Featured Moms: LaDy LaDuke

Today we’re chatting with the lovely ladies behind LaDy LaDuke — creators of some very stylish nursing covers, nursery decor and other accessories for fashionable mamas! Find out how these two sisters handle running a business together!

01. Tell us a little about yourselves!
We are Courtney and Betina…sisters, mothers, co-owners, creators and designers of LaDy LaDuke…Unique Items For Mothers & Women.  We grew up sharing a room, playing dress up, and looking through our Mom’s old Vogue patterns, but never really knew until starting our handmade business that we had planted in us a design seed waiting to grow.

02. What lead you to creating your own business?
We were at the Halloween pumpkin patch with our sister-in-law, who was trying to nurse her newborn, while chasing her toddler, while tugging at the back of her shirt to keep it in place, and we thought, why not make something that really works for breastfeeding, mobile moms! After research and prototypes, we came up with our “Feeder Frock” nursing cover invention, and opened our Etsy shop to sell it.  We now have over 25 unique Feeder Frock styles and more.

03. Describe a typical day in the life of YOU!
I get up early and check e-mails, etc. Betina and I live in nearby cities, so we communicate via e-mail a lot.  Then, I sew orders, package them, and try to make the last shipping time at 3:00.  After orders are out, I can check in with customers, check in on social networks, tend to our blog, tend to my husband, etc.  I sew again in the evenings before and after dinner.  All regular household chores are running at the same time that I’m sewing, like laundry, breaking for cleaning, etc.  I make checklists daily to complete what I have to do, so that I can make it!

04. What is your best piece of advice for fellow WAHMs?
Don’t ever doubt your abilities or what you can accomplish.  You just have to decide that you will do something, and you’ll notice that the more you do, the more you can do.  You also never know what you can do until you do it.  So always push forward and try, and if you didn’t get to it today, try again tomorrow!

05. The best part of being WAHMs? The worst?
There is real freedom in being your own boss, working in your home.  Moms lose themselves a bit while raising kids and being selfless in that respect.  Having your own personal goals and achievements through your business can keep you happy, sane and satisfied, making you an even better Mom.  The worst part of working at home is juggling the business and family, when there is no distance from the work place.  You don’t get to punch in and check out, and go home to family. It’s all right there, all of the time.

06. Favourite blog? Music? Book? Movie?
Blog: NiceGirlNotes…www.nicegirlnotes.com Music: Too much to name…Chopin, Rolling Stones, Bluegrass, Alternative, INXS, Heart. Book: All Jane Austen Movie: Pride and Prejudice

07. Where do you see yourselves in 5 years?
We see our brand bigger, with more to offer…being the place that Moms think of not only for something they need that solves their problems, but for something they want, because it is special and chic.  All the while, never losing our custom, personal handmade relationship with our customers.

Visit LaDy LaDuke online or check the Mommy LaDy Club! They can also be found on Facebook, YouTube & Twitter.

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Desiree Fawn is a blogger/doula from Ontario where she lives with her 2-year-old daughter, Gretchen.
She blogs at So Fawned.
Follow @sofawned on Twitter!

LADY LADUKE

LaDy LaDuke…Home of The Feeder Frock…front and back coverage, nurse sitting, standing, moving!

www.ladyladuke.com