Every mom of little girls–and little guys– should jump and down for joy! Now there’s an awesome local company, Playpants, where you can order bloomers for your little ones in great fabrics like organic cotton and recycled hemp. Hot, hot, hot!

I love these things! My gals played rough and tumble, and with bloomers under their dresses, I would have had no worries!

There are three of you. Who are you?
We’re Rachel Boguski, Anna Day and Zoe Flower – three mothers,
longtime friends and, now, entrepreneurs. We are also fans of
soft-rock ballads and theme parties.

How did you come to start Playpants?
We each have daughters and as friends and mothers, we share a lot of
information. Where is a good playground for a one-year-old? What kind
of baby shampoo do you use? Can I buy pack of baby bloomers? And when
the answer to the latter was no, we knew we were onto something. We
all dressed our daughters in bloomers, and we all had the same
problems with inconsistent sizing, quality and design – yet they were
wardrobe essentials. As quickly as we could finish our playdate we had
conceived a line of affordable modern baby bloomers for girls and boys
(we have sons too!) to fit infants and toddlers.

Tell us about the company’s name.
We can’t lie about this one. Rachel’s husband came up with it. He’d
make a good dadpreneur. Is that a word? If not, we came up with it.

When did you get the business up and running?
Within a few days after the idea was born, we worked hard to create
our business plan, learn about manufacturing, find suppliers and
develop our product. The concept was born in September 2009 and we
launched our product in April 2010.

What is the response?
We hear a lot of the word cute! We were fortunate to have a lot of
support from friends, family and media to help spread the word about
Playpants very early on, so we have surprised ourselves with how much
we’ve achieved in such a short time. What makes us happiest is seeing
babies and toddlers wearing our bloomers and the feedback we’ve
received from mothers – as it turns out, we weren’t the only ones
wondering where to buy bloomers!

Where do you sell your bloomers?
Playpants are available at 14 retailers (and counting!) in BC,
Alberta, Quebec and online.

Things you’d like the public to know about Playpants…
Playpants came to be because we were tired of looking at our
children’s diapers and we wanted to bring the bloomer back! There are
so many ways to wear Playpants year round – over tights, under a
dress, on their own – and they make great cloth and swim diaper
covers. What we love is seeing the way they’re being worn in photos we
receive from moms (keep them coming!).

How many children do you have between you, and what ages?
Zoe’s has the oldest and the youngest in daughters V (3.5) and
H (3 months). Anna has a daughter C (3.5) and son D
who just turned 2. Rachel has a son G (also 3.5!) and a daughter
T (1). All have certainly been great models for us, and we’re
looking forward to our toddler line so we can get our older girls back
into them!

How do you find wrangling parenting and small business ownership?
We are mothers first, business owners second. It can be challenging at
times, like when you have no choice but to bring your child (or
children) to meetings or when you’re on the phone with a screaming
child within earshot – but it can be done. Most importantly, we know
we’re not alone – in fact we wouldn’t be where we are today if we
were.

Do you have any tips for other new moms thinking of beginning small businesses?
Don’t just think about it, do it! Take advantage of your friends and
family who are there to support you. And know it’s not going to be
easy, but it will be the most important job you have (well, second
most important).

Where do you see the business going over the next five years?
We’re going to continue to grow our brand awareness and build our
retail base. We’re excited to be expanding our distribution to the US
in January 2011 – a big step for us! We like to keep things fresh, so
we will be introducing new styles for spring as well as toddler sizing
to fit up to age 6.

Say hi to Ewa of Mamique Designs Ltd.. In photographer circles, she’s famous! We pretty well all gobble up her uber tasteful and lovely knitted prop designs for photographing newborns. We are lucky to have Ewa right here with us in Vancouver, though she sells wide and far to photographers…and really, don’t we deserve her to warm our hearts during yet another chilly Juneuary?

