Today, mompreneurs and dadpreneurs are constantly inventing ingenious innovations to help solve common parenting dilemmas. Home Business Magazine recently had the opportunity to catch up with Kirsten Chapman, the creator of Kleynimals stainless steel toy keys for baby. After her second child kept grabbing for her keys, she knew that she needed a safe and clean alternative to the car keys in the bottom of her diaper bag. When she couldn’t find non-toxic and non-plastic key options, she created Kleynimals. They are now used and loved by celebrity moms like Jessica Alba!
Kleynimals are non-toxic stainless steel toy keys that will satisfy your child’s desire to play with metal keys without the hazards of lead contamination, sharp edges, or the daily grime that come with the keys in the bottom of your diaper bag. Each Kleynimals key has been safety tested to ASTM/CPSIA standards for babies 6 months and up by a third party laboratory. Kleynimals are manufactured in the USA from food grade stainless steel to keep baby safe from toxic chemicals like BPA, phthalates, lead or cadmium. Kleynimals feature safari friends designs (Eli the Elephant, Gus the Giraffe, and Leo the Lion), are dishwasher-safe, and are the perfect way to keep baby entertained while on the go.
Kleynimals also manufactures a 3-piece flatware set and a new rattle for the keys. Kleynimals strives to be a company that is both healthy for baby and the environment. “Kleynimals is unique, because we do our best to be a ‘green company,'” Kirsten says. “All Kleynimals products are eco-friendly and safe; and are perfect for parents looking for organic baby products. One of the reasons Kleynimals is made from stainless steel is because of its lower environmental impact. Stainless steel is 100% recyclable and the average stainless steel product contains over 50% recycled material. Stainless steel also has longevity, which makes Kleynimals a product you can pass down to the next generation (or pass on to a friend).”
Before founding Kleynimals, Kirsten worked for an educational company and in pharmaceutical sales. Now, Kirsten’s mission for Kleynimals is to provide truly safe, thoughtful products that make both parents and babies happy and to do so in a way that affects both people and the environment positively. “I do believe that I have stayed true to this mission, even though it often means less revenue and definitely less profit,” Kirsten says. “I am committed to manufacturing everything in America while donating a portion of my sales to non-profits that support a healthy planet.”
Kirsten markets to her main customers (parents of little tots) in a variety of ways, but one of her most successful marketing initiatives was appearing on The Martha Stewart Show. “I think my product catered directly to many of Martha’s viewers, and the captured audience really made a difference for my sales,” Kirsten says. “The funny thing is that, although that was 4 years ago, I still receive orders that reference that appearance!”
Kirsten says her biggest company achievement was bringing a business idea to fruition. The biggest challenge she had to overcome was being restricted by her manufacturing process. “While I am committed to manufacturing in the US, it has not been easy,” Kirsten admits. “For the first 5 years, I had to piecemeal my manufacturing, literally driving separate pieces back and forth between three places for assembly, welding and cleaning. While I wanted a ‘big hit’ in some ways, I feared that I would not be able to keep up with the demand. Thankfully, I now have a manufacturer who is doing assembly and welding in one spot and starting to turn out product for me much more rapidly!”
According to Kirsten, the primary advantages of working from home are not having additional rent overhead and being able to be home when needed for her kids. She also hopes her business inspires her kids to reach for their deepest aspirations. “I hope that my kids are learning that it is possible to make a dream/idea a reality,” she says. “Since I am also an idealist, I hope that they are learning that there are ethical ways to run a company that keep everyone’s best interests at heart. I want them to know that business decisions are not always about the bottom line.”
And does she feel that she can maintain a healthy life balance as a mompreneur?
“This is an interesting question that I have spoken with other ‘mompreneurs’ about frequently. It does feel to me like I have to make a choice between ‘blowing up’ or having a lifestyle business. Due to my manufacturing challenges and my desire to be involved in my children’s school and after-school activities, not to mention my fear of having a profitable enough business to support employees, I can honestly say that my business is a bit more ‘lifestyle’ right now. This works for my family, as my husband is also an entrepreneur who travels a lot. I know I would have to start making some different decisions if my product really started to take off at a different rate,” Kirsten says.
