I am really enjoying this series and getting to know local business owners in the area. It is making me feel more connected to Tallahassee, for sure!

Meet Marlo – she’s the owner of Little Speckled Frog (by the way, don’t you just love that name?), an online children’s boutique specializing in organic and responsibly produced merchandise. We are now “friends of the frog” too – hoorah!

Without further ado – here’s Marlo and the Frog!

Hi Marlo!

Where are you from and how did you end up in Tallahassee?
I grew up in Apollo Beach, FL, a small town located on Tampa Bay. I moved to Tallahassee to attend Florida State University, where I met my husband my senior year. We were married 4 years later and have been here ever since, raising our two amazing daughters!

How did you decide start Little Speckled Frog?
Little Speckled Frog grew out of my desire to provide my daughter with the healthiest, most natural childhood I could. I’ve always been a bit of a worry-wart, but after the arrival of my first child, I became obsessed with phthalates-this and BPA-that. There also seemed to be a new toy recall every other day! Eeek! This led me to do a lot of research to find safer products to use with my baby and in my home. I found that there were companies out there that valued children’s health and safety by using organic and eco-friendly materials, but most weren’t “mainstream”. Many were small mom- or family-owned companies and their products were hard to find and certainly not all in one place. The stores I did find that carried a variety of “organic” and “eco-friendly” products were a little bland for my taste. Too much beige! Thus, I created Little Speckled Frog so that other natural-minded parents could find healthier products for their children without sacrificing style.

Who is your biggest influence/inspiration?
Hands down, my mom. She inspires me to be a great mother and woman, and for this I am forever grateful! I named my company, Little Speckled Frog, as sort of a tribute to her. If you aren’t familiar with the children’s song “Five Little Speckled Frogs”, here are the lyrics (feel free to sing along!):

Five little speckled frogs
Sat on a hollow log
Eating the most delicious bugs (yum, yum!).
One jumped into the pool
Where it was nice and cool
Then there were four little speckled frogs.

As the oldest of five, I watched my cloth-diapering, baby-wearing, extended-breastfeeding, home-cooking, mainly stay-at-home mom raise five little babies the best way she knew how – with never-ending love and commitment. She worked hard to prepare “five little speckled frogs” to one by one “jump into the pool” of life as respectful, thoughtful, courageous adults. Because really, isn’t that what its all about? About preparing your child for their life ahead, making sure they grow up healthy and happy and with good values, ethics, self-worth? About committing your life to the betterment of your child’s? Well, I think so, and I think my mother was a great example of this. I only hope that I can become half the women she is!

What is your go-to favorite product you market?
I love, love, love, love, love the bamboo clothing line from Kicky Pants. It is one of my best selling lines because it is so soft, cute, and comfy. Babies love it and adult wish it came in their size!

What’s your best advice for balancing work and family?
To tell you the truth, I am still working on this one! I am the kind of person who thinks I have to do it all and to perfection. Unfortunately, there never seems to be enough hours in the day. I am often up all hours of the night finishing “business stuff” that can’t be done during the day because of the kids. I know that soon the kids won’t be so “needy” and I will have more time to devote to the business, but for now, the scale is tipped in favor of family. I work hard and do the best I can for Little Speckled Frog, but my number one priority will always be my family!

What does the future hold in store for Marlo and Little Speckled Frog?
I’m really hoping the future holds more sleep for me and more growth for Little Speckled Frog! My intentions are to try and reach out more to the local Tallahassee community and make sure I am meeting their needs. I also hope to add more handmade products and products from small, mama and family owned companies, as well as more toys, clothes and gifts for older children.

What are your favorite things to do with the kids in Tallahassee?
I am an outside kinda girl, and luckily so are my little ones. We are blessed in Tallahassee to have amazing parks and when its not so blazing hot outside, we try and frequent them. I also adore the Tallahassee Museum (Jr. Museum). We always find frogs there! : )

What are the three words your spouse/partner would use to describe you?
Caring, Nurturing, Perfectionist

Lastly – what would you advise others just starting out as a businesswoman?
First of all, make sure you have the help and support of your family and friends. Running a business is a huge emotional, financial and time commitment and you will need all the encouragement and assistance you can get! Secondly, do what you love. There is no sense in putting so much effort into something you don’t love and believe in passionately. Best of luck! : )

A few months ago, while clicking around on Facebook, I found the fan page for Ecological Babies – a Tallahassee local, yet worldwide (yay Internet!) cloth diapering retailer. It’s not that simple, though – Jen’s not just selling cloth diapers, she’s got a phenomenal community of local moms in Tallahassee. Jen works with clients 1:1 in her home to educate and advise on all manners related to cloth, and on her fan page (have you joined? You really should!) she actively posts informative topics in a wide variety of parenting and healthy living issues.

Over the last few months I’ve really enjoyed working with Jen. Here’s my interview with her! Leave her some love too!

