Print Art Kids, turning kids art into useful stuff – Mompreneur Monday Shout Out
When you launch a business, you’re full of big dreams, big anxiety, and you’re, essentially, giving birth to a big baby. A business baby needs to be fed, nurtured, constantly coddles. Yup, if you’re an aspiring mompreneur, know that launching a business is like adding another baby to your family.
In 2008, Abbe Lunger, gave “birth” to her business baby – Print Art Kids. A print marketing specialist, Abbe got the idea for her business when a client of hers asked what she could make from his kid’s art. The result was a notepad, that her client was able to use and then reorder, and thus, look at his child’s art every time he needed to take notes on a work call.
PrintArtKids has been featured in Good Morning America, Parents Magazine, and, last week, Abbe was a spotlight mompreneur at my first Hustle Like a Mom Luncheon. Her story excites me because it’s full of hope and the realization that even if you put your dreams, your baby business on a little back burner, you can always relight the spark!
Mompreneur Monday Shout Out Time
Read along to see how this empty nester mom is, once again, redefining what it means to be a working mom, while helping all of us moms figure out what to do with the stacks of kids art we get on a weekly basis.
How old are your kids? Two boys, 22 and 18.
When did you launch your business? 2008
Explain your business in 2-3 sentences. PrintArtKids offers parents a way to preserve and share their children’s creations by transforming their kid’s art into custom stationery, gifts and home decor. All of our products can also be created with “parents’ art” as well as favorite family photos. In addition, we partner with schools and non-profits on art fundraising programs to help support their unique fundraising goals.
Is this your side hustle? Do you have another job? Or did you have a previous career? I own and operate another business in addition to PrintArtKids. I’m a print marketing specialist and project manager, consulting with colleges/universities, private schools, graphic designers, marketing professionals, and both corporate and small businesses on the design and print production of their marketing and custom packaging projects. Both businesses involve printing, so there’s a lot of cross over between the two.
What’s different about you now versus when you launched? The big difference is that I’ll soon be an empty nester. Now is most definitely my time to go big!
What motivates you to hustle for your business, when mom life seems to be swallowing you whole? I love and believe in PrintArtKids, and know that I have to hustle to make it a success. It’s exhausting, but also incredibly rewarding.
What’s your biggest challenge right now? By far my biggest challenge is brand awareness and letting the world know about us. Google is simultaneously my best friend and toughest adversary.
How do you manage your days, your time? When my boys were little, I was homeroom mom, volunteered in art class, and chaperoned field trips whenever possible. When they were older, I always made it a priority to attend their basketball and baseball games, whether after school or in the evenings. I’ve always managed to deal with what needs to be done, even if it means staying up way past midnight. Being a mom and running a business (or two) is a lot to juggle, but I’m learning that it’s OK if some things get pushed to tomorrow, or even the day after.
What do you like to do to unwind and self care? Cardio-sculpt class and 45-60 minute walks through my neighborhood. I recently started listening to podcasts while walking. It’s a great way to fit in a new interest.
What or who inspires you to keep pushing your business forward? I believe in my dream of making PrintArtKids a success. There’s no other option. That’s my push.
What has been your biggest “aha” moment this year? IT’s been sobering to realize that what may be right for me, isn’t necessarily the right choice for my kids. I still share my opinions and offer insight, but I need to trust that they will make the decision they feel is right for them. Now, that doesn’t mean I won’t tell them if I don’t agree with their decision.
What does it mean to you to Hustle Like a Mom? I never considered myself a “hustler” until very recently when a good friend and business colleague said to me, “Really you don’t consider yourself a hustler? You are always making stuff happen with hard work.” So, I guess, “Hustle Like a Mom” means that I make stuff happen – for my family and for my business.
To learn more and support this amazing momprenure – hello holiday gift ideas!! – check out PrintArtKids.com.
