home business

Seattle, Washington, residents Crystal Hamilton and Meredith Stinson simply could not find a baby carrier that worked for them. There just wasn't the quality in fabrics, nor patterns that didn't make them look like hippies. So they created a tube-style sling with no rings or adjustments needed, making it easy to wear; reversible for variety, featuring a handy pocket; and looking good and fit to size with no need for extra bulky fabric. Before long, everyone from tattooed women with nose rings to executives in heels would stop and ask where they got the slings.

Crystal is 24, a designer and fashionista, with three kids and Meredith is 32, a youth empowerment expert and concert event planner, with two children. They both decided to be stay at home mamas after their first children were born while keeping their hands involved in their communities.

The two optimistic entrepreneurs started to think about taking the small hobby into a business with a mission to outfit the globe in their stylish baby carrier. With a very limited marketing budget, the partners decided the best strategy would be to provide the most amazing customer service so everyone would tell their friends about them. The plan worked, and the business started to grow slowly, but then in 2005, an online web site touted the slings to a large audience and the business took off dramatically.

Sidecar Designs baby slings are now nationally sought-after and the business continues to grow. The success of the company has allowed them to become profitable and expand their company fabric choices, go from having their product sewn at home to hiring a manufacturing plant, a fulfillment coordinator, and an accountant.

What helps them keep at it? It’s all their amazing clients that send them inspiring stories of how much their product has helped them. They meet people all over the globe through Sidecar, and they have the privilege of outfitting them and their little ones in something the helps them and looks good. Their clients range in geography from Toronto to Dubai. 

Theses two mamas have come along way in the last two years. This year's plans include expanding into retail markets, hiring a sales team, adding new prints, expanding their web site, and launching a few top-secret new products that are going to rock the babywearing world! HBM