I met Carrie Bell recently on the phone while I was giving a teleseminar about using Facebook for business. I told her that I profiled women for this blog and asked if I could interview her.

That is often how these things happen - being at the right place at the right time and embracing an opportunity. Seems like embracing opportunities is something Carrie does well. Here’s our interview.

Entrepreneur Mom: Why did you decide to start your company? What was the inspiration?

Carrie Bell: My company, Madcapz, was created out of a need. About 5 years ago, I was diagnosed with Grave’s Disease (an autoimmune disorder). The only exercise I could handle was going for walks and I always reached for one of my husband’s baseball caps because I was losing my hair (another symptom of Grave’s Disease). But wearing a man’s baseball cap with a sports team or company logo just didn’t do it for me. So, I began my search for a fun feminine baseball cap that I could enjoy wearing, would make me look great, and feel fabulous!

I couldn’t find one, so decided to make them myself. Now, 3 years later I have an online retail site, www.madcapz.net and I sell wholesale all across the country to hospital gift shops, oncology boutiques, hair loss salons, golf retailers, golf pro shops, small gift shops, and small boutiques.

EM: What were you doing before starting your company?

Carrie: I was a full time stay at home mom. In my previous life before kids, I was a financial and organizational management consultant to nonprofits.

EM: Why an online business versus a traditional (offline) one?

Carrie: When I created my company I knew I wanted to have an online retail website rather than a bricks and mortar store. I didn’t want the responsibility of rent, utilities, and having to manage a physical store. So far, it’s worked out great.

EM: What were the main steps you had to take to start your online business?

Carrie: Because my business is product focused, I had to have a prototype. Once I made my prototype, I had to find a manufacturer. I am deeply committed to making Madcapz in the US, not an easy task to manufacture here as most caps are made overseas! So the search for a factory here that could produce my caps was a long one. Also, I had to trademark my logo and name. Then I had to find a website designer to create my website.

EM: What have been your greatest business challenges to date and how have you overcome them (or how are you working to overcome them?)

Carrie: My greatest business challenge to date has been the distribution of my product. It has been hard to market the product to a vast audience. I am trying to overcome this challenge by focusing on several different industries that have shown interest and where the majority of my sales have come from. Specifically the two industries I am targeting now are oncology boutiques and hospital gift shops (women experiencing hair loss from chemo or other medical conditions) and the golfing industry (women golfers).

EM: What is a “typical work day” like for you?

Carrie: I get my kids off to school, exercise, then start my work day in my home office. I pretty much work through the day until it’s time to pick up my kids and start carpooling. At night, I do sometimes check my email and catch up on some business, but am trying to curtail that.

EM: What advice would you give to other women looking to start an online business?

Carrie: Perseverance is key. Oftentimes, things don’t work out the first go round. You just have to keep at it. Also, I think it’s really important to join an online group for women and/or mom entrepreneurs. The advice, support, and networking I have gotten from these groups is so inspiring and has helped me to move forward when things get tough.

EM: What does work/life balance look like for you and how do you try to manage it?

Carrie: I think it’s really hard to balance work/life. My priorities are definitely my kids and husband and then work. What I find most difficult is taking time for me. But I am trying to do one thing a week just for me – some weeks I’m better at it than other weeks!