Featured Cloth Diaper WAHM: Snap-EZ

Q: What Led You to Start Using Cloth Diapers?

A: I first used cloth diapers with my first DS because it was tradition in our family for my parents to gift 3 months of diaper service. I used the diaper service for about 6 months, but because I was working outside the home, it was difficult to keep it up. I had to use cloth diapers when I had our fourth child as he was allergic to disposables, and then I used cloth diapers again on my next two babies, even making some fitteds with Velcro with baby number six. This was a nice change from pins, and we also used Velcro diaper covers. But the babies still felt wet and needed to be changed a lot, so with the next two boys I mostly used disposables as cloth meant so much work and I really had my hands full with so many little ones and my older children were just starting to be helpful.

Then when my ninth baby was about 3 months old, I had to return to cloth diapers due to financial reasons. I even went as far as to use them when I went places. Then a mom introduced me to the pocket diaper concept at our church cry room, and that is when I REALLY got into cloth diapers!


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

A: I didn't have much money (I was using cloth for financial reasons), so I used some old diaper patterns, cut up old baby blankets, fleece and flannel, and made some fitteds - with each diaper adjusting the pattern with each diaper, until I had what I thought was a good fit. Then I purchased a yard of PUL off EBay and a yard of microfleece from our local fabric store, and use the pattern I created. I purchased resin snaps and applied them to the diapers at first with a hammer! Then I used my DHs drill press (in his car shop - scary!). After I had made around 6 or 7 for my DS, I had a little left over, so I put on up on EBay - I still remember telling my DH one night." This could be a great home business - make a diaper here and there and sell them on EBay - make a little money, no stress or pressure!" We often laugh about that memory! Before I new is people were asking to order and with my DS's help I soon had a full website and shopping cart, and "the rest is history!"


Q: What kind of diapers and products do you sell?

A: We now offer Pocket Diapers, AIO Diapers, Fitted Diapers, Diaper Covers, Training Pants, Wet Bags, Baby Wipes, Diaper Liners, Changing Pads, as well as Inserts and Soakers. All our products are unique and hand made by local WAHMs who I have personally trained


Q: Was starting your business difficult?

A: Yes and No, "Yes" in that it was hard work - lots of long days and late nights and a huge learning curve. "No" in that I didn't pursue it, it pursued me! I never advertised in the first two years - it was all word of mouth!

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

A: That's a tough question. I have a lot of help with my older kids, but I have to balance that with the fact that my babies need me, their mother, and it's my responsibility to raise them, not my older children's. To that end, I have been striving over the past year to reduce my work load by training others to do those things that don't absolutely have to be done by me. This has allowed me to work less hours and spend the majority of my day raising my children. I am usually interruptible when I am working and they always know where to find me - I usually have some one on my lap while doing computer work. I also try to only work in the afternoons when the children are taking naps or playing outside with each other.


Q: What does your home office/work space look like?

A: Originally Snap-EZ started out in out dining room on a 5 foot table, but then progressed to 3 tables and then it took over our entire living room (our living room came into the dining room). But that was a recipe for claustrophobia in the winter, so last spring we gave up the master bedroom and bathroom to Snap-EZ and my DH and I took over one of the children's bedrooms. This is not perfect either, but works the best for separating our home from the business, making it easier to take the weekends off (which I have found invaluable for my health and our sanity!).


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

A: First of all, I'd say seeing the college kids who work with me here at my home enjoy working in a safe environment and the WAHMs who do the sewing for me enjoy staying at home with children instead of working outside the home. At least one of the gals who works for me was able to quit a stressful job because of this opportunity for them. Secondly, it has provided employment for each of the three oldest children during their high school years, and will provide the same for my younger ones as they reach high school to! I can not tell you what a relief it was when my oldest was able to quit his job at McDonald's and come work at home - both for him and for me!

Q: What new an exciting things can we expect in the future?

A: We are just now introducing a new pocket diaper insert! This is a close relative of the Lay In Soaker we developed for the AIO Diaper, so we know it's tried and true - it's called The Simple Soaker! This will be an economical, easy to stuff soaker. It can also be used in the training pants to add a "feel wet" section to aid in training, or in the Nap-EZ Stuffable Trainers, as well as an added booster in the AIO diaper - in between the diaper and a microfleece topped Simple Soaker. These will be very absorbent and very trim. They can also be used with a foldable insert to add absorbent right where you need it - especially if you use a smaller size!

I am also in the process of collecting some new prints for all my products and hope to get these waterproofed soon - if all goes well, these will be coming instock sometime in June!