Word of Mom: Boské Kids

Filed under: Hand-Picked Products, New and Cool, profile, What's In Store by Lusso Baby

Meet a Canadian Mompreneur

The birth of a baby is not only life-changing but, for many women, it can also be inspirational. At Lusso Baby we are proud to celebrate the Canadian women who have taken on the challenge of being moms while at the same time launching a new career. Inspired by the needs of their own children, these moms have created unique, organic and engaging products that parents everywhere can love. In our new column, we will present our fans our favourite Canadian-made goodies, from clothes and shoes to toys and strollers.

THIS WEEK: Boské Kids
WHO: Jenny Chavarri
CLAIM TO FAME: Clothing made with high-quality Peruvian natural fibers

What were you doing before you started Boské Kids?

My background is in corporate sales and marketing within several industries, including women’s fashion. I completed my MBA at UBC and had a beautiful baby girl.

What inspired your interest in self-employment? How about natural fiber products?

While visiting my husband’s beautiful home country, Peru, I was amazed at the quality of the local pima cotton clothing and baby alpaca knits and I knew the high quality and natural fibers would be loved in Canada.

When I discovered I was pregnant I became concerned about the many chemicals present in everyday products so I chose to use only natural or organic foods and products, cloth diapers and organic or high-quality clothing and toys. I was frustrated when I couldn’t find a lot of natural, comfortable clothing that was also stylish for my baby. I also discovered you couldn’t be certain where the raw materials and fibers in clothing were actually grown or imported from.

Deciding to stay at home with my daughter yet wanting to do something to further my career, I sourced suppliers in Peru and designed our first Boské Kids collection.

How do you balance work with being a mom?

I’m still not sure that I do! I am lucky to have several long-time friends nearby that are also mompreneurs. I think through sharing our stories, frustrations and successes over coffee while our kids play, we give each other encouragement to keep going. I have a great support network of friends and family that help me with questions about anything from accounting to potty training. It’s all mixed together, fast paced, a little crazy and lots of fun!

What are the challenges of running your own business? The benefits?

The challenges for me are the steep learning curves in so many different areas as well as the days where I feel like I am not giving my child or husband enough attention.

The benefits are that I am more flexible with my working time and can spend more time with my daughter during the day (hence some 3am work nights). Being able to laugh with my daughter at some point during the day gives me the energy to carry on. I also feel a sense of satisfaction that I am being challenged to achieve success at something I enjoy.

Have there been any special moments in becoming part of the mompreneur community that you’d like to share?

I have met several mompreneurs and I love the stories and experiences that we can share, some happy, some sad, and some very funny!

What is your favourite product so far and why?

My favourite piece in the Spring Collection is the Girl’s Baby Alpaca sleeveless dress in natural with the pink flowers. It is so elegant and vintage inspired. The baby alpaca fleece is so amazing: luxuriously soft and smooth, durable, lighter yet warmer than wool and hypo-allergenic. (And no alpacas are harmed during shearing!)

I also LOVE the baby alpaca leg warmers. I have always dressed my daughter with leg warmers whether over leggings in the winter or with dresses in the still-sometimes-chilly Vancouver spring and summers. These leg warmers are warm and super soft!

Girls Sleeveless Dress in Natural

What do you wish someone had told you about starting your own business?

That they weren’t exaggerating about the long hours, late nights, sweat, tears, and emotions that would come in the first year!

What’s your advice for the moms (and dads) out there who are thinking of launching their own business?

• Have a network of other mompreneurs in which to share with and/or a mentor.

• Have a support network at home or nearby.

• Hire others with the skills that you don’t have.

• Ask people to help you.

• Be honest, straight-forward, and helpful to others.

• Put your family first… always. Your business will come next. Sleep, relaxation and time to yourself will be last (or non-existent if you have small children).

• Take a risk and follow your dreams.

• And from the MBA grad in me: Do a proper business plan (and then don’t panic when it doesn’t look worthwhile)…you do have to be passionate about your idea and be willing to make a lot of sacrifices!

What’s next for Boské Kids?

We are working hard on our Fall 2011 Collection and will focus on growth across Canada in selected children’s boutiques and in the near future entering the US market.

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