Dreamers Into Doers -- marthastewart.com

Doer of the Week: Katie O'Neill

What were you doing (careerwise) when you decided to create your own business?
Before launching my own company or having kids, I was working in the mortgage industry. After my first son was born, I was offered the opportunity to work from home. I wasn't planning on going back to work anyway, so this was a no-brainer. I made my own hours and I could stay home with my son. But after a year, it wasn’t so easy, there were quotas, meetings, more time on the phone, and less time being a mom. So, I quit.

When did you start your business?
I started Kt Steppers in June of 2008.

When did you know that you could really make a go of this?
I always wanted to start a business, I just needed to figure out what I wanted to do and act on it. I was always creative and loved art and drawing. When I received a step stool for my second son as a gift, I had that ‘aha’ moment. A few months later the first “stepper” was conceived when a family member was looking for a unique and personal gift for her best friend’s son.

How did you turn your idea into a business plan?
I began doing market research, filed for an LLC and launched our website for purchasing online.

What was your start-up cost? How did you get the money, and what did you use it for?
We decided to invest $2000 from our savings into building a functional website.That was about it.

What was the biggest obstacle?
The biggest struggle thus far has been convincing larger distributors that we will have the ability to meet demand. I have been in talks with a number of companies that want to distribute and brand match our steppers, but haven’t taken the leap with us to get a partnership sealed. I plan on pursuing and overcoming this skepticism with facts and back-up information that demonstrates our capabilities to fill these potential orders.

Did your friends and family support your dream?
Absolutely, they are my biggest fans!

How did you maintain your confidence when doors were closed in your face, when people
didn’t get it or said “no”?
I won’t give up because I believe that Kt Steppers are going to be a household name! If the interest is not there right now, I believe it will be as we grow.

How long did it take for your business to become profitable?
I think within 6 months of building the website we broke even and began generating profits.

What's the most fun part of what you do?
The most fun and rewarding part of what I do is receiving testimonials saying how much the recipient (whether it be the parent or child) loved their stepper.

Where do you work from?
I work out of my house (mainly the kitchen).

Do you have employees?
None at the moment. I have a few interns in the running to work with me.

How have you been using social media to grow your business?
Utilizing social media was key. Being visible on Twitter and Facebook has opened up many doors that pretty much fund the business. I recommend any business starting out use these avenues of promotion. I don’t think I would have grown as quickly as I have if it weren’t for social media. I also promoted our product to celebrity families whose Kt Steppers have been photographed in their nurseries.

Do you have entrepreneurial role models? What’s so inspiring about them?
I have so many right now. I’ve learned so much from my fellow entrepreneurs over the last year networking on sites like Dreamers Into Doers and especially on Twitter. Their stories inspire me everyday.

What's the best piece of business advice you ever received?
That I will not be able to do it all by myself! I know that I can ask for help and will find it! Join networks like this one for support. We are all in the same boat. Paying it forward only helps you grow.

If you had it to do over again, what, if anything, would you do differently?
I probably would have started sooner.

What is your favorite product that you offer?
Our featured product; The Cricket Stepper. It is also eco-friendly.

What is your best selling item?
For girls it's The Ladybug Stepper ; for boys, I'd say The Biplane Classic.

What advice would you give to Dreamers who haven’t become Doers yet?
If you have a dream product or service, go for it! Be a doer. You don’t have to spend a ton of money to explore your dream. As Winston Churchill said, "Success is the ability to go from one failure to another with no loss of enthusiasm."

Keep Up with Katie and Kt Steppers
KtSteppers.com
Twitter
Facebook
MasterOfMultiTaskingMom.BlogSpot.com
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Comment by Stockberry Studio on January 12, 2011 at 12:40am: Cute work! Congratulations!!

Comment by Jennifer@Passion-for-Parties.com on January 11, 2011 at 10:16am: Congratulations, Katie! Your work is adorable! :)

Comment by Rebecca-FreshChick Design Studio on January 10, 2011 at 10:59pm: Oh BTW...love the one you did for Melisa featured on PN (;

Comment by Rebecca-FreshChick Design Studio on January 10, 2011 at 10:58pm: Congrats!! Love your steppers!!

Comment by Debra Walters on January 10, 2011 at 3:25pm: Congratulations!

Comment by Gemma Booker on January 9, 2011 at 3:48pm: Hi Katie,

It is amazing to see you on Martha Stewart, Congrats !

we still need to get together for a photo shoot.

Comment by Kim M. Byers on January 9, 2011 at 10:05am: Congrats Katie!

Comment by Rupa Wickrama on January 9, 2011 at 12:15am: Congratulations!

Comment by Jennifer Cameron on January 8, 2011 at 7:56am: Congrats Katie!

Comment by Lori Johnson on January 7, 2011 at 2:15pm: Checked out your website! Awesome design! Good Job Katie! I wish you much success with your Kt Steppers!

Sincerely,

Lori Johnson

Comment by Icing Designs on January 6, 2011 at 9:21pm: Congratulations Katie! Great interview!

Comment by Heather Valentine on January 6, 2011 at 8:34pm: Congrats Katie! Well earned. Keep up the great work!

Comment by Sarah D. / Dreamers Joy Events on January 6, 2011 at 8:14pm: Congrats Katie! The steppers are adorable! :)

Comment by Cherrl Jacobson on January 6, 2011 at 1:02am: Congratulations to you and thank you for your wise tips!

Comment by Zang on January 5, 2011 at 6:23pm: I just left you a comment, but didn't realize you were the DOTW. Congratulations! Thanks for sharing your story.

Comment by Kim Bent on January 5, 2011 at 5:59pm: Congrats Katie!

I really enjoyed your story. I am getting ready to do some products myself...it helped to hear your story!!!

I had a step stool as a kid and I used it all the time. I now have three in my house. It is such a GREAT gift idea!