Monday, January 24, 2011

We were honored with the 2010 Business of the Year Award!

On Saturday evening I was honored to receive the 2010 Business of the Year Award by the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce.  Here is the article from our local newspaper about the event.  It will be printed in our local paper tomorrow, but I thought I would post the online version here on our blog. I have highlighted the part about our store in baby blue (very appropriate color I think).

I was so honored for the recognition.  Many people thought we were crazy to close our brick & mortar storefront and go 100% online, but I am so glad that we made that decision.  Our store is doing very well and continues to grow each day.  And very soon we will be moving in to our new warehouse/shipping home.

When they announced that I was the winner I had to walk up to the podium to be handed the award.  I was so nervous, my heart felt like it was going to get stuck up in my throat.  I am not a public speaker at all, so standing in front of a room full of business people was a bit intimidating to say the least.  Here is a picture of the actual award I received.



1/24/2011 11:00:00 AM 
+ click to enlarge
Journal/Sam Green
Members of the Cortez Area Chamber of Commerce gather for a picture wearing their sunglasses for the theme of the Chamber Banquet, “Our future is so bright we gotta wear shades.”
Journal/Sam Green
Joe Keck presents the Business of the Year Award to Anna Dreyfuss, owner of the Baby Store Plus.
Future looks bright
Chamber of commerce recognizes contributions to community during annual banquet

Kimberly Benedict
Journal Staff Writer

The character of a community is evident in the lives of those who give their time to causes greater than themselves. Often, the effort of such residents goes unnoticed and unmentioned.

Saturday night, the work of ordinary citizens was recognized at the 72nd Annual Cortez Chamber of Commerce banquet and awards ceremony when the volunteers for the Bridge Emergency Shelter were awarded the Cortez Journal Citizen of the Year award.

"Each one of us in this room gets to go home to a warm shelter tonight," said Cortez Journal Advertising and Sales Director Mark Drudge, who presented the award. "There are a lot of people in our area who aren't that lucky. The volunteers for the Bridge Emergency Shelter provide vital support."

The shelter has served the Cortez area since January 2006, relying on the support of an army of volunteers. In the 2009-2010 shelter season, the shelter was open 184 nights and had 211 unduplicated clients, serving approximate 15 clients a night.

MB McAfee, chair of the shelter's board of directors, estimates 65 local residents give of their time on a daily or weekly basis to keep the shelter running. Roughly 2,500 volunteer hours were donated last year alone.

"It is a huge honor to receive the award," McAfee said. "I appreciate that the community sees the value in the shelter and the effort of those who make it work."

Volunteers at the shelter treasure the work they do and don't seek recognition for their efforts.

"It is a need in the community," said Deb Keel, a four-year volunteer. "Someone has to fill that need."

Hal Brown, who has been a volunteer with the shelter for four years, noted the learning experience that comes from reaching out to others in the community.

"In a community you don't like to see people passing away in the streets," Brown said. "You learn a lot from the people you meet."

Other awards presented Saturday night were the Small Business of the Year award, the Green Business of the Year award and the Lifetime Achievement Award.

Anna Dreyfuss, owner the The Baby Store Plus, was honored with the small business award. The store's selection was based on Dreyfuss' radical decision to abandon the brick-and-mortar business on Main St. and establish a web-based business.

"(Dreyfuss) has shown a tremendous amount of adaptability," said Joe Keck, director of the Fort Lewis College Small Business Development Center, who presented the award. "She took lemons and made lemonade. When she realized the market wasn't large enough, she went ahead and went online. It is still a community store, but in a different form."

Dreyfuss expressed gratitude and surprise for the selection.

"Thank you very much," she said. "I don't feel that this is deserved, but I appreciate the recognition."

Local construction company Skanska was recognized by the chamber of commerce as the green business of the year, an award presented by Empire Electric Association in recognition of a business that strives to conserve energy and support the use of gentler energy sources. Skanska has recently constructed one of the largest photovoltaic systems in the state to offset energy usage.

