Start Up Story: Julie Cole, Mabel’s Labels Inc

Mabel’s Labels is the leading provider of personalized children’s labels. Highly customized, durable and adorable, they are a favourite among parents, teachers, daycare providers, camps and kids!

Why did you become an entrepreneur?
My business partners and I wanted to leave the traditional workforce to strike a better work/family life balance, and we had a good idea for a product that we wanted to bring to market.

What’s the best part of being an entrepreneur…and the worst?
It’s incredibly exciting and fulfilling to have an idea and execute the business plan. Watching the business grow and nurturing that growth is extremely exhilarating! Challenges include financing your startup and investing 24 hours a day without knowing if your business will succeed.

How long have you been in business?
We have had our product in the market for 7 years. We spent over a year researching and testing materials before launching.

Why did you get into your particular business?
As parents of small children, we recognized a market need. We had many of the same children’s products and play dates often ended with “whose sippy cup is this?” We knew we could do something cuter and more durable than names scribbled on masking tape!

What’s unique about your business?
There are many things! One is our close connection with other moms. We understand our market – heck, we are our market! We have a very strong online community and enjoy interacting with our customer base through various social media.

How did you raise the start-up cash?
Fortunately, all four partners contributed – it would be far more difficult to self-fund alone!

Identify and discuss TWO lessons you’ve learned as an entrepreneur.
1. Only do what you love. This applies to everything – from products and materials to language and website. If you don’t love it, you won’t be happy!
2. Do what you’re good at and know your limitations. At first, we did everything –until it occurred to us that there were people who could do a better job at some of that work.

What advice – relevant to your lessons above – would you give to an aspiring entrepreneur?
Don’t get so caught up working ‘in’ the business that you forget to work ‘on’ the business. Think strategically and do a lot of blue-skying!

Briefly, what are your plans for the future?
We plan to continue to be the leading provider of labels and to grow our amazing community through exceptional customer service and top quality products.

Any other information or advice you’d like to share?
Social Media and Word of Mouth has been invaluable.

You can find Julie Cole and Mables Lables at www.mabelhood.com and on Twitter at @mabelhood. Also, learn about their WOM program at www.buzzmamas.com

Real Ways for Small Business

Your Small Business Advisor!