Today’s feature is Mompreneur April of Glam Babies. Being the fashionista that my daughter is, I saw April’s products while going through different online stores. Here is her story and the story behind Glam Babies.
Mommy April’s Story
I’m B.S Psychology graduate from FEU. I’m a mom to a 7 year old daughter and a 4 year old son. My husband is an OFW. It is so hard to have a husband who works so far away. With my first born, I was a stay-at-home-mom and every minute of the day was spent taking care of her. I didn’t have any yaya to help me out. When I had my baby boy, I had to hire a yaya since I could not manage taking care of both kids alone.
Mompreneur April Dela Cruz
It took me a while to start my own business. I wanted to do something else at home to while the time, since my kids, I realized, were already growing up. “Wala akong ginagawa kung hindi mag-Facebook, maglaro ng games” (All I did was checked Facebook and played games). My life was spent waiting for my husband to come home while doing these things. Then, he’d come home and leave again, and then the cycle would continue.
One day, I decided that I wanted to “grow”. I put up a business at home. It was an eatery (tapsilugan), but it didn’t work out, since my body could not take all the work that had to be done in taking care of the eatery — from shopping for ingredients, serving at the eatery, cooking, washing the dishes, etc. I closed this business and I went back to just waiting again for my husband and taking care of the kids.
I decided to create birthday invitations and sell them through multiply. I learned how to create invitations through Youtube videos. I learned how to edit pictures on my own. I think I didn’t do that well in selling my services because I hardly had any customers. With this, I stopped offering this service. And this is where my Glam Babies story began…
Ginger: What is your brand/business? What is it about? How long have you been in business
April: My brand is Glam Babies Collection. I have been selling clothes under this brand for almost 1 year.
Glam Babies Tutu Dress
Ginger: How did you come up with this idea? What made you decide to start this kind of business?
April: There came a point when I had the opportunity to buy and sell clothes for kids. I offered it to my relatives and friends and I got to sell all of it, so I was happy! And then, during that time, my littler girl was about to celebrate her 7th birthday. I searched the net to look for pretty gown designs so that I can have a gown made for her to wear on her birthday.
I saw cute tutu dresses and I liked it! I wanted to buy one for her but didn’t know where to buy. I looked at the pictures I saw on the internet and said to myself, “I can make these!” I searched for how-to videos on YouTube. That’s how I actually learned to make these tutu skirts. I got to make skirts for my daughter and I loved my finish products. I loved the colors and it was super cute!
I love going on Facebook, so I decided to post the skirts that I made. Then I got a lot of inquiries. People were asking me how much was I selling these skirts. Then I decided to create customized tutu skirts only. After a while, I decided to create even the tops, because I thought it would be cute. And then after that, I even added matching hair bows and accessories. All my items from tutu skirts, customized tops, hair bows, posh bows, customized shoes and tutu dresses are all hand made. That’s why I guarantee the quality of my products.
Ginger: Were there any obstacles that you faced when you decided to pursue becoming a mompreneur? What are these?
April: Yes, I had a lot of competitors selling Baby Clothes Tutus, but I believed that as long as I don’t step on anyone, my business will go well. In fact, I even add the other baby shops on Facebook so that I can share my clients with them. At least, by doing this, I can help my them in their businesses, too.
Ginger: What are three traits that you think a mompreneur should have when starting their own business?
April: Hardwork, Dedication and patience in creating products and in serving customer. Sometimes, it’s tiring to entertain clients who ask about your products but they won’t buy or worse, they will order but will not get the product that you make for them. I just let these go. I don’t want to spend time arguing and making a big fuss out of this. God knows everything, so I leave it up to Him. 🙂
Ginger: Unforgettable lesson that you learned as a Mompreneur?
April: I learned to manage my time — for my family and business. I also learned how to talk and deal with different kinds of people.
Ginger: What advice can you give to other Mompreneurs?
April: Always think positive. Follow your heart’s desire. “Kung ano ang hilig mo dun ka mag-focus sa gagawin mong business… yung magiging masaya ka sa araw araw na ginagawa mo”. Don’t just think of money but think of the fulfillment that you will feel every time someone tells you that your creations are amazing! This always made me happy.
Ginger: Thank you, April, for your time! I wish you more success!
Glam Babies Contact Information:
Email address: glam_babies@yahoo.com
Mobile Number: 09082575225
Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/glambabiesbyapril
