Today I am featuring Lindsey from
ELBE Baby! She is a local where I live and once I saw her slings I just knew I had to have her on my blog! She has so many cute colors and they are all super comfy and light weight, perfect for our hot Arizona weather. I just love her business, read her post and then go shop!
Hi! I’m Lindsey, the creator behind ELBE baby. ELBE is named
after my two children Ellie and Beau. You can shop our website or my Etsy. I also love to share product updates and showcase
our beautiful parents babywearing on our Instagram and Facebook account.
I have used so many different types of baby carriers but by
far my favorite style, along with my kiddos favorite, have always been the ring
sling. I set out to share that love with other parents who have yet to
experience the sling.
I launched my website releasing my ring sling baby carrier line on
Sept 1st, 2016. My passion is to share with other parents how you can make
babywearing a fashionable experience. Our sling is not only
functional, with an optional pocket for a cell phone, teething toys, pacifiers,
etc., but also beautiful with our signature v-cut tail in a great selection of colors
and rings. It was important that I make the sling more affordable for those who
might not have the means to purchase some of the more expensive brands on the
market without losing the quality.
Before launching ELBE Baby, I opened an Etsy shop
selling my own design of baby scarf bibs. I borrowed a sewing machine from
my grandma and began playing around with my own pattern, and finally felt like I
had found the design I was looking for. Being a perfectionist, I decided not to
share my shop with anyone, except a few friends and family members because
I wanted all my ducks in a row and to be very confident in my product first. During this process, my daughter was only a
few months old, so I continued to use my ring sling baby carrier to get a lot of
my work done. That’s when it hit me - I knew how passionate I was about
babywearing and I wanted to share that passion with other mothers!
I decided to change directions a bit and began my own design
for a ring sling. I did an enormous amount of research, and went through the
steps to ensure they were safe and followed all regulated safety standards. I
wanted to make a product that would be aesthetically pleasing, and help moms
feel beautiful and put together when babywearing. That way they’d have both the
enormous benefits of keeping their baby in close connection to them, but also
feel a sense of style. Knowing there are other brands out there, I sought ways to
improve or differentiate myself from them. That is when I came up with the optional
pocket, v-cut tail, and finding stylish color options.
Before starting this business I went to college at Northern
Arizona University and received my degree in Advertising and Public Relations.
I worked in that field for 4 years and never felt passionate
about my work. I decided to switch to Personal Training, after getting married
in 2012, and absolutely loved making an impact in people’s lives through
fitness. I continued as a Certified Personal Trainer until I was 9 months
pregnant, and then decided to stay home full-time after my son was born in
January 2014.
After having my daughter in September of 2015, I
began picking up sewing and really enjoyed using my creativity when I had some
downtime during nap time. I feel like I have always had an entrepreneurial
spirit, and began talking to a friend who I knew had a very successful business
through Etsy. She gave me some encouragement and the courage to
go for it! If I’m completely honest, I
would never have guessed I would be into sewing! However, once I started, I fell
in love with it and don’t think I’ll ever look back. I find it so peaceful and
relaxing; and knowing I’m making things for other families to use and enjoy
brings me so much joy!
When I opened this September my business took off in that
first month, which was so exciting! It was a little overwhelming as well, so I
had to quickly figure out how to have a work/life balance. My first job is
motherhood, so I decided to make designated hours for my business and
find childcare during the morning hours two days a week, and work most
evenings except date night Friyay! I also found a seamstress who will start
with me this November. She will be helping me build up inventory and fill
orders. I am very excited to have her on my team and feel confident to try new
and exciting ways to grow my business.
The ring slings are definitely my favorite product to make, but I will always have a very special place in my heart for the scarf bibs
because those are the reason I got started in sewing.
If any of you are thinking about starting a small shop, I
say write out two lists of goals. Long term / dream big goals and very small / day-to-day
goals on how you will accomplish the long term goals. Most of us are mothers
and we don’t have a lot of spare time - that’s okay. I am still learning to be
okay with having limited time and putting so much pressure on myself to be
perfect in every area of life but that will NEVER happen! Take small steps to
accomplish your dreams.
My dream for ELBE baby is grand. I hope it can eventually
grow to a place where I can hire other mothers, or women in need of jobs, and
ignite a passion to promote functional and fashionable babywearing.
I am getting to know so many other small shops and feel so
inspired everyday. I would like to give a shout out to Jennifer of Noxx. I recently reconnected with her after being childhood
friends, and she and her husband have built their small shop into a very
successful business. She has been so generous with her time and resources in
helping me get started. SweetLucyJack is another
small shop that I absolutely love, mainly because I have seen the heart behind
the shop - the owner, Christy. She and I met in a fabric store and
immediately hit it off. I have since bought several of her items, and absolutely
love her quality work! She too has been such a great support and encouragement
to me as both a mother and small business owner.
As cliché as it sounds, I do feel so blessed to be raising
little ones with my amazing husband, and being able to create a product that is
so beneficial to families. Babywearing is such an important component. I want to go beyond the infant stage, and find a permanent place in a family's life, with my ring slings. Make babywearing an expression of your own personal style as well. I know firsthand the demands of parenthood, and what an amazing, challenging, humbling, joy filled job that is; but also how
important it is for us to keep a sense of self.
Thank you Lindsey, great to have you!
