mom entrepreneur interview – monica ly

Mom Entrepreneur: Monica Ly
Business: Golden Curly Tail
Website: www.goldencurlytail.com

Golden Curly Tail (GCT) specializes in stylish organic baby and toddler wear and merchandise. GCT clothing is made from 70% bamboo and 30% organic cotton, which makes it incredibly soft and comfortable. GCT aims to inspire creativity and raise consciousness while preserving our environment.

What inspired you to start your business?
Golden Curly Tail was inspired by the birth of my firstborn daughter in 2007, who was born during the Year of the Golden Pig, according to the Lunar Calendar.

We found out she had eczema early on and would see her scratch so much that it would keep her up at night. Seeing my daughter scratch and suffering was very heart-wrenching. On one of those sleep-ness nights, I went online and researched all I could find on clothing that was good for babies with eczema or sensitive skin. I couldn’t find much, and wanted to give parents like myself more options, thus Golden Curly Tail was born.

How long have you been in business?
We launched in late 2009, but the concept for the business was inspired in 2007.

What did you do in your past work life?
I have many years experience as an Educator/Teacher prior to being a mommy.
I’ve been a substitute teacher, a Video Production teach and a Library Teacher.
I’ve also been an Employment Advocate and worked in the field of Human Resources.
I’ve also been a Radio Host and Producer on Apex Express, 94.1 FM.
All my past work, has all been fulfilling work, but ever since I became a mommy, I became more clear about my goal as a successful entrepreneur, so that I can have that freedom and flexibility with my time and energy.

Describe your ideal workday.
My ideal work day is one where I wake up to Yoga and Meditation in the morning. I would work for a few hours and then have breakfast with my kids and family. Spend some quality time with them and then work for a few more hours. Have lunch. Spend some quality time playing and doing an activity with them, work for a few more hours. Take a nap. Have dinner. Spend some quality time with my family . Put my kids to bed, and then have some quality time to with my partner. I also like to close out my day with some more Yoga and Meditation and a nice cup of warm tea or wine.

As you can see, my ideal work day blends in with my quality time with my kids and family, while taking care of Business.

What have been some of your major successes?
We’ve been able to launch with a line of stylish bamboo and organic onesies, just one week before I gave birth to my second child.

We’ve appeared on 5 different blogs within 2 months of launching Golden Curly Tail.
We’ve had a tremendous amount of fans and people who love our products.

What have been some of your major challenges?
One major challenge has been finding funding for my business. I am currently looking for Angel Investors to help fund the next phase of my business. So far, we’ve been lucky to have family who believe in our vision and have helped fund our startup.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
I am very lucky to work with a business partner who reminds me to keep my eyes on the prize. We help motivate each other when times are tough and when it seems like nothing is happening.

My Millionaire Mentor once told me that when he first started, he would look at the inbox and would not see any orders coming in, but slowly there were 5, then 10, etc. His advice to me has been to have patience in this whole process, and I often remember these words when I feel like I can’t go on anymore.

I am also recently reading a book called, “Founders at Work”, a book about start-ups early days, written by Jessica Livingston. This book has been an inspiration, because I often wondered how it must have been like for those who now have million dollar companies, and this book gives a glimpse of their early days, which is where I am right now. One major lesson so far has been persistence.

Do you have a motivational quote?
Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine as children do. Its not in some of us, it is in everyone. And as we let our own lights shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.

By Poet: Marianne Williamson

If there was one piece of advice you could give to your children about running a successful business, what would it be?
Have patience…. And don’t give up on your dreams of having a successful business, even in the face of pessimism, lack of resources, etc.

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
Well, I don’t have a secret. But I think that balancing business and family is a constant daily, weekly, monthly, yearly struggle to maintain. When I find myself spending too much time on my business, (usually my kids will tell me.) I will usually wrap up what I am doing and go spend time with them. When I am with them, I try to be truly present and not be on the phone or distracted with a business task. Although, as a mommy entrepreneur, it is not always as easy as that.

Do you have a favorite business tool and/or resource?
I recently discovered the website PR in Your Pajamas. And since then, it has opened doors to so many other great resources for a mommy entrepreneur like myself. Props to PR in Your Pajamas.

I also make use of alot of the free resources from my local SBDC (Small Business Development Center)

What is next for your business?
We’re getting ready to launch 3 New Onesies and Toddler Tees that will be available just in time for Holidays this year. Don’t forget to check out our website for upcoming information.

Give us your two cents sales pitch.
Golden Curly Tail clothing makes a great gift for your own child or as a gift for a child you know.

Our onesies have fold-over gloved sleeves and are perfect for babies with eczema or have sensitive skin. You’ll save time and energy when dressing your baby.

Friends and family receiving this as a gift will be glad and delighted to have this as an addition to their child’s wardrobe.

Get your GCT onesies or toddler tees today!

Are you a bizzie mom entrepreneur? Would you like to be featured and show off your product or service. Fill out our mom entrepreneur questionnaire and email 411 at bizziemommy dot com any images you would like to use in your post. Interviews are posted every Tuesday.