Our newest STICK OF THE WEEK! is Amy Fazackerley. Amy is in the NOW as CEO and creator of Lay-n-Go, a patent pending activity mat, cleanup, storage and carryall solution in one. Two sizes (5' and 18") offer kids and parents a great way to easily manage their toy collections at home or wherever your travels may take you!
Amy Fazackerley lives in Alexandria, VA with her three sons (8,6 and 4) and super supportive husband, and right-hand Lay-n-Go man, Adam. She has spent over 20 years in sales and marketing and holds an MBA (in strategic marketing) from Johns Hopkins University. Amy was recently ranked #26 in the Start Up Nation’s Top 200 Leading Moms in Business of 2012.
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
My NOW is the Lay-n-Go, a product that helps parents avoid the cringe when the "The Crash" happens. You know, that moment when your child gets out every plastic bin and basket they can find and proceeds to dump out every single one until they find that perfect part, piece or accessory. With Lay-n-Go, there is no cringe because there is no CRASH! Your kids can play for hours and cleanup in seconds!
Our mission is to foster kids' creativity with smart and easy organizational solutions for families on-the-go. It should not only be fun, but it should be easy. It’s a cinch...literally!
My NOW is the Lay-n-Go, a product that helps parents avoid the cringe when the "The Crash" happens. You know, that moment when your child gets out every plastic bin and basket they can find and proceeds to dump out every single one until they find that perfect part, piece or accessory. With Lay-n-Go, there is no cringe because there is no CRASH! Your kids can play for hours and cleanup in seconds!
Our mission is to foster kids' creativity with smart and easy organizational solutions for families on-the-go. It should not only be fun, but it should be easy. It’s a cinch...literally!
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
My NOW is not just simmering, it is always boiling over….I am constantly creating and always working on the next big idea and project. Even though I have an MBA from Johns Hopkins, I love to let the “fine arts” side come out to play! Plus, living with four men keeps my pot ALWAYS boiling and my plate ALWAYS full!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
One of my favorite quotes is.....
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." -Wayne Gretzky
I would have to say that as I am growing/creating my product and my brand, I have had to "take a lot of shots". You quickly realize, as an entrepreneur, that if do not take the shots (even though so many are so risky and some people think you are crazy) you don't even have a chance to win. So, what have I learned? Do not give up. It is hard work. Nobody just gets "lucky." It is a long road, but if you believe you can do it, you will. You have to have confidence and believe in your idea/product and know that the people around you will support you and pitch in. You HAVE to take those shots! Don’t worry about making the meal PERFECT, just try it. Buy the pasta and turn on the stove.
My NOW is not just simmering, it is always boiling over….I am constantly creating and always working on the next big idea and project. Even though I have an MBA from Johns Hopkins, I love to let the “fine arts” side come out to play! Plus, living with four men keeps my pot ALWAYS boiling and my plate ALWAYS full!
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
One of my favorite quotes is.....
"You miss 100 percent of the shots you never take." -Wayne Gretzky
I would have to say that as I am growing/creating my product and my brand, I have had to "take a lot of shots". You quickly realize, as an entrepreneur, that if do not take the shots (even though so many are so risky and some people think you are crazy) you don't even have a chance to win. So, what have I learned? Do not give up. It is hard work. Nobody just gets "lucky." It is a long road, but if you believe you can do it, you will. You have to have confidence and believe in your idea/product and know that the people around you will support you and pitch in. You HAVE to take those shots! Don’t worry about making the meal PERFECT, just try it. Buy the pasta and turn on the stove.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
My three sons and their MILLIONS of small LEGO pieces! Lay-n-Go is about a Mom who loved all her kids’ incredible mind building toys with small pieces but needed an easier solution to clean, contain and manage the chaos.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I just think about my family and friends and put everything into perspective. What REALLY matters at the end of the day.....that is what inspires me. I want this adventure to be fun (both for me and my family). My husband and my three boys love being a part of my business. I couldn’t do half of what I do without my right-hand man and I try to involve the boys in all of the “fun” stuff: the testing, the development, the press, the videos. For me, this is a TRUE family affair and we all have fun doing it together and seeing results together. I think it’s really important to be able to show my kids that you can do anything you put your mind to. We have a lot of fun celebrating awards (we have received 12 to date) and they love hearing about another shop in another state or country that is now selling our Lay-n-Go solution!
The creativity, well that just comes with living with four men!!!
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
I keep it all in perspective. As exciting as it is to be your own boss and run your own company, at the end of the day, my MOM job always comes first and foremost! Bottom line…I stay SUPER organized and run a TIGHT TIGHT, yes, let me say it again, very TIGHT ship.
Mom VS CEO. There is the good, the bad and the ugly in the never ending balancing act.
THE GOOD: My kids become a working part of my business and we have fun learning things that will be with them for a life time. Like understanding you can be your own boss and you don’t have to drive to an office or wear a tie to work every day.
