I’ve met a few mommies in the Philippines who are advocates of different causes. One of these moms is Ives Lim – Esteban, who is an advocate of safe sleep for babies. Let’s read more about her.
I am a yuppie turned mommy. I used to work for a multi-national FMCG before becoming a full time “momtreprenuer”. I am madly in love with 3 men – my husband of 6 years, and my two boys aged 3 and 1. It was not until 2 years after marriage that a baby came into our lives. I thought I was perfectly happy being married to the love of my life. But becoming a mom changed me in so many ways. A little someone entered my life and took up more room in my heart than I knew I had. When I first held him, I already knew that I’d do anything for him. With him came a fierce sense of protection, an instinct. I vowed to give only the best and safest for my baby. And this led me to discover HALO. The rest, as they say, is history.
Interview with Ives Lim – Esteban of Halo Philippines:
Ginger: What is your brand/business? What is it about? How long have you been in business?
Ives: Halo Philippines is the Philippine distributor of the award-winning HALO® SleepSack®, a wearable blanket that replaces loose blankets that can cover a baby’s face and interfere with breathing. Aside from keeping babies safe, it is also a cozy blanket little ones can’t kick off. This prevents a baby from catching cold (and getting sick), thus ensuring a better night’s sleep.
Halo is the #1 trusted brand in the market today. Not just by moms, but by doctors as well. It is the only brand used by over 1,200 US hospitals and NICUs, which says a lot about the quality and safety of our products.
Ginger: Who is your market?
Ives: We have sizes for newborns up to 5 year olds. Infants, toddlers and pre-schoolers are most vulnerable to accidents during sleep. On top of this, these are the critical years of brain and body development, where healthy sleep plays a vital role. Providing a safe and healthy sleeping environment is therefore the single biggest thing parents can do to help their babies get a good start in life.
Ginger: How did you come up with this idea? What made you decide to start this kind of business?
Ives: My love affair with HALO began when my first baby was born. I discovered that the American Academy of Pediatrics recommends the use of wearable blankets to prevent Sudden Infant Death (SIDS), and found so many five star reviews recommending HALO.
I soon realized through my own usage that the HALO SleepSack is among the best investments a new mom can make. The product paid for itself two times over, considering how my baby wore it every day. It is made with such quality that my son’s original sleepsack has been handed down to two other babies, and still does its amazing job! Beyond that, the peace of mind this product brings is PRICELESS. I know that my baby is protected by the safest, non-toxic materials as he sleeps. I see my baby getting sounder sleep, which is critical for his physical and mental development. I sleep better too, knowing that he can’t kick it off and suffocate or catch cold / get sick even if he tosses and turns all night!
Sadly, many Filipinos are still unaware of how simple safe sleep practices can protect their babies. That is why I made it my mission to spread the safe sleep advocacy and make HALO’s quality products more accessible to Filipino parents.
Ginger: Were there any obstacles that you faced when you decided to pursue becoming a mompreneur? What are these?
Ives: Our biggest obstacle is a low public awareness on safe sleep in our country. In most first world countries, it is the government that pushes for safe sleep education. There are even laws in the US that mandate hospitals to orient new parents about safe sleep practices before discharge.
Unfortunately, such is not the case in our country, so parents may not appreciate that safe sleep could mean life or death for a baby. Indeed, it is heartbreaking to hear stories of Filipino babies who died or almost died because of unsafe sleep (and I have heard too much of these stories not to act on it!). I hope that through our advocacy, and the support of fellow safe sleep advocates, we can help Filipino babies sleep safer.
Ginger: What are three traits that you think a mompreneur should have when starting their own business?
Passion, integrity, and genuine concern for others. Do not short-change your clients with mediocre products. Your clients deserve only the best and safest products possible. Word will spread and the numbers will follow.
Ginger: Any unforgettable lesson that you learned as a Mompreneur?
Ives: I have learned to trust in God’s abundance. I am amazed at the windows and doors He has opened for me through this work and advocacy. He has blessed me through the people I meet, and the opportunities that come my way. Grateful!
Ginger: What advice can you give other Mompreneurs?
Ives: Being a mompreneur means finding the right balance between work and family. Learn to set limits; learn to shift priorities, so that you can find fulfilment in work and still let your family feel that they are just as important (if not more) than anything else in your life!
Ginger: Thank you so much, Ives! I hope that a lot of people become aware of the danger of SIDS and how practiving safe sleep can help them.
Halo Philippines Contact information:
Website: www.Halophilippines.com
Email address: halo.philippines@yahoo.com
Mobile Number: 09228730910
Facebook Page: halophilippines
Twitter account: @halophilippines
Instagram: @halophilippines
