Babson Startup Profile: MommiesFirst
What is your name and the name of your business?
My name is Lorena Scott, and I’m a member of the Babson Class of 1999. I am the founder of MommiesFirst (www.mommiesfirst.com).
What’s the mission or description of your business?
MommiesFirst is a monthly subscription service for expectant and new moms (and their babies). We deliver mom-recommended, stage-specific boxes, so moms receive only the very best products at just the right time during their pregnancy and motherhood journey. Our motto is “love and care delivered” because we aim to create very special boxes and deliver amazing customer service for our members each month. Our hope is to make life for new moms a little bit easier and a lot less stressful.
Ultimately, it is our hope is that the care package delivered to our moms are the special treat she looks forward to each month and that the products inside her box empower her to shop with ease and confidence. All our boxes are customized and personalized, and start at 3 months in pregnancy and go up to the baby’s first year! Boxes start at $30 per month, with free shipping.
MommiesFirst Birthing Box
Where is your business located?
MommiesFirst ships boxes across the US and Canada. Our headquarters is in Toronto, Canada.
What inspired your business?
While at Babson, like many of my classmates, I studied entrepreneurship. My father is also an entrepreneur, so from a very early age, I knew it was a path I wanted to pursue. After Babson, however, I spent many years looking for an idea/inspiration. Then, I became a mother. My children truly inspired MommiesFirst. Not only did they help me come up with the idea, but also, they set the tone for our mission and vision. I want to teach my boys that having a dream and wanting to make a difference – and then pursuing these two goals relentlessly – is both important and possible.
How did the idea begin?
When my first son was born, I was scared and unsure. I also had absolutely no idea what to buy for him, but I just knew I wanted the very best for him. At first I thought, “it was just me” who had this problem, but in talking to other moms, I quickly discovered that many of us struggle to find the best products and brands for our children. MommiesFirst was created to help other moms tackle this issue. We do the research for moms and send them our recommendations in a beautiful box she (and her baby) can enjoy each month.
What is your favorite thing about the business?
The ability to build a business that is making a difference is incredibly rewarding. I love what I do because it allows me to build a company, feed my creative juices and touch the lives of other moms.
And the worst/your least favorite?
Entrepreneur hours are LONG. I have never worked harder in my life and you actually never stop working or thinking about the business because it’s your “other baby”.
What is your most recent business accomplishment?
In April 2014, we began shipping our US member boxes from the US, allowing us to become a more profitable business. There was a great deal of work required to make that transition possible in a timely manner, including finding the right partner, building new brand relationships, and setting up new operations. While there were plenty of growing pains and a lot of learnings involved, our members never saw that – which was a huge accomplishment.
What’s been your biggest surprise with the business?
The outpouring of support from our members and the connection we have built with our community of moms. I knew I wanted to help moms through our MommiesFirst boxes, but I couldn’t have imagined the impact we would have on many of our members. Their feedback and continued support takes the long hours worth it!