This story is part of Smart Parenting's new advocacy, For Parents, By Parents, which aims to help newbie mompreneurs and dadpreneurs promote their products and services to our parenting communities. Do you have great products or services for moms, dads, or kids and need a bit of marketing push? Email us at smartparenting@summitmedia.com.ph with the subject, "For Parents, By Parents."
In a society where breastfeeding in public is yet to be normalized, a mom created a solution to help her fellow lactating mothers nurse their children with ease and in style.
Steph Goyena, 35, from Quezon City is a first-time mom to a baby girl who's turning two this year. Like most first-time moms, she had her fair share of experiencing struggles while breastfeeding.
"Ever since I started breastfeeding, I've tried several nursing covers. So, I've tried the apron types, the stretchable ones, and I've tried to breastfeed in all types of settings--while having dinner with my friends, in a formal event, while boarding the plane, until we reach our seats," she explained.
However, she said, she has never felt confident enough with the nursing covers because it didn't give her enough coverage while nursing her baby.
"And then there was one time I was having dinner with my friends and I forgot my nursing cover. I searched all over the mall to look for a decent nursing cover and the one that I got, I didn't like the size and the material, it was too thin, and it didn't give me enough coverage," she shared.
She thought to herself, "Breastfeeding moms give the best to their babies, and they also deserve the best, and they deserve the best tools for their breastfeeding journey."
And that's how the start-up business MetroMama.ph nursing covers was born.
Metromama.ph nursing covers
Steph told Smart Parenting that her goal in MetroMama.ph is to make moms not only feel secured and confident while breastfeeding, but beautiful and stylish at the same time.
She started her business in May this year with less than P10,000 capital, and produced a dozen nursing covers. "It was sold out in just the first week!" Steph beamed.
"After that, umikot lang, we reproduced more and more, and when a design gets sold out, we just open a pre-order slot so that they can reserve the products," she said.
She continued, "And when it's on hand, we just inform the clients, and then we ship it out to them."
"We are making it comfortable for breastfeeding moms in respecting their decision to nurture naturally." —Steph Goyena, Metromama.ph
Steph takes pride in the fact that her full-coverage nursing covers are handmade locally using premium materials sourced carefully, "Deserve ng moms to have pretty nursing covers, diba? So they will feel empowered to breastfeed anywhere, without the fear of being exposed."
.jpg)
Steph revealed that she already had the business idea when she just gave birth but had to park it because she had to focus on her baby. It was her husband who brought it up again this year, and she grabbed the opportunity.
Her nursing covers are now being worn and enjoyed by celebrity moms like Danica Pingris and Andi Manzano.
"So sometimes, you just need a little push. With a good support system talaga, you can start a business," she maintained.
For her nursing covers, she ensures that the fabric doesn't only have to be pretty for the mom, but more importantly, lightweight and breathable for the baby.
.jpg)
While sourcing the materials and operating her business was relatively easy for her because of technology, what was challenging for her was finding time and energy to keep up, with all the chores and caring for her baby.
"Eventually, I got the groove. I got the hang of it na, may time pala ako in the afternoon. This is my me-time. There's a time for everything. A time for my baby, my husband, and my me-time is my business."
She added, "And I'm really glad I started it, kasi na-excite ako bigla, may na-ignite na spark."
Through her new venture, she also gets to meet other moms and support moms in their breastfeeding journey.
.jpg)
"I think that nursing covers are a powerful tool to empower women to breastfeed anywhere and anytime to be accepted by society that it's a normal thing."
"We are making it comfortable for breastfeeding moms in respecting their decision to nurture naturally," she adds.
What's more, Steph's creations also doubles as a stroller cover. Each nursing cover also comes with a garterized strap for easy storage.
READ ALSO: 'Nabebenta Mo Talaga Yan?' This Mompreneur Grew Her Fashion Business From P3K To 6 Figures Monthly
Tips for parents who want to start a business
1. Ask yourself: What problem do you want to solve?
In Steph's case, her business wanted to help moms to feel pretty and confident while breastfeeding. "Ayoko yung naiilang sila. We made it poncho style, so it can accommodate even from newborn to toddler years," she said.
2. Consider time, space, and budget
Steph makes their nursing covers in small batches to avoid overproduction. She also sells via Facebook and Instagram for now.
In terms of time, Steph said, "Yung business mo has to be something you can do with what time you have left. For example, yung Shopee, kailangan every two days, nag-ship out ka. Pero if you're a very busy mom, you cannot do that. Think what you can manage."
She added, "If you're living in a condo, you must consider inventory."
3. Make your product stand out
When asked what customers say about her product, Steph shared, "Number one, they're very pretty. They're not the ordinary kind. Kumbaga whether you're attending a formal event, hindi ka mahihiya to put it on!"
"Also, it provides full coverage. Moms don't have to worry about getting exposed while breastfeeding," she told Smart Parenting.
4. Believe in what you sell
Her nursing covers cost P1500 to P1800 each, "It's really premium. You won't see this easily anywhere. And limited lang yung stocks nila."
She maintained, "This type of material is the type I can proudly wear. I can source cheaper materials, but what would set me apart from others?"
5. Define your intention
More than earning, Steph emphasized, "I want to empower breastfeeding moms kasi grabe yung sacrifices nila. Yung kinakain nila, iniinom nila, yung fashion choices nila. You can't wear a dress anymore unless it's breastfeeding friendly, 'di ba? So they deserve the best. This is my way of doing it."
She concludes, "If matagal mo nang gusto mag-business, don't let motherhood stop you. There's no age limit. You just have to find time for it. It's a form of self-care. And the only way for you to make time for it, is if it excites you and makes you happy."
Support Steph Goyena's advocacy, and buy Metromama.ph nursing covers on Facebook here, and on Instagram here.
What other parents are reading
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipisicing elit, sed do eiusmod
