Here at Belly Bandit HQ, a women-owned and operated company, we believe in celebrating the success of all women in business! Our "Moms Who Made It" series is our way of honoring mompreneurs who inspire us every day.
This month we are featuring Beth Fynbo, the founder of Busy Baby. Beth came up with the idea for the Silicone Placemat while out with friends, "There has got to be something I can buy for my son so we can enjoy a peaceful lunch!" Enter the first-ever placemat that sticks to any smooth, clean surface and allows you to attach baby's toys to keep them in place! Genius!
Describe your business philosophy in 5 words or less:
Do the next right thing.
What inspired you to go into business?
Shortly after my son was born I went shopping online for a product. I wanted something to solve the problem of constant dropping and throwing of toys for my own sanity. When I couldn’t find a product that would do exactly what I was looking for, I made prototype mats for myself and my best friend who had a baby 8 days after me. She told me that she forgot it one night when she went out and the experience was MISERABLE. She never realized how useful my little mat was until she didn’t have it. She told me I just HAD to make it for real. I had always wanted to be an entrepreneur so, even though I had no idea how to do it, I started the process to turn my idea into a reality. A year later the Busy Baby Mat was born!
When did you know you “made it?”
I knew my product “made it” when I saw more and more people talking about it online. People I didn’t know were sharing posts online, tagging
Busy Baby and making comments like, “This is the genius mat I was telling you about last night.” I feel like I finally “made it” when people started coming to me with questions about how to chase their dreams, like I used to do in the early days
Who is your mentor?
I have SO MANY mentors. When you venture into a new world you simply MUST learn from others. Some are peers, some are experienced people in their field, sometimes my kids are my mentors. I am constantly learning from every person I encounter.
What’s your #1 tip for moms interested in starting their own business?
My number one tip would be to START but start slow. Find a way to solve a problem that no one else has solved, talk to strangers to see if they think it’s a good idea, and then take baby steps to vet out that idea and see if you can get it to grow legs!
Me time is kayaking on a slow flowing river or spending time quietly in nature. Sunshine, fresh air, and nature will always fill my soul.
What‘s on your bedside table?
I haven’t had time for books since the kids came along, but I always have a list of podcasts lined up on my phone to learn and stay motivated!
Words To Live By
“Do what you can, with what you have, where you are.” ~Theodore Roosevelt
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To learn more head to, https://busybabymat.com/ and follow on Instagram @busybabymat.
