Reflections & Resolutions

What a busy year for us!  We went from launching our natural parenting products to adding a new location, and even hiring Claire Williamson.  I have to admit, having Claire on board our team has been a highlight. Partnering with others really helps bring in fresh new ideas and discussions!  Of course, Ecological Babies would absolutely not be operating if it weren't for my amazingly talented web designer, Liz Buzone.  Thank you Liz for ALL that you do!!!


Every year on our birthday, I like to do a little "R & R".  Nope, not rest and relax!  Rather, I like to see the day as the beginning of a new year and reflect & develop some resolutions.  It's time for planning and improving and going back through our notes when we first developed our mission.  


Here's some of the key points in my notes of what I originally wanted integrated into our mission:
-Creating value through our products & education.
-Developing relationships with those that we serve and work with in the community.
-Desire to serve society rather than exploit. Something many big box stores don't embrace.
-For me to be able gain balance and peace within my self and help others too.
-Promoting simplicity, social justice, community, and spirituality. These are values that stem from a volunteer year I spent with the Jesuit Volunteer Corp (JVC).  Spirituality in the sense of connecting people to each other and their environment, whatever beliefs you may have.
-For me to gain autonomy to be home raising my children.  


In reflecting on ways I believe we can improve, I've come up with a short list that will sound a bit vague.  But as I continue to dwell on these topics, I'll put more details into motion. Most of all, I'd love your feedback!


Ways of Improvement:
-More education.  I'd like to offer more discussions on topics related to cloth diapers to offer more support and guidance. In addition, I want to become more a resource on other topics related to our mission: natural parenting, attachment parenting, simplicity, community building, etc.  
-Faster Shipping.  I have to be honest.  Right now, it's an effort to ship out orders.  I want to become more efficient to minimize efforts and costs, and to be able to ship within 24 hours.
-Quicker Follow up.  We want to offer as much support to you as possible.  You should expect us to return your message or reply by email within 24 hours at the latest. 
-Find more ways to build community.  Since we're home-based, our main presence is online.  And while we can connect online to many people at once, we can connect better when we are physically with people.  We want to provide more opportunities where like-minded families can get together.  When you have small children, you can become limited in your ability to meet people you'd really connect with.  We want to help orchestrate that!
-Have more presence in hospitals, day cares, and other places where consumers can learn more about cloth diapers.  We want nurses excited about cloth diapers, day cares to be more eco-friendly and open to accepting cloth diapers.  If they won't come to us, we'll just have to come to them!!!  :o)
-Give back more to the community.  We're talking charity events, donations, volunteering.  We're all in this together, right? 


Like I said, I REALLY want to hear from you and your experience with us.  What can we be doing better or already doing well?  You can even post anonymously! Please don't make me beg! 


Thank you to all that we have met with this year.  You make us a success and keep our mission going in your community.


Peace and lots of love,


Jen


Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

"Winner Picks" Giveaway!

Our three year anniversary is right around the corner and we couldn't be more excited with where we are right now.  I found it difficult to pick an item to put up for our giveaway.  SO, instead I thought I'd leave it up to YOU! :o)  That's right.  If you are the lucky winner, you get to pick ANY item you've wanted to try out or have already been loving at Ecological Babies.  (Note: this doesn't include packages but single items)

Giveaway Requirements:
1. Like us on Facebook.
2. Tell us which item you'd like to win and post on our wall.

Extra entries:
1. Tell us one of your favorite products of ours you've been using and why you like it so much.
2. Give us a shout out on your wall promoting our giveaway and make sure to tag us.
3. Bring us a new friend to like us and tell them to give you credit when they post on our wall.
4. Post a picture of your baby wearing one of the diapers you've purchased with us.
5. Subscribe to our Blog and let us know on our FB wall.

Deadline:
Friday September 23rd at 10pm E.S.T.

Note:Winner will be drawn using random.org and will be announced on our wall.  Winner has 1 week to claim prize.

Good luck!

Cheers,

Jen



Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235

Becoming a Community Insider

Last night, I realized something important about me.  Where ever I am (whether I'm just visiting or permanently living there), I need to feel connected to that community.  I seek out local establishments, local residents, and attempt to learn what it's like on the inside.  Perhaps call it an immersion experience! It wasn't until last night that I began to understand why.

Growing up, I was not connected at all to my community nor did I understand its significance.  In fact, I hardly paid attention to local, national,or international news, remaining in a little protected bubble.  Many people might say that is good for kids and I definitely agree to a certain extent.  I agree that children (nor us as adults really!) should not be exposed to violence. But I believe there are limitations of protection that hinder their chance at growing connecting to their "real" community that has some unfortunate circumstances.

For example, people who are homeless or poor in their community.  I personally believe that allowing our children to experience interactions and relationships with those experiencing hardship is beneficial to our children, to the disadvantaged person, and even to the community.  How many of us are honestly intimidated by the person asking for money on the sidewalk and act as though they are invisible?  I want my children to know these are people, just like us in many ways, people deserving respect and need love too.  They too are part of our community and because we are more advantaged, we need to help those currently living with a disadvantage as often as we can.  More about this another time though....I want to come back to my original topic of community living.

It wasn't until I volunteered a year of my life with the Jesuit Volunteer Corps where our life was completely immersed in the community that I experienced what it was like to be a part of a real community.  I now know belonging to a community is a spiritual experience that feeds our soul in ways unimaginable.  It provides a sense of connectedness to those around us, a sense of belonging which is a biological need.  I also feel more grounded to know local people that I can trust and to know what events are going on around me.  Each community is authentic in its own way.

In some ways, this goes coincides with the current local movement.  The government is advocating this movement with the economy as it's main angle. I obviously believe supporting locally goes much deeper than that.  In some ways, I believe I'm connected more to the "slow food" movement.  It's about learning about local farms, what's in season, and developing a connection with nature. I yearn for the fresh organic produce from my local farmer stand as those it is going out for ice cream. It sounds ridiculous to say it that way, especially since I could never imagine as a child ever thinking this as an adult!

Well, we just moved recently and at first it was difficult, being an outsider of this community.  It was a bit lonely.  But it has also been really exciting as though I'm on a treasure hunt.  And I can feel my sense of grounding starting to take root as relationships are forming.

How about you?  Where's your community and do you feel connected to it?  Where have you "rooted" yourself in it and feel that spiritual sense of belonging?

If you don't feel connected, why?  Where would you like to become closer to your community?

I would love to hear about "your" community!

Peace and love,

Jen


Jen Starks, Owner www.ecologicalbabies.com ecologicalbabies@gmail.com 574.275.1235