Lisa Love's Page

What is your name?

Lisa Love

Are you currently heading a woman-owned business?

Yes

If you are in business, what is the name of your business?

Bing Note, Inc.

Where did you get your idea for your business or the business you'd like to start?

Over the past several years, I've witnessed the need to develop products that build self-esteem in children, beginning in their early years. So my mom, an award-winning teacher from the Los Angeles Unified School District, and I teamed together to launch a children's educational company. Our goal is to develop products for children that inspire them to believe in themselves, to keep trying, and to respect themselves as well as others.

Where is (will) your business located? (City and State)

Oakland, CA

If you already have a website, what is the address for your business?

http://www.bingnote.com

How long have you been in business? (Or when do you plan to open?)

We formed the company in February of 2006. However we launched our first product in January of 2008.

How many employees do you have, if any?

0

What is your annual revenue?

$0-$999

Describe your product or service, or the product you plan to introduce to the market.

Our goal is to develop educational materials for children, focused on building self-esteem in the early years. We launched a picture book in January 2008, called That's Bingzy! Busy Building Self-Esteem. The book focuses on 8 words: Strong, Powerful, Healthy, Loving, Harmonious, Creative, Successful, and Happy. Each word is followed by a rhyme and a powerful illustration. There is a question with each rhyme to help children reflect on how the rhyme and illustration relate to their lives. A CD is also included with the book. An activity book, based on the same concepts will launch later this year. Also in development is a "Bingzy" doll, and a children's typing CD.

How did you (or plan to) fund your business startup?

personal savings

What was (is) the biggest hurdle in getting your business off the ground?

We are still trying to get our business off the ground, but I would say the biggest hurdle so far was to launch our first product. It took nearly 2 years to develop, produce, and finally launch our book.

What would you advise other women interested in starting a similar business?

There's so much to know with publishing a book. I would tell someone to go to as many classes as possible, and learn as much as possible about publishing a book, before you invest a lot of money. There's a certain process and a certain order for things, which is important to know.

What has been your biggest mistake?

We are constantly making mistakes, but that's how you learn. But I will say it's the mistake my mom keeps reiterating, and that's not including a certain song on the CD, due to lack of time.

What has been your smartest move?

I think the smartest move is that we are now developing an activity book to go along with the picture book. We have not seen the rewards yet, but have received very high remarks.

Are you willing to answer questions from other women business owners about your business?

Yes

What is your email address?

lisa@bingnote.com