Our latest Stick Of The Week! is Rachel A. D'Ascoli. Rachel is in the NOW as CEO and designer of BurpGear by Renvoi Bebe. Renvoi Bebe (which means “burp baby” in French), creates and manufactures functional, leak proof, dual panel designer burp cloths. Rachel and Renvoi Bebe will soon be including other baby accessories like bibs, pacifier strings and diaper clutches for mothers.
Rachel A. D'Ascoli
Rachel D'Ascoli is a 29 year old mother of three sons. She is married to her husband, Steve who is a "remarkable and innovative middle school teacher." When Rachel is not busy being a mom and running her own business, Rachel can be found teaching first grade.
I always saw myself as playing a large role in the field of education, revolutionizing education in some way, perhaps starting the next reform, but motherhood has taken me on a slight detour! Now having kids, I know that the most important thing is showing my kids excellence in whatever I do.
Tell us about your NOW (Noodle On the Wall)
Simply put, BurpGear from Renvoi Bebe, is designed to offer all caregivers 100% protection, while providing infants the ultimate comfort. BurpGear is designed by a mom for moms, so it has a myriad of features. The burp cloth can be worn as a dual panel or single, is handsfree, adjustable, 100% machine washable, made in the USA, BPA, Phalate and Lead free. BurpGear also conveniently rolls up to become a travel compact clutch which can be easily located in a diaper bag or hung from a stroller.
Simply put, BurpGear from Renvoi Bebe, is designed to offer all caregivers 100% protection, while providing infants the ultimate comfort. BurpGear is designed by a mom for moms, so it has a myriad of features. The burp cloth can be worn as a dual panel or single, is handsfree, adjustable, 100% machine washable, made in the USA, BPA, Phalate and Lead free. BurpGear also conveniently rolls up to become a travel compact clutch which can be easily located in a diaper bag or hung from a stroller.
Is your NOW simmering, al dente or fully cooked and why?
My NOW is simmering at the moment. We just launched in December 2012, and have been working hard to gain exposure. As a small company, we have been trying to leverage social media outlets as well as increase in-person opportunities to spread the word about this revolutionary product. We are just at the beginning stages and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We know that BurpGear from Renevoi Bebe offers something completely unique. Its functionality helps caregivers save money since they won’t need to buy a dozen burp cloths or new clothes! Also, we enjoy making a product that moms deserve. Moms deserve something designed with them in mind. So while we certainly are not al dente or fully cooked, we are enjoying these beginning stages of building our business and branding.
My NOW is simmering at the moment. We just launched in December 2012, and have been working hard to gain exposure. As a small company, we have been trying to leverage social media outlets as well as increase in-person opportunities to spread the word about this revolutionary product. We are just at the beginning stages and are excited about the opportunities that lie ahead. We know that BurpGear from Renevoi Bebe offers something completely unique. Its functionality helps caregivers save money since they won’t need to buy a dozen burp cloths or new clothes! Also, we enjoy making a product that moms deserve. Moms deserve something designed with them in mind. So while we certainly are not al dente or fully cooked, we are enjoying these beginning stages of building our business and branding.
What recipes can you give other Creative Moms Taking On The Creative?
1. Experiment.......Try different things fully knowing that some will amaze you and others will make you laugh.
2. Don’t settle.....Keep fine tuning your work until you feel completely satisfied.
3. Join Forces......Work with other people, network and ask questions.
4. Leave Doubt Behind......Think out of the box and never look back. Don’t be discouraged. Let tough moments be moments of realization and good moments be memories.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I’m a mother of three. I have a four year old, a two year old and 11 month old. When my two year old was an infant I found that moving him and the typical burp cloth from shoulder to shoulder was uncomfortable for him and impractical.
1. Experiment.......Try different things fully knowing that some will amaze you and others will make you laugh.
2. Don’t settle.....Keep fine tuning your work until you feel completely satisfied.
3. Join Forces......Work with other people, network and ask questions.
4. Leave Doubt Behind......Think out of the box and never look back. Don’t be discouraged. Let tough moments be moments of realization and good moments be memories.
What motivated you to throw your noodle?
I’m a mother of three. I have a four year old, a two year old and 11 month old. When my two year old was an infant I found that moving him and the typical burp cloth from shoulder to shoulder was uncomfortable for him and impractical.
By the time I moved the burp cloth from one shoulder to the other, my son had already spit up all over my clothing! It became clear to me that all caregivers needed and deserved an alternative to what was out on the market. Like many have said before, "necessity is the mother of invention." So I started with an idea and continued to work on it until I was sure that it offered everything I would want. Then I partnered with my mother and sister, and together, we began creating prototypes and conducting marketing research.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I am inspired and motivated by my family. Oddly enough, I would never have envisioned myself as an inventor or creative person! My husband and I are school teachers, my sister an event specialist and my mother a baker. The key to our "odd group" of creators has been working together and taking chances. We navigated through unfamiliar territory when seeking out a trademark and patent, we found manufacturers in New York and we spent a lot of time sewing prototypes in our living room.
What inspires you as a Mom and as a creative person?
I am inspired and motivated by my family. Oddly enough, I would never have envisioned myself as an inventor or creative person! My husband and I are school teachers, my sister an event specialist and my mother a baker. The key to our "odd group" of creators has been working together and taking chances. We navigated through unfamiliar territory when seeking out a trademark and patent, we found manufacturers in New York and we spent a lot of time sewing prototypes in our living room.
How do you juggle Mamahood and your NOW?
Juggling Mamahood and my NOW is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Finding the time to work on a business while raising three sons is challenging to say the least. However, I’ve stuck with a model that perhaps trained business people would disagree with. Working around my kiddo's schedules. If I have to put in late night hours or nurse a son while choosing fabric, then that’s what I have to do. I’m finding there is no right way of doing it. I find the time in between our trips to the zoo or while making cardboard castles. I also try to involve the boys whenever I can. If I’m choosing fabric, the boys are telling me which is the softest or which design they like best! In all honesty, I want to provide for my family, but I won't neglect the importance of raising them now. I think it’s perfect to say it’s a tight wire-balancing act like so much of life. I see that I have an opportunity to improve even a very simple part of parenthood. Burping your baby. That inspires me to make the time to juggle motherhood while being a business woman!
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Any pasta that is spicy! =)
Juggling Mamahood and my NOW is one of the most difficult things I have ever done. Finding the time to work on a business while raising three sons is challenging to say the least. However, I’ve stuck with a model that perhaps trained business people would disagree with. Working around my kiddo's schedules. If I have to put in late night hours or nurse a son while choosing fabric, then that’s what I have to do. I’m finding there is no right way of doing it. I find the time in between our trips to the zoo or while making cardboard castles. I also try to involve the boys whenever I can. If I’m choosing fabric, the boys are telling me which is the softest or which design they like best! In all honesty, I want to provide for my family, but I won't neglect the importance of raising them now. I think it’s perfect to say it’s a tight wire-balancing act like so much of life. I see that I have an opportunity to improve even a very simple part of parenthood. Burping your baby. That inspires me to make the time to juggle motherhood while being a business woman!
What is your ultimate pasta dish?
Any pasta that is spicy! =)
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