What's Inside? - The MOMpreneur

1. What made you start Growthspurtz
What events happened that made you
want to transition into PoshMommy
I started Growthspurtz in 1993 after applying
and receiving a severance package from the
Alberta government. I was very unhappy in my
previous job and was looking for something
completely different. When I was expecting my
first child I found the maternity clothing stores
sorely lacking in Calgary. There was the mall,
department stores or one other independent
store in Calgary, and that one was run by an
absentee owner with no real interest in a full
service maternity store. The mall had overpriced
clothing that fell apart after one or two washes.
In the Bay, Sears and Eatons, I was met with
either a near retirement aged lady who wanted
to show me items in their oversize department
or someone working after high school and had
no idea how to answer any questions about
maternity and what to expect. My friend
introduced the notion of consignment to me
and suggested I try that avenue. I found
consignment stores either out of
business or even worse, filled
to the rafters with maternity
clothing my Grandmother
would consider dated!
I was near tears and
needed clothing!
Once I received my
severance package
I felt I was capable
of starting my
own consignment
store committed
to providing
the highest
quality children’s
and maternity
clothing available.
I began October 2, 1993 with a space of 830 sq.
ft., a 9 month old son, a supportive husband,
no experience but lots of enthusiasm! After
2 years I expanded into 1200 sq. ft. A year
later I went to 1650 sq. ft. and introduced
new maternity clothing in 1996. By this time
I had 3 children and 2 employees. I began
very slowly with the new maternity in a very
moderate price range. What I found out was
that every time I went to a higher price point
the clothes sold better and the lower priced
clothing didn’t sell as well. This happened
time and time again. Having the consignment
element became a burden as it is a lot of work
and was tough to mix in with designer priced
clothing. Consignment was a bit of a crutch
but I decided to unload it January 2006.
I began renovations in September 2006 and
completely reinvented the store and its initial
concept. I was known for so many years as a
consignment store that I felt a new name would
reflect the new focus, that being high end
maternity clothing. I also began carrying new
ladies clothing to hopefully catch the women
that had already been in the store and keep
them coming back after their pregnancy. The
next trip to LA will focus on bringing in clothing
that can used for both pregnancy and beyond. I
am constantly sourcing out the latest designers
that have a commitment to quality and function
for the pregnant women looking for the very
best in design and fashion.
2. What have been some of your
major successes and challenges
My major success and challenge has been
balancing work and family. When you own a
bricks and mortar store there is so much to
worry about. I have been broken into at least
a dozen times over the years and have had to
come in here in the middle of the night leaving
the children at home alone while I deal with
the police, locksmiths etc. In addition, when an
employee calls in sick, quits unexpectedly or
whatever they are known to do, it is me that
fills in the space regardless of my plans. I have
had to give up family vacations at the drop of a
hat because someone didn’t show up, but the
show must go on. I guess my biggest success
would really be just staying in business for
13 1/2 years, given the changes I have gone
through, the markets going up and down and
generally having a “stick-to-it-ness” attitude.
3. How has being a Mompreneur
made your business different
Being a Mompreneur has made my business
different because I can totally relate to
every one of my clients. I can safely say,
“I have been there”. I have councelled numerous
people on everything from the proper fit of a
bra to how to potty train a reluctant 3 year old.
I have stayed late for people who have not
been able to make the store hours, I have even
gone to people’s home to give an in home bra
fitting.
My advice to other Mompreneurs is the
same thing that Sir Winston Churchill said many
years ago and something I have thought about
over the years; Never give up, never, never,
never give up.
APRIL 2007 | 27