Belevation Maternity Underwear has evolved from being a twinkle in our eyes in late 2007, to the status of a savvy preschooler – in 2013.

Having worked as a B2B service for the textile industry for many years, we had a lot to learn about the best way to reach 21st century consumers. It’s been a very slow process, but we haven’t quit yet.

Along the way, I’ve held several dumb second jobs to help pay the bills, but my low pay and under appreciation in those positions has just driven me harder toward Belevation’s business success.

So here it is; my best advice for mompreneurs, women who can envision working incredibly hard, but doing it on your own terms. This list is for you:

1. Make sure someone in your house has a day job so you’re not putting all eggs in one basket. The Small Business Administration says most businesses fail in the first 5 years. Know that upfront and protect yourself accordingly.

2. Do as much as possible yourself to keep costs low, then reach out to students who are highly skilled at things like websites, but have lower overheads than pros.

3. Make a website right away and get lots of help with SEO. Word Press content management sites are great since they are easy to self-maintain.

4. Network, network, network. We can’t be an island when it comes to anything.

5. Know the competition and be better in your niche. Evaluate what your niche is.

6. Set up your personal and business Facebook and Twitter accounts separately. Potential clients needn’t know who you’re voting for, or if you’re in a bad mood.

7. Even though personal should remain personal, keep friends and family up to date online about your business news. Hopefully they will help spread the word.

8. Use advertising selectively. Ads are really expensive and can bust a budget.

9. Send out press releases to news orgs and try to get free mentions. Give back to the community right away since good deeds are newsworthy, so it’s a win win.

10. Giveaways are king with bloggers – so be prepared to give away products and services often to get free publicity. Well worth it compared to buying print ads.

11. Read a good newspaper like the NYT daily. Savvy biz owners need to stay abreast of what’s happening in the world. Read on a tablet on the treadmill, so you can fit in some exercise. Busy people need to kill two birds with one stone.

12. Enjoy your successes, nothing feels better than knowing you’ve accomplished something yourself. You’ll have the best stories to tell on the school bus stop too.

Started in 2004, The Moms Choice Awards are modeled after the prestigious Parent and Teachers Choice
Awards which focus on toys, media and educational
products.  Broadened to include a wider assortment of consumer products for families and children, a team of 155 unpaid MCA volunteers from around the country review submissions.

We waited nervously after sending out 5 Belevation Brief product samples ( in a variety of sizes), to the Virginia based Mom’s Choice offices.  I read that in 2008, 1200 applicants submitted products to MCA, but only 300 were selected as honorees.

As an independent mom and pop manufacturer,  Belevation is always looking for ways to stand out in today’s crowded marketplace. You can only imagine how delighted we were when we heard that Belevation’s Support Brief won a Mom’s Choice silver medal in the women’s personal care category.

So, why is the Belevation Brief so special? Blogs out there speculate about the best kind of maternity underwear, but we are confident we know the answer. Sure, maybe we’re a bit frumpy, but that’s okay. The buzz words here are comfort and gentle support (in all the right places) because feeling good while pregnant isn’t at all frumpy. Not for a minute!

The development of Belevation’s maternity support garments is a mom and pop effort, but it was stunning to see the hundreds of mom innovators presenting their creations at ABC.

Necessity is the mother of invention and the buck stops with mom, so she’s on the front lines in the problem solving department daily.

“Mom invented-and mom tested”, from Atlanta, GA, was the Highchair Organizer, a cleverly stitched pouch that secures to the back of your child’s highchair to hold all of those meal time essentials. Imagine knowing where everything is? Revolutionary!

Across the aisle from Belevation was BG Birthing Gowns by Cindy Lintel, a labor and delivery nurse from New York State. Inspired to make a more feminine version of the dreaded hospital gown, Cindy used her knowledge of the delivery process to create a graceful, versatile alternative for women.

During the course of the four days at the KY Expo Center, Belevation bonded with our other neighbor Kemi, the designer of a new line of diaper bags inspired by African textiles, called House of Botori, based in Maryland.

Kemi discovered that “although functional“, existing baby products “always seemed to lack individuality.” House of Botori is her response to that quest, as it honors her Nigerian heritage.

