Cynthia Powell of Chicks & Cubs

Name: Cynthia Powell

Tell us a little about yourself:
Hi, I’m Cynthia Powell, 39, Christian, wife of 17 years, mom of 3 boys, and business owner. I was a Chemical Engineer (grad from GA Tech) before I came home to be a WAHM. What more can I say, my list here pretty much defines who I am on a day to day basis.

What is your business name and web address:
Chicks & Cubs
http://www.ChicksAndCubs.com

Tell us a little about your business:
My business started with Patty-Cakes which is mostly a local product (I take the impression myself, so it’s hard to do via internet). I added Baby Shoe Bronzing because of the natural fit with Patty-Cakes. I have used slings for years with my kids and love them. I started making keepsake boxes to give as wedding and shower gifts at church and thought that might be a product others would like. I added the child safety products because I believe in them and think that kids need help in todays crazy world.

What inspired you to become a work at home mom:
Well, I always thought I would be a work outside the home mom. Then I got hooked on listening to Dr. Laura on the radio and she and God changed my mind about that. I realized I needed to be home for my children. But I needed to convince my hubby a little more so I thought if I could come up with a way I could make money and still be home, he would be more agreeable. When my oldest son was just 6 weeks old we had his Patty-Cakes done in another state because I could not find anyone near me. When we did, I found out that it was a franchise type business and my wheels started turning. Less than a year later I had started my business and quit my “real” job.
I love being a WAHM. I love the flexibility and the challenge of it.

Is there any advice that you would like to share with other women on the path of working from home:
My biggest advice is that it is still WORK. Being a business owner means I work a lot and don’t get paid for it right then. You never know when that work is going to pay off down the road. If you really want to make money with a business you really do have to do work not just play around. Now the good part for me is that work can be flexed in around my family. I do shows on weekends when hubby is off. My kids are with me when I have customers in my home to do impressions. I work during naps and at night. But I work hard and long to be successful.

What has been the most effective advertising method for you:
One of the quickest profit turners for me was to do a short “show & tell” type talk at a Christian Women’s breakfast meeting - very unlikely but it really was a great success for me. For me, advertising is not a do this see this result. It is like making a big snow ball. You have to keep rolling the ball in the snow for it to get big. So I just keep trying things and the momentum builds into success for the business. I do shows, print ads, online ads, fillers, stuff mail boxes, put things on people’s cars…. you name it and I have probably tried it. The only other advertising advice I would give is to learn TRUE information about Search Engine Optimization. Being in the top of the search engines for the right keywords for your business can make a HUGE difference in your success.

Can you share with us one negative business experience that you learned from:
The one thing I have learned is that I don’t have to do it all, right now. When I started out I thought I had to look and be like a real store that had been in business for 20 years already. I mean - I thought I had to have a sample of everything I sold for the customer to see before they could make their decision. I thought I had to have business cards and name tags and table cloths and table skits that all matched my “theme”. I thought I had to do every show that came available. In hind sight I now see that I have to keep moving forward but I don’t have to have already finished the race. Take things a step at a time. Do what you can, but you don’t have to do everything all at once.