The Blog For Entrepreneurs

Sir James Goldsmith, the late great billionaire, was thrown into managing his brother Teddy’s business when Teddy had to do National Service in France. Colonel Sanders of Kentucky Fried Chicken fame was 65 when he realised that the $105 he had just got as a social security cheque was not going to go far, so he used it to fund visits for his idea of franchising his chicken recipe.

The stories of people becoming entrepreneurs through necessity are legion, but they are always inspiring. I recently came across someone who is just starting out on this journey, Tina Hill.

Tina Hill was 42 year old stay at home mom looking after a tribe of 4 children. Worried about the cost of schooling the kids and with the cost of college hanging over her head she decided that putting together a business would be a way to make money for the future. That is when she thought of the idea for Kidzsack. The Kidzsack is a high quality, multifunctional, and durable bag that kids will grab on the go…one they will find they can’t live without. It has designs on the bag that can be coloured in then can be washed out. It’s a toy and a bag!

Tina, when did you come up with the idea for Kidzsack?

“I started Kidzsack, officially, in October of 2007 and came up with the idea in June 2007. I was walking my kids to the bus stop and noticed a neighbor wearing a Nike sportsack and thought I could translate that idea into something creative for little kids.”

Lots of people have ideas, what prompted you to take action?

“I wanted to build something that could become a legitimate business. The cost of having four kids (ages 13, 11, 9, & 7) was adding up with sports, activities, camps, and the future…college hanging over my head. I found it was time that I make a financial contribution and also get back to my roots of being creative.”

You were already in the fashion business?

“I had graduated from FIT in NYC with a fashion design degree and worked in NYC as a designer in my 20’s travelling quite a bit. I am now 44 and have been a stay at home mom for about 11 years. I had hoped to get back into fashion design but because of where I live now, it was impossible. I live in a town of 4,500 people with no fashion industry around me.”

So you had an interest in this field anyway.

“Yes, because of my fashion background, I did have an edge. I had my “little black book” of resources to refer to. I called on former fabric and trim companies and established accounts for myself. But even if I didn’t have these resources, there are great websites out there such as www.thomasnet.com that help entrepreneurs find suppliers, manufacturers, etc. I ultimately found my sewing contractor at Thomasnet.”

So how did it all get started?

“I spent that first summer (because I came up with this fabulous idea 2 weeks before school got out!) sewing up samples with the help of two other moms. I walked into my first store in October 2007,fearless and completely excited! I sold Nancy at Eureka (very cool toy store in Newburyport, MA) my first order of 12 Kidzsacks (which were sewn by me and not a factory). That first order lead to more reorders and more confidence which lead to my finding a sewing factory!

Now, this was a crazy time for me. I had four kids home from school and they had activities and camps but that is just part of the great challenge of being an entrepreneur. You are constantly being tested. Constantly having obstacles thrown your way. I look back now and I’m like, “Oh my god, I can’t believe I pulled this off.”

How is the business progressing?

“In my first year of business, I did $30,000 in sales and broke even, no profit but no loss either. This is my second year and I have to admit that I am trying harder to just break even again. It’s a tough economy for sure and a lot of resorts and stores are sticking to what they know and not buying anything new and different. But at the same time, I am building and nurturing relationships with buyers and relentless with phone calls, e-mails, and follow ups. I know that I have a great product and it’s just a matter of time before Kidzsack is a household name. Also, I’ve sort of found my niche market.”

Your Niche?

“Yes. Once I got my first resort order, Atlantis Bahamas, I realized that I should go after more resorts offering custom artwork, complimentary. This was my “in.” Find an in something that sets you apart and makes you special; find a way to stand out in a market that needs you. Resorts need kid’s amenities and gifts for their gift shops/kids programs and I can give them that.”

It sounds like you are on your way to a success there. We focus a lot on the psychological side of being an entrepreneur, what would you say was you motivation to get started?

“I started my business after reading Mommy Millionaire because I was completely inspired and motivated. This book is a mompreneur must and her www.mommymillionaire.com website has lead to my having about 5 very good friendships with other like minded women that I talk to on a weekly basis and am happy to call my Friends.

Tamara’s website, www.mominventors.com, is also inspiring and loaded with info. She offers great articles for entrepreneurs and when you e-mail her, she actually gets back to you. Tamara was instrumental in my preparing for the Kelly Ripa Female Inventors open audition in NYC. That kind of one on one is very rare and I will never forget it. Finding social networks that can inspire you, mentor you, and give you advice and info is really important. I find a lot of my mompreneur friends like me have no business background.”

And your advice to anyone looking to get started as an entrepreneur?

“The advice that I would offer any future entrepreneur would be to go for your dreams. If you have an idea, don’t set it aside, focus and make your prototype. Of course there are a ton of distractions that will get in your way, but that is the challenge and what separates the talkers from the doers. Be a doer and have no regrets.

If you fail, at least you’ll know that you tried and you’ll just have to redo or tweak your design/concept. But you also have to remember that many successful people have failed at some point in their life. Failure builds character and makes you a stronger person. Also, it gives you the experience that you’ll now need to succeed. There will always be obstacles. ‘Obstacles are what you see when you lose sight of your goals.’ Embrace your passion and go for your dreams!”

This is a great story of how someone saw a problem coming up, the expense of putting kids through college, and opened up her mind to business ideas. The simple everyday thing of dropping kids of at school gave Tina an idea, the action she took turned it into a business. This is lesson for anyone looking to get into business, firstly you need to be convinced it is something you need to do and the you just need to go for it. We wish Tina and her company all the best.

For more information on Kidzsack visit www.kidzsack.com

Regards
David
@TheMarketMaker