How I got started
April 28th, 2008
I am so excited about this program and the opportunity to share my experiences with you. I live in Woodstock, GA and have three wonderful boys - 6, 4, and almost 2 - plus a VERY supportive husband named Davis. My family is the most important thing in the world to me, but I also strive to be successful, both for myself and as a role model for them.
I’ve worked in Corporate America since the day I walked out of graduate school 10 years ago. I was fortunate to land some exciting jobs in Sports Marketing, but they weren’t enough. I always felt stuck. I wanted to build something from the ground up and make it successful.
After my third child was born, I decided it was time to focus on what I really wanted to do. I wanted a flexible schedule so I could spend more time with my family. That of course means early mornings and late nights, but at least I can go to the school play or take cupcakes on my son’s birthday!
The idea for customizable art came to me one night while sitting on the couch talking to my husband about what I wanted to do. We knew that whatever we did should capitalize on our background. I have a solid marketing and business background while he has an art gallery and frame shop. So we naturally decided to do something with art. But I didn’t want to just sell it. We needed to offer something unique and cutting edge. Then we came up with the idea for customizable canvas-based art. We knew this was “it”.
I started the business plan and found a web developer willing to write the program for a reasonable price. We then looked for talented artists and suppliers. When I applied for this grant, we had already developed a concept and logo, reached out to several suppliers and artists, and the website was under construction. I knew my company would be a perfect fit for this program. Every element they offered, I needed! The web site services provided by Yahoo! Small Business couldn’t have come at a better time. I was in the process of researching my options for product cataloging, merchant solutions, and web hosting. I will now have guidance in all of these areas and even some help with the design. My website is my company, so this element is very important to me. You can visit my site at www.RedKoala.com
I am also very excited about the mentoring. I’ve worked for both big and small companies, but I’ve never been responsible for every aspect of running one. The mentors will be a huge asset as I navigate the ups and downs of building a company. Carolyn Kepcher has done some amazing things in her business career, but I really respect her desire to balance work and family. I think it’s great she wants to help other women find that balance too. It’s not an easy thing to do, but if you work hard at both, you can do it. Bobbi Brown, the CEO of Bobbi Brown Cosmetics, will be a great mentor. She has built a business and watched it flourish. Can I have a better mentor than that? She will understand everything I am going through and have the wisdom to guide me through it. Cathie Black, President of Hearst Magazines, has probably seen it all. She manages some the top magazines in the country. Her experience says it all. She is a very intelligent and capable woman, and I can’t wait to learn great things from her.
The process of winning this grant was amazing. I think I had panic attacks every night after receiving the first e-mail from Yahoo! asking for more information. Every day I felt great about it, and every night I worried about it. I guess that’s part of starting your own business — and not the last time I’ll feel like I’m on a roller coaster ride.
Even though I felt in every ounce of my body that I would win this grant, I’m still slightly in shock that it actually happened. I have worked hard and have had big dreams for this company. Now I’m on the fast track to making my dreams a reality! YAHOO! has been my favorite saying for the past week, and I’m sure that it will continue to be my favorite for a long time!
April 28th, 2008 at 7:15 pm
You are an absolute inspiration! Red Koala is brilliant and I can’t wait to watch you grow!
Anna Rose Wascher
Director of Event Planning
Atlanta Marriott Century Center
annarose.wascher@marriott.com
April 28th, 2008 at 7:22 pm
That is so awesome, Abby! Congratulations! I’m so glad you found Moms United In Business! I can’t wait to watch your business unfold!
Have a Beautiful Day!
April 28th, 2008 at 9:52 pm
What an amazing opportunity for you, Abby, and so completely deserved! I know you will make the absolute most of the mentoring process to build your business. Congratulations!
Sunny
April 28th, 2008 at 10:43 pm
Congratulations Abby.
Though the hard work is just beginning it is VERY inspiring to see your dedication, focus, and visualization already paying off. I can’t wait to go to RedKoala.com and order some custom art.
April 29th, 2008 at 10:38 am
1. Hi!
2. I have always been so much surprised at how the Amercian people are so good in improving and using the INTERNET.
3. I have a home office, doing businesses with any part of the world THANKS TO the wonderful internet. [One-man Business]
4. I am also surprised very much at how good the [Small Business]directory of yahoo.com for the one-man business.
Bye, now
April 29th, 2008 at 5:36 pm
Abby:
We wish we knew about you before we decorated our nurseries.
Your website looks great.
We look forward to meeting you.
Congratulations!
Tamar and Dana
April 30th, 2008 at 9:37 am
Congratulations! I entered this contest too, and am very happy to see you are one of the finalists! Your approach is very uplifting and you scream enthusiasm! Good Luck from one woman entrepreneur to another!
May 3rd, 2008 at 2:07 am
Hi Abby,
Congratulations on being selected as one of the finalists! I commend you for taking the plunge and stepping out on faith to start your own company! I live in Marietta, GA and was very excited to see that a fellow Georgian had been selected! I am an Accountant who also worked in various accounting and financial capacities in corporate america for over 15 years. Just like yourself, I just wasn’t satisfied and wanted to do something more fulfilling that also allowed a more flexible schedule. A few years ago, I started my own bookkeeping, payroll, and tax preparation service. It was one of the best decisions I ever made! Best of luck to you with your new venture! I’m sure you will do well!
Theresa Johnson
May 18th, 2008 at 3:05 pm
This is a quote I tell my children
“Believe in your dreams and they may come true; believe in yourself and they will!”
Debbie Munden, President/CEO
twinsandtriplets.com
feedingsolution.com
May 21st, 2008 at 10:29 pm
Congratulations on the ‘Seeds for Success’ win! I’m glad to see your dream unfolding before your eyes. Best of luck in the future.
I’m sure we will see you on ‘The Big Idea’ with Donny Deutsch next.
June 5th, 2008 at 2:22 pm
Abby, I live in Atlanta, too, and had friends who were affected by that same tornado. Of course,the blessing is that your family is safe and your home intact. It looks like you have a great relationship with your mentor and your Web designer… both of those are so important. However, you are getting a chance to learn, early on, that running your own business takes a type of discipline that others don’t really understand… it’s not just the discipline that is required to work hard (and long hours), it is the discipline to tune out other tasks that are screaming at you… trying to distract you. I run my business out of my home, too, and so many task call out my name… the tornado is a powerful detractor. It sounds like you handled the “A” priorities related to that storm well and quickly… and were also able to remain on business purpose. Good luck… and I wish you great amounts of energy!