From pregnancy to birth and as the child grows, it’s a
special time. Unfortunately it doesn’t last forever, and those
moments are times we want to preserve. Casting Keepsakes gives
parents a chance to do that with their casting kits. Whether
it’s from pregnancy with a belly casting kit, or the traditional
newborn hands and feet cast.
The owner of Casting Keepsakes, Sheila, is sharing her story
with us as well as giving one of our readers a chance to
preserve these memories of their own.
Giveaway
Sheila has been kind enough to give one of our readers a chance
to win a product of their choice (with a value of up to $25) off
the Casting Keepsakes
website.
If you would like a chance at this opportunity, leave a
comment on this post telling me which item you would like to win
and why.
The giveaway starts now and ends on July 10th at 11:59pm. The
winner will be chosen on the 11th and contacted by email.
What is ‘Casting Keepsakes?’
Casting Keepsakes is a store dedicated to helping
preserve memories in their most authentic and natural form
via life casting.
What inspired the idea behind your business?
After the birth of our first child, a friend showed us a
casting of their child’s foot from 5 years earlier. It blew
me way so I went looking for the kit for myself. After not
being able to find anything similar (later we found out the
company was no longer in business), I went looking for my
own “recipe.”
How long has it been since it launched
Although we had been providing service and materials to
friends for a couple years prior, the store officially
launched in October, 2004.
What is your best selling product?
The best selling product is and always has been the
Infant Plaster Casting Keepsake kit, which creates 2 infant
3D replica castings of either a foot or a hand.
How did you come up with the perfect casting material mix?
After a long search, we found a manufacturer that was
willing to tweak their already excellent standard formula to
our specifications. From there, it was just test and test
some more.
What was the process you went through to get from idea to
successful business?
We originally created the product for ourselves and in
the beginning we took the responses, questions and
suggestions from those that used and tested it for us. From
there we continued to listen to current customers and it has
been a combination of patience and determination.
What one thing have you learned since you began that you
wish you’d known in advance?
I learned not to be afraid to as for what you want. For
example, I never even thought to ask the shipping companies
for a discount until someone else mentioned it (and we of
course got it). Also, I always ordered certain supplies from
a particular company online and when the site was being
updated, I had to call in the order and speak to a sales
representative. To my surprise, I was offered a 60% discount
due the quantity I was ordering. Now, I negotiate up front.
Did you have any previous experience that you were able to
apply in starting or growing Casting Keepsakes?
I had been a biomedical engineer just prior to taking the
work at home plunge, so that helped with the technical
formulation aspects. The “sales” experience started in 1999
when a family member and I dabbled in selling on ebay
anything from closeout merchandise to used baby clothes.
Also, I had put myself through college working in customer
service as well as with the elderly. Both taught me a lot of
patience and the latter, perspective.
What kind of things have you learned as a mompreneur?
Without getting into specifics, I have learned that I am
much more adaptable and more patient than I ever thought I
could be. I also learned that I must have a little bit of
crazy in me.
How do your children get involved?
Our oldest child just turned 8 this spring and she now
helps out with the packaging and labeling. I can’t wait
until she and the others can do a little more.
What one piece of advice would you like to share with
other women looking to start a business of their own?
I know it’s been said many times before, but you really
have to love what you do. If you don’t, then trying to run
your business from home will slowly drain the life out of
you because it is always there (you don’t get to leave it
and go home, etc).
