Business & Tech

Translating a Grandchild's Gift into a Business

'Searching for Work' group member's gift for grandchild could be new business.

A few months ago, Susan Cochrane faced a problem common to other grandmothers: she wanted to make a gift for her grandson, hoping to create something that would look good and serve a purpose.

Looking to create a stroller net, Cochrane decided to create a net that included the decorative embroidery called smocking. Once the netting was placed on her grandson's stroller in the Midwest, she started hearing from her daughter about how the netting was popular in her social circle and there was a demand from other mothers to purchase a Cochrane-made net.

The demand came at an interesting time for Cochrane. After working in early childhood care for years, she found herself unemployed and looking for something to do in the next stage of her life. She went back to school to earn a business degree and joined the Searching for Work group at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield. She started sharing the story of her unexpected new career path with the group and receiving input from others, many of whom are looking to create their own businesses as well.

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"In our society at this time, we have gotten away from hand's-on work," Cochrane shared with the group last week. "When you make something, it is a really good sense of achievement and relief. This has always been a passion of mine."

Cochrane now finds herself making a business plan and looking at marketing resources for her new small business. She's getting help in creating a Web site and will be looking to create an e-commerce venture out of the smocking business.

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In order to grow her new business venture, Cochrane said she'll be looking at various small business-related programs which could help her. These include several small business development centers, including one housed on the Rutgers campus in Newark. Her path could include a small business loan, depending on how her plans take off.

Members of the group showed support for Cochrane and said she may have hit on a money-making idea which could have a good impact on the stroller netting industry. Cochrane said she is excited to be able to merge a new business venture with her creative side.

"The creative side of me, which was supressed during a 30-year marriage, is out," she said. "The birth of my grandchild got it out."

Editor's Note: This is part of a continuing series on the Searching for Work Group at the Presbyterian Church in Westfield.


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