Locations/Headquarters: Oronoco, MN
Business Accolades: SBA 2022 Veteran-Owned Small Business of the Year in Minnesota; WBENC Certified; NaVOBA Certified
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VBE Spotlight on: Busy Baby, LLC
Events NaVOBA • February 20, 2023
Busy Baby
Busy Baby was founded by Beth Fynbo in 2017
Beth Fynbo founded Busy Baby, LLC with the intention to solve the problem of babies constantly dropping or throwing everything on the ground. It all started with silicone mats suction in place and have a patented tether system for connecting toys to keep them off the ground and within reach. The product line has now grown to 8 patented products that make life easier with a Busy Baby, at home and on the go!
Busy Baby also has made it their mission to donate one meal for every single mat sold. They support, Feed My Starving Children, a Minnesota, faith-based organization whose mission is, "...to reach everyone, until all are fed. Because no one deserves to go hungry, especially when we can do something about it."
This year Busy Baby has also partnered with Operation Shower to provide free Busy Baby Gift Bundles to every military expecting mom honored at Operation Shower events across the country.
Busy Baby continually strives to make life a little easier for busy parents/caregivers everywhere.
Learn more about Busy Baby, LLC, their mission, and their participation on Shark Tank at: https://busybabymat.com/
About the Business - Manage Mealtimes & Make Life Easier
What services do you provide?
"Branding, merchandise, apparel and promotional products."
Who are your primary customers?
"Small and medium sized businesses, non-profits, sports teams, police departments, schools, hospitals, music bands, social media influencers, celebrities."
When and how did you start your business?
"'Purchased the business in December 2019 from another veteran that was retiring due to health issues."
Business Growth Challenges - Growing Through Challenge and Change
What were some of the challenges in starting your business?
"Everything was a challenge because I had no experience doing anything that it took to bring an idea to market and grow an eCommerce brand."
What is the key to the success of your business?
"Keep finding the resources that can help. There are dozens of resources with the sole mission of helping entrepreneurs and small business owners. By using these resources, and participating in the entrepreneurial ecosystem of Southern Minnesota, we've found everything we've needed to take each next step in our business."
What lessons learned can you share with people to make their business succeed?
"Do the best you can with what you have where you are. Know your goal and keep taking the next best step toward it."
What pitfalls should they avoid?
"Don't sell yourself short. You are better and know more than you think!"
What other information about you and your business would you like to share with the NaVOBA community?
"I get to run my business with my brother, a fellow Army Veteran. We were deployed to Iraq at the same time, we have been best friends for decades, and now we get to show our respective children how to work hard to grow a business together. It's all been so rewarding."
Service information
Branch:
Army
Service Years:
1996-2006
Highest Rank Attained:
SSG / E-6
Why did you join the military?
"To get out of Minnesota and travel the world - and earn money for college."
Military Occupation:
"Two jobs - 5 years as a 98G Electronic Warfare Linguist and 5 years as a 46R Broadcast Journalist with the American Forces Network"
Significant Achievements/Experiences:
"I was the first embedded journalist in a war zone and I played on the All Army Softball team for 4 years!"
Biography/Fun Facts
In 10 years...
"I hope to have sold Busy Baby and have created the COOLEST event venue in southern Minnesota."
"I didn't have my first child until I was 40!"
What is your dream car?
"My dream car is a Blue 1997 Honda del Sol with a VTech engine."
"Another fun fact is that I was on Shark Tank!"
On October 22, NaVOBA celebrated the Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year Awards Ceremony during the 2024 National Minority Supplier Development Council (NMSDC) Conference in Atlanta. Hosted at Cuts Steakhouse, a sponsor of the event alongside Accenture, Shell, and Hilton, the event was complete with a full course meal, drinks, and networking. Mimi Lohm, NaVOBA's Chief Development Officer, kicked off the event and set the stage for the awardees. Keynote speakers included Brandi Rauch, General Manager of Supply Chain for Shell, Che' McFerrin, Associate Manager, Global Supplier Inclusion & Sustainability at Accenture, and Matthew Pavelek, NaVOBA's President. Before the announcements of the winners, NaVOBA surprised Don McKneely, Chairman & CEO of Minority Business News, with the 2024 Veteran's Business Champion Award. The program then went on to highlight two companies who have demonstrated excellence within their industries with the 2024 Veteran's Business Enterprise (VBE)® We Love Awards. The first VBE We Love Award went to Demond Crump, CEO of REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins. Founded in 2019, REIGN Premium Sanitary Napkins specializes in providing innovative sanitary napkins and panty liners infused with a Nobel Prize-winning material featuring a super absorbent system. The key to REIGN's success lies in prioritizing their mission over profits, ensuring that the focus on empowering women and young girls takes precedence. Demond served honorably in the U.S. Navy from 1990 to 1994, achieving the rank of E-5 and specializing as an Operations Specialist. He is Aegis system qualified and brings a wealth of strategic expertise from his military service to his entrepreneurial journey. You can read more about this VBE spotlight here . The second VBE We Love Award was presented to Paden Sickles, CEO of SickFit. Founded in 2021, SickFit specializes in wholesale and custom socks, as well as murals. SickFit caters to a diverse customer base that includes service members, athletes, corporate partners, active individuals, and government entities. The key to SickFit's success lies in its commitment to innovation and authenticity. As a veteran-owned, woman-owned, and minority-owned company, SickFit represents a movement focused on resilience and empowerment, particularly for those in underrepresented communities. Paden served from 2014 to 2024 in the Army, achieving the rank of Captain and earned the Expert Soldier Badge and Air Assault Wings. You can learn more about this VBE spotlight here . NaVOBA then celebrated the 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise ® of the Year: Robert Swain, CEO of Swain Enterprises. Established in 2020, Swain Enterprises specializes in federal projects, including restoration and renovations for military bases, federal facilities, and hospitals in the Virginia, Maryland, and Washington, DC areas. Swain Enterprises is committed to providing the highest level of service to government, commercial, educational, and institutional clients. The key to the success of Swain Enterprises has been a focus on integrity, hard work, and strong relationships. From the outset, the company has committed to delivering high-quality work and exceeding client expectations. As a fully veteran-owned business, Swain Enterprises is dedicated to empowering veterans and creating opportunities for those moving from military to civilian careers. You can read more about NaVOBA's 2024 Minority Veteran's Business Enterprise of the Year here .
Jewel Sanitary Napkins LLC
Swain Enterprises LLC
Thank you for your interest in the National Veteran Owned Business Association’s Certified Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (VBE) and Certified Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprise® (SDVBE) programs. This initiative creates a nationally recognized gold standard in certification for veteran-owned businesses of all sizes and enables corporate America to proactively source and confidently utilize businesses that are at least 51% owned, operated and controlled by U.S. military veterans.
OUR MISSION
NaVOBA’s mission is to create corporate contracting opportunities for America’s Veteran’s and Service-Disabled Veteran’s Business Enterprises (VBEs/SDVBEs) through certification, advocacy, outreach, recognition and education.
