Tuesday, September 30, 2008

Momtrepreneur Of The Month..

Meet Kimberlee Mule and her fabulous family. I originally came across her products, Three Sister Herbals, a couple of months ago at Little Ones in New Paltz. Raissa could not stop raving about them. I trust Raissa and her opinion so I grabbed her card, ran home and called her. After spending about an hour on the phone with her, I could see she has a beautiful person with a beautiful soul. Once you read about her, you are going to love her and how stronge of a person she is. I knew I just had to feature her on my blog. In her own words, here is a little bit about Three Sister Herbals.

Three Sister Herbals

How did you come up with your name? The name is twofold-It is in honor of my relationship with my Soul Sisters, Jennifer and Darlene. It also honors the relationship that my mother had with her two sisters, and how much all three of these lovely ladies have meant to me on my life’s journey.


How long have you been in business? Almost one glorious year!


Please explain a little bit about your product/business and how you developed the concept behind it:

Long ago I started studying the medicinal values of herbs. I eventually began to make salves, tinctures and syrups for my family. Then, one day, it occurred to me that I could make a business out it. Not only is working with herbs something that I love to do, it continually amazes me, as there is always something to study. I felt like this was an important business to start because I also wanted to educate people about the medicinal properties of herbs.Part of my website is devoted to education, and I personally will tell anyone who will listen about the medicinal properties of my products.


The other goal I had in mind while conceiving the business was overall price and value. It has always bothered me that quality herbal medicine is so expensive. I truly believe that herbal medicine should be something that an average family can afford. I wanted my salves to be something that mommas were happy to slather their babies in, or put a big gob on a boo-boo, and not worry that they are using too much and it so expensive and they can’t afford to purchase more.


I developed a product line based on a all-purpose salve-Magic Salve. Magic Salve is the core of all of my salves-Wicked, Hazel’s Healing and Epona’s Cure. Each has other herbs or medicinals added to make that specific product stand alone and shine.

While salves are a great thing, sometimes they work better with a partner-don’t we all???


So, I developed a Herbal Bath an ever growing line of single and multi herb Tinctures. These products work with the salves, but each adding an extra layer of healing for the body. Tinctures are an important addition, as they are taken internally and are very concentrated. So, that leads me up to the here and now…happily developing new products, marketing the business, networking with other great and hard working mommas.


What makes your product/business so unique and why can’t I live without it?

My salves are unique, as they are handcrafted in small batches by me. They are affordable,and several of them serve multiple purposes-stretching your dollar even further.

The other service I offer that is unique is custom salves and tincture. If you have allergies, I can add/delete ingredients to suit your needs. I am happy to make custom tinctures-all you have to do is ask. I am also happy to custom make small salves to use as favors for baby showers-this include custom designed labels that reflect the event ie: “Magic Salve for new babies bottom & every place else, Sarah’s Baby Shower, Jan 5th, 2008.


Do you have a store front, website or Etsy?

Three Sisters Herbals products are available on our website, www.threesisterherbals.com and Etsy site, “Little Ones” in New Patlz and “Waddle n’ Swaddle” in Poughkeepsie. And the list is growing. We are proud to be recommended by a local doctor, and she stocks three of our products in her office.


What are some of your long term and short term goals with your business?

Short term goals are product development and marketing. I am continually adding new products to our line, and am currently working on a salve for healing tattoos and a prewash for cloth menstrual pads.


Long term goals, this is a more difficult question to answer, I would have to say, that my business thrives, grows and becomes whatever it is meant to be.


Is there anything exciting in the works that we can look forward to?

The biggest thing I am working on right now (besides the previously mentioned new products) is soliciting home birth supply companies to carry my products. I am working to have Three Sisters Herbals products available to home birth midwives, thru these home birth supply companies, so that slaves, baths and tinctures can be included in home birth kits (everything medical and practical you need for a home birth.


I am also hoping to have Three Sisters Herbals products be stocked in local health food stores,

This is in the works…I’ll keep you posted.


What is the hardest part or has been some of your struggles starting your own business?

On a personal level, the hardest part was finding the self-confidence to do it. Overcoming self-doubt, and having faith in the universe to provide me the opportunities that my business needs were big hurdles to jump. I am always struggling with time management (see next section on my kids!) being home with my kids is a blessing, but time for momma to work is hard to fit into a busy day.


Tell us a little about you:

Well, I am 37 years old, and have lived in the Hudson Vally for 15 years. My husband and I are recently separated. I have three amazing kids-Gaetono (pronounced gay-tono) who is 7, Josephine who is 3 and Billy who is 14 months. All of my kids have varying levels of special needs, with Gaetono being the most acute, he has Asperger’s Syndrome (high functioning Autism) and ADHD. Josephine and Billy areboth receiving services, but are too young to be “diagnosed”. But all of this does not stop us from being a happy, silly little family. The kids are homeschooled, and love to be outside, do arts & crafts, and learn about our world.


We have a dog named Isabella, who is a black lab-golden retriever mix. She is a great old girl, and a faithful companion to us all. We also have chickens and a rooster, named Rufus Napoleon, 2 goldfish and have temporarily adopted about 50 tadpoles until they reach froginess.


How do you balance your business and your family? I try to roll with the needs of everything at the current time…if kids are cranky and need me then business take s a back burner. If there is business to be done then the kids need to try to respect that and occupy themselves for a short time. I try not to set times everyday when I work, but be more fluid about it and fit it in when I see the opportunity during the course of the day.


