Not too long ago, I was watching an episode of Bethenny. My favorite part of the show was the “Bethenny in your Business” segment (sorry to see the show go). In the segment she interviews women who have started their own businesses. The women are typically at a crossroads with the business. It’s their passion but they don’t know how (financially) they can continue. Bethenny offers great advice and assistance that these women likely wouldn’t have gotten otherwise. There are always nuggets in there for me to jot down and apply to my business.
As I was watching the “Bethenny in your Business” segment, one mom, stood out to me. It was something about Stacey Tibbitt’s story that got my attention. It all started with her leaving notes in her kids lunches. That later turned into a business of napkins with cute drawings and illustrations.
After sharing her story with Bethenny, she was given an e-commerce site, branding advice and a new name for her company: Mini-Messages. I decided to reach out to her and ash her to share some of her story with my readers. I think that if we see other mamas doing something that they are passionate about, we’ll know that our finding and following our own passions is totally possible.
Camesha Gosha: Tell me about your passion.
Stacey Tibbitt: My passion would have to be my children and my business. Everything I do, I do for my three girls. It is why I started my business in the first place. My business is like a fourth child. I am responsible for its growth, it takes a lot of my time and I love it.
CG: How did you discover your passion?
ST: I discovered my passion when my first daughter was born. I knew right then and there that being a mom was the best thing in the whole world. When I started mini messages I knew it as something that I was born to do. I didn’t even have to think about it and no matter what obstacles I face I won’t give up on it.
CG: Why is it important to you?
ST: Being a mom is the greatest job I have ever had. Being a mompreneur is something that I never knew I wanted to be but enjoy every minute of it. Being successful at this business helps me to set a good example for my children, never give up on your dreams. You have to work hard if you really want something in life and never back down from a challenge.
CG: As a mom, were there challenges in pursuing your passion?
ST: Yes, there were several.
CG: Tell me about them.
ST: I faced several challenges. I didn’t know a thing about starting or running a business. I have had to learn every step of the way, and I am still learning. I didn’t have any money but what I did have was people that believed in me and wanted to help me financially. I knew nothing about marketing. I had to learn and again with the help of others I was able to get the word out.
CG: How did you overcome your challenges/obstacles?
ST: I overcame some of the obstacles by the help of others and of course, persistence. If I didn’t know something I asked or I found a way to learn about it. It takes a village to start/run a business and I would not be successful without the help of those around me.
CG: What do you think it does for your children to see you go after what you want?
ST: I think it sets a great example for my children. As I stated before they are taught many valuable lessons. First, never give up on your dreams. Second, you have to fight sometimes for what you want in life. And that if you do work hard you can be successful.
CG: What would be your advice to other moms who are on the fence about pursuing something they are passionate about?
ST: My advice would be to go for it. But they do have to know that it won’t be an easy ride. They have to be willing to work hard and not take no for an answer. If you love what you do then don’t let anyone stop you from doing it.
CG: : You wouldn’t be caught dead, where?
ST: That is a tough one??? I guess it would have to be some place where someone is excluded just because of who they are. If someone is not welcomed, then I won’t go there.
CG: Most hated chore on the household chore list?
ST: Cleaning the bathrooms!
CG: Name one thing you’re really good at.
ST: Being a mom.
CG: Name one thing you think you really suck at.
ST: Singing.
CG: If you could have a super power, what would it be?
ST: Be like I dream of Jeannie…if I wanted something done I would just have to fold my arms and blink and it would be done.
At last check, Stacey was auditioning for Shark Tank to take her business even further. You can find Mini Messages here, Twitter + Facebook!
So tell me, how did you discover your passion?
I was really looking forward to this post and you didn’t disappoint. Great post Camesha!
Wow – what a cool story! Very inspiring! It is amazing what thinking outside of the box can do for personal and professional growth. Thanks for sharing…now my entrepreneurial wheels are spinning 🙂
Stacey recently posted…Your Tuesday Takeaway – Grounding Yourself in Good
I love inspiring stories. It IS a lot of work to run a business but so awesome at the same time.
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Thank you for sharing this really interesting story.I enjoyed reading the interview.
Kay Adeola recently posted…Music Monday.
What a great story! Thanks for sharing!
Kathy recently posted…Together We Can End Child Hunger #HelpKidsBeKids
Great interview! I love her napkins- so cute! I really like that you lightened the mood of the interview with the rapid fire questions.
Carly Bellard recently posted…Find Joy in the Journey with Origami Owl
Thanks for sharing the interview, that was an interesting read! I really enjoyed Stacey’s story.
Krystal recently posted…$100 Amazon Giveaway
This is a great interview. Thank you for sharing her story with us. We need to know more about this stuff so that we can have more evidence not to give up. Blessings~
Meredith recently posted…A Plan, not Plan A
Such an inspirational post. How wonderful to have your passion in your life for your work.
Great interview, and I really enjoyed reading it 🙂
Elizabeth@ Food Ramblings recently posted…Honey Apple Quinoa
Great interview! I always love hearing other female entrepreneurs success stories! Thanks so much for this, Camesha! 😀
Viki Stanley-Hutchison recently posted…Coping with Goodbyes and Changes
Such a great interview! I love learning more about women behind businesses.
Melissa recently posted…Make Everyday Special with Mott’s Fruit Punch Rush Popsicles! #MottsEveryday
I love how she references persistence. I find a lot of keeping forward momentum in my business is finding ways to be proactive consistently. Sometimes there’s a flood of new clients and big projects get put on the back burner. When it’s a little slower, I try to focus on implementing all the big ideas that were put aside.
