Taking Belly Casting to a New Dimension

Funky Mama: Tisha DeShields
Business Name: Original Belly Works
Type of Business: Belly Casting

Location: Atlanta, Georgia
Website: originalbellyworks.com
Length of Time in Business: 4 years

Original Belly Works sells pregnant belly casting kits that make a beautiful gift for mom and a unique keepsake for baby. The cast can be decorated with paint, fabric, flowers, or other enhancements; the final work presents a wonderful, whimsical piece of art and an expressive symbol of love.

Taking belly casting to a new dimension, OBW offers fiberglass sculptures as an upgrade of the belly casting. The fiberglass sculptures can be decorated and customized to create one-of-a-kind pieces that are indestructible and lightweight enough to be hung on a wall and displayed beautifully. Preformed figures are also available for adoptive, surrogate, foster, guardian, even grand-mommies and moms who have already given birth.

Celebrities who entrusted OBW to capture this precious moment in time...
• Mariska Hargitay-(Actress from Law & Order)
• Angela Bassett-(Actress)
• Brook Shields-(Actress)
• Candi Holyfied- (Wife of Heavyweight Boxing Champ, Evander Holyfield)

ORIGINAL BELLY WORKS is the only business of its kind offering the fiberglass sculpture.

About Tisha DeShields
This accomplished mother of four conceived her idea for this unique business when she was pregnant with her fourth child. Awestruck by the beauty and promise of a pregnant woman's form, artist Tisha DeShields conceived Original Belly Works while pregnant herself.

She realized that no gift could be more poignant than providing the expectant mother a way to preserve the splendor of pregnancy. While designing the sculpture, she realized that she wanted to immortalize the same memory for each of her children. She began to research the possibility of producing a copy of her pregnant form. In so doing, the idea to offer this creation to all mothers was born.

In her quest for launching a successful business, Tisha attended NxLevel Education Foundation, a focused course enabling entrepreneurs to elevate to the next level and launch a business. Prior to her career as Mom, she attended the University of Tennessee/ Knoxville and Northwood University, a business school, in West Palm Florida (1995-1996).

Tisha DeShields portrays the image of the successful new millennium mother and business woman with her creativity, grace, business savvy, and ingenuity.

Find a Need and Fill It
I was a Domestic Engineer a.k.a. stay at home mom. After plastering my pregnant tummy, I noticed that over time, the sides of the cast began to cave in, bend and crack in certain areas. That’s when I had my ‘A-ha’ moment. I couldn’t possibly be the only mom who plastered her tummy and experienced the same problem. I found there were several women who plastered their pregnant tummies and just didn’t know what to do with them once they were completed. These women had been storing their undecorated bellies in large Rubbermaid storage containers. The purpose for plastering the pregnant belly is because the family plans on keeping it forever. I researched belly casting and began to dream of ways to protect them so they wouldn’t break. I also dreamt of all the endless design possibilities and how I could share Original Belly Works with the world. In so doing, I have been able to contribute to the family budget while being a stay-at-home mom.

It was very important to me that the overall finished design was something that was aesthetically pleasing to the eye. I wanted people to identify with the overall design. That’s when the ‘Swim Suit’ motif was born. Original Belly Works places a pocket in the back of all of our finished sculptures for personal mementoes and love letters to the baby. The sculptures represent a love bond between the new mom and baby. An Original Belly Works sculpture not only becomes a sentimental gift for mom and a keepsake for baby, but also a work of art for all to enjoy. These one-of-a-kind belly sculptures are lightweight enough to be hung on any wall and displayed beautifully. They make for great nursery room décor, ob/gyn office décor, and are an heirloom.

First Steps
I decided to take some business courses so that I could learn how to run a business and start establishing relationships with like-minded individuals. I began to surround myself with people that where smarter than me because I knew that I didn’t have a lot of time to get the knowledge and understanding of how to make my business a success. I am a strong believer in ‘Iron sharpening Iron’. If I wanted to be like those ‘sharp steak knives’ in the drawer then I had to rub up against them. Despite the friction, I knew I couldn’t remain a ‘dull butter knife.’ Please, do not think for one minute that I was ’Dull’, but I only use this analogy for demonstrative purposes only.

F.E.A.R.
I would be lying if I were to tell you that I was not afraid. FEAR tried to consume me, but after prayer and more prayer I realized that FEAR is nothing more than ‘False Evidence Appearing Real’. I have learned that there is more to business than just having a great product or service. The key to all businesses is marketing and sales. MARKETING and SALES are the oxygen of your business. You must master this area and take massive action, if you want to experience true increase. “One good idea acted upon is worth more than 100 ideas not acted upon.” You must view your company as a SALES and MARKETING company no matter what your product or service. You must precisely target your customer. And don’t be afraid to step out on faith.