Just a side note: Usually our City Mom column runs on the first of the month, but we delayed it because Mamique Designs has been closed for vacation and didn’t reopen until today.

Our June fundraising drive is for the Children’s Wish Foundation. The Children’s Wish Foundation brings dreams to life for children with life-threatening illnesses. We are pleased to offer them $1 for every comment received on this blog during the month of June, 2010. So come one, come all! Help an ill child realize their dream. Send your friends and family to this blog to leave a comment. It’s such a little thing, but it can make such a big difference to an organization. We are happy to send them a cheque for up to $200 at the end of the month, depending on how many comments you leave, so please be generous and help them out. You must leave your email to leave a comment, but we don’t collect them and they don’t appear on the blog. You can subscribe to the blog, above, or send us an email to be placed on our (very) occasional newsletter list.

I understand Mamique Designs is celebrating an important anniversary!  Which one, and how does it feel?

It’s hard to believe, but it’s been 2 years already! I’m still a bit overwhelmed by the demand, though I couldn’t be more thrilled.

Tell us about how Mamique became an idea and then a company.

Like many things in life, it all just happened.  It may sound silly, but it really feels like Mamique found ME rather than the other way around.  I’ve been a knitter for over 25 years.  Over the years I was told many times I should sell the items I make, but I never considered it to be a viable business opportunity until I stumbled across the photography prop market.  The positive response from my fans only fueled my desire to create unique pieces and seek out hard to find yarns.  The business grew through incredible word of mouth.  My products were purchased by several BIG names in the newborn photography world and after a few short months it grew to the point where I was able to make it my full-time job.  Sometimes I wonder why I got my engineering degree, lol, but I love what I do and that’s the best thing in the world!

Did you have your little girls, or your company, first?  Tell us about the former.

My girls were first

It would have to be client feedback and seeing the stunning images many of my customers create. I really do have the most amazing fans and clients.  Very often their words of appreciation and thanks bring tears of joy to my eyes.  It may sound cliche, but I truly do it for them.  I will continue doing what I do for as long as people want me to.  I can always go back to engineering if the demand goes away

What is the most frustrating thing about running Mamique Designs?

The never ending amount of work and my inability to say no.  I wish it was just knitting, but like with any business, I spend half my time (if not more) on running the business.  I would have to say not having enough hours in the day is the most frustrating aspect of my business.

I know you are really popular with photographers (I use and love your goods in my newborn sessions), but do you also sell to moms?

Yes! Although most of them purchase the items for their upcoming photo sessions.  Typically when a parent contacts me and they tell me it is for their baby (and not specifically for a session), I will make the items slightly larger so that they can enjoy them for a bit longer

Are you solely online?  Any plans for retail?

I am solely online at this point.  I’ve had several retailers contact me about carrying my products, but at this point, I am a one woman show and I wouldn’t be able to add more to my already overflowing plate.  I am toying with the idea of expanding and possibly hiring some staff, but at this point, I’m not quite ready for it yet.

Are you always knitting?  

No.  In fact, I do a lot less knitting than I’d like.  Most of my time is spent on other business activities, like marketing, client relations, yarn sourcing, promotion, accounting, etc.  I hope to take some time this summer to optimize the way my time is spent so that I can devote more time to knitting, but more importantly, to my family! 

Do your kids sometimes resent all your knitting or are they pretty copacetic?

I don’t think they mind my knitting so much, rather the amount of time I spend on the computer.  Like I said, they LOVE their childcare provider and they get to see me lots during the day (bonus of working from home!), so they seem to deal with it quite well. 

Where do you see your company going in the future?

 A lot will depend whether I take the plunge and hire staff.  There are many opportunities that are there for the taking, but I wouldn’t want to try them without a good plan in place and coming up with that plan will take some time (something I have very little of at this point, lol)

Do you have any advice for other new business women?

Take time for yourself (btw, it is easier said than done).  Finding a good balance when you’re growing a business is very tough. Many entrepreneurs I’ve spoken with share the same feelings.  It is really easy to get burned out in the first couple of years. 

