“My travels led me to where I am today. Sometimes these steps have felt painful, difficult, but led me to greater happiness and opportunities.”- Diana Ross
Tracyn Thayer of Kids Travel Happy
When Tracyn Thayer launched Kids Travel Happy in October 2008, she had already traveled quite extensively with her two young boys – then ages five and two. In her travels, she realized that traditional games and toys supposedly designed for traveling were just “bigger” toys made a convenient size to take along – but not always a convenient size for small hands to use. “We’ve spent so much time hunting under airplane seats for tiny parts, and calming kids’ frustrations as unstable toys slid across train or plane trays,” recalls the mom entrepreneur.
As a result, Tracyn has spent hours researching cool, non-traditional travel toys to take on trips, most of which fit in a kid’s standard backpack. She also found that activities could be better contained using a multi-use craft or lap tray, or other car seat or stroller tray. As she saw her own activity bags get better and better with each trip, Tracyn also noticed that other traveling families would benefit from their research. KidsTravelHappy.com was born!
While she admits that she’s not beyond carrying a DVD or MP3 player, Tracyn says that they are rarely used when she travels. The mission of Kids Travel Happy is to have children engage in brain-stimulating activities and toys. Tracyn is confident that there are so many terrific products out there that young traveling companions won’t miss the electronic pastimes. An added bonus of equipping young travel companions with great stuff to do? “As an adult you might actually get to read that book that always gets packed and neglected!”
Tracyn is getting great feedback from her customers. “When a customer emails and tells me that the items they ordered ‘saved’ the trip, I feel motivated to offer that person new options when they travel again.” She also listens to constructive criticism and knows that growth can come from even the most modest improvements. “I believe in doing honest business with loyal customers, and in time that customer base will grow.”
Tracyn’s supportive family also keeps her motivated, but she knows that juggling her time between work and family can be a bit challenging. “At times I don’t feel like I balance them well, to be honest!” Tracyn relies on her husband, who gives her time to work on the business by watching the kids when it’s critical.
With one child in the first grade and her preschooler in Montessori, Tracyn thought she’d have all kinds of “free time.” However, like many mom entrepreneurs, Tracyn finds that her available time gets eaten away. “I am continually amazed by how quickly the time goes, and frequently find myself trying to do tasks with the kids (and their needs) nearby. These are the times when I’m torn between focusing more on my business, and focusing on them, who, at the end of the day, are most important to me.”
Tracyn knows she can’t do it all. Having started her business to supplement her husband’s teaching salary, Tracyn’s main priority is to not interfere with her involvement in raising her kids. “It’s always a ‘tipping’ balance in my opinion,” says Tracyn, “I just hope it tips in the correct direction more often than not.”
Even with these challenges, Tracyn loves what she’s doing. Being a stay-at-home mom for over six years, she’s really enjoying running her own business, including all the responsibility and learning that goes with it – as well as the other dimension it adds to her personality. “For the first time since I was pregnant with my first child, I feel like I have my own ‘thing.’” She finds the entrepreneurial side comes naturally. As an engineer by degree, Tracyn inherently loves problem-solving, the financial planning, the accounting, the purchasing decisions – and figuring it out along the way.
She also loves the flexibility of her work. “Although I do have a storefront, with set hours, I write my schedule, and close the shop on days I feel are better spent as family.”
Tracyn believes that entrepreneurial moms should start by choosing something they are passionate about and interested in, which should keep her motivated on days when the money isn’t coming in as fast as originally hoped.
She also encourages entrepreneurs to build a network of support. “Whether it’s a blogging network, other mom entrepreneurs, a mentor in your area – all of these people can help you stay motivated, or offer an outlet to commiserate about whatever may get you down from time to time.” Find out about online resource for women mentoring women.
“Nearly everyday you will come across a ‘need’ for a product, and those who figure out how to meet that need are the ones that become successful. Keep your business fresh. No one likes more of the same, stale products.” Tracyn recommends that mom entrepreneurs don’t sell themselves short. “If you’ve researched your business, and think you’ve got a good idea, go for it. If you don’t, eventually someone else will. ”
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nice article, I am a customer and am heading out to California with my almost 3 year old daughter and some new age appropriate stuff for her, Tracyn product tests some of her stuff so I know I can buy with confidence and excitement.