The $1.5 million photovoltaic solar array, set in 15 rows and comprising 1,260 individual panels, sits on 2.5 acres of property adjacent to Skanska's office and equipment shop, according to a press release from the company. Power generated from the project is forecast to be equivalent to annually burning more than 670,000 pounds of coal, using 352,000 gallons of water, offsetting more than a million tons of carbon emissions, driving 12 million miles and planting 2,500 trees.

The final recognition of the evening, the Lifetime Achievement award, went to Kelly Wilson in honor of his years of dedication to Cortez and Montezuma County.

Wilson was raised on a family farm in the county and graduated from the local high school in 1953. His resume includes work as a Colorado State University Extension agent, Montezuma County commissioner and an economic development specialist for Southwest Colorado. Wilson helped establish the Four Corners Regional Commission, which led to the establishment of San Juan Vocational Technical School, now Southwest Colorado Community College.

Wilson has served on various boards and was instrumental in developing the original Cortez Farmers Market. He is currently working with the local historical society to gather and publish a written history of the area.

"He has a long list of accomplishments," said Chamber President Doug Yearout. "Certainly beyond measure is his heartfelt kindness and consideration for the well-being of the community."

Wilson accepted the award with great humility, noting that he did "sleep once in a while."

"There are always many things to do," Wilson said. "I haven't worked to be recognized, the opportunities to be involved just came along and I did what I thought had to be done. This is a great and very diverse area, and we can do almost anything we want if we just gather together and do it."

Wilson also acknowledge the strong leadership present in the community.

"I look at the people in this room and I know the future of Cortez and Montezuma County is in good shape," Wilson said.

Cortez Chamber of Commerce board members are Doug Yearout, Byron Maynes, Jack Schuenemeyer, Bob Scott, Don Bain, Chris Caciagli, Stacy Houser, Kelly Kirkpatrick, Denis Boon, Brian Shoults, Neal Stephens and Executive Director Dena Guttridge.






© 2009-2010 The Baby Store Plus, All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, January 18, 2011

Breastfeeding moms, I need your advice!

Breastfeeding moms, I could really use your help! I am considering adding a new breastfeeding related product line to our store and I would love your input.  Whenever I add a new product line to the store I like to do lots of research about the new product.  I read the product information provided by the manufacturer, read mom blog reviews, any other public reviews on the product, as well as talk to as many moms who actually use the product or know someone who has used it. I basically look for anything and everything that will give me an idea about the quality and usefulness of the product, before I make the final decision about whether or not to carry the product in my store.


The new line I am currently considering is Simplisse. They carry, what appears to be from my research so far, a really awesome breast pump that uses a totally new Compression Technology and super soft Babyface flexible breastcups that don't tug, pull, or pinch your nipples, and mimics the soft touch most like a babies mouth. If you have used the Simplisse Double Electric Breastfeeding Companion, or any of their branded products, and would like to share your thoughts on the product, I would really, really appreciate your input.  If you do not feel comfortable posting your thoughts publicly here, you can email me directly.

Here is a video from the manufacturer that provides lots of information about the breast pump:

Designed by lactation consultants and moms to feel like breastfeeding.
  • Features a new compression technology and super-soft
    flexible breastcups
  • New Gentle Compression Technology gently elicits milk expression
  • Gentle compression is designed to help minimize tugging and pinching
  • Super-Soft BabyFace™ Flexible Breastcups conform to mom’s breast and naturally move with mom while expressing
  • Inner and Outer Breastcups work together to mimic baby’s tongue and suckling motions, to encourage Let-Down

I look forward to hearing what your personal experiences are with this product line.  Thank you for helping me provide only the best quality, value and variety of products that moms really need!





© 2009-2010 The Baby Store Plus, All Rights Reserved

Tuesday, January 11, 2011

You Can Help Emily ~ a Sweet 3 year old with Stage IV Cancer

Reaching Out for Prayers and Hope for Emily!!! A fellow blogging mom, Shannon at Coupon Mommy of 3, has received devastating news that no parent or grandparent ever expects to hear. She was just told that her 3 year old daughter Emily has Stage IV Cancer and will begin chemotherapy very soon. I have a 2 year old grandson and a 4 year old granddaughter and I cannot imagine how I would handle such news.