Value yourself.  One big mistake people new to a business (any business) make is undervaluing their worth.  They give away too much for too little and end up feeling taken advantage off.  I was lucky to have had mentors give me that advice very early on so that it wasn’t a problem for me, but I see many newcomers making that mistake and then disappearing after a few short months.

Remember your time away from your family is worth a lot.  You should charge a premium for it, rather than work for less than minimum wage

Offer your clients amazing customer service and they will do most of the marketing for you!  The best thing I ever did with regards to my business is treat my clients well.  Answer their questions promptly.  Show them that they’re valued.  In addition to having an outstanding product, you really need to give your clients the attention they deserve.  As long as you’re genuine in what you do, they will sing your praises to all of their friends.  

And most of all, don’t be afraid to make mistakes.  If your gut is telling you to go for it (whatever “it” may be) and it doesn’t work out like you expected, learn from it and try something new.  As long as you’re impassioned about what you do, you’ll find a way to make it work.

Here is an image of a little peanut I photographed wearing one of Ewa’s peanuts:

Please say hello to Felicia Lee who runs the local chapter of Enterprising Moms Network.

These days, with more and more start-ups in the small biz world, organizations like EMN can really take the pinch out of the lonely, in-the-wind feeling we business owners/moms can sometimes experience. This is networking at its most helpful and finest.

The Jane Photo May charity is Parent Support BC. This is a great and longterm local organization where parents can turn for help in managing raising kids. How you can help them: Send your friends and family to the blog to leave a comment, and each comment during May will earn Parent Support BC $1. It’s such a little thing, but it can make such a big difference to a small organization. We are happy to send them a cheque for up to $200 at the end of the month, depending on how many comments you leave, so please be generous and help them out. You must leave your email to leave a comment, but we don’t collect them and they don’t appear on the blog.

Felicia Lee
EMN Vancouver Chapter Director
604.602.1909
vancouver@enterprisingmomsnetwork.com
www.enterprisingmomsnetwork.com/vancouver
twitter: @vanEMN

Here are some words from Felicia:

When did Enterprising Moms Network begin?  

Enterprising Moms Network was launched in October of 2007 with the mission of empowering moms with the skills and resources that will enable them to be successful, strong women for themselves, and for their children.
 
When did the local chapter begin?  

The Vancouver chapter launched in August 2009, and we have since grown to almost 40 members. 
 
Tell us about what moms can expect to experience if they join.

As a mom entrepreneur, you face many different hurdles and challenges than other entrepreneurs.  EMN offers you a place to come to remind you that you aren’t alone and that it is possible to be a good mom and a good business woman as well.  We combines topics that are relevant to YOU – from business topics such as marketing, budgeting, loan assistance to health concerns, raising children, and relationships.  In addition, we invite dynamic speakers who are leading experts and successful mom entrepreneurs to share their experiences and knowledge with you.  EMN has it all – including invaluable networking opportunities, extensive resources and an online forum for you to access throughout the month.
There is no risk to check out EMN – first time guests attend for free!
 
What would you like area mompreneurs to know about your business?  

The thing I love most about EMN is seeing how members have come to know each other and are supporting each others in the past year.  We are not about handing out business cards and forced referrals.  Business opportunities and collaborations happen regularly, but it happens organically.  Through our small group discussions, members have a chance to really get to know each other on a much deeper level than your other typical networking meetings.

In addition to running Enterprising Moms Network, I also run a Business Coaching Practice (www.candeo.ca) working with entrepreneurs on systematizing their sales, marketing, and business development such that business growth isn’t left to chance.  I absolutely love the many mom entrepreneurs that I get to meet on a regular basis, and playing a part in enabling their success! 
 

Tell us if you will about your family/kids.

