These Jet-Setting Pilots Also Stay on Course with Children's Fashions

Piloting airplanes and running a children’s fashion business are certainly different career paths. Two ambitious ladies, however, have melded these vocations seamlessly to soar to new heights! To take on the challenge of flying, a pilot must be level-headed, a good multi-tasker, trustworthy, detail-oriented, organized, and a team player. These skills also come into play in running a successful business, as Wendi Shaffner of Gigis Apparel and Marta Sala-Rothwell of Baby Bella Maya have shown. Shaffner and Sala-Rothwell fly the skies as pilots, while ascending the mountain of the children’s accessory industry in flawless style.

Gigis Apparel Soars with Accessories for Little Girls

Gigis Apparel took off from the hands of a proud aunt. When Wendi Shaffner’s little girl was born, she was the first girl in their family for 25 years. Shaffner’s sister, Pam, celebrated by sewing hats, leggings, and everything girly for the new little bundle. Friends and family raved about the beautiful accessories so much that Shaffner decided to share them with others looking for a perfect gift for their little girl.

As a tribute to her sister, Shaffner launched Gigis Apparel. Gigi is the name given to Shaffner’s sister, Pam, by her grandchildren. Since the company was started because of Pam/Gigi’s love for her niece, Shaffner felt the company should also bear her name. Gigis Apparel began with a small Web site and now, two years later, has established a loyal following in the United States. Gigis products can be found in boutiques across the world from Russia to Japan, Indonesia to Kuwait.

Gigis produces chic, quality accessories including dainty lace leggings, flower-adorned hats and headbands, and adorable lace bloomers. Shaffner shared her vision for the line of accessories. “We want to sell the feeling of adornment for the cute little girl…that feeling of ‘Oh, she is so cute!’” And what little girl wouldn’t want to be adorned with the likes of Gigis accessories? Compliments will fly about her!

Of course, managing a business and family is a tremendous undertaking, not to mention doing it simultaneously with a career as a pilot. When asked how she balances her careers as pilot and business owner Shaffner shared, “It is hard to balance no matter how many jobs or kids you have… it is always important to keep your priorities straight.” By doing so, she has rocketed Gigis Apparel into an honest company with customer satisfaction a number one priority.

To land Gigis Apparel in your store, jet to www.gigisapparel.com

Baby Bella Maya Takes Off with Coordinating Accessories

Pilot Marta Sala-Rothwell never intended to start her own company. Life as a pilot and mother of four was busy enough. Yet when she designed a stylish slip cover for her drab infant baby carrier, compliments about her sense of style fueled the take-off of Baby Bella Maya.

Shortly after launching her innovative baby carrier slip covers, Baby Bella Maya was recognized by JPMA, winning the prestigious Innovation Award. The company has since developed a variety of affordable products that dress up what is otherwise utilitarian baby gear, including infant carrier covers, baby car seat covers, and toddler car seat covers. Mod apparel accessories were added to compliment the gear. Designer blankets, coordinating hair clips, adorable booties, ruffled one-pieces and diaper covers are a few of the trendy accessories on the Baby Bella Maya fashion runway.

Sala-Rothwell has a vision to offer moms the opportunity to express their sense of style through their accessories for their little ones. “We aim to elicit ooh’s and aah’s for mom when she’s out and about while receiving the same from her with respect to our quality, comfort, and affordability.” Baby Bella Maya’s relentless search for high-quality fabrics in coordinating chic patterns is obvious in the head-turning style that mommies and children alike exude.

So how does Sala-Rothwell juggle a full-time career as a pilot, taking care of four children, and running her own business? She shared that being focused and organized is a fundamental of any pilot, and definitely plays a part in her balancing act. “Additionally, piloting a plane brings with it a sense of immense responsibility. It’s with that responsibility that we have created stringent design standards and quality hurdles that must be met, knowing we are creating products for children, our most precious resource. I’m grateful for being a pilot; it gives me much joy and challenges me, but I have to say Baby Bella Maya is my passion!”

Log lots of retail sales and returning customers, with Baby Bella Maya products at www.babybellamaya.com