Business: BadgeBlooms
Owner: Melissa Gilmore, 36
Location: Naperville home-based business that sells items online at www.badgeblooms.etsy.com
Years in business: Five
What does it sell: BadgeBlooms produces and sells ID badge accessories to spice up workwear.
Business name origin: “BadgeBlooms was inspired by a memorable trip to Maui and the lush floral surroundings,” Gilmore said. “Just as a flower transforms from a bud to an eye-catching bloom, BadgeBlooms have transformed the old boring badge reels.”
What was the impetus for starting this business? “As a nurse, having a retractable badge holder (also known as a badge reel) was an essential part of my uniform,” Gilmore said. “The plain badge reel I purchased when starting my career broke within a couple of months. Instead of buying another, I thought it would be fun to make my own decorated badge holders using higher quality materials. I started with a few designs, and colleagues quickly noticed. Soon I began making them for all my co-workers, then started on Etsy and had my first sale in less than 12 hours. Right before I became pregnant with my daughter, the business was growing so much that I was able to see my dream of being a stay-at-home working mom come to fruition. Now, we’re selling thousands per month, and I get to witness and cherish all of my daughter’s firsts. I have sold all over the U.S. but also internationally, all the way to Dubai and South Africa.”
How much do they cost? They start as low as $3.50 and go as high as $29.99. Gilmore also sells charms and other items to decorate badge reels ranging in price from 50 cents to $2.50.
What’s the best thing about being in Naperville? “There’s an abundance of entrepreneurial spirit in Naperville. On our own block, we have several young entrepreneurs. It keeps me inspired to continue growing and expanding. I hope my daughter has that same spirit.”
When is your busiest time of year? “We have clients in every professional arena, but most of our products cater to medical professionals (so) the Christmas season and Nurses Week in May are busy.”
What is the most popular thing you sell? “Our flower BadgeBlooms are always popular, but our newest line of exclusively copyrighted BadgeBlooms Organ Characters and Medical Humor BadgeBlooms are gaining a lot of attention. Working in health care can be stressful; I’m told our items brighten not only the wearers’ day but also their patients.”
What do you enjoy most about of your business? “I’m having a lot of fun lately with creating new organ characters and cheesy phrases to go along with them.”
Who was your most memorable customer? “I have so many, but the things I like to hear most are how patients and/or children have gotten through frightening procedures while distracted by the adorable BadgeBloom their nurse or doctor was wearing.”
How would you describe your business philosophy? “Ingenuity in the marketplace, constant improvement in designs, excellent customer service, hearing the recommendations of my customers, and product package presentation. From the beginning, it was important for me to evoke excitement in my customers when they received their BadgeBlooms package.”
Do you have plans to expand? “Besides my public clientele, I have many wholesale accounts across the U.S., Europe and Dubai. However, I’d love to offer my items within the hospital gift shop arena.”
What advice would you give someone starting a business? “Start with a cohesive plan. Don’t be afraid to take risks. My initial investment was only $1,000. Ask yourself if it’s something you enjoy doing because customers will notice if it’s not. And be prepared to work very hard and sometimes overnight to achieve success.”
What is your most popular item? “Yolanda Uterus. I offered it because I had a couple requests from (obstetrics and gynecology) nurses. I never imagined I would sell so many! Now, I have a hard time keeping them in stock.”
More Top Picks Best Steel Toe Work Boots For Men
How has your business changed over the years? “I started at the dining room table, then moved to our 10-by-10 loft space. Now I’m filling an entire basement in a home that we purchased partly because of BadgeBlooms’ growth. My product lines have grown not only in numbers but the types of items I offer.”
Daina Saleh is a freelance reporter for the Naperville Sun.