Name of your website?Oh Petit Bebe
Your name?
Sara mahen
Your Location (city, etc)
Monmouth Junction
Please give us a short summary of your website?
My website features all handmade and custom bedding for cribs of all sizes and shapes: standard, mini, portable, round and Stokke. All products are handmade by myself. I also make custom crib bedding including: diaper stackers, changing pad covers, toy bags, nursing drapes, Boppy covers and many more. My website is located at http://www.ohpetitbebe.com
What inspired you to launch your own website?
After the birth of my daughter, I became a stay at home Mom. Although it was great to be with and take care of my daughter myself at home, we felt the difference when we went form 2 incomes to one. So I put my sewing skills to work at many fellow moms appreciated it.
When did you launch your first website, and what was it?
First I tried to make single pages and talked about my products on Squidoo. My very firs lens, because that is what it is called there is entitled: Unique and custom crib bedding and it's all about my work, my handmade crib sets and nursery accessories. http://www.squidoo.com/customcribbedding
How did you decide on a name for your website?
I also speak French so I decide it would be nice to give my website a French name. So I called it Oh Petit Bebe. I like it.
What makes your website different from other, similar offerings?
What sets apart the custom bedding made at Oh Petit Bebe is the fabric which is provided by the customers themselves. I started with a small budget so I did not my customers to be restrained to a few choices of fabric to make their crib bedding out of. So I suggested they provide their own fabric, which most moms who contacted me love. I had the privilege to work with a wide range of beautiful fabrics and I have kept this method since.
Also I stand 100% behind my quality products as they are individually handmade. Finally, I have a fast turnaround time.
What is your eventual goal? (To sell it, keep it for income, secure a book or other mainstream media deal?)
I enjoy sewing. It is so rewarding when the final product is being packed up and sent back to the customers. My goal? To grow. I hardly can keep up with the orders now. But I don't seem to have the time to train new people to help.
How does your investment of time and money balance against your success?
Each contact email is a success to me, and I can tell than I am swamped most of the time. I spent a lot of time launching and promoting my website. And it paid off. I am glad I did.
If you had an unlimited development budget for development, how would you change your site?
I would get more help, move to a large workshop...
If your site got really big, really quickly, would you be able to keep up with the demand?
I hardly can keep up with the demand now. Any growth would require more help.
What unexpected costs and headaches have you had to deal with?
Since the main material the fabric is provided by the customers, I only had to take care of notions and supplies such as batting, piping cords... Price has risen up since I started so I had to adjust my prices accordingly.
What has been your biggest challenge?
To get my first customers at the very beginning. It took a lot of website promotion and SEO effort.
What method has been most successful for promoting your website?
I participated in many forums, built Squidoo lenses, and submit to directories.
How has running your website differed from your expectations?
There are ups and downs. You do not expect your business to experience those downs.
How long have you run the site already, and how long will you continue to keep it up if you don't enjoy big gains in traffic, income or popularity?
2 years. I will continue as long as I can keep up.
How happy are you so far with your success.
I couldn't have been happier.
What is your website address?
Oh Petit Bebe
