Mom Spotlight - Amie Brenner - Tiny Tots Travel

1) Provide an overview of your company and how many hours you work.

Last November, we were planning a family trip to Hawaii. I began searching for a gogo Kidz Travelmate stroller after being told that this was a must have for our travels. We were so tired of carrying heavy car seats, plus children, plus luggage through the airports! The gogo Kidz Travelmate simply attaches to a convertible car seat and allows you to push your child, in their own car seat, through the airport. After seeing the price to purchase one new, I quickly concluded it would be more cost effective to rent one for our 10 day trip. After doing online research, to my surprise, I discovered there were no places in the Seattle area to rent these specific strollers. I was shocked and disappointed. We further decided to rent a crib, high chair, exersaucer, box of toys, and a stroller from a rental company in Hawaii. That was the point the light bulb finally went off! We could open a baby equipment rental business in the Seattle area and not only rent cribs, car seats, high chairs, etc., but ALSO the gogo Kidz Travelmate stroller!! A month after returning home from Hawaii my husband and I opened Tiny Tots Travel, LLC., a full service baby equipment rental company. We are proud to say our equipment is JPMA certified, high quality, sanitized and safety checked prior to each rental, and top rated in consumer reviews. Initially I put in several hours per week; I was working on getting the website up and running, designing brochures, and marketing to our select target customers. Now the hours vary between 5-15 hours per week, but I have been warned that January thru March are the ’slow’ months for baby gear rental companies. They say to expect a large influx of customers come spring and summer time, so we are ready and I expect the number of hours I am working to substantially increase.

2) Provide an overview of your home life, how many children you have, childcare arrangement, if married your husbands career and how you share the responsibilities at home.

We have three beautiful children, Adelyn is 1, Reichen is 4, & Colby is our oldest at 6. I am a stay at home mom with the home based business, Tiny Tots Travel, LLC. My husband does property management and we are lucky he has a great deal of flexibility with his job hours. He is able to help me with the company deliveries and share in the joy of our children’s afternoon activities. There is rarely a dull moment around our house, but I wouldn’t change any part of it. We are a great team! I feel lucky to be able to be at home with my children and run a business all at the same time. Starting up Tiny Tots Travel, LLC., has allowed me to fulfill a yearning I have always had. To use my mind and gain knowledge in terms of marketing, management, and customer relations has been very exciting and rewarding. Yet, being able to tend to my children and be there for all their firsts is a wonderful gift and experience.

3) Are there certain organizations or individuals who have been the greatest influence and support in terms of assisting with your career and business decisions.

There is no doubt that my father, Jeff Kirby, has been the greatest influence on me and was a large part of my inspiration to start Tiny Tots Travel, LLC. He started his own security business from scratch over 25 years ago at the age of 29. He was his first security guard and had one client. Today his business, Puget Sound Security Patrol, a Bellevue based company, is a multimillion dollar corporation with well over 250 security guards. He has instilled several values in me that will no doubt continue to influence my business decisions. When I have a question related to my company, he is always there to lead me in the right direction. He is careful to not give me the quick and easy answer, but with some direction and support, he encourages me to search and discover on my own. I think when you grow up around such a business minded father, a sort of ‘osmosis’ occurs and you subconsciously have a business molded brain.

4) Of your female friends with children how many of them continue to work now that they have children. Are they entrepreneurs, work full-time, part-time, job share?

I would say half of my friends work part-time, and the other half are stay at home moms. I think a couple of them have the entrepreneurial spirit, but are waiting for the right time.

5) Can you offer any advice for achieving a balance between your family life and your career.

I don’t have the easy answer on this one. I think balancing family life and a career is very challenging, but that is what makes both so rewarding. I take it one day at a time. There is no need to achieve everything all in one day. I frequently have to remind myself of this. My children are often the ones to tell me to slow down. It is amazing what a game of Candy Land can do for your spirit!

Prioritizing Lunch

By Michelle Vandepol; Author of Mother Mexico

Nutrition and the workplace - they can go together. The pace of the working mom's day is often an excuse for poor eating habits, but the truth is that there are a lot of healthy convenience foods too.
Think about what's missing now in your at work eating - relaxation, change of scenery, non messy options, more fruits and vegetables. It might be a simple a matter as slowing down when you eat, clearing your desk clutter if you eat at your desk, or stepping out into the fresh air with your sandwich.

Shop for your desk drawer even if you work at home. Meal replacement bars are great for eating on the go as is dried fruit. If you eat nuts for a little power pack of protein, make sure you package them in small portions so that you're not mindlessly nibbling at too many calories. Sitting at a desk, while the work may feel exhausting, doesn't burn too many calories.

Pack takeout for yourself. If you are tempted by the wallet and waistline busting take out options around your work, pack heat able leftovers or a more involved salad with interesting toppings. If time doesn't allow for something you make yourself, try one of the light microwaveable cuisine options. Veggies and dip are always a good packing stand-by as well.

Get menus of nearby healthy options and fit in some social time. If you are determined to treat yourself to a restaurant experience, plan ahead and meet up with someone you've been meaning to network with for work or one of the girlfriends you've neglected since life's gotten so hectic.

If you work through lunch, slow down the eating pace, and pack yourself multiple courses. It will make eating a more enjoyable experience, and a more substantial part of your day so you're not forgetting you just ate and helping yourself to the sweets in the board room later.

Reward yourself with food. Contrary to popular opinion, it can be beneficial if you are eating correctly. You can look forward to your lunch. Just make sure you take in fewer calories than you burn over the day. If you are not sure when you stand on the health-o-meter or are unsure where to make dietary changes, keep a food diary and consult a nutritionist whether online, through a local public health unit, or at an organized group such as weight watchers.
You can get your environment on your side. Store flavored water bottles in your desk, post your health priorities in your workspace, and use mood colors such as light green or blue to lessen the risk of compulsive at-desk eating. Color does not have to come from setting aside a time or getting permission to paint. Large posters in calming colors will do the trick too.

Plan your attack on lunch room donuts. Whether you decide to work in the calories and have one, or find an alternative to snack on; to not plan for the arrival of donuts and chocolate in the office is like failing to plan for regular expenses. They are a part of life and without the planning you will go overbudget.

Take time today to think of your nutritional needs. Likely there's a simple way to fit them into your workday and you will thank yourself later for taking the moment to consider how.