My husband Sean and I have two amazing daughters, Allison and Lauren, and they are 3 and 1 year-old respectively.  We also have a dog, Scruffy, a Jack Russell Terrier who is 10 years old.  My parents are retired and live with us, so it’s a very busy household!
 

What is the best thing about being a mom and running a busy business?

Being able to set your own hours, and having the flexibility to decide when and where I work.  For example – I don’t work on Friday mornings, and I take Allison to art and dance classes, then we play in a park before having lunch together.  I love our Mommy-and-me Fridays! 

 

What is the most challenging thing?

It’s probably no surprise – time!  I struggle with trying to do too much.  What I’m working on this year is giving myself permission to enjoy the process of being a mother and being a business owner.  I’m learning not to rush so much through each day.  Now I force myself to schedule “me” days – days where I don’t book meetings, and where I just spend time doing something that I like – it could be going for a pedicure, or spending time reading a book not related to business, or having a nice lunch with a friend.
 

Any advice for mom businesswomen as they launch businesses or go forward with them?

You are not an island!  There are many resources and communities available for mompreneurs.  Seek out other successful mompreneurs and learn from them.  Find a mentor, a peer group, or a group of like-minded people to support you in your entrepreneurial journey.  Many of your challenges have been solved before, so there is no need to make mistakes that you can avoid through talking and learning from others.

Btw, we at Jane Photo have noticed the date, and noticed that no one pranked us today.  But here’s our news, and it’s no fool’s joke.  Our April charity drive is to the help the group Girls Rock Camp.  This is a nifty organization on the Drive which provides rock n’ roll (particularly percussion) camp for girls!  How cool is that?  So please help us help them.  Every comment you leave during April on this blog is worth $1 to them up to a total of $200.  So get talking, eh?

Sofiabella.  So pretty.  How did you come up with the concept and the name for your business?

When I was a young girl, I used to fantasize that I was Italian!  I’m actually Chinese and Spanish but for some reason I always wished that my name was Maria and that I lived in a white stucco home with a red roof, a water fountain in the front yard and majestic lions guarding the entrance.  Strange, I know.  I travelled to Italy in my 20′s and was overwhelmed by a profound sense that it was home.  I love Italian culture, the food, the music the language.  Sofiabella is Italian for “beautiful Sofia”.  Sofia is of course, my daughter who is the inspiration for the company.  I started my business after becoming increasingly frustrated with the lack of fashionable yet age appropriate clothing options for her.  Sofiabella.ca offers clothing that is coveted by girls AND approved by mom.

How long have you been in business?

I had been toying with the idea off and on for a few years but began to seriously pursue it in the Spring of 2009.  I launched the website just a few months later in September.

Is Sofiabella a web-based biz?

Yes, Sofiabella.ca is strictly online at the moment, although I do entertain thoughts of a traditional brick and mortar store.  I love people and thrive on interaction with the public.  It’s not always easy connecting and creating relationships with my customers online.  So online for now but never say never…

Where do you source your clothing?  What range of clothing do you sell?

I have travelled to Las Vegas, Los Angeles and New York in search of quality, trendy apparel and have also found a few lines right here in Vancouver.  I look for pieces that are well-made, stylish and affordable in sizes 7-16.  The clothing has to appeal to young girls yet still be age appropriate.

What is the most satisfying part of having your business?

The most satisfying part of having my business is receiving emails from moms and dads thanking me for what I’m doing.  I want to inspire young girls to dream of possibility and to believe in themselves.  The message that they are receiving from television, movies, music etc. seems to be that beauty and overt sexuality are more important than talent, ability or substance.  Sofiabella.ca is about empowering young girls to go beyond the limiting messages of pop culture and to realize their unlimited potential.

Tell us about your children.

I have been a stay at home mom for the past 14 years to my kids Josh, Sofia and Ben, affectionately known as the 3 ring circus.  Being a mom has been the hardest and most rewarding experience.  My wish for my kids is that they are able to make a living doing what makes them happy, that they surround themselves by people who love them and that they are always giving.  I believe that true happiness comes from giving to others.

