Samantha: Before launching your current company, you started an online child safety store. What prompted that?

Adena: We spent over $1000 to professionally baby proof our home and they still missed things that were dangerous.

At the time my first daughter was born, I was working as a V.P. for an Internet Software Development Company. It really was my husband's idea to start the child safety store. He wanted me to be able to work less and work from our home so I could spend more time with my daughter.

Samantha: How did you balance working on the business with caring for your baby?

Adena: I insisted that a nursery and play area be built into our offices so that I could be with my daughter. Since it was an internet business, I could work flexible hours; early mornings, late evenings, and between naps. As our business grew, I was able to hire employees, but in the end it was my family that truly made it work.

My grandparents moved to LA to be closer to the family. For years they had owned and operated a snack bar in the Union Plaza Hotel in Las Vegas. My grandfather, who was 85 at the time, really missed working. One day he showed up, ready to work, and started packing up my orders. Because he could not drive, my grandmother would have to drive him. She also helped me out a lot with my daughter.

Our customers were very supportive and knew we were a family owned business. They were accustomed to hearing my daughter in the background.

Samantha: How did you end up launching Nature's Baby?

Adena: When my daughter was around 17 months old, she developed a horrible rash. I took her to several dermatologists, each who instructed me to try and find a common thread between the baby products I was using. So I sat down at my computer to look up the ingredients and they had listings that said bio-hazardous, carcinogenic, potentially harmful, and possible irritants. I was floored!

It turns out, my daughter is allergic to certain chemicals and she is sensitive to perfumes and dyes, so I tried the natural products that were already on the market and they simply did not work. Both my daughters were born with a ton of hair and the natural shampoos would not even get through their hair. With my husband's blessing I hired a chemist and went to work.

Samantha: Do you have suggestions for combating the feelings of guilt that plague so many moms?

Adena: Feeling guilty and worrying about our children seems to go hand in hand. Something that really worked for me was recognizing that I did not have to be my child's playmate all the time. It is actually healthy to teach them how to play by themselves and to entertain themselves. It allows imagination and creativity to develop.

Samantha: What is your childcare situation like?

Adena: I work out of a home office, so I am fortunate to have my Aunt and Mother-in-law around to help. Most of the time my little one prefers Mommy, so I incorporate play into any task I have to complete. If I am working on developing a new product, I will set up a bin of water and empty bottles and have my daughter pretend that she is mixing ingredients. It is really about us spending time together and including them in my work. It helps them to feel important and it allows me to not miss out on these important years.

Samantha: Do you feel like being a mother has hindered or helped your career?

Adena: In my situation, being a mother created my business.

Samantha: Do you have advice for other "mompreneurs"?

Adena: I have 3 words: Research, Balance and Creativity.

Samantha: Do you plan to encourage your own daughters to be working mothers?

Adena: I plan to encourage my daughters to be whatever they feel passionate about. Whether it be a stay at home mother or President of the United States, the goal is to encourage them.

Samantha: Are most of your friends working mothers or stay at home mothers? Do you feel that there is a separation between the two groups?

Adena: I have always had to work, while most of my friends are affluent stay at home moms. Therefore, their realities are very different from mine. I certainly felt a separation when I worked for a corporation and I had to be accountable to my job. Most of my friends have always been supportive and encouraging of my career. However, there were some that did not understand that I could not just take off of work when I wanted to and when you have to keep on turning down invitations, you eventually get fewer of them.

Samantha: If you won the lottery would you continue to work?

Adena: Yes, but I would be able to work less, and with less financial pressure. I have worked since I was 14, which has taught me discipline and responsibility. I think it is healthy to have a job, but it cannot and should not be your entire life, especially when you have children.

Samantha: If you had an extra hour each day how would you spend it?

Adena: Probably sleeping.

Samantha Ettus is a new mother and the creator of The Experts' Guide series. Her third book, The Experts' Guide to the Baby Years, a collection of chapters from the 100 leading parenting experts, was released by Crown Books in October, 2006. You can learn more at www.expertsmedia.com Comments? Email Samantha at

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