Tara Williams | Founder of Dreamland Baby
Tara Williams
Founder of Dreamland Baby
@dreamlandbabyco
At almost six months old, our son Luke was still waking up every hour and a half. Like so many other new parents we were desperate for sleep. One night we placed him under a heavy throw blanket while sitting on our couch. I noticed as soon as the weight was on his body, he instantly calmed down. A lightbulb went off in my head: he needs a weighted blanket! I called my mother-in-law to sew my idea; a lightly weighted blanket. The first night wearing our prototype Luke slept 12 hours! We couldn’t believe how immediately his sleep was improved. Word quickly spread and I was flooded with requests from family and friends. The idea to bring Dreamland Baby to families everywhere was born.
Luke is now happy and thriving since wearing Dreamland Baby!
We'd love to know your story! How did you get started? How did you get to where you are today? What are you most proud of? At almost six months old, our son Luke was still waking up every hour and a half. Like so many other new parents, my husband I we were desperate for sleep. One night we placed him under a heavy throw blanket while sitting on our couch. I noticed as soon as the weight was on his body, he instantly calmed down. A lightbulb went off in my head: he needs a weighted blanket! My mother-in-law sewed my idea; a weighted blanket Luke could safely wear. The first night wearing the prototype Luke slept 12 hours! We couldn’t believe how immediately his sleep was improved. Word quickly spread and I was flooded with requests from family and friends. The idea to bring Dreamland Baby to families everywhere was born. In May 2019 I launched a Kickstarter that was successfully funded at nearly 200%. In September 2019 I launched our e-commerce store and we have sold out every single month since launching! In May 2020 I appeared on ABC's Shark Tank Season 11 Finale and made a deal with Lori Grenier. I am most proud of being a mom of four and founding a business. I have two daughters and I hope through my example, they will now anything they set their mind to is possible to achieve.
What advice would you give someone wanting to pursue a career similar to yours?
Just start! When we started my husband and I were both laid off from our jobs, we had 4 kids age 5 and under and a newborn waking up all throughout the night. It is never going to be the right time, you will never feel totally ready, believe in yourself and your idea and take that leap of faith.
What are the best resources that have helped you along the way?
SCORE. It is an incredible organization that offers free business mentoring and education.
My favorite quote is, “The difference in winning & losing is most often, not quitting," said by Walt Disney. This is printed in my office and I look at it every single day. Running a small business is not easy, being a mom of four young children is not easy but if I do not quit, I know I can win.