mompreneur interview: jenny newcomer

Mompreneur: Jenny Newcomer
Company: LobotoME
Website: www.LobotoME.com

LobotoME is a line of eco-friendly organizational products for busy parents.

What inspired you start your business?
I couldn’t find a weekly planner that had space for meal planning, errands, workout schedules, to do’s and grocery shopping list so I made my own!  I had 50 of them printed and gave them to my friends, and then their friends wanted to buy one and a little bell went off!  I also kept hearing from all of my mommy friends, “I don’t have time to take care of myself, I’m a mom.”  I really, truly believe that all busy moms not only deserve time for themselves each day, but they NEED time for themselves so they can give their best self to their families.  There is room on my weekly planner, every day to plan for some ME-Time.  For me, this might be an hour long hot yoga class (pure joy), other days it might be as simple as waking up half and hour early, having a cup of tea and little quite time before the family is awake.  It’s important to build that “ME-Time” into your days.

How long has your business been in business?
A year and a half.

What did you do in your past work life?
I was the Director of an environmental education non-profit organization in Colorado.

What is your ideal workday like?
My ideal work day would not consist of work!    One of my main goals in 2009 is to work less and play more and only focus on the most important tasks and the ones that make the most $ and let the rest go (this is a challenging concept for a Type A Aries like myself!)

What have been some of your major successes?
Launching the line at the National Stationary Show and getting my product into some major stores including the Container Store.

What have been some of your major challenges?
Sourcing an environmentally friendly printing company and suppliers in the USA.  Everyone told me to print overseas but I was bound and determined to figure out a way to make it work locally even if my margins weren’t as good.  Also, I had to search high & low to find biodegradable shrink wrap.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
I know that my products are helping people stay organized, find more free time and remind them to take care of themselves.  And this business allows me to be with my kids most days.  An hour long yoga class also does wonders for my sanity.

Do you have a motivational quote?
Keep Calm and Carry On.    And I remind myself daily that my life is an incredible opportunity to laugh, love & play.

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
I really look hard at what is the most important use of my time.  I can’t do it all and I only have so many hours in the day.  With 2 kids (Samantha, 4 1/2 and Henry, 3 months) and a husband who has his own sports event production business, we are on the go a lot.  We bring the kids with us when we have to travel for work and we include them in our work days.  Henry is sleeping in his sling while I’m typing this, Sam is coloring at the desk next to me and I am knocking out items on my to do list.  Then, this afternoon, I’ll turn off the computer and we’ll all go swimming or snowshoeing.  I write (and re-write) tons of lists; I plan healthy meals in advance; I schedule in workouts each day; and the computer gets shut off after dinner until the kids are asleep in bed.  Every night we have dinner together, play games, laugh and say grace for our wonderfully full lives.

If there was one piece of advice you could give to your children about running a successful business, what would it be?
Just go for it.  If it something you love, it will all work out.

Do you have a favorite business tool and/or resource?
Google. Seriously, what did we do before it?

What is next for your business?
That’s a good question…I’m trying to figure that out right now. We want to continue to expand our line but we are also being cautious about growth right now given the current economic climate.  I am working on developing an i-phone app for one of my notepads.  I’ve always been a paper & pen kind of gal, so this exploration of the technological side of organization is interesting.

Your two cents sales pitch?
The LobotoME brand and ensuing product line is designed around the simple concept {goods to keep ME sane}.  The planners & notepads are designed by busy people for busy people.  With all of us running around like chickens with our heads cut off, it is imperative to find organizational products that can help keep us sane, organized and healthy.  For more information or to find a store near you, visit www.LobotoME.com.  You can also check out more sanity saving tips at my Brain Fog Blog www.LobotoMEblog.blogspot.com or follow me on twitter (www.twitter.com/lobotoME).

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