Name: Allegra Baldwin
Finalist, Kids Programs
Hometown: West Orange
Business: Mobile Makers
New Jersey Family: What was your proudest moment as a business owner?
Allegra Baldwin: There have been many in the last 2.5 years. I’d say the first moment it all felt really real was when I actually bought the first trailer, which was the basis for what I envisioned to be my art studio on wheels. Then, I had the trailer registered and got license plates. Finally, it was wrapped in the brand design. The moment I picked it up for the graphics wrapper and it was all mobile “makered” out was a proud moment for me. My whole family was with me. I was a mama bird ready to fly!
NJF: Tell us about the types of parties you have and the kinds of crafts you do.Â
AB: Mobile Makers is for everyone: any age, gender, and interest–crafts know no bounds. Seriously, we can craft anything together, from two-year-olds exploring sensory play to seven-year-olds designing caps, to all ages tie-dying and making bracelets at our one-of-a-kind Bead Bar. Every weekend we do upwards of 5 or more parties, all different themes and all different participant personalities, so we have to make sure we capture each kiddo’s essence in our setup. We offer a sensory-based party experience (2-6 years old) and a DIY Craft party (7+). Project ideas are endless.
NJF: What’s the best piece of business advice you’ve ever gotten that you want to share with others?
AB: It’s not easy taking a passion and turning it into a business. Really think about your vision and live with the idea in your mind. Make a business plan. Let it evolve. Do the numbers. Ask yourself, “What is your mission?” What is the purpose? What is your value? Write it all down. Read it over and over and don’t forget what you stand for and what value you provide. You should be memorizing these answers and never forget them, they are your reason for being, and for what you and your business represent at the core.
NJF: What’s it like juggling the kids and family with running a business?
AB: It’s hard. Parenting is hard and running a startup is insane. My boys are busybodies! They are active, they are imaginative and they keep us busy. I always try to remember I answer to me. This is my business and if I need to take a minute from business to be with family, I can take it. I should take it. I know this now but I am in my third summer season. It has taken some time to fully grasp that concept. It may set me back in my day, time-wise, but it’s important to be totally present with my family when we are together.
My first summer into fall I did 150 events. I did as much as physically and emotionally possible. It was taxing. But I wanted this. I am lucky to have a really strong support system at home but I felt like I was missing a lot of my kids’ activities. I tried to remind myself that I was launching something unique, something special, something exciting, and creating value in so many other families’ lives. Me and my family unit would be okay in the long run – better than okay – with a mother and wife who was making a difference.
NJF: What’s next for Mobile Makers?
AB: I’m not totally sure, to be honest. I want to do more with this business but I don’t want to lose the sense of personality. Mobile Makers is happy, bright, sparkly, creative and super duper positive. We can’t ever lose that. We aim to create happy moments. When we pull up in the pink flamingo trailer some people think we are an ice cream truck, but then I pop open the concession and eyes widen and faces start looking curiously at everything we are setting up. They want to know what we are going to create together. I want to do this in new ways. Needless to say, I have so many ideas about how to revolutionize the way we craft and the way crafting elicits joyful moments; I just need a few more Allegras to do it all!
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