What do you want your customers to know about Sofiabella?

I proudly carry lines from companies that are socially responsible such as Me to We, Signorelli and Sustainable Kids.  A portion of the profits from the sale of both Me to We and Signorelli Tees goes to charity.  Sustainable kids provides postage-paid boxes with each purchase.  When you receive your item, you are then encouraged to donate a piece of your own clothing to those who are less fortunate.  It’s never too early to introduce philanthropy to children.  If you can purchase a great piece of clothing and help someone out at the same time, that’s awesome.

Have you always had an interest in fashion?

I have always loved clothes.  I can still remember what I wore on my very first day of kindergarten!  I am not ashamed to admit that my heart starts beating a little faster the closer I get to Nordstrom-my favourite store!  I have to say though, that I’m certainly not a slave to fashion.  I’m not one scour magazines for the hottest or “in” looks.  I wear what what I love and what makes me feel good.  Simple as that.

Do you have any advice for moms who may be thinking about starting a business?

In the words of Thoureau, “go confidently in the direction of your dreams!  Live the life you’ve imagined”.  Never fear failure.  In life, everything we do simply produces a result.  It’s what we do with the result that determines success.  As long as we continue to learn and grow then we can never fail.  Go for it!

Say hi to Michelle Tice, CEO of Vitality Marketing. She is helping Vancouver moms with businesses get connected, and I thought anyone looking to meet and greet and take their biz to the next level would be happy to know of her services.

Jane Photo donates $1 up to a monthly total of $200 to a worthy organization every month, and this March we are donating to Pacific Post Partum Support Society, which offers moms going through depression or anxiety after birth, so please, take the time and leave a comment below for this post or any other post on my blog. And please tell your friends! It’s easy to organize a group of women to leave comments and help this worthy organization. Giving is easy! Pacific Post Partum Support Society.

Here are some words from Michelle:

Tell me about how you came to start your new company, Vitality Marketing.

I decided soon after my twin boys were born that I wanted to be closer to home and have a more flexible schedule than my corporate employment allowed at the time, but I still went back to the corporate world for a year and a half (after my maternity leave was up) before making the big plunge into self-employment.  One of the twins was diagnosed with Type 1 Diabetes in September of 2008, making my decision to leave the corporate world that much easier.  I am still pursuing my career ambitions, and I am now also able to participate in their lives much more actively and monitor my son’s health more closely, too.

How did you decide on the name for it?

Vitality means energy and vigor, and vitalize means to give life to something.   I specialize in bringing product ideas to life: I work with my clients to develop the brand, the marketing & sales programs, and the product positioning and pricing.  Vitality has a strong positive meaning that embodies my approach to working with my clients.

What exactly does your company do?

I provide contract marketing and strategy consulting services for small to large companies across many industries (tourism, financial services and media, to name a few).  I also am very proud to be a local writer and social media manager for www.savvymom.ca.  I have been working with Savvy Mom for 6 months now, and love it.

What do you hope for, long-range, for Vitality Marketing?

I would love to see Vitality Marketing become an integral part of the Vancouver business community for years to come.  My goal is to continue to nurture the relationships and contracts I have now and work on growing the business more substantially once the boys are in school full-time.

You’re a mom.  Can you introduce us to your kiddos?

I have twin boys:  Jakob and Ryan.  They are 3 years old already…it goes way too fast!  They are an amazing amount of fun, and they have introduced me to an entirely newlevel of energy (where do they get it from?!).

What advice would you offer other moms thinking of starting up their own businesses?

Never underestimate the amount of hard work and energy required to get a business off the ground.  Be sure to join Twitter so that during those hours or days when you are feeling overwhelmed, you can draw on the talents of and gain support from the wonderful community of mom entrepreneurs who will answer all the questions that pop up along the way.

Any tips for mom business owners out there?  Things you wish someone had told you?

