Entrepreneur Interview: Elysse Fleece of Kozzy Bottoms

Business Name:
Kozzy Bottoms

Website URL:
www.kozzybottoms.com

Year Founded:
2010

Business Partners:
John Fleece- Co-Owner

Number of Employees:
1

What does your company do?
Kozzy Bottoms is a military family owned childrens boutique. We carry a wide variety of cloth diapers and diapering accessories. We hand make our accessories and also handmade hair accessories.

We have expanded our company line double from when we first launched our business and its been amazing to see how fast it expands and how our items bring such joy to our customers.

Was there a specific turning point when you realized your business was moving to the next level?

When we get accepted into our first store. That was a very exciting time for us and shows that our hard work pays off.

What processes or procedures have you implemented that have helped grow your company?
Better time management on my end. It has taken me a year to learn that my family and friends deserve as much attention as the business. Sometimes things get put on the back burner to spend time with my family or get another load of laundry done but that happiness is poured into Kozzy Bottoms and more gets done in the long run.

What is most rewarding about running your business?
Knowing that another family is using cloth diapers and the joy a tutu brings a little girl. Its about sharing our passion with other families.

What challenges have you faced and how have you overcome them?
Time management has been the hardest thing for us to overcome. My husband being military and leaving for deployments mean that I also have to learn to adjust not only for the business but also for our family.

If you were starting over today, what would you do differently?
Become more organized and but my thoughts in better order before we started our business. I am ocd regarding everything but the business! I wish I knew how to better organize not only time, paperwork but also products and information.

What advice do you have for other business owners?
Keep going. It it not going to happen overnight but it will happen. Determination and support is very important in creating your own business.

What is something that people might be surprised to learn about you?
I love to bake! My favorite thing to reduce stress is to bake. My neighbors love me around Christmas time!!

Is there anything else you would like to add?
Kozzy Bottoms has been a labor of love. I thought that I created it knowing what I was getting into but everyday is a new challenge. Partner it with a toddler and a military husband and keeping up with doctors appointments and playdate asking for help is the biggest thing you can do for your family and your company. I have just started learning how to ask for help.