Meet Wren, the creator of Smile Spotters!
Hey Wren! Tell us about yourself and your children.
My name is Wren Anderson and I am a mother of three. Our oldest daughter, Olivia (6), loves to color and create books. She is very sweet natured and enjoys playing basketball and softball. Our middle child, Molly (4), is our button-pusher. She’s quick-witted and has a fun-loving personality. She looks up to her big sister so much and she sure can slug a softball! Our baby boy, Scott, just turned two and while he loves walking around in his sisters’ & mommy’s shoes he is all boy! He is a mess waiting to happen! (He actually got into the shaving cream while I was typing this). Scott enjoys climbing and jumping off of most anything.
Tell us a bit about your business.
I am a children’s book author and illustrator. I just finished writing and illustrating my second book, ‘Smile Spotters, A Tooth Fairy Tradition’. It is a storybook that comes packaged with a fairy doll. The Smile Spotters are a team of fairies who help out the Tooth Fairy. They hang on children’s bathroom mirrors (with the help of a suction cup) and report to the Tooth Fairy each night whether or not the child is taking good care of his or her teeth. My first book, ‘Sweet Dreams, Anita Bonita’, was published in 2008 to raise money and awareness for breast cancer research & in honor and memory of my step-mother-in-law.
How long have you been in business?
I started working on the Smile Spotters project in May of 2014, so it’s been a little over a year. However, we just started selling on National Tooth Fairy Day- August 22. I traveled to the International Toy Fair in New York City this past February to promote the book and dolls. We received lots of great feedback and met several other amazing toy creators there!
Why did you start your business? What inspired you or pushed you to decide to go into business for yourself?
My husband actually gave me the idea about two years ago. It was obviously inspired by one of our favorite children’s books/ Christmas toys. He said, “wouldn’t it be great if there was an elf that watched your kids brush their teeth and reported to the Tooth Fairy?!” After I quit my job teaching high school marketing last May to stay home with our three children, I decided to start writing and illustrating ideas for a fairy that would watch children brush and floss. That’s how the Smile Spotters were born! I also created a few other characters to watch out for in the book. The bad fairies include, Hal the Bad Breath Fairy, Ginger, and the Sugar Buggs. The book also includes a tooth loss chart and a list of common dental terms.
What would you say is the hardest part of being a mom and business owner?
The hardest part is trying to juggle it all. I sometimes feel guilty because I quit my teaching job so that I would have more time with my children. I definitely get way more time with my kids now, but since I started working on the Smile Spotters I’ve had to try to find time to paint, write, build a website, create social media pages, etc. Yes, I guess that the guilt is a big part of it, because I am on my phone a lot more than I want to be.
What would you say is the BEST part of being a mom and business owner?
The best part of being in business for myself and having children is that my children get to be a part of the business with me! They are the inspiration behind the entire product and behind several of my social media posts. My daughters are very creative and they are always giving me ideas of things that the Smile Spotters can do next! I envision one or both of them running the company some day (if they want to), and that’s of course if it’s successful – which I am very optimistic that it will be! It’s also an added bonus that I get to work when I feel like it and I can do so in my pajamas☺
Any tips for mom trying to become a momboss?
My tip for mom bosses is to try to include your kids and get them to feel like they are helping you in some way with your business. It teaches them hard work and makes them feel empowered instead of ignored. Depending on the age of your kids, see what tasks you can delegate. For example, when I needed to paint a page for the book – I would lay out paper and paints for my children to use so that they were painting with me. I get most of my work done during my toddler’s nap time or when they go to a mother’s day out program.
How do you relax or wind down after a long day/week?
I enjoy watching mindless tv, like The Bachelor, with my husband. We also love to play outside and jump on the trampoline with the kids. My husband owns a Jeep – and it’s amazing what a drive down country roads to Leiper’s Fork will do for your soul.
What is your favorite thing to do in Nashville with your kids?
I love to take the kids to run in the fountains at Bicentennial Capitol Mall State Park and cruise the Farmer’s Market in the summertime.
Where is your favorite place to eat in Nashville?
My favorite place to eat in Nashville is Kayne Prime Steakhouse. I’ve only eaten there once but the food was out of this world and the service was outstanding! I love a good steak!
Where can we find you (website, storefronts)?
Brilliant Sky Toys & Books in Cool Springs
http://www.smilespotters.com
Mom&Me Salon & Boutique in Spring Hill
True Value in Franklin, TN
http://www.amazon.com *coming soon
*Ask your local toy store or dentist office about purchasing one!
Thanks, Wren! We can’t wait to check out the book! Make sure to follow along on her social media pages:
Instagram
Facebook
Twitter
Pinterest
YouTube Video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=shlj1qeS4rk
Her website & Pinterest page features tooth brushing charts, coloring pages, dental health lesson plans, dental humor, smile quotes, funny Tooth Fairy letters and more!