Hi, Jen!

Where are you from and how did you end up in Tallahassee?

I was born in Chicago, IL but was raised in South Bend, Indiana. Most of my extended family is in upstate NY, since both my mom and dad grew up in that area. In 2005, Brian (my spouse) accepted a position as an assistant professor in the Sociology Dept. at Florida State University.

How did you decide start Ecological Babies?

Ecological Babies was born out of my desire to be home with Rita Clare and wishing I had more one/one help with starting to use cloth diapers. I loved the idea of creating my own business based on my personal values and to have an outlet to be a part of my community. Rita Clare was about 5 months when I came up with the idea and Ecological Babies launched 6 months later. I never could have actually launched my business without the help of many friends and family members more talented than myself (Liz Buzone- web and logo designer, Michelle Maguire- bookkeeper, Brian Starks- practical and numbers man, my dad- sales and marketing expert, Katie Allina- Marketing/Advertising Expert, and many more).

Who is your biggest influence/inspiration?

This is a tough question. Obviously, my business is fueled by wanting to be home with my children. They inspire me to be a better person, a better mom.

Before I started my business and had children, fighting for social justice was a big priority. I can’t be as active as I used to be, but I use my business as a way to promote awareness, talk about issues, and support organizations who are fighting for us. They inspire me to continue to build a better world.

The families I work with are a HUGE inspiration for me. To see a parent taking the risk to simply LEARN about the option of cloth diapers is a leap of faith for them. Then to see them making it work for their families and feel positive about their commitment absolutely sets me on fire! Finally, I honestly am inspired by my faith and belief in saints.

Finally, as a Catholic, I’ve learned how ordinary people done extraordinary work with love/passion, commitment, trust, respect, and reliance on others in community. I don’t try and force my beliefs on anyone, nor expect others to subscribe to my beliefs. However, I believe anyone can do extraordinary things with their life with those qualities in mind.

What is your go-to favorite product you market?

Usually I’m thrilled with my newest product. It refreshes my enthusiasm in the business and brings some enthusiasm in my house as I try it out first. I think my overall favorite product is the diaper sprayer. It makes a huge difference in dealing with poop and mess. I think sometimes families give up on their commitment to cloth diapers after solids are introduced and the hard to clean poops are happening in the diapers. It’s also a very versatile product- post partum spray, cleaning the bathroom, potty training clean ups, and more. It’s a bit of money to thrown down, compared to the diapers but is worth it and a fantastic gift to give someone.

What’s your best advice for balancing work and family?

Oh geez, it’s a day at a time in this house! I have to constantly remind myself to take care of my self first. I can only find balance when I’ve made my health a priority (sleep, nutrition, hydration, alone time/quiet time). After I’m in the right state of mind, I have to be organized, yet flexible and accepting of myself and family. In other words, I have to be intentional and careful with my time. I also have to accept when I can and cannot do work. My family is higher priority. This means, some days I can manage to find good balance and do lots of work. Other days, it’s just not happening. I have to remind myself that it’s ok and to go with the flow of the day. My kids are only this young once and I want to be present for them (it’s why I’m doing this in the first place).

What does the future hold in store for Jen and for Ecological Babies?

Rita Clare, my almost 3 year old, is heading to preschool this fall. This will free up some more time to focus on Ecological Babies (at least that is my hope!). I’m planning on trying to help more working parents consider cloth as an option. Even if their child is in day care, it’s easy to do cloth part time and can still save a bunch of money. Also, I’m in the works of having an online registry system. This will give easier access to encourage friends and family purchase off existing registries.

What are your favorite things to do with the kids in Tallahassee?

As a community advocate, I love bringing the kids to community places (esp. the free ones). The libraries, parks, festivals, and pools are my favorite. It’s fun going to “kids night” at different local restaurants, so (a) I don’t have to cook and (b) I don’t feel self conscious about my toddler yelling and climbing out of her chair. It’s nice to see madness happens in every family and to laugh with each other about it.

What are the three words your spouse would use to describe you?

Hmm, I depends on how “balanced” I am that day-ha! Here’s a guess and then I’ll ask him: safe, passionate, & (good) values.

Lastly – you were a 2009 Tally Award Top 3 Finalist: for Best Green Products – as a successful business woman, what would you advise others just starting out?

Don’t rush the planning part of starting your business. Take the time set up your business right, not fast. Also, I’m a big advocate of “bootstraping” a business. This basically means that I didn’t take a loan out to start my business. I put in a small investment and built my business by reinvesting my earnings back into the business. That way, I wasn’t paying interest and building it based on the demands of the market. Slow and steady wins the race! It’s hard sometimes, when I’m excited to not want to invest a bunch in something “new and exciting”. Finally, be honest in everything you do in your business. People want to support someone they can trust and it feels much better operating a business when you make the right choices.

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THANKS JEN!