What Makes ANM unique?

Over the last couple of weeks we've worked very hard at answering the 6 essay questions for the Mission:Small Business contest. It's been very good for us to take an honest look at ourselves, and we thought you might enjoy a peek at how we view ourselves.

The first question we had to answer was "Tell us about your business; how successful is it and why is it unique?

Here's our answer:

A Nurturing Moment (ANM) exists to provide information, education, support and encouragement to hopeful, expectant and new parents. Our spacious store provides ample room for parents and grandparents to find everything they will need for their little one from nursery furniture to breast pumps. However, we are so much more than a typical baby store. We offer a variety of classes for our parents as well as monthly meet-up groups in our distinctive classroom/play area. Our blog www.anurturingmoment.blogspot.com serves to further educate and support our moms. The factor that truly makes A Nurturing Moment unique is the compassionate care we provide to our customers. With two International Board Certified Lactation Consultants on staff, we help mothers in their effort to meet the American Academy of Pediatrics goal of exclusive breastfeeding for 6 months. Mothers may opt for a breastfeeding consultation in the privacy of their own home, or they may come to the store and meet with us in our office.

We proudly offer Young America by Stanley furniture because it is the only line that is made in the USA and is Greenguard certified, ensuring that no toxins are used in the manufacturing process that could possibly harm baby. We also carry Best Chairs Storytime Collection of gliders, swivel gliders and glider/recliners. Our maternity and nursing clothing lines include Japanese Weekend, Olian, Annee Matthews, Best for Babes as well as several other smaller lines. We feature Bravado and Medela nursing bras as well as Glamourmom and La Leche League bras and the largest collection of breastfeeding supplies available in North Alabama. Cloth diapers are another featured item; our lines include Thirsties, BumGenius, Flips, Bummis, Gro-Via, Kawaii, FuzziBunz and Rumparooz. A good cross-section of books, infant toys and clothing, baby carriers, swaddling blankets and gift items makes our store a one-stop solution for expectant and new parents.

We have been blessed with continued growth. A year ago we purchased another local baby store and moved from our 2600 square foot facility into their 5200 square foot facility. Our income last year grew 59%, partly as a result of our move, and partly as a result of increased referrals by local physicians.

On a typical day we see several mothers with breastfeeding problems. We find that some problems can be resolved even without an actual consultation. Several mothers may drop by the store to nurse their babies in our comfortable nursing area. They may even meet a friend or two here and hang out for a while as their children play in the play area. We enjoy meeting new customers daily and encouraging them in their journey. We also provide information from our extensive resource center about doulas, midwives and parenting support.

Each employee embraces our goal that every mother who walks through our front door will know we genuinely care about her and her children and will feel nurtured by our staff. We truly do have the very best job in the world - nurturing mommies, babies and memories!