When we thought about starting this blog, our goal was to highlight people form every aspect of the kid's world. Meet Debi, the most lovely person behind baby, go green- a children's boutique. Her story is incredible and her store is beyond well curated. (the brands are out of this world). We loved speaking with her about her world, her job and her family and hanging out with Beyonce :-)

*The italicized comments after Debi's responses are from ME and not DEBI. Just so we are clear *

NAME: Debra Ibanez aka Debi

DEETS:
IG account: babygogreen
Website: www.shopbabygogreen.com
Email: debi@shopbabygogreen.com

LINE OF COMPOSITION: I own and operate baby, go green- a children’s lifestyle boutique that specializes in organic cotton clothing, made in the USA products and up-and-coming unique labels.

LOCATION: Houston, TX

THE BIRTH OF baby, go green: Kind of a long story. My online shop launched in November of 2012 and my brick and mortar in May of 2013. But I feel like I have been on this journey for over 20 years that brought me to where I am now.

It’s truly amazing to me how many little things that happen to a person affect actions or decisions you make years and years later.

My passion for organic things started with buying organic food and skin care about 20 years ago. And then that passion grew with our first pregnancy 11 years ago. Like most new moms, I started doing more research on how to have an optimum healthy pregnancy and natural childbirth. That was a big spark that fueled my enthusiasm for learning about a more natural lifestyle for me and my loved ones. In addition, years later, we endured the tragic loss of our (5 month in-utero) baby after I was accidentally exposed to toxic chemicals. Since then we have been even more careful in controlling what is in our home, what is against our skin and what we eat.

LOVE LOVE LOVE THIS DRIVE

On the fashion side, well let’s just say I have always been a little obsessed with clothing and fashion since I was a little girl. (I may or may not have donned the Michael Jackson glitter glove) So much so that buying clothes was a big part of my motivation to start working at 15 yrs of age. I would spend my whole check (minus gas money) on clothing. Also, my mom sewed and my father was a master bookbinder and together they ran a successful business. So that definitely helped me appreciate the time and craftsmanship that goes into handmade things and in some way trained my eye for unique finds. Not to mention kindled in me an intrepid entrepreneurial spirit. Thank you MOM and DAD! =)

The clear vision of the business idea began in my heart and mind 6 years ago. I was pregnant with my 3rd child, Tiziano. So for his baby shower in 2008 my family did a green and natural theme but I ended up having to register online for such things as organic baby wash, organic cotton clothing and wooden baby toys. Everyone loved all the items and they were a big hit at the shower! That’s when I initially had my epiphany. What an amazing baby and kid’s store that would be- chock-full of products that are safe, organic and toxin-free. (Not to mention stylish too) So I emailed a close friend of mine my business idea and got her advice. I still have the email and like to re-read it occasionally to remind myself of why I started.

But, the timing wasn’t great obviously since I was about to have a baby and had two pre-school age children home with me as well.

Things changed dramatically for our family in March of 2012. The week before our 11th year wedding anniversary my husband lost his job. After over 12 years of being a loyal, trusted employee he was forced to resign. It was devastating for us. We had always felt so comfortable and secure. We suddenly had no income and a family of 6 to provide for (I had just given birth to our 4th child a few months prior). Amidst our despair, we still had hopes that he would find another job fairly quickly. But it didn’t happen. Weeks turned into months. About 6 months after he lost his job he had 2 job offers at the same time. He accepted the one that offered him less money but more flexibility and time with his family. But shockingly, that fell through shortly thereafter and left us questioning ourselves and the choices we were making. Why couldn’t we catch a break?

After that happened I felt this nagging desire to revisit my business idea from years ago. And so I covertly started making plans to open my dream boutique. lol Of course I couldn’t go to market/trade shows without blowing my secret operation- so I did everything online. I made my website (with the help of a template) and started adding products that I hadn’t bought yet. lol When my first wholesale account was set up and they emailed me my approval and “line sheets” I literally cried. I guess I was a tad excited. Just a little.

Eventually, I had to tell my husband of these not-so-minor plans since I needed, ahem, dinero. (Insert the winking emoji with the tongue out) haha! So, in the end, he agreed to let me use up practically all our savings, coupled with a small loan, to get started. It was definitely a leap of faith! But we felt that it was wiser to invest the little money we had left rather than let it dwindle down to nothing.

So, now that baby, go green is blossoming, we feel that all of our decisions have been the right ones and we no longer question. And, I am very grateful for his support and belief in me. These days, he plays Mr. Mom (while still looking for work), helps me homeschool our 4 children (yes we homeschool too… but that’s another novel), has the occasional contract job and helps me a LOT with the business. I’m quite sure he feels like he is still working full time…except he isn’t the boss anymore. lol LOVE you babe!!! =D

I seriously cried when I first read this. What an incredible "beginning"!