Judging from the visitors at ABC, Kemi’s colorful diaper bags will take their place among the most coveted baby shower gifts.

Then there was Dr. Jane of Tortle, mother of 4, who makes adorable baby hats in the most fashionable colors, but in her role as a neonatal pediatrician she educates parents about Flat Head Syndrome.

Positional Plagiocephaly, will effect “a staggering 40% of babies before age six months. Beyond the cosmetic issues, there can be trouble with binocular vision and long-term developmental issues.”

According to Dr. Jane: “Positional plagiocephaly increased 600% in the last 20 yrs. due to 2 changes:”

“1) In 1992 The American Academy of Pediatrics began its “Back to Sleep” program to reduce Sudden Infant Death Syndrome .(Incidence of SIDS have plummeted by almost 40%.)”

“2) Infants are being placed in reclining carrying devices more than ever. Families on the go keep their babies in carriers, car seats, and swings for an extended time—frequently up to 20 hours per day.”

Explore the Tortle site and google Plagiocephaly. Boy, this sure makes a case for more baby wearing; slings etc … in your child’s early months.

Four amazing innovative mothers, each clearly with a lot to share for the benefit of others. If you want to fix a problem, definitely go ask a mom!

Here’s what they’ve been saying …
“How miserable is chafing legs in the summer? I like to wear skirts, but hate when my legs rub together. Now I have found the holy grail of maternity underwear!! Super stretchy, not confining or tight. It gives you support that gently lifts the lower belly and a nice round appearance. Never thought I would be so pumped over comfy shaping underwear!” Jessica, Virginia

We’ve called it a Mid-Thigh PettiPant to distinguish it from our regular length boyshort. It’s really a hybrid, a PettiPant – like a slip, but much more comfy….

Substantially longer than our regular Boyshort, we’ve been told this mid-thigh version is “heaven sent”. The perfect answer to thigh chaffing, great under dresses or skirts especially in the summer.

The best solution to wear while pregnant to that upcoming wedding you’ve been invited to, but we’ve been told that you won’t want to take it off, so you may need to buy an extra or two! Good news – like always, look for additional coupons in your package!

Tasha found us online and drove to our Fort Mill, SC office from her home in Huntersville, NC on a quest for supportive maternity undergarments. She tried on our Belevation Boyshorts and Briefs, smiled and said “they fit perfectly – like they were heaven sent”. Now she’s looking and feeling great!

BFF, best friends forever are those special kind of people who are willing to go the extra mile for you and listen to your long version.

Since manufacturing apparel in the US isn’t the easiest thing to do these days, LOL!, finding faithful friends who can offer Belevation encouragement has been so important! Today I’d like to highlight two special Belevation Maternity Support BFF.

When repeat customer Jessica wrote asking if we had a Mothers Day sale coming up, I gave her a preview code for our new X-Large Boyshort. Since I hadn’t publicized the discount elsewhere, imagine my surprise as orders came in using the Mothers Day coupon.

It turned out that Jessica was so happy with her Belevation products that she took time to share information about us on popular Mom sites. And a few days later when some of the posts were removed, Jessica went to bat for us yet again with a site moderator, insisting her Belevation posts be reinstated.

Orders were picking up as Jessica’s Belevation message went viral and I finally figured what was going on. When I caught up with her, Jessica explained that she was “all about small business”, since she came from a manufacturing background herself. You can see the beautiful line of solid cherry 18th century furniture that her family has designed and manufactured domestically for 80 years at Statton.com Jessica also designs a line of twig lettering, perfect to grace your nursery walls. View it on her gorgeous, newly created online Etsy store, called The Original Twig.

Another wonderful Belevation friend that I can’t forget to mention is Michele from Atlanta, GA. Like Jessica, Michele definitely deserves a big shout out for the support she has offered.

On all those lonely days sitting in front of the computer, when it seems nobody in the world is paying attention, Michele has been there “liking” everything on our Facebook page from our Belevation trivia, to the endless articles I re-post about pregnancy and parenting.

A big thank you to Michele and Jessica for being among Belevation’s BFF. We couldn’t do it without you, nor would we ever want to!

