As the mom of a young child, even though she’s not exactly in the “board book” stages anymore, it was not all that long ago that they were what I specifically looked for while shopping for new books for her.  While they’re great at withstanding the wear and tear a child can put on it, they’re not very personal.

Now imagine placing photos of items or people in a book that is just as tough as any board book but adds a little something extra, the ability to use your own photos.  That something extra comes in the form of a mom-owned business, Board Book Albums, LLC.  Their board books make it easy to slide in a photo and not so easy for your child to destroy once they get a hold of it.

When Laura Miranti noticed that her daughter was a little behind other children her age developmentally, they began working with someone to help her in those areas.  When the early learning specialist suggested making a photo album with pictures of the people in her life and her favorite toys, Laura created an album that was quickly destroyed by her daughter.  Inspired by that problem, she went to work to create a better alternative.  Like a true mother of invention, Laura eventually created what is now known as the Take Your Pix ™ photo album.

Thanks to all of her hard work, Laura’s business is also in the running for StartupNation’s Home-Based 100.

To further testify to what her board book can do for others and her own inspirations, Laura was nice enough to answer a few questions about her business.

What inspired you to create your board book albums?

Our Story – In January 2007 when our daughter, Lucia, was only a year old, we realized that she was somewhat behind her peers in meeting certain developmental milestones.  We began, having regular sessions with a physical therapist and an early learning specialist. It’s amazing to see how much progress Lucia has made!  She is now walking well (started at age 2.5 yrs.) and is trying to say lots of words, although some of them we still can’t quite make out. The early learning specialist (who is like a speech therapist, but works with children before they begin to talk) suggested that I make Lucia a photo album to put photos of her family, toys, and other familiar objects in her world.  Lucia quickly tore up the album that I made for her.  When I was unable to find a kid-friendly photo album, I came up with the idea to create a board book photo album. This album has been a wonderful learning tool for Lucia. She loves to turn the pages and look at photos of her family, toys, and other familiar objects in her world.

What was your first board book album like?  How have they evolved since that first design?

After I had the idea to create a photo album with the sturdier board book design, I began searching online for manufacturers that could create the product.  Initially I went to a local craft store and bought cardboard sheets with the plan to try and construct a board book album myself.  However, once I had the primitive materials laid out in front of me, I realized that it wasn’t something that I could accomplish with my own hands.  There was no way that I would come up with a refined prototype that could be turned into a commercially manufactured product, which is what I had in mind.

The first designs and prototypes were actually created by various manufacturers who I found online.  I had about 5 to 10 manufacturers that I was working with to refine the album design while keeping the manufacturing costs competitive.  I decided on one manufacturer who treated me like their best customer and really worked hard to create the photo album design that I had envisioned.  The original prototypes are very similar to the finished products that we now sell.  We  just made small adjustments until we had the product just right.

What was the design process like?  How long did it take you to find the right materials to put together your books?

The design process involved me sending sketches of the prototype idea to various manufacturers and them sending me their version of an actual board book prototype.  We then went back and forth with adjustments on materials and dimensions, until the prototypes that they sent were exactly what I envisioned.  There was no cost involved for me to have the manufacturers create prototypes.  These companies realized that a substantial order from me would make them money, once we had the product design finalized.

From there, how long did it take for you to go from prototype to launching Board Book Albums, LLC?

I believe that the design process took about a year from the time I started working with manufacturers until I actually placed my first order in September 2008.  Board Book Albums, LLC was launched in April 2008, however I did not have the website set up and product in stock until November 2008.

What goals do you hope to reach over the next year?  What are some of your long term goals?

Studies have shown that young children only have object recognition with photos. This means that before the age of two, they are unable relate a drawing of an object with the actual object, but they can relate a photo of the object with the actual object.  My hope is that many children will enjoy our board book style photo albums. Kids with autism, speech delay, or other special needs may find it particularly beneficial as a learning tool, or just something fun to create with their own favorite photos. Kids love photo albums.  Now parents can give their kids their own albums, without worrying about the photos being damaged.  The new “Take Your Pix™” board book photo album (patent pending) is unlike any photo album that you’ve seen before!

Since I will welcome our fourth child in November 2009, my plans for the next year are to make as much progress as possible with Board Book Albums, LLC.  It will be a real juggling act with a new baby and 3 older kids, but I know that eventually my persistence will pay off.  My main goal is to market our products to as many families as possible.  I would love to acquire some large retail accounts, so that I can make some larger inventory orders and drive down my costs.  My goals are the same long term…. to market our products and distribute them both nationally and internationally.  We’ve had interest from some large U.S. retailers and I am currently working with some international distributors.  I hope to solidify those deals, so that more families and children can benefit from our products.  I have gotten great feedback from so many customers and supporters who reinforce the fact that our products serve a special need in society, in addition to just being a whole lot of fun.

Have you always had an entrepreneurial streak in you?

