Dawn Weigum, Sweet Pea Cakes, Etc.
a. What is your name? Dawn Weigum
b. What is your age? 26 (as of April 2008)
c. What is the name of your company? URL of web site?
d. When was your company founded? March 2007
e. How was your company funded?
My company started off by using part of my tax return and shortly after that I got a business credit cards to keep up with the start up costs, expenses, advertising and so forth. I am now looking into loans, grants, etc. to keep the funding to expand our product line and up our advertising.
f. What does your company do?
I make all handmade gifts. I make diaper cakes filled inside with 14 gifts such as: 1 handmade swaddle blanket, 2 handmade reversible bibs, Johnson & Johnson travel shampoo, wash, lotion and powder, trial size desitin and soothing lotion, 2 binkie clips, 2 binkies, and 2 other baby items (rattles, wash cloths, manicure set, spoon and fork set, etc). The cakes are topped with plush toys. I also make handmade nursing cover ups, Sweet Pea baby food gift sets, bath time towel cakes with handmade pajamas inside, Sweet Pea J's, towel cakes, wedding towel cakes, and cupcakes.
f. How/Why did you come up with this idea?
I decided after my littles daughter was sick with RSV that I needed to find away to stay home to be with and still have an income to support my two girls. After receiving a diaper cake, I decided that I could launch my own line of handmade gifts for every special occassion and so began my online boutique: Sweet Pea cakes, etc.
h. Where is your product/service sold?
i. What is the best piece of advice someone gave you about starting your own business?
Never give up. There are going to be slow days where you question if all the time and money and energy spent into your business is worth it and it is! You have to always have faith in yourself and what you are doing, as well as believing in your product if you want anyone else to believe it to!
j. What is the most valuable lesson you have learned or advice you would like to give others that might want to start their own business?
Make a business plan first. Research your product. Set a budget and look it grants and funding first. That is something I wish I had done. You have to work on your business every day. Building a website and waiting for sales won't get you to where you need to be.
k. Does your company support any causes? If so, what are they? Right now my company is participating in charity events for Children's Hospital with another company called Baby Candy. We are sponsors for the auctions she holds. We are currently sponsoring a lemonade stand that will raise money for the charity Alex's Lemonade stand which will be June 6th and 7th. The money raised helps children with cancer. This fall I will also be running a silent auction to raise money for Wigs for Kids. I think this is such a great charity and I am very excited to be working out all the details to make this a huge event!
