Today we’d like to introduce you to Seher Madni Patel.
Seher Patel, let’s start with your story. We’d love to hear how you got started and how the journey has been so far.
I have always enjoyed crafting, creative gift options and event planning for leisure however in 2015 when we had our fourth child it turned into my only option and replaced my traditional full time job 🙂
Our daughter @WarriorPrincessArya is born with a Congenital Heart Defect (CHD) known as Hypoplastic Left Heart Syndrome (HLHS) which is a rare birth defect that affects normal blood flow through the heart. In layman’s terms, as the baby develops during pregnancy, the left side of the heart does not form correctly so she’s literally born with half the heart (only the right side). Needless to say, this is a lifelong medically critical condition as there is not a way to ‘grow’ the missing half of her organ (yet). She’s already undergone multiple procedures, therapies and a couple of open heart surgeries since birth with the first one when she was 6 days old and is scheduled for her third ‘planned’ open heart surgery in August 2018. Unable to return to my career or even a ‘traditional job’ due to schedule retrains and managing Arya’s overall plan of care, I started SimplybyMom. I literally started out of a hospital room making Gtube access onesies (a bodysuit modified to allow for easy access to feeding button that is placed through the patient’s stomach – which is how Arya’s primarily fed) at Medical City Children’s Hospital in Dallas during one of her many (frequent) admissions. I’m very grateful for the support and encouragement I have received from my family, friends and community members which has allowed for the growth of this venture simply by a Mom… ME!!!
Great, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Having a medically fragile child with special needs definitely alters the definition of ‘smooth’. Mostly because each moment is unpredictable. When I first started SimplybyMom I worked out of the hospital room or at the nurse station counters late at night and in between taking care of my daughter when/as possible. I started with very limited to no startup capital and under extreme limitations until my daughter became more stable. So I guess you can say SimplybyMom took the ‘road less traveled’ with the constant detours, unexpected curves and numerous bumps along the way… but I have faith that the journey will be worth the struggle in the end!
Please tell us about SimplybyMom.
SimplybyMom specializes in personalized gift items (i.e. microwave/dishwasher safe mugs, t-shirts, onesies, gift card holders, cash holder envelopes, party decorations, favors, cake toppers, backdrops, etc.,.),Promotional items (i.e. signs, banners, posters, pens, totes, water bottles, tumblers etc…) and custom orders (i.e. gtube access onesies, oversized wall decals, advent calendar, gift baskets.. and just about anything else not listed here).
As a small business I believe that support, collaboration and partnership with other small businesses is key. Some of my most amazing work has been made possible through partnering with local businesses like Brand Keepers in Richardson, TX and collaborating with other small businesses like Buttercream Bliss and QuteBlooms. Together we simply achieve more!
100% of proceeds from SimplybyMom go towards medical expenses for my daughter @WarriorPrincessArya… one order at time! So no order is ever too small or too big. I understand that life happens and am always willing to accommodate rush orders when and as possible. I love and welcome custom orders… so don’t hesitate to contact me with what you have in mind!
What advice would you give to someone at the start of her career?
My advice would be to NEVER lose the “Why”! Everyone has a story. Whatever it may have been that inspired you to head out on your journey to begin with. At times it may be easy to lose sight of the WHY as life takes its course and the struggles seem to ease up, but the “WHY” will always help you stay calibrated so NEVER lose the “WHY”!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.simplybymom.com
- Phone: (469) 726-9772
- Email: info@simplybymom.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/simplybymom
- Facebook: https://facebook.com/simplybymom
Image Credit:
SimplybyMom
Buttercream Bliss
Quteblooms
Brand Keepers
Getting in touch: VoyageDallas is built on recommendations from the community; it’s how we uncover hidden gems, so if you know someone who deserves recognition please let us know here.