Being a single mom adds another layer of challenges to the juggling act. On one hand it is sometimes easier to work, because the kids go with my ex, and I have some space to myself. On the other hand, it is harder because I feel a tremendous amount of pressure to be successful, now that I rely on the income from the business.


Quick Tidbits:

Favorite Reality Show: Top Chef

Favorite Online Shopping Store: VitaCosta

Can't Live Without: The Pillows on my bed


For more info about Three Sisters Herbals, please click the name for their site.


Again, Momtrepreneur's will be a monthly feature on my blog. If you are interested in learning more, please email me at melissa@surprisephotography.com.

Latest and Last Senior...

For the year at least. With senior photos due around the corner, this was my last session of the year. Again, I had so much fun and another beautiful subject. Of coarse when you are shooting the captain of the basketball team, and I am slightly taller than a gymnast, I really need to start traveling with a step stool :)








Here's to the Class of 09'! I will soon be on the search for senior reps for the Class of 10'. Keep on peeking back.

Skipper Sale..


Wow, what an event. I thought I was being slick getting to the Skipper Sale at 9 am when it opened. It was already packed. For those who do not know what the Skipper Sale is, here is a little background:

"The SKIPPER Initiative was formed by the family and friends of George "Skipper" Lithco, who was an eleven-month-old resident of the Town of Poughkeepsie when he died on December 3, 2000.

Skipper died from brain injuries he suffered when he was shaken by his day care provider, a fifty-one year old grandmother. She said she lost control when he spit up on her and cried during his afternoon feeding, and pleaded guilty to a charge of reckless manslaughter.

The SKIPPER Initiative is responding to this tragedy by working to educate parent
s and caregivers about Shaken Baby Syndrome (SBS) and increase awareness of the ways to prevent SBS incidents.

Skipper was one of the 1,400 babies, infants and toddlers who die or suffer sever
e injuries each year because they were shaken. If today is an average day in the United States, 8 children under the age of 5 will die or be permanently disabled when they are shaken by a caregiver."



The turn out was unbelievable, and I was only there for the first 45 minutes of it. For all of those who donated their baby goods and their time to the event, I applaud you. I hope that next year I can donate time myself. If you can donate your time or baby items, please contact skipper@usroadman.com.



Thursday, September 25, 2008

Got A Fashion Dilemma???

OMG, do I have the solution for you, Sassy Baby Boutique. One of the hardest parts of preparing for our shoots tends to be the stress over the outfits. For moms of girls, this is a great shop for you.

From the maker/designer, " Sassy Baby Boutique brings you our latest clothing collections that are designed to be both fun and functional for playful and active little girls! We are a high end boutique that strives to stand out in the crowd with bold prints and classic styles. Simple but elegant styles are offered in a variety of sizes to bring you the new and fresh looks for the season. Our clothing collections offer many mix and match items in coordinating fabrics from dresses, pants, tops, skirts, and much more!"

Yes I know, I spend way too much time looking at girls clothes even though I have 2 boys :) In the words of Project Runway's Christian, these clothes are "So Fierce!" Check out this site and tell Crystal, Melissa Surprise sent you ;)




All photos shot by the Fabulous Kelli Jane.

Wednesday, September 24, 2008

Oh Happy Days...

My team made the playoffs!


GO SOX!

Monday, September 22, 2008


(Click on picture to see full size)

Return Of Two Of My Favs...

It has been a year since we last met, but these two girls were some of my favorites from last session. If you have seen any of my displays at Little Ones or Waddle N Swaddle, you are sure to see to see them there. In fact, the oldest is on the front of my business card and if you peak up to my blog header, you will she her there too. The biggest difference from last year to this, their hair. Big sister K had very long blond hair, but now sports a cute bob cut. Baby sister R went from short short hair to long curls, that I totally was envying :)










Go USA! Big Olympic fans in this house!

Saturday, September 20, 2008

Amazing Eyes...

I am loving senior sessions. How could I not. I have had some beautiful subjects who make my job too easy. Miss J is a busy little bee with sports and senior activities, so it was great to finally get together with her. Doesn't she have the most amazing eyes! Sorry boys, she is taken.





A River Runs Through It...

Is the movie Mommy and I had on our minds while we did this shoot in the woods today. This little guy was a true joy to photograph.







A special thanks to Greene Realty.

Thursday, September 18, 2008

Folding Cards...

For those who want the ultra baby announcement or holiday card. We offer a special lines of fully customizable 5x5 and 5x7 folding cards. These cards are printed on a special art linen paper and include a parchment envelope. Warning, these cards have been linked to a high volume of envious and complementary phone calls.

This card features a recent baby announcement we did. We have a great line for the upcoming holiday season.





Textured Paper

Monday, September 15, 2008

Taste Of New Paltz...

Who would have thought it would be so HOT after such a bad start to the morning. Unfortunately the weather finally got the best of me and we had to cancel our big shoot. I guess that is what I get for dodging rain drops all summer. At least it held out for the Taste of New Paltz hosted by the Chamber of Commerce.

I got to catch up with Jeune Girl...




Mr. Turkey... we will meet again in November.

My fellow chamber members...


Jenn from Waddle N Swaddle...