What is a funny or rewarding experience you've had as a mommy?
Every day is both rewarding and funny. Sometimes it can be a bit harder to see the humor, but it is always there, especially when toddlers are involved.

Are you married? What is your husband's name? How did you meet him? Was it love at first sight?
My wonderful husband and I have been married for 7 years. I met Zac in a philosophy class when I arrived late and discovered him sitting in my seat. I was rather upset about it, as I am one of those types who like the comfort of sitting in the same chair every day. At the end of class, he took advantage of the fact that my stomach was audibly growling and asked: ‘I heard you were hungry, may I buy you lunch?’ How could I resist? It was very much love at first sight from then on out – we were married 6 months later to the day.

What did you think you'd be when you grew up?
For the longest time, I always imagined being a doctor (indeed a brain surgeon). In college, I switched from pre-med to philosophy and fatefully met my future husband who had made the same very same degree change.

Who did your classmates think you were in high school?
Studious, a little shy but still a bit of a beach girl in Florida.

I was also an environmentalist/animal rights activist - slipping through the aisle at the supermarket putting animal rights stickers on all the Proctor & Gamble products ;-)

Would your classmates be surprised by who you are now?
No not really. Perhaps they would be surprised that I am so chatty on the phone with my customers, since I was and still am in many situations so shy.

Who were you before Better For Babies™, any interesting jobs or schooling?
After my undergraduate degree in philosophy at the University of Georgia, I pursued graduate studies in philosophy at the University of Wales Swansea. There I was working on an essay on philosophy and animal rights. When the graduate program closed to new students amid much turmoil, my husband and I headed back to the States so that he could pursue his PhD Studies at the University of Chicago. There I had an absolutely wonderful job in the fundraising office at Catholic Theological Union.

How did you get started cloth diapering and sewing your own diapers?
We had always wanted to cloth diaper our son. The environmentalist in me just thought it a shame to fill the landfills with so many disposable diapers. That, plus I liked the idea of having a soft chemical free fabric against my baby's bum. Moreover, I am quite stubborn. So, after having people tell me 'eeew' or 'You won't be doing that for long,' there was no turning back. It was cloth from the hospital on.

We quickly fell in love with fitted diapers. We opened Better for Babies when Gabriel was 6 months old, Summer of 2003. Then, ...we had our own idea for a unique foldable semi-attached ‘beetle’ booster and used it to fill a niche for a new, trim but oh so absorbent fitted cloth diaper.

What inspired you to create your business?
My husband was diagnosed with a multi system degenerative neurological illness late 2001. Very quickly he was in a position where someone needed to always be around. I wanted to do that for him as well as stay home with my son. So, I started Better for Babies. It all began small, grew slowly and really took off a year later when we launched our own unique diaper line, Little Beetle...

Did you run into any obstacles in starting it?
Previous to the Little Beetle diaper launch, we spent a good 4 months on prototype after prototype all the while learning to sew and serge better, as well as learn all the ins and outs of using an industrial serger, etc. When we had the polished idea of our new and innovative inner beetle booster and had met our absorbency goals, we were ready to go. But even then starting up took many months longer than we expected. Coordinating the right machines, getting products made just how you want them, orientating new help …

We finally found a set-up with two wonderful seamstresses that has really gotten us off to a good start.

What did each of you do as part of designing and sewing the diapers? Did you both know how to sew before? Is he involved in the business now?
Yes, we worked on the design together. Having two brains is always a big help when creativity and perseverance is needed. I only knew the basics of sewing and my husband even less when we set out to design a new diaper. But we both had confidence from seeing our own mothers sew when we were growing up. I am a better sewer and Zac is the better serger.

My husband remains involved in the business. I consult with him on most of the big things. As he has more down time, he is great to turn to for help with graphics and ad ideas. He enjoys being able to help on and off throughout the course of a day. At the same time, he knows he can go rest or, as is often his preference, go play or read with Gabriel.

How did you come up with the name Little Beetle™ for your line of diapers?
The ladybug was our muse. The most beloved of all little beetles, she was sanctified in medieval times as 'the beetle of our lady'. Indeed, its smallness and harmlessness invokes in us a feeling of joy. Friendly to the environment, little beetle is a fitting name for a cloth diaper line. The beetle's elytra (outer wing covers) trap in moisture and encase its soft hind wings and underside. Nature's example of a well designed diaper line.

What did your family say when you told them you were going to be an entrepreneur?
They were all very supportive and thought it was a good thing for me right now in my life. My husband and I have many family members that are small business owners. So, that is inspiring and always helpful.

What advice would you give someone considering becoming a WAHM/WAHD?
It is a very hard question to answer. There are so many ways to be a WAHM/WAHD. I am constantly surprised and impressed by the new stores opening.

I would say to find a niche where you can really define yourself.

If you could do any kind of work you wanted, other than the business you now have, what would you be doing?
I do sometimes dream of being a perpetual graduate student in philosophy. But more seriously, I would like to work at a religious seminary like CTU or a non-profit humanitarian organization.

If you have time for hobbies, or outside interests, what are they?
I have not had much time lately. I like to read literature, philosophy and religion. And it is always fun to play Frisbee with our dog Brynie.

If you could have a day to yourself, how would you spend it?
Go to the mountains with my husband, son and dog.

What is your favorite book?
Anna Karenina by Tolstoy. I love this book and try to read it every summer.

Who is your favorite musical artist or what is your favorite song?
“Early Morning” by Edgar Meyer, a classical bassist who merges into bluegrass.

What one attraction, city, or place have you always wanted to see?
I would love to be back in Swansea, Wales by the Bay (with free time to go read in the library) or go back to Italy and visit the places I did not get to see on my two previous trips.

Do you have any guilty pleasures that you will admit to?
Vanilla milk shakes made by my husband (as guilty as they can be with rice milk and Häagen Dazs frozen yogurt)

What are your dreams for the future?
We have been a limited growth company operating just from our website without any retailers. We recently added Wildflower diapers and Tiny Birds Organics. But I do now dream of upping production and expanding a bit more as long as it is a comfortable growth. I also look forward to developing the Organic Baby Project more fully.

I also hope to continue to stay home with my kiddos and care for my husband.... And I dream that my husband will be with us longer and see our wonderful kids grow up.

http://www.betterforbabies.com
Products Include: Little Beetle™ Hemp Original, Hemp Lite, Colours, Organic Cotton with Organic Velour and Organic Plush fitted diapers, Little Beetle™ Organic Merino Wool covers and Soaker Shorts as well as silk diaper liners.