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The Interview
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The Basic Lowdown:

Girlposse.com: Who are you?
Jessica Wolfe: I'm a married mother of one with 3 dogs. I love shoes, animals, pedicures, parties, and dessert. I hate rudeness, un-returned phone calls, lateness. I believe that the Mall Crawl is the best form of exercise & that French Fries meet your daily requirement for a veggie. Did I mention SHOES?

Girlposse.com: Where are you located?
Jessica Wolfe: I live on Long Island in New York

Girlposse.com: What is your creation / business?
Jessica Wolfe: Zen Momma, Inc. I have 2 lines of products Baby Cakes by ZenMomma is geared towards infants and children. While ZenMomma is all women ~ all of our products are safe for use before during & after pregnancy and are as natural as possible some are even ALL natural.

Girlposse.com: Where can people buy your stuff?
Jessica Wolfe: At my site www.ZenMomma.com. I also will soon have a links page setup to link to online retailers & boutique's that carry my products.

Girlposse.com: Tell us something about yourself - your personality:
Jessica Wolfe: I am determined & driven. I can be considered a bit of a control freak. I am very punctual. I have been called a tenacious pit-bull, I think it's a good thing. On the softer side I am caring and generous person overall. I will do what ever it takes to help someone close to me.

The Nitty Gritty:

Girlposse.com: How did you first become interested in creating your own line of skin care products?
Jessica Wolfe: I have always had a love of the beauty industry. I even went to Cosmetology school. I tried for 2 years to get pregnant. During that time I really started to research what I used and how it affected my body and hopefully one day an unborn child. I also was surprised by a morning talk show that showed parts of the body that should not be massaged during pregnancy. I had no idea about that and I knew others may not know. I wanted to safe products. From that I have been able to carve out a nitch for myself. The Baby Cakes line, came about due to my son's sensitive skin care needs. Creating the ZenMomma line has been easy as I had all the ideas in place but launched Baby Cakes first. My ZenMomma line will feature products I wish I could have had while pregnant & now, Along with products for every women everyday.

Girlposse.com: How long have you been doing this?
Jessica Wolfe: I was able to get my business started quickly. I would have to say about 1 year.

Girlposse.com: Beginning a business is a big step. How did this become a "business" vs. just a "hobby""?
Jessica Wolfe: I have great resources. My husband and his business associates have been a huge help. They together have been able to help with everything from production to web-design. I knew from the start if I was going to do this I was going all the way with it. I have a husband & a son and no room for a hobby I wanted this to be huge.

Girlposse.com: Did you have previous business experience - or was the business end new to you?
Jessica Wolfe: Yes, past experience has helped I have worked in HR & I have managed my husbands company. I also worked at 2 top salons after graduating from cosmetology school. This has given me product & business management knowledge. Sales calls were my biggest fear. The more I talk to people the easier it becomes.

Girlposse.com: Do you have employees? If so, how many?
Jessica Wolfe: Right now my husband and I along with my friend Samantha have been building the gift baskets. My Husband is my proof reader. My friends Meredith & Samantha along with my Mom, Sisters Monique & Nikki, Aunt Anne (Double A) & cousin Cathy Z all give input on my product ideas and label & logo designs

Girlposse.com: How does the internet play a part of your business?
Jessica Wolfe: The internet has been a huge resource to me, I have been able to research labs, get container ideas. Research products and ingredients. I also am able to find retailers for my products.

Girlposse.com: What was (is) your biggest obstacle in selling what you create?
Jessica Wolfe: Name recognition. This is especially true for my target customers: women and children. Once people try the products or just read the ingredients they feel more comfortable with them. I think it helps to see I am a real person not a huge company just turning out products. It helps when they see I use them on my own son & myself.

Girlposse.com: Do you find it difficult coming up with original ideas?
Jessica Wolfe: No not really. I will bounce ideas off friends & family. The hardest part is not so much a concept but a name for it. Then having the confidence to go with it, As was the case with Rear Repair & Over There. I had originally gone with a plain name but I really wanted to go with Rear Repair I thought it was tongue & cheek. I had the labels redesigned and went for it.

Girlposse.com: Are there any plans to expand your product line?
Jessica Wolfe: Yes! I am also always looking for ways to improve my current lines. I am getting the ZenMomma line really started off, I am working on a Brown Sugar Body Scrub. For the Baby Cakes line we are working on BYE BYE BOO BOO herbal salve with it's convenient size every women will want one for their bag. I will continue to add to my gift sets starting with a revamped Momma & Me set, Next a Momma Shower Escape. I would really like to make some yoga & massage DVD's.

Girlposse.com: Which one of your products is your favorite?
Jessica Wolfe: From the Baby Cakes line the Bee Propolis Cream. I use it on my fingers after a manicure and my fingers never get red or irritated anymore. On my son it's great with his allergy to adhesive I know his cuts will heal and not become infected. From the ZenMomma line I have to say the product closest to my heart is FaRose. For as long as I can remember I have known about breast cancer at a very young age I lost my Aunt Marie. It has clamed too many people. In 2000 we lost my mother-in-law Rose to breast cancer. I created this product to be able to make a donation to breast cancer organizations and as reminder to women to perform their monthly self exams. I called it FaRose as in For Rose. The product's main objective is to allow a women to perform a BSE at anytime during the day and time is very limited to all us busy women -so BSE's no longer take time away from your shower :)

From the ZenMomma line I have to say the product closest to my heart is FaRose. For as long as I can remember I have known about breast cancer at a very young age I lost my Aunt Marie. It has clamed too many people. In 2000 we lost my mother-in-law Rose to breast cancer. I created this product to be able to make a donation to breast cancer organizations and as reminder to women to perform their monthly self exams. I called it FaRose as in For Rose.

Girlposse.com: What keeps you going on a bad day?
Jessica Wolfe: My silly little boy Lawson. How can anything get you down when you can look over and see someone with such wonder and amazement at the world around him. I have a supportive husband that will do anything to make me happy that is a joy in it self.

Girlposse.com: Where are some of your favorite places to shop?
Jessica Wolfe: I love Century 21 it is one of my favorite places to shop. Bloomingdale's is great also. They are one stop shopping.

Girlposse.com: What was the best piece of advice you've been given?
Jessica Wolfe: Be myself & believe in what I do.

Girlposse.com: What advice would you give to a future Crafty Diva?
Jessica Wolfe: Have confidence in yourself. Have follow thru. Do Not take no for an answer. Most of all LEARN QUICK BOOKS - I have found it to be a life saver.

Girlposse.com: Are they any other Crafty Divas or Entrepreneurial Empresses we should know about?

Jessica Wolfe: Bedazzled by Shaunna. Owner Shaunna Eisenberg creates custom jewelry. Shaunna has also made custom jewelry for bridal parties. Her pieces are beautiful & unique. Shaunna can be reached at 917-887-6036 or beadazzled04@hotmail.com

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The Review
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Trying to find the absolute best products for baby is a must! That's why I was thrilled to try out the Baby Cakes bubblebath on my granddaughter. With a pleasant scent and a softness I can't even begin to describe, I was instantly sold. Then a thought came to me... if this is so good for a baby's skin, why not my own? Everyone knows that a baby's skin is the softest. So I gave it a whirl. I am so glad I did! In my busy days I had forgotten what luxury a bubble bath can be to my skin. Thanks for the reminder!

Oh, and as for baby girl? I'm sure she liked it, too!!!

~Trish

~ March 2005