Get an accountant and keep track of all your receipts.  I wish I were more organized with the back-end side of the business!  Also, make sure that you schedule time during your week to take care of the financial side of the business.

Please say hello to Karen Randall, mom and CEO of New and Green Baby Co. I thought her diapers were the coolest thing. If you haven’t seen them in person, check them out. I was really excited by how some of her diapers will take your baby through babyhood, into toddlerhood, and all the way to potty trained. Is that cool or what?

Jane Photo donates $1 per comment left on this blog, up to a monthly total of $200, to a charitable organization doing good work in the Vancouver area. This month we’re continuing on with Battered Women’s Support Services, so please, take the time and leave a comment below for this post or any other post on my blog. And please tell your friends! Giving is easy!

Here are some words from Karen:

Tell me about how you came to start your now 3 year old company.

Like most mom-business owners, I saw the opportunity to bring a great concept and product to market and marry this with my idea of having a flexible working schedule to be more available to my family. And also like many mom-business owners, I have learned that running a successful business is more than a full time commitment!

Are you online or retail or both?

We provide a virtual store at www.newandgreen.com . As a mom, I know that my time with the kids is best spent on kid-focussed activities rather than shopping. Providing an online store allows parents to shop when it’s convenient for them. You will see us out in the community at baby shows and teaching our Cloth Diaper 101 workshops. We are out every week teaching workshops throughout Greater Vancouver. To date, we’ve educated more than 500 people.

Tell us about your diapers and what is innovative about them.

Modern cloth diapers are easy to use and easy to care for. There are also many options for different families including organic fibers, stay dry features, birth-to-potty diapers. Many diaper come with the absorbent and water proof components integrated with easy to use Velcro or snap closures and some diapers grow from fitting a 7lb baby all the way to a 35lb toilet training toddler.

You’re a mom. Can you introduce us to your kiddos?

Yes, I have to wonderful girls: E who is three and C who is one. I love having the ability to be present in their lives more than I would if I was working in a more traditional productive role. My daughter E knows more about cloth diapers than the average three year old. Just ask her which one is the Fuzzi Bunz – she’ll point it out!

What advice would you offer other moms thinking of starting up their own businesses?

Really know what your goals are and the reasons you are starting a business. Do market research. Meet a great accountant. Surround yourself with people who believe in you and other mom business owners who know where you are coming from. Be prepared to work harder than you ever have. And be prepared to love it!

Any tips for business owners out there? Things you wish someone had told you?

Set up your company as you see it five years down the timeline. It is difficult to envision, but doing things with systems in place can really help you along the way.

For our second installment of our City Mom column, and the first of a brand new decade, please allow me to introduce Annemarie Tempelman-Kluit to my readers. Annemarie has run the very successful Yoyo Mama for three years now, helping moms of the under-five set keep it all together.

Jane Photo is also donating to a series of new organizations this year. Each time a reader leaves a comment on any post on this blog, Jane Photo will donate $1 to our charity of choice for the month, up to a total of $200 per month. January’s group is Vancouver’s Battered Women’s Support Services. Please take a moment to make a difference–and tell your friends! Comments on Facebook don’t count; you must actually navigate to the blog and comment there.

Some words from Annemarie:

What was your process in starting Yoyo Mama?

I had always liked daily emails like dailycandy.com and when I became a mum I realized there wasn’t anything like that with local information and products, so I decided to start yoyomama.

When did you begin it?

We launched in the summer of 2007. I had book published by Random House that spring Healthy Mum, Happy Baby: How To Feed Yourself When You’re Breastfeeding Your Baby (www.healthymumhappybaby.com) and as soon as I was done the PR for that I got started on yoyomama.

Where did you get the name?  (Love it, btw.)