The first yoga center in New York City to focus on moms and moms-to-be, the Prenatal Yoga Center offers both Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga, Mommy and Me classes, Support groups and a variety of workshops including Childbirth Education, Infant CPR, Partner Yoga & Massage, and Caring for Newborn and Breastfeeding Support.

A network of online and community resources including a blog by Director Deb Flashenberg, a Nanny and Doctor Exchange, and the Ask the Experts column plus more can be found on the Prenatal Yoga Center website.

Each month a vendor is selected to be featured at the Prenatal Yoga Center with extensive raffle and discount programs. Belevation was busy last month getting ready for this event, which was scheduled many months ago, so the anticipation has added to this special honor!

With fabulous facilities and highly trained instructors in convenient locations in both Manhattan and Brooklyn, the New York Prenatal Center offers an impressive and nurturing support-network for New York based mom-to-be.

Check out a review of the center from last September by Dr. Carrie McCulloch, FITiST expert and Mom-to-Be. She supplies a terrific Mom-to-Be Rx: including critical tips on “Speaking Up and Making Friends”.

Watch the Center’s recently posted You Tube video tour and don’t forget to ask about Belevation Maternity Supports awesome March 2012 give-aways on the Belevation Support Briefs, Boyshorts, Belly Bands and our Prenatal Yoga Pant.

“As the jeans capital of Africa, Lesotho produces 26 million pairs of denim jeans
and 70 million knitted garments a year, mainly cotton, at 25 factories.”

The Economic Policy Institute notes that “the growing US trade deficit with China cost 2.8 million jobs between 2001 – 2011, with 1.9 million in manufacturing.”

Those numbers don’t even count Central and South America, NAFTA or any of those places like Lesotho that you need to Google to figure out where they are.

Much of that production used to take place here in the Carolinas, where country roads are littered with shuttered textile mills and the unemployment rate has improved to a still unsavory 10%.

With this trend repeated around
the country, regions which relied heavily on their manufacturing bases are equally hurt.

Legendary Eastman Kodak finally declared bankruptcy today, citing foreign competition as a cause.

But tune into How it’s Made, on the Science Channel and you will get a glimmer of imagination in your eyes that comes from the creative process of making something.

Family legend has it that my first childhood factory tour was to Chocolate World in Hershey, PA. The Hershey Chocolate World now takes you through a simulated experience, but back then you went through the real factory. Imagine the smell of that much chocolate!

Ironically, I chose my career based on a factory tour. Located at the corner of 54th St. and 6th Ave. from 1970 – 1980, the Burlington Mill was intended to showcase Burlington’s products. It totally mesmerized me from my first glimpse.

“Visitors were invited to step onto a 155-ft long moving belt called a “rideway” for an 8 ½ minute ride through the amazing world of textiles.”

Accommodating 500,000 a year, The Mill hosted more guests at the time than the New York Stock Exchange or The United Nations. Few seem to remember The Mill now, but it changed the course of my life.

Craving more factory tours, I’ve since been through the Crayola Factory in Easton PA, the Celestial Seasonings Tea plant in CO, The Pendelton Woolen Mills in OR, and most recently a local craft brewery in Charlotte, NC. And then – there was Stoke-on-Trent in the UK, where my husband got to see so many plates that he almost lost his appetite for dinner. I was in Spode heaven though.

Intended as a fun peek at our Belevation maternity underwear facility, contact us if you’re in the neighborhood and you’d like to see more. As I said, I do love factory tours.

Earlier in her pregnancy, Kacie purchased our Boyshorts upon the recommendation of SE OB/GYN physician Dr. Salvemini, who used our products during her own pregnancy (I just learned this yesterday). Dr. Sal has also sent many of her patients to Belevation as well.

Word of Belevation’s prenatal support products was brought to SE OB/GYN by their ultrasound tech Heather, who joined the staff after a stint at my own GYN’s office, (where Heather had done our product testing during her first pregnancy).

An added bonus of meeting Kacie in the waiting room of Southeast was that I finally got to say thank you to Dr. Sal and her team. ( I missed seeing Heather unfortunately though, as she had yesterday off.)

