Christy N Caprine's Page

What is the name of your business?

Pretty Dreams

What is your website URL?

http://www.prettydreamsshop.com

Where is your business based?

Huntington Beach, CA

What is your name? (We prefer your full first and last name but you can use either, or even a nick-name.)

Christy N Caprine

Describe your business (product, service, quirky things you want to include, etc.)

We specialize in delivering fresh floral diaper cakes to homes, hospitals, and more all over orange county. We also specialize in making rag quilts, rag quilted burp cloths and pillows.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

Beanie Babies. I wanted to sew a blanket made from beanie babies and I took a class on sewing and found that if I sew a beanie baby on a rag quilt that it would hold stable since the beanie babies were filled with pellets. I fell in love with rag quilting and I started making rag quilted quilts, burp cloths, soft receiving blankets and even pillows. Then I wanted to display a great way for these fun quilted burp cloths and receiving blankets instead of just laying them on a table at my trade shows. So I recalled seeing a diaper cake online and thought it was a good idea. I figured if you take the top tier out and add fresh flowers, it would really make the consumer want to know what it is, and have more customers come to my booth.

How long have you been in business?

Since May 2007

What's been your greatest moment so far? (i.e. Signing your first client, getting the big order, some great PR?)

We sent out a couple of Press Kits to various local magazines and we actually will be one of the features as a mompreneur this coming up November 2009.

What was your biggest mistake?

Well, when I first thought of the floral diaper cake I met a flower shop owner and she wanted them in her store immediately. I put them in on a consignment only deal just to see how they would do. Then she told another flower shop owner, and they wanted them too. So I did the same deal on consignment because times have been hard economically, and I knew that I did not start this business in the best of times. Then two more shops jumped on board with the same deal. So I ended up with my cakes in four different flower shops all over, Huntington Beach, Woodland Hills, Santa Monica and Winnetka, CA. I spread myself too thin and I could not afford to advertise in all four spots at the same time with my cakes on a consignment basis. I thinned out the shops and now my cakes are here in Huntington Beach only. This way, I can afford more advertising in one location rather than in 4 different cities all at once. Advertising is very important because first of all a lot of people do not know what a diaper cake is let alone a floral diaper cake. People need visuals to see, especially our products.

What was your smartest move?

Although our business is mainly online without a retail store front yet, I am glad that I have put a large display at a family owned local flower shop. This way my customers that are not computer friendly can go and see for themselves some of our products that are available. Also, the walk in floral customers that have never heard or seen Pretty Dreams are curious to know what our display is all about, and the owner is just as excited about them as I am too.

What are your business plans? (i.e. Expansion, franchising, selling for a gazillion dollars?)

We would like to see our cakes delivered to other areas of Southern California in the near future too.

Are you a member of any OC-based associations, networking groups, etc?

Huntington Beach Pierside Professional Le Tip member

Are you willing to answer questions about your business from other small business owners?

Yes