First Customers/Clients
My first customers were friends and friends of friends. They marveled at the craftsmanship and the creative ways that their bellies transformed from the stark white, rough plastered casting to the smooth wonderful works of art.

It’s All in the Marketing
I have done some advertising in Parents Magazine and a local magazine, Jezebel. We also have some of our finished decorated Sculptures placed in Crawford Long Hospital in Atlanta, Georgia, along with brochures that get distributed in their ‘First time Mom’ kits. We are now aggressively seeking placement of our Sculptures in local OB/GYN offices and specialty gift stores. Original Belly Works currently has a vehicle wrapped, which has been a great marketing tool for us. It acts as a moving billboard.

Advice to Others
(A) Surround yourself with like-minded individuals. Your friends and associates are like buttons on an elevator, they will either TAKE YOU UP or TAKE YOU DOWN. Be mindful of who you allow to be close to you during this time. Stick with those that ‘make deposits’ in you opposed to those that are constantly ‘making withdrawals”.

(B) It’s perfectly fine to take a time out. Make sure you are the best ‘You’ you can be. If that means stepping away to take a relaxing bath in the middle of the day, then do it. Sometimes in our efforts to be ‘Superwoman’, we neglect ourselves and then one day we wake up and find ourselves in a big MESS, completely drained and depleted

The Future Looks Bright
We are currently in the process of expanding our product line. The Original Belly Works Signature Belly Charm for necklaces and bracelets will launch in the Spring of 2009. We are also in the process of fine-tuning our Original Belly Works signature cake pan, as well as cookie cutters, in the shape of our patented ‘Swim Suit’ motif. We have partnered with a local Atlanta bakery to make the cakes and cookies for baby showers.

Get a Routine to Get Results
(A) I try to establish a schedule or routine by setting boundaries so that I can be focused on my goals and objectives for that day. I try to set my business hours and stick to them, trying to get as much accomplished at the beginning of the week so that I can free up some time for ‘Fabulous Friday’.

(B) It can be very difficult as an entrepreneur, as many times, you must wear many hats. I like to handle any/all business during the typical 9-5 work hours. I have found that if I don’t establish some boundaries when it comes to hours ‘at work’, other areas of my life begin to suffer. Its tough finding that balance, but it can be done. I have eliminated some distractions during the course of my workday (example: phone, friends stopping by, TV, etc.) Sometimes I just have to turn off my personal cell phone. I know. I know. For some that may be considered unthinkable, but many times, it’s necessary. Always treat your business like it’s a bonafide operation. However, if you need your cell for business, avoid answering the calls from friends, especially if you know they will distract you.

(C) When additional time is needed for other aspects of my business such as research, brain storming, etc., I usually set aside some time when the children are asleep to do those things.

A Day in the Life
I am usually finished with dropping the 4 children off to school by 8:30 am. When I get to the office, I immediately check and respond to emails before 10:00 EST (the typical start of the business day). My time in the office is limited, as I have to pick up the kids starting at 3:00 pm. After 3:00, you can find me working out of my car. I tend to use the time in the car to make remaining phone calls and send out emails via the laptop while sitting in the carpool lane picking up the two younger children.

I have two cell phones, one cell phone is designated for friends and family and the other cell is strictly designated for business calls. All calls made to my office between 3:00pm and 5 pm get forwarded to the business cell phone. My children have been trained to know the proper protocol when the business cell phone rings. The children are clearly aware that when ‘the business cell phone’ rings, they are to stop whatever they are doing and become quiet until the call is completed. I have convinced the younger children (ages 4 and 8) that it’s our little game. We like to call it the ‘Quiet Game’. The winner is the one who is the quietest. The beauty of this ‘Game’ is that it doesn’t cost me anything. The children simply get satisfaction out of knowing who ‘Won’ and who didn’t. A simple ‘high-five’ from mom is all it takes.

We usually operate out of the car until it’s time to pick up the older two children from their specific practice or game. It’s a daily challenge for me to ensure that my children get a healthy dinner. I keep a cooler in the back of my truck full of fresh fruit, nutritious snacks and drinks to keep us refreshed until I decide what we will be having for dinner. So, if anyone knows of a great family restaurant that is located on the South side of Atlanta, please let me know as I am always seeking great family-friendly restaurants.