I have not always been an inventor or entrepreneur, but I have always felt deep down that I should be working toward a larger goal.  I always felt that spending time watching TV in my spare time was just killing precious time.  And I think that I always wondered what I could accomplish if I used that time toward reading, learning, or doing something productive.  When I came up with the board book album idea and really started thinking about it, everything just fell into place.  This was the way I was meant to spend my extra time – making a business and creating a product that would really help others and give back to society.

What are some of the most important lessons that your business has taught you since its conception?

Since I had the idea for this invention 2 year ago (July 2007), I have spent lots of time and money on starting the business, purchasing inventory, going to trade shows, etc.  I made the decision to pursue designing the “Take Your Pix” photo album and to get a manufacturer in the fall of 2007.  Since that time, I have spent every waking moment, staying up very late into the night researching and developing the business, as well as setting up the company all on my own.  I didn’t have any help along the way, but figured it out all on my own by researching on the internet.  For over a year, I replaced my daily TV-watching hours with time setting up the business, pursuing leads, making contacts, etc.  I have spent countless hours (every bit of my spare time) on the business over the past 2 years.  I am determined that if I work hard enough and find a way to get the word out, my product will be a great success! 

Starting my own business has taught me that I can do anything that I set my mind to, even if it seems like a daunting task at the beginning.  It has also taught me that I must be patient and diligent if I want to succeed.  It’s natural to want an immediate profit or success from all the hard work put in, but the lesson is that it will likely take much longer than you expect to reach success.

 

The best way that I have learned to stay motivated is by affirming myself for each small victory or accomplishment.  It’s easy to get overwhelmed and feel like you will never make it, but relishing each step accomplished makes you feel like you are successful.  You will have many small successes (and probably many failures) before you make it big.  It’s about staying power and a positive attitude.  Believing that our business will benefit society and help others has allowed me to stay the course and keep going, even at times when it seems like there’s very little financial payoff.

With three children, your husband, and your business, I can imagine it would be tough trying to find the time for everything you need.  What helps you balance your time?  Any tips that have been especially helpful to you?

Juggling family life and setting up the business has been challenging, but also very rewarding.  I am married and have three great kids – Slone (12), Marren (9) and Lucia (3), and a baby girl due in Nov. 2009.  Family has always been my first priority and I decided to stay home with the kids after Lucia was born in Jan. 2006.  As a CPA, I was able to keep my accounting job and work from home until Feb. 2009 when I was laid off.  I began setting up the business during the past couple years while I worked from home.   Working from home allowed me to set my own schedule and work late hours, freeing up time during the day for the kids activities and family time.  Now I am going to focus on Board Book Albums full time, so that I can still stay home and spend time with my kids, while still working toward a successful business that will help support our family in the future.  Multi-tasking is the key to success.  You have to be organized and use your free time for the business.  Take advantage of every opportunity to work, when the kids are in bed, etc.  So much can be accomplished from your laptop – moms would be amazed at what they can do right from their own homes!  There’s so much valuable information online.  Where there is a will, there’s a way to get it done!

Does your family help out with the business?  If so, in what ways are they able to help?

My friends and family are very supportive of my idea and the business that I have created.  My husband is my biggest fan and really admires the fact that I have taken my idea and have created and manufactured a very marketable product.  He actually helped me sketch the first drawings of the album design, so I could take it to the patent attorney.  Chris also had the idea to add the notches to the page edges, which makes them easier to turn.  My kids love the albums and the fact that I have started my own company.  My daughter Marren (9) likes to help me get orders ready for the post office.  Both Marren and Slone (12) have helped me run our booth at local trade shows and they both ask me if they can help me run the company someday.  I tell them that one day I may pass it along to them, or they may want to work for me.  I am instilling in them the belief that all things are possible, if you work hard and follow your dreams.  By my example, they are learning that they can do anything they set their mind to in life.  I am also showing them that just because you make being a mother a priority, doesn’t mean that you can’t achieve other business related goals, too.  My mom and her husband have sold lots of my photo albums to friends and family.  Everyone who sees our products really loves them.  I know that I have laid the groundwork for a successful product and business.

What advice do you have for fellow entrepreneurs hoping to take their product idea and create a business out of it?

My advice for other entrepreneurs hoping to start their own businesses is to plan out your idea well and then go for it!  Don’t let someone tell you that it won’t work or that you can’t do it.  If you have an idea for a new or innovative product, one of the first things to do is to consult a patent attorney.  You must protect your idea before you go too far, or you risk someone stealing it.  Once you have filed a patent or have an actual prototype in hand, then you have to find a manufacturer.  I think you know that you have a successful product idea when you keep getting positive feedback from everyone that uses it.  Doing the research is important.  Find out if there are many people that will want to use your product.  Does it serve a large group of people, or just a specialized few?  Who are your competitors and what makes your product different?  Find out if you can manufacture it at a reasonable cost.  Figure out the details and do your homework before you invest too much time or money in your business.  Overall, just believe in yourself and decide to pursue making your product idea into a business, if you have done all the planning and you know that you have a marketable product.  It will not be easy to do, but it will be worth all your hard work if you keep at it.