To market, to market. One yogi-preneur's baking tools for success

Courtesy YummiYogi

After a decade in consumer marketing, mompreneur, Amy Dube, of Brick, New Jersey knew how to take a product to the masses.

“I helped small to mid-sized businesses grow their brands,” says the mother of two daughters under age five.

When her employer unfortunately closed due to investment bankers, Dube began taking yoga classes and...
fell in love with the practice.

“It got me through my company closing and deciding to start my own business,” says Dube, who still takes weekly Vinyasa classes.

A long-time baker from a creative family, Dube combined her culinary and yoga passions to launch YummiYogi in 2011 online.

Courtesy YummiYogi

Hand-designed and manufactured in Vermont, the line of five yoga-inspired cookie cutters
is sold to over 100 retailers – mostly yoga studios, worldwide, says Dube.

“I did my own marketing, grass roots style. I tried reaching out to every yoga studio in America, working at night after parenting my kids during the day,” says the small business owner.

A hit with those looking for yoga-inspired gifts, the niche product is also being purchased by kids camps, and as wedding favors, says Dube.

With over 45,000 cookie cutters sold to date, Dube is considering adding additional products to her line.
“Over the past year, more people are reaching out to me, versus me seeking out other people. My brand name is getting stronger,” she says.

To expand her reach, “I’m trying to get in to the small health food sector as well,” says Dube.

If you have a product idea and desire to strike out on your own, read on for Dube's 4 tools for business success…

1. Be realistic. With what you have going on in your own life, can you afford to take the business plunge full or part time? You’ll need to use your time strategically.

2. Know your market and competition. If you’re developing a product line, spend the time to do the research. Find out if your product is already being sold. If so, where? What do you like about it and what would you change? What you like may not be what the masses like, so ask others for feedback along the process.

3. Be aware of your strengths and weaknesses. Starting a new business or product line is not usually a one man show, especially for those of us who are working and being a mom. We need to stay focused. Outsource what you can so you can be productive full circle.

4. Listen to your gut. It’s usually right!
 

YummiYogi Cookie Cuter Collection includes:

1- Crescent Lunge Pose
1- Downward-Facing Dog Pose
1- Tree Pose
1- Warrior 2 Pose
1- Warrior 3 Pose

(5 Cutter Collection, $40.00 or $8.50/each at YummiYogi.com)