Do It All Mamas (& Papas): The moms behind Prissy Poofs

October 18, 1:56 PMEarly Childhood Parenting ExaminerAngele Sionna

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In today's Do It All Mamas (& Papas) feature (find out more about this series below)...

Meet the college roomates turned moms behind Prissy Poofs - Laura Mazzola and Deborah Elgin.

Laura is mom to 11 year old Annie Hope and 9 year old Fletcher. Deborah is mom to Thomas age 11 and Jackson age 9.

Examiner: Tell me something unique/interesting about yourself.

Laura: I was a collegiate cheerleader for all 4 years at the University of South Carolina!  Go Gamecocks!

Examiner: What is your business all about? 

Laura:  PrissyPoofs.com is all about dressing up Princesses!  From Lions to LadyBugs, CowGirls to Kittens and everything in between there is something for the pickiest of little ones and definitely their discriminating Mommies.

Deborah: We provide unique, custom one of a kind dress-up tutus for little girls.

Examiner: What is your favorite product that you make or sell and why do you like or recommend it?

Laura: My favorite is the LadyBugPoof! (see photo right) It is our #1 seller since we've been in business and since LadyBugs are lucky, I think it's a great mascot for our business...we certainly have been lucky!

Deborah: The ChickeePoof. It is an original creation of PrissyPoofs and it is fun, different and certainly unique.

Examiner: Why did you start your business?

Laura: PrissyPoofs began from a request from my daughter Annie Hope when she was 3 for a Pink Party!  Since her Birthday is in August winter coats were out and I could find no pink dress!  I brought home a netting tutu and she went crazy over it and wanted all her friends to have one.  Deborah Elgin, my business partner & best friend, made the first PrissyPoof to the delight of all the Princesses at the party.  We decided since it was almost Halloween to have a few home shows and sell our wares, visit with friends, and have a nice cold cocktail away from, at that time our 1 and 3 years olds...the first month we sold 110 PrissyPoofs!  PrissyPoofs grew legs and took off running and we've been in business for over 8 years!

Examiner: What secret do you have to share with other parents about "having it all" with your family and business?

Laura: I believe having it all directly relates to what you want and I believe I do have it all.  Deborah and I started PrissyPoofs as a fun getaway from reality and we still have that!  We began in the beginning by growing our business at the rate we wanted it to grow.  Our families have always come first and continue to do so.  We have a flex schedule and although some weeks we work 80 hour work weeks, our families are supportive and our children understanding!  I believe the number one secret is that you have to prioritize your life and be flexible!  I also think you have to love what you do! 

Deborah:  Managing my time between the business and family is the hardest, My family is very supportive, willing to chip in, and certainly flexible. I love being able to teach by example to my children, showing them that I can work hard, and still have the time & energy to enjoy them as children.

Examiner: What is the number one piece of advice you have for other parents?

Laura: If you have a dream, go for it!  It's much better to say I tried it than to always wonder what would have happened if...life is way too short to have any regrets.

Deborah: Cherish every moment, good & bad, that you have with your children. It is only a brief moment in time that they are truly yours to nurture, love and develop into responsible caring adults.

Examiner: What is your (and your kids) favorite family activity?

Laura: Our family loves the lake!  We live in South Carolina and we enjoy beautiful Lake Keowee.  We all love to wakeboard, ski, tube, and everything in between when it comes to water sports.  The lake is our happy place!

Deborah: Family movie night