Interview: Marcia Motuz, Kidems Wheelsox Covers

Interviews BMP Magazine (1)

 

“It is a long hard road. You will beat yourself up & lose hope. At times you will wonder if you should just quit. Do not give in & never stop believing in yourself or your dreams. Even if only a few people have purchased your product but they love it … then it will happen. As long as you have positive feedback hold on to that as your hope that you will find the right path.”

Meet Marcia Motez, Inventor, Kidems LLC

When this mom started her business in 1998 concept started to evolve into an actual product, she had no idea how much she’d experience and learn.

What does your business offer?
Kidems Wheelsox Covers help prevent scuffs & scrapes to hardwood, laminate & ceramic tile floors caused by 12 to 36 month ride-on, push ride on & motorized ride on toys. They also stop the grinding noise of the wheels on floors & do not pick up daily floor debris tracking it from room to room.

Kidems Wheelsox Covers let you take the toy outside for a walk or just to play & when it’s time to come play in, just put on the covers to help keep floors safe. Even if the riding toy never goes outdoors, the plastic wheels can still scratch up your floors & debris stick to both plastic & rubber wheels leaving fine grain scratches in your floors.

Anyone who has or cares for a baby or toddler who plays with 12 to 36 month Fisher Price, Little Tikes, Power Wheels, Radio Flyer, Chicco, Kiddieland or other Ride on, Push ride on or Motorized Ride-on toys.

What was your AHA moment?
Had the idea and just went for it

How has PR and Marketing helped your business?
I have sent postcards out to daycare centers for fundraisers. I believe they generated some sales due to the area the sales came from but not as a fundraiser.

Sent postcards & emails out to toy stores. Called different stores.

I had a sales representative who connected me with a major magazine where they receive commission. We were almost finalized when the girl at the magazine left her position & all of my information was misplaced. We have been unable to reestablish contact.

I have reached out to several social media site & submitted to various contest which Steve Harvey & Today show were having for Mom Inventors. I try to apply to everything I can hoping that something will catch. I do not have the funds to invest in outside sources so I am on my own.

We tried an informercial & although the commercial was good they did not submit it to my target audience at all so it did not work.

What’s your greatest success to date?
I did not know the first thing about sewing or materials, but figured out how to design it & which quality material worked best. When you go into an industry which you are unfamiliar with I feel every obstacle you over come from finding a raw material supplier to manufacturer helps to build stepping stones of success.

What’s been challenging and how did you overcome it?
Educating the consumer about this product not only being on the market, but to the value it holds.

One parent thanked me because her mother who was watching her child did not want the riding toy at her house due to her Hardwood floors but the child did. Problem solved.

It is still a work in progress.

What steps are you taking to achieve your goals?
Constantly researching. Trying to figure out how to reach out & get in touch with retailers. Sending out postcards & emails hoping to spark an interest.

What are your best tips on managing family and business?
I try to do as much as I can while the kids are at school. When running errands if the opportunity arises I try to speak with others about my product. It is constantly on my mind with everything I do & everywhere I go. You are always looking for an opportunity & my kids are aware of that. Managing both is just managing life. I try to include my kids & when a teacher is having a baby or has a little one at home they help me out & let them know about my product

Who do you admire in business?

What are your favorite tools and resources?
Twitter & LinkedIn have helped a lot with leading me to additional information.

If you could wave a magic wand right now, what would you wish for?
Media exposure to get the word out along with financial assistance.

What is your favorite indulgence?

Where can readers go to learn more about you and your business?
http://www.kidemswheelsox.com

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