Need an answer to all of your eco-baby’s needs?  Go to one of Susie’s babies – It’s Baby’s Bottom Line!

Meet Susie Cavanagh who is the founder of BabysBottomLine.com.  She’s a Seattle mompreneur who’s juggling five kids, no nanny, a husband who often travels and a business all at the same time.  Running into her today at our kid’s elementary school, makes me feel inspired when we talked about balancing work with motherhood.  When I see Susie, she’s one of those moms who makes it all look easy.  With all that she does, she still exudes a quiet sense of calm.  It’s clear to me that Susie Cavanagh has the system of being a Mom and a Mompreneur down pat. 

Susie is a wealth of information on how to start a successful online business – so watch, listen and follow her moves (and she’s on the move, all right!) 

Jill: What is Baby’s Bottom Line?

Susie: I sell eco-friendly products for mom and baby such as cloth diapers and organic clothing.

Jill: What inspired you to start this business?

Susie: After our third child was born I was having a hard time finding the products I wanted without having to drive all over the city.  So, I thought I should start a business selling the products in one place.

Jill: How did you decide in going the eco-friendly product direction?

Susie: We have always been environmentally conscious and felt strongly about using reusable products for our children.

 Jill: How did you get the word out about your business?

Susie: I told family and friends as soon as my website was live.  I also listed my business on as many online directories as I could find.  At our children’s elementary school I donate to the walk-a-thon in my business’ name so my business is added to the list of donors on the t-shirts the kids get for participating.  I will also donate items for raffles or auctions.

Jill: What do you have in store for the future of the business?

Susie: I plan to keep selling eco-friendly products for moms and babies, finding new and better products is always fun.  I think my business has gotten better due to the fact that I have been around now for over 5 years and I am always working on improving my customer service as well as organizing my time better.  I am always open for suggestions on new products as well as listening to my customers for what they would like, more one-on-one consultations, more showroom hours, etc.  Being flexible, as flexible as I can with 5 kids, also shows the customer that they are important.

 Jill: Any tips on making money?

Susie: I would say the first few years I threw myself into my business.  I do the website, advertising (I even made some color print ads myself for some big magazines), but now that I am an established business people find me as opposed to me looking for customers.  After being in business this long you learn what works and what doesn’t.

Jill: What do you enjoy about what you do?

Susie: I like meeting new moms/parents and helping them choose the right products for their child.  I also like talking to people that don’t know about cloth diapers or any other eco-friendly types of products teaching them how every little bit you do on your part really does make a difference.

Jill: How do you balance working with your family life? 

Susie: It is a delicate balance between work and family.  Family will always come first, but you need to know how/when to get a little work in as well.

Jill: What are your tips on getting things done?

Susie: Get up early or stay up late.  These are the best times for me to get things done without interruptions.

Jill: What are your personal sacrifices that you take to get things done?

Susie: Showering and working out.    For some reason the shower is always the first thing to go.

Jill: Advice to give other Mompreneurs?

Susie: Give it a shot, but remember not to become discouraged as it takes an average online business 3 years to make a profit.  Make sure to have excellent customer service, think of what you dislike about companies and turn that around threefold and then you’ll be at the point of amazing customer service.

Jill: How have you managed your greatest challenges?

Susie: I’d have to say learning to balance family and work are my greatest challenges.  I’ve overcome this by adapting my work schedule so my family will always be first, making appointments when they’re in school for instance, so when it’s family time it really is family time.