Ask VentureMom

Answer:
Hi Anne:
Thanks so much for being a follower of VentureMom. To find a seamstress I would reach out to others who are doing similar work to what you want to do. Tell them what you are looking for in a seamstress and ask for referrals. If they ask what you are sewing, tell them you’d rather not say. But at some point you’ll have to share. If you feel uncomfortable revealing what you are creating, have the seamstress sign a non disclosure agreement. You can find one of these on any of the legal web sites. I would also stress that you want to use her going forward and her cooperation in working with you is paramount to the relationship. In the end, there is not a lot you can do if someone steals your idea but I’d work to do everything to prevent that from happening. Sometimes just the existence of a signed document can prevent copy cats.

But don’t let that fear keep you from moving forward. Other VentureMoms have created products that were copied down to the name, packaging, and logo. Karma will come around. Run your own race and don’t worry about the others who may try to jump on board.

Please send me details when you get started, I want to hear about your product and maybe cover you on VentureMom.com.

Best,
Holly

Answer:
Dear Jennifer: Start small, start small, start small!!! Read about the mom who invented the TextHook, a phone holder for strollers, under Featured VentureMoms on VentureMom.com. She was able to spend a minimal amount to create a prototype and actually got clients and orders before she placed her first order. I would fund the invention on your own but get feedback from your potential purchasers first to make sure you are filling a need. You can do this with a drawing or description. But be careful to protect your idea through a patent if it is truly unique. Reach out when you get started.
Best,
Holly

Answer:
Hi Anne: First of all, congratulations on your progress and getting to the point where you are ready to go live. Web site questions are probably the most common and the hardest to answer. So much depends on what you need and what you have to spend. This is an area where friends, family and associates can really help. Ask everyone who they have used and why. Research is key. Look at sites you like. Reach out to the developers of those sites and get their information. Get very clear proposals from at least 5 site developers . Also, hire someone who will help you and not charge you for every minor question. You want to have a good relationship. And if you can find someone who will teach you to maintain the site yourself, that is huge.

Another way to go with this if you are at all tech savvy, is to do it yourself using WordPress or one of the other providers and then hire someone to put on your branding skin and plug ins for the e-commerce piece. This is the most economical. And finally, search the VentureMom Directory for web site developers to add to your list for research.

Good luck. Let me hear from you when you are up and running. I’d love to hear what your venture is and how the web site progress goes.
Best,
Holly

Answer:
Dear Sharon:
Thanks so much for being there to make the event so successful. Your question is the most asked question I get from VentureMoms and I’m working to build a resource list on VentureMom.com. In the shop you can search the category of Services for Businesses Ventures. This is where you’ll find a list of service providers that VentureMoms like yourself need. I’ll be curating my top recommendations for website designers, graphic designers, social media experts and the like. The number of moms providing these services is large and my goal is to find the best and bring them to you through the shop.

As we roll out the shop, this list will grow quickly. For now, I would suggest you look at the other Featured VentureMoms and see who they used for website design. Social Media providers are springing up everywhere, again, ask for recommendations from others and look for my suggestions in the coming weeks.
Best,
Holly

Answer:
Hi Janet:
First of all, love your products!!! And you should be in the VentureMom Shop. It’s free, just fill out the form to Become a VentureMom Vendor and we’ll get started.

Second, don’t give it up, if you are passionate about your venture, you can make it work. Sounds like you need a revamp. I looked at your site and didn’t see the product until I was several clicks in but when I saw the baby gift box, I was wowed!!!! This should be on your home page. So cute. What is your best seller? That should be front and center. I’m not sure what you need financing for, but there are so many things you can do yourself without funding. Everything from your own PR to social media using Pinterest, Facebook and email – and it’s all free. I would start with a redesign of your site and then create your own social media campaign using the tools and tutorials that Facebook offers. Find a friend to help with the site and barter so your outlay of cash is minimal. And reach out to some of the resources that you’ll soon find in the VentureMom Shop under Services for Business Ventures. Let me know how it goes, I’d love to hear.

And sign up to become a vendor, I can help.
Best,
Holly