Two wonderful blogger friends, Nancy of Arizona Mama and Karen of Mommy Times have created a fundraiser with the help of Chip-In, that will allow any donations to go directly to the family via PayPal deposits. They have some other ideas too such as gift cards for food, stores, gas cards, anything to help this family because it is costly to drive back and forth to the hospital all the time, not to mention how it is hard to keep up with meals for the family (Emily has 2 sisters) while dealing with chemotherapy treatments.

We, as a team of mothers, grandmothers, sisters, daughter, aunts and best friends, need to come together to help this family. There is lots that you can do. Please Pray for Emily and her family, add her to your Church Prayer List. If you are not a religious person then please think positive thoughts for her. If you have a blog, then blog about her and include the fund-raising link below in your post (click on 'Copy' to get the html code for the donation link). If you can spare the cash, make a donation. It doesn't have to be a huge donation, every dollar will help.

If you are business or an individual and would like to donate, or have ideas, please contact Nancy at bwneyes100@hotmail.com or Karen at southcarolinamommy@gmail.com. Emily is 3 years old and loves Mickey Mouse, Tinkerbell and Justin Beiber.





You can read updates about Emily here:

Caring Bridge Site for Shannon's daughter






© 2009-2010 The Baby Store Plus, All Rights Reserved

Monday, January 10, 2011

Price Change: Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bras


Due to increased Cotton Prices, the manufacturers of Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bras will increase the price from $35 to $39 effective February 1, 2011. If you have been thinking about purchasing a pumping bra, now is the time to buy one, before the price increase goes into effect.Here is the notice we received from the manufacturer today:

As you may know the cost of cotton has recently posted record highs, and unfortunately there does not seem to be a reduction on the horizon. For your reference, I have provided several links to articles discussing the cotton price increase at the bottom of this letter. As the Simple Wishes Hands Free Pumping Bra is primarily made of a very high quality cotton blend our production cost has correspondingly increased. Many cotton apparel manufacturers are exploring alternate synthetic fabrics, however we prefer to stay with natural fibers and retain the high quality of our product. As a result we are implementing a price increase effective February 1, 2011. The feedback we have received is that this updated price is still value-priced given the high quality fabrics, features and functionality offered in the Simple Wishes Bra.


Current Pricing:

MSRP - $35.00


Updated Pricing Effective 2/1/11:

MSRP - $39.00


Current Lower Pricing of $35.00 is still in effect in our store throughout this month so don't delay, if you have been considering a purchasing a pumping bra, read some reviews (below) on the Simple Wishes Pumping Bra and order one today!

Penelope's Oasis

My Sentiment Exact Lee

One Frugal Lady

The Shopping Mama


~*~ A Special Gift Just for our Readers...a Coupon Code to Save $1.00 on Each Simple Wishes Hands Free Bustier you purchase now through the end of January 2011, that makes for a Savings of $5.00 Off the New Price effective in February! Just enter "Simple131" at checkout to Save $1.00 Now! ~*~




© 2009-2010 The Baby Store Plus, All Rights Reserved

Thursday, January 6, 2011

Sale * Sale * Sale!!!

I've been adding tons of new items to our Sale Page this week, and many more items will be added as fast as I can get them listed! If you want to find a Real Bargain then check out our Sale Page often. With the big move to our New Distribution Center coming in March, I have to clear out some older merchandise to make it easier on my husband and the guys when we move.

He says the less he has to move, the better. I really need to move the merchandise that was on our store shelves, before we went 100% Online. All new merchandise orders we receive will remain in their case packs until they are ordered, but everything that was already unpacked and put on shelves needs to go!


Visit our Sale Page Today for
Markdowns from 10% to 60% Off!
More items will be added daily. Many of these items are also limited quantities, so check daily so the really great deals don't get away!
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© 2009-2010 The Baby Store Plus, All Rights Reserved
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