Featured Seller: ZoZoBugBaby

When thinking about which stores have the trendiest must haves for your cute little tikes, this shop should be on the top of your list! The prints are abolutely adorable, and the prices are fantastic! And if your kids are showing you up in her cute clothes, well they got a little somthing for Mama too!

After looking at her shop, and her sales...you have to be thinking, "how does she find time to do that with two toddlers on the go, drop/pickup one from preschool and try not to forget the husband?" She's not perfect, and balance is something she is still looking for, but she gives you hope! I think reading her feature will make all us mommies out there feel a lot more normal and a lot more accepting. Enjoy!

How long have you been an etsy seller?
1 year as of April 2009!

How many children do you have?
2 girls ages 2 and 3.5

How do you get inspired?
I pretty much live in a state of inspiration. I am never NOT inspired. I actually have bad insomnia because I have so many ideas in my brain all the time.

How much time do you put into your shop on average weekly?
I say around 50-60 hours a week, including computer work, sewing, mailing, etc...


Can you run me through what a typical day for you would be managing a family and your business?
Complete chaos!! Basically..I sew before my husband has to leave for work in the morning. Between errands, preschool drop off/pick up, and being a mom, I somehow manage to mail my packages, answer convos, process orders, etc. Around 6pm, after dinner, I start sewing until somewhere between 10pm and midnight. I trade babysitting with a friend once or twice a week, so on MY mornings, I get so much more sewing done! I really try and focus on leaving work behind during the day as much as I can, so I can devote some good one-on-one time with my girls. It doesn't always happen, though!

How do you balance your family and your business and is it working?
What is this "balance" that you speak of? :) I have yet to find that balance. I feel like I'm always behind on work or the kids aren't getting enough attention. I'm getting better at it, though! Once both girls are in preschool in the fall a few mornings a week, I think that balance will happen a little more.

If it’s not working can you tell us why?
It's a constant struggle. The girls always want 100% attention, but I do have to do SOME work on the computer during the day, so I'm always being pulled in 2 directions. I have discovered that if I give them some good, focused time each day, it's a TAD easier for me to get some work done.

On those days when you are feeling completely frazzled and are seconds away from a major meltdown what do you do to keep yourself sane?
I email my friend Pascale, who is also a WAHM. She and I live eerily similar lives and we have become great sounding boards for each other. I always know she'll make me feel better!

In your opinion, what is the hardest part of running your business and being and WAHM (work at home mom)?
Not being able to devote 100% attention to either area. One seems to always suffer.

What are your top three etsy shops that you can’t go a day without stalking?
OMG. I have a few. My absolute favorite is 'courtneycourtney' - http://courtneycourtney.etsy.com. Literally...my girls own as many of her dresses as they do mine! I'm obsessed. Courtney is actually how I became friends with Pascale..my life saver!
2nd - Sew Love Fabrics (I think it's obvious why!) - http://sewlovefabrics.etsy.com
3rd - My new discovery: Apezoppa - http://apezoppa.etsy.com (truly unique!)

Is there anything you think we should know?
Although we moms beat ourselves up for not being perfect moms, better businesswomen, etc....One thing we are teaching our children, by example, is that we are strong women. We are not only "Mom", but we have interests of our own and we can wear many hats. We are artists and business women and we can do it all (even though we may not be all that graceful at it all the time! )