Entrepreneur: Julie Cole
Business: Mabel's Labels- Personalized Labels
URL: www.mabel.ca
Product: Mabel’s Labels™ are durable and fun labels that stick to the stuff kids lose. They are easy-to-use and brightly coloured labels that can be personalized with names, initials, allergy alerts, or whatever you choose. Adding a picture icon helps even little ones identify their own belongings. Mabel’s sticky labels are dishwasher and microwave safe. And Mabel’s Iron-on and shoe labels stay on fabric and footwear where you need them. Mabel’s Labels are Canadian-made and the first company in North America with this kind and variety of product.

My story: As a parent, I was frustrated with the quantities of kid's supplies that left my house and never returned. Whether it was at a play group, daycare or a friend's house, the loss of toys and supplies prompted me to discuss a possible solution with three others in my family; my sister, sister in-law, and my aunt. Together, we created Mabel's Labels. We’ve been able to create a family team, where we can all balance work and family life (between the four partners, we have 10 children). Mabel’s Labels took two years to fully develop into the business it is today as we needed to fully explore the concept and finalize the label technology. We’ve been in business for over three years and call Hamilton, Ontario Mabel's headquarters.

Community involvement and extra-curricular activities have always been as important to me as getting a formal education. I was fortunate to be a don in student residence and find time to volunteer at several student-support organizations as I got my undergrad degree at University of Waterloo and Master degree at NYU. I’m not sure if it’s my proudest or my craziest moment, but I went on to a law degree, and completed my law articles just two weeks before child #3 was born.

I have 4 kids under the age of six now, so we have a very busy household. My oldest child has autism. We work with a team of consultants and therapists on daily programs and therapy for him. Managing his education and advocating for him is a full-time job in and of itself!

From Mabel’s Labels partner to lawyer, ballet to gymnastics, running after toddlers, and running a household. I’m busy with the kids and my business. I am also involved with the Autism Society Parent Support Group, and enjoy tap dancing again at my old dance studio. I like a busy life.

Biggest challenge of working from home: Most Mompreneurs want it all – the challenges of working as well as being home with their kids. Obviously, there is a huge balance issue. You start your own business so that you can be home with the kids. Then your business grows and gets to the point where you need full time daycare so that you can do the business you started so that you didn't have to put your kids in daycare! It's kind of a 'be careful what you wish for' because obviously it is exciting and amazing to see your business succeed.... but you don’t want your children only recognizing you when you are attached to a computer or have a cell phone stuck to your head!

If you have any questions that you would like to ask Julie, or would like to find out more about her product line - e-mail her at: This e-mail address is being protected from spam bots, you need JavaScript enabled to view it