Melissa and her two daughters
In today's Do It All Mamas (& Papas) the spotlight turns on Melissa Marra, mommy to two girls and the founder of KidCards. (Read my story on them HERE.)
Examiner: Tell me something unique/interesting about yourself.
Melissa: I married my childhood sweetheart whom I met when I was 14 while on a family vacation in Wildwood, New Jersey (we are both from the Cleveland area). Last year, we celebrated our 10 year wedding anniversary, and this summer will mark the 20th anniversary of that special day we met.
Examiner: What is your business all about?
Melissa: KidCards Ltd. produces KidCards® Greeting Card Books; award-winning activity books that kids can use as an outline in creating one-of-a-king greeting cards! Each book is made up of cardstock pages that can be easily removed and folded into a greeting card. Currently, there are 2 All-occasion volumes that each offer a variety of cards such as Birthday, Congrats, Thank You, Get Well and General Friendship Cards. A third volume comprises 3 Teachers’ Editions that offer the same card throughout the book for easy group projects (these include a Mother’s Day Book, father’s Day Book & Thank You Book). A Special Edition Christmas Book is also currently available. This summer, KidCards is planning to introduce a 4th Volume that will include Party Invitations coupled with Thank You notes as well as a Special Edition Holiday Book that will offer a variety for Valentine’s Day, Easter, Mother & Father’s Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving & Christmas. KidCards® Greeting Card Books can be purchased at toy & gift stores nationwide or online at www.kidcards.org.
Examiner: What is your favorite product that you make or sell and why do you like or recommend it?
Melissa: I’d have to say Volume 2 my favorite. This volume has what we call “FreeHand Drawing Frames” on the card covers. So, the way it works is that the greetings on the inside are drawn/spelled out, but the card cover has a themed frame and lots of blank space for the kids to be creative in their own way. This book has just won a 2009 Excellent Products iParenting Media Award.
Examiner: Why did you start your business?
Melissa: My girls and I make cards often, and before my oldest could read or write, it wasn’t a project that could really be done without help and it often took more time than we had to give. I would often think there should be something that made it easier for the kids (and quicker for moms!), while still giving the “feeling” of a homemade card. That’s when the idea came to me. It definitely ‘evolved’ some since its inception… the spiral binding and envelopes were afterthoughts. But, I knew it was something I could create on my own.
Examiner: What secret do you have to share with other parents about "having it all" with your family and business?
Melissa: Scheduling & Priorities! It is so easy to get entrenched in something you love doing, especially when you work on a “project” type basis and get “on a roll.” I have learned (and am still working really hard at it) to find that balance. What I do know is that when I am organized enough to create a schedule that works… and keep to that schedule as much as possible, everyone is happier. My girls know that work time is work, but that 2 or 3 hour chunk set aside for them is uninterrupted mommy time.
Examiner: What is the number one piece of advice you have for other parents?
Melissa: Soak up all the love & hugs you can get because it just goes too fast.
Examiner: What is your (and your kids) favorite family activity?
Melissa: Snuggle on the couch with a funny movie & some popcorn.
Read all the other moms and dads stories and inspirations that have been featured in this series HERE.
This is article is part of the series of stories called Do It All Mamas (& Papas).
The goal of this series of stories is to feature hard working parents who have started their own business or venture and are using their skills/knowledge to make other parents’ lives better.
The above a conversation is meant to inspire you and give every parent (no matter what your job or where you work) tips on how to successfully get the most out of your time.
Want to be featured in a Do-It-All Mamas (& Papas) story or do you know someone who should be?
The goal of this series is to feature hard working parents who have started their own business or venture and are using their skills/knowledge to make other parents’ lives better.
Does this describe you or someone you know or do business with? Then email me at parentingexaminer@gmail.com with a short one or two sentence description of your business and what makes it/you unique. Also provide a link to your website so I can see what you’re all about.
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