Featured Cloth Diaper WAHM: Jennifer Bonn of Celtic Cloths

Q: What Led You to Start Using Cloth Diapers?

A: A good friend had to switch to cloth due to her daughter's allergies. I felt sorry for her, because I thought cloth diapers were such a pain! But when she showed me her pocket diapers and explained how easy they actually were, I was shocked. We had tried every brand of disposables on our son, and nothing was working. At every change I had to put a new outfit on him, and wash the poop and pee off his clothes. So we decided to give cloth diapers a try and have been using them full time since I got my first pocket diapers in the mail! Washing a load of cloth every few days is so much better than hand washing poop stained clothes 5 or 6 times a day!

Q: How did you go about making cloth diapers your business?

A: When I got my first cloth diapers in the mail, my immediate thought was "I can do this." A business name just came to me, and from there it seemed like a natural progression. I wasn't looking for a business, but things kept falling into place.

Q: Was starting your business difficult?

A: At first, yes. I sold a lot of diapers on eBay, and it was disheartening to have auctions close with no bidders. But after a while I began to have good feedback and lots of return customers so it got easier. The initial start up costs were scary, but my husband is very supportive and kept reminding me it was a good investment.

Q: How do you manage to run a business with small children?

A: It's difficult some days! I sew mostly during his naps and sometimes when he is happily entertaining himself. I also sew after he and my husband go to bed at night, so I just don't get a lot of sleep! When he is sick or won't nap, it's easy to get behind. But I've found most of my customers are understanding of what a WAHM's schedule can be like.

Q: What does your home office look like?

A: Picture piles and piles of fabric everywhere! My office is also the guest bedroom, so the top bunk is covered in fabric. The closet is also stuffed full and there are large rolls of fleece and PUL in every corner. I also have a desk with my sewing machine and serger, and a large table for cutting. I try very hard to stay organized, but there's so much fabric it can be hard.

Q: What Is The Most Rewarding Thing About Running Your Home Business?

A: The customers. I get to talk to so many wonderful mom's from all over the globe. It's a great feeling to get an email from someone telling you how happy they are with your products.