Back in November, we interviewed Dr. Amy Fairchild from Baby AngelBug for a feature in our newsletter.   You may remember Chris’ review of Baby AngelBug which she wrote back on December 4th.  We are re-publishing the interview here for those who do not get our newsletter (but don’t forget to subscribe to our newsletter to read other interviews and be eligible for giveaways!

1. Tell us about Baby AngelBug

Baby AngelBug is a baby developmental products company, a family business started over a year ago.  My vision is to create innovative, functional products that make parenting easier and baby happy.

2. What was your inspiration for Baby AngelBug?

My over-the-top passion for children!  After the birth of my first child, Jonah, I was always on the hunt for wonderful new products that would help me be a better mommy and advance or make Jonah happy.  Some of these found products were great, and some not so.  With my background as a Child Psychiatrist and Developmental Specialist along with motherhood, ideas started flowing.  I felt I could offer a fresh, yet experienced perspective to the baby marketplace.

3. What challenges did you encounter when launching it?

Oh goodness, there have been so many!!  To design and bring a product to market has been one of the hardest challenges for me.  From product research and development with patent searches, prototype makers, and safety testing, to writing law labels, designing fabric, packaging, and marketing it.  Once you get over one hurdle, there are many more.  This process takes a lot of patience, persistence and prayer! 

4. What has surprised you the most in launching and running Baby AngelBug?

How much I continue to love this business and what it stands for, my passion for my little ones.  This business came from the purest of places, the inspiration and amazing love I have for my children and all children for that matter.  AngelBug is my son’s pet name and my daughter is the baby on the package inserts at different ages.  Very few things in life carry that much passion and this business represents that for me.  Also, how such a small business can take such a huge amount of time, energy, and focus.  I am learning new things everyday!

5. What resource has helped you the most in starting up?

The Internet has been key in sourcing information about pretty much everything I have needed to learn/know.  Also, I have been fortunate to have some generous mentors along the way who have shared their time and knowledge with me which has been invaluable.

6. We have many busy moms (and dads) reading Mom’s Favorite Stuff who would love to know how you balance your family life and running a small business.

Sometimes I wonder that myself.  Isn’t that the perpetual question for us all?  The balance is hard.  Family must come first.  I do a lot of work after the children go to bed, early in the morning when they’re still asleep,  and I am lucky to have a good support system.  I still practice medicine part time so some days are busier than others.  I try to take one day at a time, prioritize as efficiently as I can, and delegate what I can.  Being a parent, whether you work in the home or out, is the hardest job anyone will ever do!

7. Tell us what’s next for Baby AngelBug

We are excited to bring accessories to the Kick and Grow Tummy Zone soon, a super deluxe version of the activity mat and have two other products in development, that again, came out of necessity with my children.