With the US government poised to implement new rules requiring drug and medical device companies to disclose payments and gifts to doctors, (a very good new law for consumer protection), I had picked an odd day to shower SE OB/GYN with gifts. It wasn’t really much, for full discloser – just some healthy granola bars, herbal teas bags, Decaf Chai from Stash and a musical snowglobe with Belevation photos.

A long overdue thank you after several years recommending Belevation to their patients at SE OB/GYN. So glad you love our products!
Thank you Dr. Sal, Heather & Kacie for being Belevation Prenatal Underwear fans!

Unfortunately, we can only send out a few free samples every month or else we won’t be able to pay the electric bill. (It takes a lot of juice to make maternity panties.)

Just before Christmas, we sent out some samples to two favorite websites. For northern moms we selected – Baby Alert Canada, because we like blogger Lina Zussinos emphasis on helping readers save money. Here’s Lina on You Tube:

Read Lina’s review of Belevation’s Yoga Pant. Here’s what she had to say:

“I wore the pant to a prenatal yoga class, the other ladies quickly noticed my added support around my tummy and lower back, questioning where I had bought them. I wear the Belevation yoga pant all the time even when I’m not doing yoga! With having a small petite frame the added weight is giving my
back a hard time, but wearing the Belevation Yoga pant really helps.”

Look out Lululemon, Belevation has arrived in Canada at 1/2 the price of your bottoms. Belevation products are seamless and are designed for prenatal yoga.

We can’t forget our other review this week from Amber Stiles, a writer for AskMissA. Technorati describes Andrea Rodgers, MissA as a DC Socialite, with abundant impeccable taste and Southern charm who dishes out advice, reccomendations and her views.

A site where charity meets style, MissA has been building an empire with hundreds of writers in 20 US cities, highlighting topics of interest to women. Chick Power!

Belevation is pleased to be featured on AskMissA and is delighted that writer Amber Stiles ordered a bunch more Belevation briefs from our website after completing her review. Every girl knows that one pair of great Maternity panties
is never enough. Be sure to read Amber’s review and to use the MissA coupon code on the Belevation website check-out screen for 15% off on all products.

Several months ago, we decided to add a XL size to our line of Belevation Maternity garments. We began making Support Bands and Boyshorts in the new Plus, pre-pregnancy 16-18 size. Everything was going well, but two problems dragged out the process of adding the new size range.

For one thing, my husband/our technical director – is a perfectionist. Months had gone by while he continued to perfect our seamless Belevation Support Brief.  I began to wonder if we would ever be ready to add our new XL sizing? Finally, after much attention – sculpting and perfecting the brief, it was time to find a fit model to give them a test run. And then that evening, out of the blue – I received a note from Monique. “Are you going to add plus sizes ever” she asked?

Monique is herself an army veteran, a military wife and the mother of six boys ranging in age from 21 to 1!  Twenty-four weeks pregnant with her seventh, Monique explained “that depending on if something runs large or small”, she
wears anywhere “from an 18-20 to a 22-24 (or 2x/3x)”.

Unsure how our new Belevation XL size would measure-up, we sent a package to Monique, in Fort Bragg. One of the largest and busiest military complexes in the world, Bragg is home to almost 10 percent of the Army’s active component forces.

We were glad to help Monique and were hopeful that she would like what she received. An email arrived from her in my inbox around noon time the next day.

“I received the package and I love them! I will say that its definitely NOT a 16-18. Its more like a 20-22. That is my normal size for most maternity clothes, and I fit in these just fine with room to grow the belly and no pinching etc. These are sooo comfortable! I am really impressed!”

Monique’s feedback was an affirmation that our new Belevation XL size will be comfortable for a wide range of larger women.  I guess all that special attention to detail paid off. And our other problem, our X-large labels had gotten lost on their way from CA and had to be remade. Well – finally they arrived today!

With patience and a bit of divine intervention, all things are possible. Just ask Monique about patience, as she is soon to be the mother of her seventh boy! Please give our new Belevation Plus size a try. We definitely know you’ll like it!

Belevation Belly Band >>