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Couple of weeks ago, I met Tara Summers and she demonstrated a product she created: MEDBASICS. It is a what-to-do guide for infant emergencies. I was so fascinated by Tara’s accomplishment, I requested an interview with her.

How did you come up with the idea?

After my son, Nicholas, choked, as a nurse I knew what to do. I then wondered about other parents who are not health professionals, and my nanny. Would they know what to do? I put together a booklet of information for my babysitter to train her. Then my husband and I thought about turning that booklet into a real product.

Once you realized that this idea can be a real product, what steps did you take?The first “real” thing we did was to trademark the MEDBASICS name and intellectual property and legally file to become a LLC.

How long did it take you to plan this business/product before you got it on the market?

A long time! We first had the idea in 2002 after Nicholas choked. We trademarked our name and legally became a “business” that same year. We created and revised prototypes over the next year and then explored the publishing industry as a potential chain for distribution. We spent time figuring out how that industry worked while beginning to explore manufacturing the products ourselves. When I found out I was pregnant with our 2nd baby, Oliver, in 2006, things kicked into high gear for us. We found a design firm in Pennsylvania, a US-based manufacturer in China, and really started investing some significant time and money to make this happen.

How did you start selling and promoting the product?We took the prototype to local boutiques for feedback and got a few initial commitments. But our philosophy is, “If we’re going to do this, let's really do it,” so with that in mind we chose to participate in LA Baby Celebration and NY Children’s Club trade shows. We were fortunate to have orders come in from those shows, but a larger gift was the exposure and networking/ contacts we made at each show. An added bonus is that we met industry sales reps, some of whom will be working with us going forward.

Did you have to deal with negativity or discouragement from outsiders? If yes, how did you deal with it?Of course. Luke is a doctor and I’m a nurse, there is not an ounce of business experience in those credentials! I think people worried about us and really questioned if we could/would do it. But to be honest, the loudest voice at times is my own! How do I deal with that? Well, I’m a big believer in creating your own reality by being conscious of your thoughts, your words and the energy you put out into the universe. So, yes, I still end up being negative at times, doubt myself and this whole idea but I just try to bring it back to center and realize so many people are doing the same thing (starting/running a business) and say, "Why not me?" For fun and inspiration I also go back to our very first cut-and-paste prototype and spend a moment acknowledging how far we’ve come.

How do you feel about being a mom in business? Do you ever feel guilty or does that just make no sense to you?