Since launching Marketmommies, I have gotten to know some pretty amazing moms.  What has impressed so much about all of them is their willingness to help other moms.  Whether its a business question, or a parenting question, moms are always there to support each other.

We also circle the wagons when someone needs our help.  I first found Melissa of Little Diva Tutus when I was following little Layla Grace Marsh.   As the Marsh family faced losing their youngest daughter, a community of moms came together to make sure they wouldn't have to worry about the tens of thousands of dollars the family faced in medical bills. 

Melissa started donating $15 from each sale of the Layla Grace Tutu to the Marsh family.  To date, she has raised over $3,000 for the Marsh Family.   Layla Grace has gone to play with the angels, but hundreds of little girls (including mine) will be twiriling in their Layla Grace tutus for years to come.

The Layla Grace tutu fundraiser is still going on.  Visit www.littledivatutus.com to get yours!


               


Featured Mom - Melissa, Little Diva Tutus

Marketmommies:. Tell us about your business
Melissa:  Little Diva Tutus is a trendy tutu boutique based in Lake Arrowhead, CA.  We pride ourselves in our customer service, affordability and turn around time.  We are also one of the few tutu companies that create tutus for diva's of all ages and sizes! 

Marketmommies:  How did you get started?
Melissa:  I started Little Diva Tutus after a trip to Hawaii with my best friend.  While there I talked to her about my passion to own a child based business.  She and I threw ideas around and I came up with tutus!  I've always loved tutus and dress up and thought "I'm going to learn everything I can about tutus and go for it!"  I joke by telling people "The economy was screaming NO, but my heart was screaming "YES" and I am so glad I did!  I love my work!!

Marketmommies:  One of the things I love about moms is how we support each other.  You have raised a lot of money for the Marsh family - how did your fundraiser come about?
Melissa:   I "met" Shanna Marsh when I contacted her about doing a review on Little Diva Tutus.  Shortly after our initial contact she and her family received the devastating news about Layla.  I thought about it and decided "I'm going to ask Shanna if she would like to create a tutu just for Layla and allow us to host a fundraiser".  Shanna wrote me and said "Yes!"  I was so happy to help.  I was even more thrilled when Shanna wrote about Layla's special tutu in her blog and sent us photographs!  The fundraiser started off a little slow, but has grown by leaps and bounds and to date we've raised over $3,000 for the Marsh family!

Marketmommies:   What do you love about having your own business?
Melissa:  There are many things I love, but what I love most is our customer feedback!  I love hearing from and seeing the photographs from our customers! 

Marketmommies:  What are the down sides to owning your own business?
Melissa:   I am a positive girl...I really try to stay positive even on the worst days.
Generally speaking, I think the hardest part in owning your own business is learning how to juggle your family and work.  It's the same for everyone, whether you work at home, in a boutique or Corporate America...some days are easier than others!

Marketmommies:  Is there anything you would have done differently in starting your own business?
Melissa:  My initial investment was quite high, so if I had to do it all over again I would have done more research on wholesalers and considered more options.

Marketmommies:  Do you have any advice for other moms wanting to start or grow a business?
Melissa:   My advice would be to stay active!  Keep active in your community and on line, find a cause your excited about helping and do it!  If you don't have a lot of money to donate, donate your time! 

Marketmommies:  Where do you see your business in 1 year?  in 5 years?
Melissa:   In 1 year I see us opening our 1st boutique...Things work great right now because I have 2 specific work rooms in my home, however, I think my family would like to have those rooms back in use!  In 5 years I hope to have at least 2 boutiques.  My main goal in business is to never lose sight of our customer service and quality! 

Marketmommies:  Tell us about your family.
Melissa:   My wonderful and supporting husband and I have 3 beautiful teenagers!  Our son is almost 18 and our 2 daughters are 15 and 14.  We love spending time camping and hitting the beach in the summer! 

Another thing about me that I'm not sure you know is that in 2003 I appeared on ABC's Extreme Makeover.  It was during that experience (not the surgery part) that I really learned how to set and achieve goals!  It was an amazing, wonderful experience that I'm so thankful I was selected to be a part of!!


To see other Fundraisers benefiting the Marsh Family visit our Message Boards