An Interview with Jenny Ong, the owner of Mama.Baby.Love

 

Jenny is the wife to a fantastic photographer, Stanley Ong and mom to 2 adorable kids, Naima and Erik. She’s also a government employee and a lawyer licensed in the Philippines and New York State. She loves bargain hunting and online shopping. She also enjoys holding talks and meeting like-minded families, discussing natural parenting topics with them.

 

 

Stan and Jenny have been married for 5 years. They have been together since 1998. Jenny used to work in a big law firm. Now, she’s working for the government. She’s a part-time mompreneur as she has a day job. Through her blog, Chronicles of a Nursing Mom, she promotes and advocates principles of natural/attachment parenting such as breastfeeding, babywearing, cloth diapering, baby led weaning and gentle discipline. “My goal is to see a society where these principles become the norm – to see Naima grow up and have her family in a setting where natural birth, breastfeeding, babywearing, etc. will be practiced and established,” says Jenny.

 

Ginger: Hi Jenny! Can you tell us more about your business?
Jenny: My business is Mama.Baby.Love. I carry fab fun finds for moms and babes to support the natural parenting lifestyle. I have been in business since May 2009.

 

Ginger: Who is your market for Mama.Baby.Love?
Jenny: My market would be primarily women – moms who would like to adhere to a natural parenting lifestyle e.g. babywearing, cloth diapering, breastfeeding. I also carry cloth menstrual pads and menstrual cups to promote a green period.

 

Ginger: How did you come up with this idea and what made you decide to start this kind of business?
Jenny: I started this business because of dearth of affordable nursing bras and accessories locally available. My line has expanded and now includes different products that my family uses and enjoys.

 

Ginger: Were there any obstacles that you faced when you decided to pursue becoming a momtrepreneur? What are these?
Jenny: Time management. Since I’m juggling so many things, I needed to learn how to delegate. Happily, I was able to find help who understood what I needed and wanted.

Ginger: Do you have plans of being a full time momtrepreneur?
Jenny: As of this time, I have not decided whether I want to become a full-time mompreneur.  While I enjoy Mama.Baby.Love, the business-side is actually driven by my interest in the natural parenting advocacy.  I also miss being a lawyer and handling cases, especially my intellectual property practice. I am still deciding if I want to go back to a law firm or staying on with my government job or pursuing Mama.Baby.Love full time until the kids enter grade school.   I enjoy the challenges of being a work out of home mom and believe that each mom is different.  Not every mom wants to be a WAHM and being a WAHM is not the end-all or the best decision for every woman.

Ginger: What are three traits that you think a momtrepreneur should have when starting their own business?
Jenny: Perseverance, Openness and being ethical.

Ginger: Is there any unforgettable lesson that you learned as a Momtrepreneur?
Jenny: Time management is crucial.

Ginger: What advice can you give to other Momtrepreneurs?
Jenny: Choose a business that you are interested in and passionate about. Don’t just “go with the flow”. Know your business, know your market – understand their needs and address them. Choose a niche that you will excel in.

Ginger: Thank you Jenny for giving us insights on how it is to be a momtrepreneur while still working. I’m sure a lot of moms out there enjoyed and learned from your story especially those who still have a full time job, but are thinking of going into business.

Mama.Baby.Love Contact Information:
a. Website – www.mamababylove.com. Blog is www.chroniclesofanursingmom.com
b. Multiply site – fabnaima.multiply.com
c. Email address – jenny@mamababylove.com
d. Mobile Number – 09228982713
e. Facebook Page – www.facebook.com/MBLStore
f. Twitter account – @mamababylove
g. Pinterest, etc. – @mamababylove