Jodi Caden @ Belly Bandit is creating solution-based products for pregnancy & beyond
Pictured in the middle
Belly Bandit®, is a company dedicated to creating solution-based products for pregnancy & beyond. As pioneers in the “body after baby” marketplace, the concept for the Original Belly Bandit® Belly Wrap came from reinventing and modernizing the ancient practice of postpartum compression. In doing so, Belly Bandit® revolutionized today’s shapewear industry. Our company has evolved from its signature product, the Belly Bandit® Belly Wrap, and expanded to include, maternity wear, intimates, athleisure and a complete line of compression shapewear - the Mother Tucker Collection. As we grow, our mission remains the same, to empower women to look and feel their absolute best…before, during and after pregnancy.
What Motivated You To Become An Entrepreneur? Is Having Your Own Business Something You Always Wanted?
For me, it’s all about making something out of nothing. I enjoy the creative process and making products that can make women’s lives better, easier and more enjoyable. I love the challenge of building a business; strategizing, brainstorming and working with teams from production to graphics. It’s challenging, it’s fun and it definitely keeps my life interesting.
I always wanted to own a business with my two sisters. We all have different but complimentary strengths, which make it, work. It has been 11 years since we founded Belly Bandit® and we still love working together. And with all that “togetherness” at the office we still enjoy hanging out on nights and weekends. We’re told all the time that business partners and sisters getting along this well is unheard of…I guess we’re lucky! I can’t imagine being anything other than an entrepreneur, and sharing the successes (and the failures) with my sisters is what it’s all about!
How Did You Come Up With Your Business Idea? What Inspired You?
My sister, Lori, was the first of her friends and the three of us to have kids. This was good and bad. Good because she did not know what to expect and bad because she did not know what to expect! Lori gained 1/2 of her body weight while pregnant and thought once she delivered she would lose the weight immediately and get “back to normal”. Needless to say, that did not happen.
She walked into Target weeks after giving birth and a store clerk asked if he could help her lift the cat litter as he saw she was pregnant. She ran out of the store and called me crying. This gave us the idea to research how other women regained their bodies and confidence after childbirth. We did a lot of research and learned that woman all over the world had been practicing postpartum belly binding for centuries. Once we figured out the science behind it, we started to develop a modern day solution. Lori tested the “belly wrap” after the birth of her son and we found it worked wonders. We went to market shortly after and haven’t looked back since.
What Were You Doing Before This? How Did It Prepare You For The Entrepreneurial Life?
In my previous work-life, I owned a cabinetry and kitchen-remodeling firm. I had been working for a cabinetry firm in my 20’s and was a work-a-holic! At some point, it just seemed putting my energy and creativity into my own business was the smart thing to do. Being a business owner came naturally to me, and when I look back, I can’t believe I ever worked for anyone other than myself. Once I had a few years under my belt of running my own firm I was ready for my next adventure… Belly Bandit!
How Do You Generate New Ideas To Stay Relevant On The Market? Is It Important To Innovate In Your Space?
I generate new ideas everywhere, from general conversation with friends and family, from mom-based focus groups and even from my dreams! Ideas are all around us, it’s recognizing and then implementing them that is the tricky part! In the maternity space, being creative and innovative is essential. Mom’s needs are constantly changing and we need to change with them. To me having an entrepreneurial spirit means working hard to make your ideas turn into reality.