HIGHLIGHT OF THE JOB: Oh gosh, so many things. Definitely at the top of my list is working with my husband and having a more flexible work schedule. Second would be meeting other moms (and dads) that share my passion for organic things and for fashion whether they be vendors or customers. And how can I NOT mention the buying part! It’s a blast shopping all the time!

Have you SEEN her brands? AMAZING!

MOST BUMMER ASPECT: umm... Basically, the same as the best list. It’s not always easy to work with your spouse… but I wouldn’t trade it for anything. Also, when I make friendships with my customers I want to stop charging them. And, well, that will put you out of business real quick! So, I have to remember that it’s ok to do business with your friends too. ;) And as for the fun buying part, well, it might seem easy- but it’s actually very hard to curate the collections. Easy would be saying “Give me 3 of everything”. But you can’t. You have to spend hours and hours analyzing the collection as well as analyzing buying and fashion trends. It’s definitely a mixture of art and science. Oh and also you have to buy things you wouldn’t necessarily put on your kid. For the most part, I buy only what I love but I’ve learned to appreciate different style genres as well.

I really can't imagine how hard it is to buy for a store, trying to read your customers, etc. Well done, Debi!

ANYTHING ABOUT OWNING A CHILDREN'S CLOTHING BOUTIQUE THAT WASN'T EXPECTED? Pretty much everything. I didn’t really have any retail experience so yeah, there’s that. =D But mostly I just didn’t expect it to be so time consuming. It really requires much more time (definitely more than 40 hours a week) than I ever anticipated. But it’s getting better as I become more experienced. Oh and yeah the profit margin is not what I dreamed it would be. hehe You really have to love this industry since it’s not the most lucrative. And thankfully, I do. =)

We hear ya on profit margins! Oy!!

SURPRISES: hmm Perhaps the most surprising thing to me is that I bond with my customers and their children so much. I didn’t think that would happen to the extent that it has. I mean you’d be surprised how many customers have my personal phone number. But I love it that way!

This means EVERYTHING!

YOU, 5 YEARS: Still doing what I love- operating baby, go green and perhaps having my own private label. And seeing my 2 older daughters join in the business with us too. Our eldest just learned how to wrap packages. It’s a start! hehe

We totally advocate child labor

YOU, TONIGHT: Totally hanging out with Shakira and Beyonce planning their kid’s wardrobes for Fall. Ok, ok not really… but that would be pretty awesome. Nothing fancy, just cooking and relaxing at home with my family.

Some day, Debi. Some day.

PERSONAL FAVORITE STYLE FOR LITTLES: I love rompers and dresses for my youngest since they keep her looking little. So sweet and SO easy! For my son I love him in all over pattern sweatpants or harems with a solid or one print tee. For my older girls I tried to force the rompers but they weren’t having it. =) I love them in tunics and leggings. An instant chic outfit! But the shirt has to cover the bum. Just say no to leggings as pants! Lol.

WHAT WOULD YOU BE COMPOSING IF NOT baby, go green? There is nothing I’d rather do than just be a stay at home mom and not work at all. But if I had to do something for income I would start some other type of online business and work from home in my pjs.

Staying at home with 4 kids is a job in itself. You are awesome!

FAVORITE THING OUTSIDE OF THIS WORLD: I LOVE to be outside. I especially love the beach and so do our children! Only an hour and a half drive to the Gulf coast for us- so we take advantage. =D

VICE: gahhh Ice cream and movies at midnight when the kids are sleeping.

FAVORITE PIZZA: Fav kind is a Margherita (when I’m being good) and a classic pepperoni as well (when I fail at being a vegetarian-ahem -which may or may not happen often). My aunt and uncle own the famous Mario’s Italian Ristorante in Galveston and frankly, no one comes close to theirs. I’m obsessed.

Say hello to Mario's Italian Ristorante when in Galveston y'all!

TELL US ABOUT YOUR SOUL, I MEAN YOUR CLOSET: Oh my gosh- this is nuts! I love it! Haha My closet is organized chaos! I hang my clothes by the styles and then by colors. And I’m trying to slowly convert to wood hangers since they are expensive. NO WIRE HANGERS ALLOWED! lol Kidding… mostly. =D I love wooden hangers though, don’t you?

A good portion of my clothes are from J Crew and are grey and black. I’ve always loved J Crew since the catalog days. Telling my age! And I have WAY to many Fall/Winter clothes for living in Texas. What’s up with that?

Fall/Winter clothes are so much better because of layering! Makes total sense don't worry :-)

But yeah, no matter how I try, it’s always a mess because I share it with my 2 youngest children (2.5 yrs and almost 5yrs) who LOVE to play hide and seek in there and swing upside down like monkeys from the rods- causing a lot of collateral damage. God I hope those rods hold because they just won’t stop doing their stunts. lol

Debi, I want to swing in your closet AND play in your life. You are an inspiration!

Do you want to shop baby, go green?! Debi is offering 15% off your order with code: COMPOSE