Love this! I never watch Bethanny but may reconsider. This is so inspiring and makes me want to chase my ideas.
Rachee recently posted…Happy Birthday Flo! #colorsofinfluence
I really love this woman’s story, and I truly wish her luck with the Shark Tank. I love watching that show. You’ll have to keep us informed! Thanks for sharing this excellent article!
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Wonderful and inspiring story. Great interview.
Debbie Denny recently posted…Risky Drinking Will Put a Chill on Your Summer Fun!
What a great interview. IT’s great to hear perspective from others and learn.
Felicia recently posted…Simple Banana Vanilla Yogurt Popsicle Recipe #iDelight
This is a really great interview! I enjoyed learning more about her and am left feeling inspired to do something on my own too.
Amanda Her recently posted…Get Started on a SIMPLE Service Project with Champions for Kids #SummerOfGiving
My most hated chore in the house is cleaning the bathrooms too! Followed by doing the dishes…. yuck!
Laura recently posted…Teaching color with a felt color matching lollipop game #DIY
intense interview! I need to be more passionate with my activities, too.
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I never saw the show, but now I’m sorry I missed it before it was cancelled. It sounds like there was a lot of valuable advice.
Jessica (Savory Experiments) recently posted…Red, White and Blue JELL-O Cups
That is a great interview!! Such an inspiring story!
Robin (Masshole Mommy) recently posted…The Pepper Grove Playground at Balboa Park, San Diego
What an awesome business! I love this idea!
I love this post! Great idea for business. it is important to have that burning passion for your business
I don’t get to watch many daytime shows, but I did see a Bethenny show where she helped a chocolate company that weren’t labeling their boxes right so you didn’t know which flavor you were getting, I think it was great she was trying to help other entrepreneurs and it sad that her show got cancelled considering just how much crap is on during the day!
What an inspiring story! I love how she was able to take such a simple idea and run with it, creating a successful business. Amazing!
Theresa recently posted…Wordless Wednesday~ Shoe Thief
thats a great story. i look forward to seeing her on Shark Tank
Melinda recently posted…2014 Kia Soul #DriveSTI
Very inspiring. I had not heard of her before, but I think I have seen her business
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I love the idea of the napkins. 🙂 Great interview. I wish I knew about this show.
Becka recently posted…Welcome to the 23rd week of #wakeupwednesdaylinky
What a great interview! We can all use more inspiring stories to keep us going. Love it
I’m loving this! Awesome post. Thanks for sharing!
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I love the rapid fire questions! This is a great interview
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I discovered my passion for makeup when I realized that I was giving friends more (and better tips) then what they were getting from other places. I’ve since used that passion to grow my blog.
Cassie @ Southeast by Midwest recently posted…Glossybox June 2014
This is a really great interview. Thank you for sharing. It is so inspirational!
Tracey recently posted…Humpday Confessions: That Time I Almost Lost my Blog Forever
Great job and great read! I am currently finding my passions. I’ve been a “mom” for so long that I forgot all about “me”.
I have two passions-being a mom and writing. I never get sick of either and both never fail to inspire me.
I love that it was born out of something she was doing naturally. Success stories like this rock!
Liz Mays recently posted…Air Wick Familiar Favorites Home Fragrance
I am with her on the bathroom, hate cleaning it. And same with the not being caught somewhere where people were excluded.
Toni recently posted…Becoming A Disney Voice Over Actor: Voicing Dipper From Planes: Fire and Rescue
I love stories like these from business women. So empowering and motivational!
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Great interview and great story. I love hearing about positive and successful women. Thanks for sharing.
I love when other women take time to share the secrets of their success. We can all relate in some way or another to people’s passions. I missed seeing this business on Bethenny. Thanks for sharing.
Tonia recently posted…Mommy Makeover Monday – Keeping the Bikini Line Fine with Schick Quatro
I love hearing stories like this. It’s so nice to see someone turn their passion into a business. Great product too!
What a awesome story, it is so wonderful to see such growth with women in their careers. This made me smile, thanks!
It’s great to know about other mompreneurs and to also know that we all struggle and it’s not easy especially in the beginning – which is where my business is right now! Thank you for the inspiration!
Brenda recently posted…America’s pastime – the hot dog.
This was an awesome post. Thank you so much for sharing!
Very cool story! I’m so glad you shared this post. Love seeing how other moms turn their ideas into a business!
Amanda recently posted…Pressure at the Pediatrician’s Office
Really awesome post! I love what you are doing – I need to send this to my business partner because she always juggling work and motherhood and I think anyone doing that could always use this kind of advice.
Nina recently posted…Let’s Celebrate and Fall In Love With LinkedIn
What a wonderful and inspirational story. Love to read interviews like this it helps keep the motivation alive. Great post.
Yvelette recently posted…Wellness Wednesdays: Healthy Holiday Treats
Very good inspirational story. I am sad to see the show leave too, I wish it would of focused more on the business side or I don’t know I was ore with the sex talks I guess, it was to up and down all over the board.
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Thank you so much for letting me share my story with your readers. You are an inspiration to moms/ mompreneurs everywhere! It really is all about finding something you love to do and just do it. Never let anyone tell you that you can’t do it. Thanks again Camesha!
Love this, so inspiring – thank you for sharing.
What a great interview! I really enjoyed reading it! It was a powerful message!
Great story! Thanks for sharing, Camesha!
Anne Omland recently posted…Inspiring Career Advice From an Unlikely Source
Great interview!
I love how the best business stories come about when people really manage to marry what they love with their business, so they truly live their passions.
Such a beautiful business idea, as well!
xx
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