Moms on Monday :: Lisa Komer of Munchkin Designs

I am pleased to introduce Lisa Komer of Munchkin Designs - a mom-owned online boutique offering hip invitations + fabulous gifts. Lisa designs adorable custom tees, photo albums, custom frames and more - it seems everyone is searching for *custom* goods lately - I mean, who wants the same thing as everyone else has - straight from the endcap at Kohl's?! Here's your place. And, Munchkin Designs is offering a 10% discount on any tee order to iknowamom readers through May 5th - so act quickly (enter INAM0408 at checkout). If you are expecting a little one or know someone who is - and you need a sibling gift - check out these sweet little suitcases sure to make your "other" little one happy as a lark.

GIVEAWAY :: A custom tee from Munchkin Designs is up for grabs this week! Details below...

iknowamom :: What inspired you to start munchkin designs?

lisa :: My kids and family. I desperately wanted to leave the corporate world when my son was born. After a few years of being home with him I started making invitations for holidays and birthdays for our family because I couldn't find what I wanted anywhere else. After awhile my friends started asking me to do invites for them. Then friends of friends starting calling and I thought hmmm there is a need out their for custom invitations with a modern twist. Munchkin Designs was officially started in 2006!

iknowamom :: What is your favorite item in the munchkin design collection?

lisa :: My new favorite is the sibling gift suitcases. I love the idea of the big brother or sister getting a little something special that is customized just for them. Whether it is themed for a little girl who adores butterflies and loves the color purple or the little boy who is obsessed with everything to do with trucks, it is a gift that is truly all about them . Older siblings love when they open up the suitcase and see all the goodies inside but then when they see their name on all the products it just makes them beam!

iknowamom :: Do you have any tips/tricks on keeping your business & family life in balance?

lisa :: I write everything out in my online calendar and color code it. Everything from date night, play dates, work, family time etc. Family time and work time is a different color. I take a look at my week and tweak things if it seems like my work time is invading in my family time. It seemed so simple when a friend told me this but when I actually did it it worked great! My family is my number one priority so I make my business life fit into my family life. I follow my heart when it comes to balancing my family and work. My 3 year old comes with me to all of my day time appointments and she loves being part of the process and I love having her with me. If I need to work on a design during the day, I try to include my kids in what I am working on so we are still doing something together.

iknowamom :: Can you offer any advice to others that are in the beginning stages of starting a business?

lisa :: Love what you do. I really believe if you love what you are doing and are having fun it makes all the difference in the world. My husband always tells me that when I head to my office to work on a project I should be saying "I get to go work on a new product" rather than I HAVE to go work on a new product. One little word makes such a huge difference in how the next few hours of my night go. I love what I do so it really is fun to go work on a new design :)

iknowamom :: What are your favorite indulgences?

lisa :: I love to snuggle on the couch with a great book, go enjoy happy hour with just my hubby, go play on the beach with my kids. My indulgences are doing things that make me smile and remind me how lucky I am. Oh, and some chocolate truffles make me smile to :)

Thanks Lisa!

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HOW TO ENTER GIVEAWAY: Post a comment ON THIS POST. Any comment at all! Enter by Thursday, May 1st at 10:00 pm (pst). If your contact information is not linked to your google account, don't forget to leave your information in your comment. We have had to disqualify winners as of late, because we don't have contact information to let you know if you won! (If winner does not come forward within one week, a new winner will be randomly selected.) Or you can check back on Friday, May 2nd to see if you won! Anonymous comments will be ignored/removed. One entry per person, please. Good luck!!