Push Pack baby!

I was excited to get this picture from a mom who had received the Push Pack as a shower gift!  How fun!  I love it - love seeing new babies too.  

SF Birth & Baby Fair

I made it!  My first Birth and Baby Fair is done.  It was a great experience!  I am now exhausted and looking forward to going to bed, but I figured I'd share a little about the day.

I shared a booth with a good friend, Mary who makes hand made items for children.  She is extremely talented, and like me mom to three kids.   We figured sharing this booth was a great opportunity for us to get some exposure and test the waters so to speak.

Here is our booth.  We had a great location near the entrance.

So many people showed up to see all that was new and available for moms and babies (and even dads!!)  I'll share a few of my favorites over the next few posts.   We had a lot of interest in our things & sales were made!  We also made some time to do a little networking.

Here are my areas for the Push Pack as well as Doughy Fun.  The great thing about having something for an "older" kid here is that so much of this is focused on babies that people were eager for a little something for the big brother or sister.

I learned a lot too.  I now have more ideas for what worked & what didn't as far a packing list, packing in general, display and sales pitch.

Two weeks until the next show The Prego Palooza in Santa Clara October 16th at 11 am.

Until then, you can find the Push Pack & Doughy Fun at my Etsy shop!

Push Pack Reviews

One of the fun things about having Small Batch Studio, my own business, is that the items I sell come from my heart.  My main item right now is the Push Pack.  You can find the story of how it came to be on this blog by clicking here.  It was my first blog entry and this story is on every Push Pack.

Since developing the Push Pack, I've given them as gifts as well as sold them.  I just love the look on a pregnant lady's face when she sees the gift.  The response is always one of excitement, maybe because they are thinking about the day they get to use it too!  I also love when people who get one call & order one (or two) for their friends!!  I recently asked a few women who had received the Push Pack if they could write a review.  Here is what they said:

I was given the Push Pack for my fourth hospital delivery. What a lovely thought! The Push Pack was filled with everything I could have possibly needed while I was on my "hospital getaway." It was wonderful to have several fewer things to pack considering the busyness of a mama with other children. The Push Pack will make a great gift for any mom-to-be!  Laura G.  Mom of 5.

"Well, we have to get this baby out today, tell your husband to pack a bag for you and meet us at the hospital in 30 minutes, said my doctor. Yikes! How is he going to know what I need? How am I going to know what I need? I've never done this before! Bring the push pack and some pajamas, I tell my husband frantically on the phone. (I'll skip the birthing details out of kindness.) in hospital, painful to move after c- section. Look in push pack and lots of goodies inside. Ah gum & snacks comforting. Toiletries that my husband doesn't even know women need to stay sane. Know I'll be clean and acceptable when friends come to visit. And all this new stuff I need, that I had no idea. breast pads came in very handy between baby feedings. Thank you Laura in being so clever on your invention. New moms on the way need this! Lisa V - First time Mom

I was given the Push Pack by a friend at my baby shower and I was so happy to have it during my hospital stay. Everything I needed (including several things I never would have thought of) was included. As a first time mom I really appreciated the experience that went in to the contents of the pack. I would recommend the Push Pack to any first time mom who doesn't know what she will need or want at the hospital or any experienced mom who doesn't want the stress of trying to remember and pack every little thing.  Annie C - First time mom.

Now, is there any question that you need to get a Push Pack for your friend, or for yourself??  

Big things at Small Batch

Fun things are happening at Small Batch Studio.  This is my first real attempt at having a business and there is so much to do and learn.  I love every moment of it.  Over the last week I became licenced!  I also received my business cards, which according to the teacher in the marketing seminar I attended just means that in this day & age I can tell people I have a business and feel legitimate.

I started a facebook page.  I hope to use that to keep people posted on the progress of just my business, no mom stuff there.  It is also a way for friends to tell their friends, and they don't have to read this silly blog.

I had the joy of celebrating with friends & family at a baby shower.   I gave the mommy-to-be (though this is little guy #3) a Push Pack & it was a HIT!!   I immediately passed out four business cards ... so see ladies, it is a GREAT baby shower gift!!  People love it.

I was able to connect with some people who I think will be key in helping my business grow & can't wait to talk to them more.  The blog is getting read by more people than I imagined for only being a few months old, and people seem to enjoy it.  (Have I told you I LOVE comments - I am a Leo after all!)

Needless to say, with all of the above getting done my house is a bit messy.  My husband works long hours (like is gone from 7am - 11pm) so he doesn't really see the mess.  The important thing is having it clean for his days off!!

Vivienne and I also made a giraffe out of chicken wire.  We have an imaginary giraffe that has been on our back porch for two weeks.  It was his birthday the other day too ... but more on that later.

About this Push Pack

Two and a half year ago (August 2007) I gave birth to my first child, Vivienne. There is nothing like getting ready for the birth of your first born. People will offer you so much advise, give you pointers, tell you what to expect. You will read more, go to more classes and search more websites searching for knowledge about what to expect when "that day" arrives. All of this, and yet when "that day" does come it is nothing like what you thought it would be.

One thing I struggled with was packing my hospital labor bag. There are lists out there, long lists. I know people who brought birthing balls, boom boxes, aromatherapy massage oils, as well as the clothes for mom & baby ... packing like they were on their way to a stay at the Four Seasons in Hawaii (complete w/ bathing suit for dad in case he wants to get in the tub w. mom ...)

Now, I am not saying all of this stuff is unnecessary, but I don't know any mom who brings all of this "stuff" with they are having #2. The packing list for the second, third, fourth ... births are much smaller and more practical. The only problem is now that you have a child, when do you have time to pack all of your essentials? Do you want to live out of a travel bag for two weeks? No.

This is why I came up with the idea of the Push Pack / THE hospital bag for laboring women. I interviewed a bunch of moms asking them what they were so glad they had or wished they had while in labor. The push pack includes the items that were mentioned most often.

I made up two samples when I was pregnant with #2. Little did I know she would arrive a week early and I would use my first Push Pack. It was then I decided that I would make these for the benefit of many, and start a business for myself in the process. This blog is my journey ...