This month’s Momtrepreneur is Paige from Punkin Doodle Designs.  Punkin Doodle Designs sells personalized notecards, notepads, along with lots of other fun items.  You have to check out all her wonderful designs on her website: www.punkindoodledesigns.com.  I had the pleasure of interviewing and meeting Paige to learn more about her business, her passion, and how she balances her family life.  I met her beautiful daughters and wonderfully supportive husband.  This family is a true delight.  Job well done, Mom!  Keep up the great work.  Read more about Punkin Doodle Designs wonderful products along with Paige’s advice to moms who want to open their own business but don’t think it’s possible.  Yes, you can, Moms!!!

1) What is the name of your business?

Punkin Doodle Designs (named after my childhood cat) 

2).What services/goods do you sell?  

I sell personalized items such as notecards, notepads, bagtags, enclosure cards, gift stickers and the bestseller is by far the waterproof labels.  I offer exclusive graphics on my products as well as embellishments.

3).How did you end up going into this field of business? 

I have always been interested in paper, fonts, graphics and ribbons as well as working on the computer.  When I was a little girl, I enjoyed designing my own stationery and picking out pretty paper items at the Hallmark store.  As an adult, my interest continued. I began making items for friends and got  wonderful feedback from them.  I thought about starting my own business for several years, but with encouragement from my family and friends, I got serious and finally did it.

4.) How long have you been in business?  Are you just starting out? 

I registered my business name in January of 2005, but did not really start selling items until the Fall of 2006.  I launched my website in January of 2007. It has been a gradual process since 2005.

5.) How many children do you have?

I have 2 girls.

6.)How do you balance your business life with your family life? 

It can be very challenging.  I could not do it without the help of my husband.  He has been my biggest supporter.  Somedays he will take the girls out for the entire day to give me time at home to work on orders.  I have to admit that it has helped tremendously to have my oldest daughter in kindergarten this year and my other daughter attends preschool 3 days a week.  Knowing I have several hours during the week to devote to the business while they are having a fun time at school is comforting to me. 

7.) What makes your business unique? How does it differ from other companies offering the same goods/services?

I pride myself on excellent customer service. I try to go above and beyond to provide personalized service, which has often included home delivery of orders.  If a customer has something in mind that they can’t find, I try my best to design something for them.  It brings me great joy to make my customers happy.

8.)How can people purchase your goods/services? 

My items can be purchased online at www.punkindoodledesigns.com, through e-mail or a phone call or you can find me at several craft shows in the Houston area.

9.) How long did it take you to launch your business?  In other words, how much time elapsed between the time you came up with the business idea to establishing your company?  Did you face challenges?  If so, what were they? 

It took approximately 1 ½ years by the time I registered my business until I sold my first item.  However, the idea had been swimming in my head for years before that.  My first challenge was the uncertainty of the legalities that are involved in starting my own business.  After a lot of research, my first step was getting a tax ID number and a business license.  My second challenge was finding the time to devote to starting the business.  I had my second child in June 2005 and a 2 year old at home, so that explains the year and a half it took to actually get started.  There were a lot of sleepless nights and diapers to be changed during that time and my babies definitely took priority over starting my business.  But as the girls got older, it became easier to spend time on getting the business off the ground.

10.)What advice would you give to other aspiring Momtrepreneurs?

It sounds cliché, but don’t give up!  If I can do it, so can you!  There were many times I wanted to throw in the towel, especially when trying to figure out the legal side of starting a business, but I am so thankful that I didn’t.  I would also give the advice to talk to other people who have started their own businesses.  It helps to hear about others’ experiences and a lot can learned from someone who has gone down the same path you are wanting to travel.  And I will say it one more time, DON’T GIVE UP!