Ann Crady: Maya’s Mom.com

Who: Ann Crady

What: MayasMom.com

Where: Northern California

Number of Employees: 4

Startup Cash: >$1 Million

Number of Kids: 2 (Maya and Derick)

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Our Interview with Ann

Mommy’s Company (MC): How did you come up with your business idea?

Ann Crady (AC): As parents, we experience so many of the same joys, fears and issues, but many times we feel like we do this in isolation. I’ve been lucky to have
created an amazing community through people I’ve met at my co-op preschool
and mother’s group.

I wanted to extend that community to a much larger group because we can all benefit from the support and knowledge of parents everywhere.

MC: How did you make your vision a reality?

AC: I quit my job, raised money from people who shared my vision, and worked
very hard.

MC: What was your most exciting entrepreneur moment?

AC: The day someone told me he’d give me real money.

MC: What was your biggest obstacle?

AC: We face many every day — how can we “wow” parents with what we have to
offer, how do we get the word out about Maya’s Mom, how can we hire the best
people to work with us.

MC: How did you overcome the obstacle?

AC: We work to overcome them everyday…

MC: What surprises you most about being an entrepreneur?

AC: Maya’s Mom is ALWAYS on my mind.

MC: What advice do you give to entrepreneurial moms just starting out?

AC: Determination really, really, really, really matters.

MC: What book has inspired you?

AC: The Velveteen Rabbit, The Plant Sitter, That’s What Friends are For.

MC: What product could you not live without?

AC: TIVO

MC: What is your first thought in the morning?

AC : “I’m so tired…”

MC: What do your kids think of your business?

AC: Maya loves it — especially when she’s been on TV! Derick is not a fan.
Although he has no idea yet he’s been left out of the name (poor guy, but
the alliteration doesn’t work nearly as well!), he knows he doesn’t like me
leaving in the morning.