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Happy Housewives Club Business Hot Mama of he Month!

Michelle Davenport, President of Need Aprons, Inc.

Hi! I’m Debra Rubin-Roberts.

Hi, I'm Michelle Davenport owner of Need Aprons, Inc.  I was born and raised in Georgia.  Yes I do have that deep southern drawl.  I’m told I have an accent that is a cross between Reba McEntire and Paula Deen.  I’ve been married to my husband Tony for 15 years and we have one son named Auston.

I have been a WAHM for about 3 years now and how that came about is an interesting story.  I earned my college degree in Computer Information Systems and worked for over 10 years climbing my way up the corporate ladder to be one of the two top level IS executives in the company.  It wasn’t very long after I finished my degree that I out grew the company and their technology.  I was basically the “Maytag Man”, hanging out until something broke – I was bored!

During that time I had always piddled around with selling on eBay.  So I began working harder at building my eBay presence and finally against everyone telling me I was nuts, I followed my dream of being a Work at Home Mom.  I continued selling on eBay for a year and realized there just wasn’t enough income coming in so I set out to find part time employment in the computer industry.

I was lucky enough to land an interview with an apron manufacturer.  We talked about everything but the job I was actually interviewing for.  We got on the subject of eBay and he asked if I would like to take a box of aprons and try them on eBay.  I being and avid eBay seller for so many years, knew that aprons would be a hit!  After a few weeks of analyzing the market and the need I was hooked on Aprons!  In February 2006 NeedAprons.com was born!  Need Aprons, Inc. was a success with clients that now include Walt Disney MGM, Bourjois Cosmetics in Paris, Dollywood, Neiman Marcus and recently the “My Name is Earl” Show! How cool is that!!

Being a work at home mom I have gotten more into the art of home making, the cooking, cleaning, nurturing etc.  Although my professional aprons do so well, I prefer the more girly girl look of Retro Aprons and gloves when I’m working around the house.  I searched for the best of the best and in January of 2007 I opened my second Internet store TheDashingDiva.com where I sell only retro aprons and girly girl items for the home and personal use.

On a personal note: This will probably make 50 bra burners jump from a bridge, but I would SOOOO love to see the 50’s housewife make a comeback!  I would love to see all housewives, just like Darla, come back to be a more respectable thing to do.   I am on a crusade with TheDashingDiva and all you others SAHM’s and WAHM’s out there to go back to a time when it was ok to dress up and be a girly girl for no reason at all.  I’m talking about what our mothers and grandmothers wore not our teenage daughters.  I want to wear my apron to the grocery store and not get looked at like I’m from Mars!  I would also be a big supporter in bringing back home economics as a profession, although I’d rather see the old ways than the new, that doesn’t include microwaves and on the go meals.

I want to thank Bunmi and Darla for inviting me as a featured WAHM of the month and I would also like to answer a few questions asked by Bunmi.

What is the #1 mistake moms make when starting their online stores?

I can’t say this enough, RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH!  Take the time, even if it takes months, to research everything about the business you are going into.  I see a lot of people just diving in without any research whatsoever only to fail in the first year.  Also don’t set your expectations too high, don’t expect to become rich overnight.  It takes lots of hard work, dedication and patience!

What were the major steps you took to get your store up and running?

Once I did all my research the very first thing I did was obtained a business license.  A business license will get you so much further in any industry or idea you choose.  You can consult your local government for rules and requirements, but get one; some companies (supplies, products) will not even talk to you without one.

How do you make sure your family (and sanity) stay your top priority?

Aside from doing a marathon day like trying to secure a major business deal with someone like Walt Disney, put yourself on a schedule.  I realize this is hard to do when you are starting your business, there’s a lot of work involved up front.   Do your best, put yourself on a schedule, business hours such and such time and stick to it.  As silly as it sounds I keep a spiral notebook around at all times so I can jot down ideas or tasks that need to be done with the business instead of running back and forth to my office during family time.

I want to say to all of you SAHM’s out there that are considering becoming a WAHM you already have half the necessary skills you just don’t know it yet!  Household Management! You’re already have the skills of budgeting, accounting, organizing, delegating….getting the picture?  Although it may be more grunt work on your part, you can start on a shoe string, in fact I started my eBay business with just 100 bucks and it was all up hill from there!

Thank you again to Bunmi and Darla, I am so glad to have met you, and thank you to the Happy Housewives Club community for such a warm welcome into your world!
 
 
 
Sincerely,
 
 
Michelle Davenport
President
Need Aprons, Inc.
www.needaprons.com
www.thedashingdiva.com