April 29th

I am a person full of ideas. Sometimes I think I have too many ideas that they actually end up being a freezing mechanism rather then a freeing one. But none the less, I keep coming up with them. Here is the latest.

I work part time at Rattles & Rhymes, a baby furniture and accessories store in Athens, GA. One of the things I have observed over the few months that I have been there is the journey of a new parent. You meet them for the first time and they are excited, glowing; well rested. They are thoughtful in their choices. How much money they have to purchase a crib; how many sheets they will need; what to indulge on (Zucchini or Mud Pie?) and what to be no nonsense about (crib mattress, car seat).

From a retailer's perspective, there is a process you must indulge them in. You could potentially meet them for the first time when they are just coming from that first doctor's appointment where they have just found out they are expecting. Or, they are coming from the doctor's office where they have just found out if they are having a boy or a girl. There is a visit to the store where it is expecting mom with the proud Grandmother, who always wants to be the first one to buy the first item for the baby. The next time you see the expecting mom, she will come in with her best friend. This is the team that usually makes the decisions (best friend could be a girlfriend, sister or mother).

Once mom, with her budding belly, has made up her mind she then is on a quest to convince the husband and parents to also love her choices. Often times the grandparents are paying for a portion or all of the baby's furniture – and often there is a competition between the expecting mom's parents and the in-laws. The expecting mom does some indulging of her own, saying to her husband, 'honey, sit in this glider and tell me if you like it'. Even though everyone in the room knows he better say, 'I love it honey'; 'whatever you want honey', or some variation there of.

Then finally, the expecting family comes to the patient, observant retailer, ready to write up the order. You have to let them go through their own journey to purchase. It is the only way, in my opinion, to ensure that they will be completely happy with the purchase. In this type of retail, I believe you are nothing more then a cheerful resource. If you become too interested in selling and not as interested in happy, well informed expecting parents, then you loose. The whole experience of bringing a new life into the world should be a delicious process from start to finish.(That is just my humble, shop girl opinion.)

Fast forward to the blessed event. The baby is born and the first time you see the new parents is usually when they are coming home from the hospital. This can be the mom and dad; but more often then not it is the new dad with his mom. You have to work to try to remember who they are because they look like they just rolled out of bed, even though they have not slept in days. They are wearing mismatched clothes with odd odors attached. They usually are in desperate need of something to do with breast feeding/pumping. There is no regard for cost. Suddenly the counter is full of breast shields, tubing or even two different kids of breast pumps if new dad has been sent in alone (don't worry, as the retailer, it is our job to talk them off the ledge, we don't send them home with two pumps). There will be a few soft cotton outfits added if Grandma is there and then some item to subtly tell the new mom 'this is what I think you should be doing'.

It is in seeing the customer in this light that gave me an idea. Wouldn't it be great if the expecting mom could register for prepared meals to be delivered to her house the first week she is home with her new baby. Or, have prepared meals available for those glassy eyed husbands and new Grandparents to also pick up with the odd assortment of breast pumping products. Of course they could get that at any restaurant or eatery; but I am talking about having it available at the same place they have to stop anyway.

It wouldn't have to be just available to new parents once the baby is home; but also those weeks before the baby comes when expecting mom's feet and ankles are so swollen she can't possibly stand in the kitchen preparing the family meal. Oh, there could also be a “Craving It” menu for the expecting mom's with those crazy cravings the husband is sent out to get at a moment's notice....see what I mean, the ideas just keep flowing.

So, what do you think? Could a From Pickles to Pumping Catering business be in my future?