I had the name “kidbits” in my head for ages – ie. little bits of info for kids, but the url was taken so I was brainstorming names and then one day when I was eating lunch with my two-year-old and six-month-old and between the two of them I was up and down every minute for more of this and that, or a cloth, or another drink. “Mummy’s not a yoyo you know!” I finally cried in exasperation. And that was it – yoyomama. After all mums are physical, mental and emotional yoyos. One day you’re Mary Poppins and the next you feel more like Miss Hannigan from Annie.

Did you have another professional endeavor before YM?

I was the Web Strategist for Media & Public Relations at SFU. I’d also done lots of freelance writing, mainly for the web, and written a book.

What does YM offer to Vancouver area women?

I like to think of it as short hits of helpful, hip info that makes your life with kids easier. Whether we discover a great new place to hang out with kids, a super fun toy or family-friendly events, we’re all about searching out great finds (and eco-friendly ones whenever possible) for mums with kids of five and under.

What do you think your greatest accomplishment with YM has been?  

Honestly? Writing (mostly by myself) an article five days a week for two and half years. We have only missed our “delivery” once and that was due to a technical glitch. I had no idea what I was getting into when I started! Also, I’m very proud of the fact that we test everything before we recommend it, and that we offer feedback to our readers from real moms.

What advise would you give other moms looking to begin their own businesses?

Be sure your partner and your family and support network are on side, you’ll need them! And research, research, research. A great book for entrepreneurial mamas is The Boss of You: Everything A Woman Needs to Know to Start, Run, and Maintain Her Own Business (http://www.laurenandemira.com/). It’s about envisioning the business you want, not the business that’s going to make you millions so you can have a big yacht.

Many mums start their businesses because they want to have more time with your kids. If your business is a success that may not happen. But you will have a way more flexible schedule.

Tell us about your kid/s.

I have two girls. M is six and in grade one. She’s such an oldest child and very dramatic to the point of doing things like watch herself swoon in front of the mirror. She came out knowing what she wanted and she still does and you cannot make her do something she doesn’t want to do. Which I foresee being an issue when she’s a teenager but I hope will also stand her in good stead in life.

L is definitely a second/youngest child. She’s ever so slightly crazy, has no fear and gives the best hugs ever. She’s very physical and loves to twirl around till she’s dizzy. She’s going to be trouble because she knows how to be charming to get what she wants.  She loves to try and be like her big sister. They play endless, complicated, dress up/princess games together that only the two of them understand and put on concerts for us.
 
Is there a general mom tip you could share with Jane Photo’s readers?

Someone told me this once and it’s so true and so hard to remember. The days are long but the years are short. I can’t believe I have a six-year-old already. It truly seems like just the other day that she was born. 

I am thrilled to announce our first City Mom column featuring Vancouver area mothers and their businesses. I hope and intend to make this a monthly Jane Photo feature available on the first of each month, so check back often for info on cool Vancouver-area mom endeavors!

I am pleased to introduce Melissa Saunders from the new company Barking Hippo-Rescued Retro Wear as our first City Mom. I was so impressed with Melissa’s concept that I asked her to bring in a little model, Ms C, who was the most amiable three-year-old around, I swear, and totally cute in the Barking Hippo t-shirts.

Please, if you are reading this interview, also leave a comment below, since in 2009 each comment means Jane Photo donates $1 to the Vancouver Food Bank, with which they can purchase $3 in food for the needy.

Please say hello to Melissa Saunders of Barking Hippo-Rescued Retro Wear:

Thanks for coming in! I immediately fell in love the name of your new company. How did you think of Barking Hippo?

After having my son, I realized early on that part of the journey of being a mother was to be playful, silly and sometimes crazy! Some fun and funny things have come out of my toddler’s mouth and match that with a little imagination and you have a barking hippo! It made me chuckle right away… a hippo barking, really?!

What do moms find when they visit Barking Hippo online?

Barkinghippo.com is an online shop that offers toddler tees, toddler dresses and baby onesies made out of Upcycled material.

Barking Hippo

Contact Information:
Melissa@barkinghippo.com