but I could only do one a day because they were so labor intensive. Now I don’t have to turn away as many customers. With my “itty bitty” cake balls and whoopie pies, I can make multiple customers happy a day!

       I have learned that, for now, while my children are young I want my continued focus to be on them. I want to help them become the wonderful people they are blossoming to be and to be positive contributors to the community around them. So although I come up with new cake ball and whoopie pie flavors ideas all the time I need to keep it in check. My goal is to have a healthy life/work balance. I want to enjoy all aspect of my life. So I remind myself everyday to slow down, don’t drive myself crazy and enjoy the present! That can be hard to do!

      My highest highs are always when I get feedback from customers about how much they enjoyed my product. Nothing means more. I am lucky that I get to create edible art for occasions of celebrations. To add to that happiness is my ultimate goal. And there is no better compliment than when someone becomes a repeat customer.

      I had the opportunity to highlight my itty bittys on Charlotte Today earlier this year which was very exciting!

      Do you have any encouraging words to share with mom entrepreneurs that may help

to keep their spirits up on a trying day. Not necessarily trade secrets that pertain to business but more directed toward encouraging another mom not to give up and/or to keep following a dream.

What I can share is this - don’t push yourself to hard. Remember that you are doing this because you love it and you want to share your talents with others. Some days are crazy with heavy workloads or insane time crunches. But if you don’t have the support from your family it is not worth it. So try to keep a good balance. For me, some days are better than others, but everyday my goal is to be the best I can be for my family but most of all for me. Because if I am not able to express my true self than I cannot be good for anyone!

 Kelly's site is www.wholelottasugar.com

 

Romy Taormina-Psi Bands

Romy's Story

Tell us the story of your journey. Include details about what inspired you to go into business, was this a life long dream or a newer desire. Share as many details as you are comfortable sharing.

I always knew I wanted to run my own business, but had no idea that months of debilitating nausea would lead me there! My product is Psi Bands (www.psibands.com), stylish acupressure wrist bands for the relief of nausea due to morning sickness, motion sickness/travel, chemotherapy, and anesthesia.  I discovered the positive effects of using wrist acupressure to alleviate my nausea after experiencing numerous months of terrible morning sickness during my pregnancies. Dissatisfied with existing products on the market, I decided to quit my day job as a grant writer, and create Psi Bands, an FDA-cleared product that is both fashionable and functional for others who suffer from nausea.  Without any experience in product design, medical devices, acupressure, getting a product in front of large retailers and landing a deal, or learning a new language – the lingo spoke by the large retailers (i.e. “slotting”, “TPRs”, “MDF”, “planograms”, “clip strips”). The resulting Psi Bands come in five fun designs, and are uniquely adjustable at two areas, around the wrist like a watch and at the acupressure point for personalized comfort. They are also waterproof (no more soggy wrist bands), reusable and affordable. With Psi Bands, those who suffer from the VERY common, yet debilitating condition of nausea can feel better – in style and comfort!

Did you go into business before or after you had children? How do/did your children affect your decision to go into business.

Of course, without having been pregnant (and suffering with morning sickness) I never would have conceived of Psi Bands. So, I certainly have my kids to thank for the idea! I strongly believe in using my business to teach my kids (now ages 11 and 9) life lessons. Our children intuitively understand many things for which we often do not give them credit. Involve your children in the business wherever possible. Share with them why you are doing what you do. They learn determination and hard work through our example.

Share your trials and triumphs. We want to hear about your highs and lows. Did you have any low points or worries as well as high points and huge shining moments?

We did not know that Psi Bands were considered a medical device and had to have FDA clearance. When we found out, we pulled product from shelves and later re-launched. This was a huge obstacle, but we overcame through determination and hard work. Psi Bands make a measureable and positive difference in the lives of those who suffer from nausea so we kept focused on getting our product to the masses.

Probably the characteristic I have that is most essential to success is determination and not taking “no” for an answer. “No” may mean “no” right now, but it doesn't mean “no” forever. For example, when I first approached a major retailer, I was told that until we had our FDA-clearance that he would not even speak with me. The day after we received our clearance, I was on the phone telling this buyer that he promised to speak with me once we had our clearance. He was all ears, and we eventually landed that account.

Do you have any encouraging words to share with mom entrepreneurs that may help to keep their spirits up on a trying day. Not necessarily trade secrets that pertain to business but more directed toward encouraging another mom not to give up and/or to keep following a dream.

Believe in yourself. (If I could add one more, it would be: There will be bumps. Savor the Journey.) I would strongly recommend joining other female entrepreneur support groups such as Savor the Success or Make Mine a Million $ Business. The women in these groups are dynamic, experienced, creative, and believe in the motto: “give, give, get”. There is sharing of information, both professionally and personally. I feel so fortunate to be able to provide and receive feedback from these talented groups.

Romy's site is www.psibands.com

Dylan Glanzer-Parties By Dylan

Dylan's Story
I had always wanted to be on stage singing and acting since I was a little girl. Nothing could have swayed me from this dream. But after majoring in Theatre in undergrad and spending about 5 years in the NYC doing LOTS of auditions, some acting work, and waiting tables, I audtioned for a children's play program that changed the course of my life! Once I decided that the "Big Break" wasn't coming (well, fast enough!) I opted for marriage and was hoping one day to have children. Fast forward a few years and I was lucky enough to have my first child at the same time that I got my teaching degree. Wanting very much to stay at home with my son, I didn't want to go for that full time teaching job. Time to get creative! What was I good at? Hmmm. Singing, Performing, and Teaching! I put that all together and started calling preschools to see if they needed a music teacher. Doing children's parties just came right out of that! So now another fast forward, and I have been running my own children's party business and teaching my own music program at a variety of preschools for almost 20 years. I love my job, and thanks to my business coach and to Savor, I am expanding it. I now have 2 employees doing parties in my company! This is so exciting and fun. I have 2 children now 11 years old and 14 years old. I am proud to have created not just a job for myself, but a home based business that allows me so spend my energy singing and performing for my favorite audience, children under 6 AND I still have plenty of time to enjoy being a mom!!

Dylan's site is  www.partiesbydylan.com



Melody Stevens-Time Millionaire

Melody's story

I became owner of a music academy in 1997, before I had my daughter. I worked feverishly and was doing almost everything myself- the voice and piano teaching, admin, book keeping, dealing with customer service, marketing, advertising, etc. I was exhausted and was making peanuts for money. This went on for 4 years and then it struck me.

I was 33 years old and I wanted to have a baby.

It was that desire that inspired me to start to develop my time wealth. As it was, there was no way I was going to find the time to actually birth a child, let alone allow my body to heal for a few weeks.

And there was no way I was giving up on my business.

Long story short, I hired a business coach, read Michael Gerber's "The E Myth," hired an office manager and a book keeper. 6 months later, I was earning a steady, respectable salary and then got pregnant.

9 months later I had my daughter Sarah (now 9 years old) and I took a 2 month maternity leave from my business while it not only ran without me, but we expanded into a satalite location. I did nothing but breast feed my daughter and allow my body to heal; oh, and I tried to re-negotiate one of my leases because I got a little bored on my maternity leave (LOL).....but that's a whole other story.

I collected disability while on maternity leave, and upon my return, my salary was there for me and my business was up in enrollment.

My daughter remains my main inspiration.

Melody's site is www.Timemillionaireonline.com