THE BAD: I work hour-to-hour around the kids’ schedules. On top of running and growing a business, I still have to do the laundry, make the meals, keep up with sports schedules and do house hold stuff.
THE UGLY: Starting, running and growing a business takes a lot of energy and TLC (it has become a forth child for me). I usually finish up in the office about midnight and then fold one more load of laundry, unload the dishwasher and head to bed about 12:30 to start again in a few hours!
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
My ultimate pasta dish would be simple and easy, but VERY enjoyable. Just like my life philosophy. Keep it simple. Make things fun. Enjoy what you do or don’t do it. Don’t be afraid to take some shots. And spend as much time with your friends and family as humanly possible!
My three sons and their MILLIONS of small LEGO pieces! Lay-n-Go is about a Mom who loved all her kids’ incredible mind building toys with small pieces but needed an easier solution to clean, contain and manage the chaos.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I just think about my family and friends and put everything into perspective. What REALLY matters at the end of the day.....that is what inspires me. I want this adventure to be fun (both for me and my family). My husband and my three boys love being a part of my business. I couldn’t do half of what I do without my right-hand man and I try to involve the boys in all of the “fun” stuff: the testing, the development, the press, the videos. For me, this is a TRUE family affair and we all have fun doing it together and seeing results together. I think it’s really important to be able to show my kids that you can do anything you put your mind to. We have a lot of fun celebrating awards (we have received 12 to date) and they love hearing about another shop in another state or country that is now selling our Lay-n-Go solution!
The creativity, well that just comes with living with four men!!!
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
I keep it all in perspective. As exciting as it is to be your own boss and run your own company, at the end of the day, my MOM job always comes first and foremost! Bottom line…I stay SUPER organized and run a TIGHT TIGHT, yes, let me say it again, very TIGHT ship.
Mom VS CEO. There is the good, the bad and the ugly in the never ending balancing act.
THE GOOD: My kids become a working part of my business and we have fun learning things that will be with them for a life time. Like understanding you can be your own boss and you don’t have to drive to an office or wear a tie to work every day.
THE BAD: I work hour-to-hour around the kids’ schedules. On top of running and growing a business, I still have to do the laundry, make the meals, keep up with sports schedules and do house hold stuff.
THE UGLY: Starting, running and growing a business takes a lot of energy and TLC (it has become a forth child for me). I usually finish up in the office about midnight and then fold one more load of laundry, unload the dishwasher and head to bed about 12:30 to start again in a few hours!
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
My ultimate pasta dish would be simple and easy, but VERY enjoyable. Just like my life philosophy. Keep it simple. Make things fun. Enjoy what you do or don’t do it. Don’t be afraid to take some shots. And spend as much time with your friends and family as humanly possible!
Enter to Win the Lay-n-Go LITE Giveaway!
THE PRIZE:
Lay-n-Go® LITE (patent pending) is an 18 inch travel/mini activity mat that converts into an easily transportable satchel allowing for a quick and effortless clean-up of small toy pieces in seconds. Toy collections used on the Lay-n-Go surface are easily spread out for hours of fun at restaurants, on airplanes, in cars, at Grandma's house, etc. Once playtime is over, the drawstring is pulled and the activity mat is instantly converted back into a soft storage bag. Lay-n-Go LITE is small, but like its big brother/sister, it is a smart and easy personal activity mat, cleanup, storage and handy little carryall solution in one.
Lay-n-Go® LITE (patent pending) is an 18 inch travel/mini activity mat that converts into an easily transportable satchel allowing for a quick and effortless clean-up of small toy pieces in seconds. Toy collections used on the Lay-n-Go surface are easily spread out for hours of fun at restaurants, on airplanes, in cars, at Grandma's house, etc. Once playtime is over, the drawstring is pulled and the activity mat is instantly converted back into a soft storage bag. Lay-n-Go LITE is small, but like its big brother/sister, it is a smart and easy personal activity mat, cleanup, storage and handy little carryall solution in one.
To Enter:
• 'Like' Lay-n-Go Facebook Page.
• If you haven't already, 'Like' Noodles On The Wall Facebook Page.
• Tell us one item on your 'To-Do-List' this week that is just for you or your noodle.
• Giveaway closes May 22nd at midnight.
• Prize will be shipped in the US.
• One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced May 23rd back here.
ENTER BELOW TO WIN!
• 'Like' Lay-n-Go Facebook Page.
• If you haven't already, 'Like' Noodles On The Wall Facebook Page.
• Tell us one item on your 'To-Do-List' this week that is just for you or your noodle.
• Giveaway closes May 22nd at midnight.
• Prize will be shipped in the US.
• One entry per e-mail address is permitted. The winner will be selected using random.org and announced May 23rd back here.
ENTER BELOW TO WIN!