Being a business owner is HARD.
Being a mom is even HARDER.
So, why not make it easier on all the
#bossmamas in our lives?
If you want to make a big impact in your community, in your country, and in the world - buy from female, mother, and minority-owned businesses! Women form the foundation of our children’s formative years and the ideals that embody their personalities. Supporting the entrepreneurial and creative spirit of moms everywhere supports the development of creative, entrepreneurial kids! Children who grow up knowing that they can create a positive, profitable future for themselves support an even greater economic future for all of us.
This guide is a collection of the BEST, MOST INNOVATIVE and MOST PRACTICAL gifts I’ve purchased for my daughter, as well as a collection of products and services offered by the most dynamic women and moms in my circle of influence. If you are a woman, mother, or minority-owned business and want to be featured in this list next year, please email me at [email protected]!
In total transparency, when you buy using the links on this page, not only do you help the ladies and the mamas selling their innovations, you also help me provide for my family! I've even negotiated some great deals with these ladies that I love to support and “humbly brag” about their awesome products.
If you want to make a big impact with your dollars while supporting women, mother and minority-owned businesses while getting SUPER creative and useful gifts for the ones you love, made with love, SHOP FROM THIS GUIDE! ❤️🙏🏼
CLOTHING GIFTS!
WHO: Princess Awesome Girls and Boy Wonder
WHAT: Twirly dresses with pockets and AWESOME PRINTS (Dinosaurs, Robots, Construction Trucks, fire engines and more!) I have three of these dresses for my 3.5 year old and it’s all she ever wants to wear (she's been wearing the same dresses for almost 2 years!)! Boys' clothes in pink, purple, and cute kitty awesomeness for boys who like #allthesubjects.
AWESOMENESS: “We believe that if a girl likes purple and also likes trucks, she should be able to wear a purple truck dress. And if a girl likes princesses and also aliens, then an alien princess skirt is for her.
We also believe that if a girl would prefer to skip the "princess" and stick with the "awesome," she deserves some dress options that feature a range of colors and topics.
We are Princess Awesome because butterflies are awesome and so are airplanes. Because monsters are awesome and so are twirly skirts. Because girls are awesome and girls get to decide what it means to be girly.” - Rebecca and Eva
Boy Wonder is the brother brand and truly unique and special.
OFFER: Sign up for thier newsletter and get 15% OFF your first order!
WHO: ExtendHer
WHAT: Unisex Winter coat extender for maternity AND babywearing (Use on men’s, women’s, maternity & regular coats) and Summer sun protection panels
OFFER: $10 OFF with coupon code Melissa10
(PHOTO: That’s my hubbie Jason Schaffner in NYC babywearing our 6-month-old!)
AWESOMENESS: “My cousin LOVED her gift! The extendher fits her perfectly with her jacket and she was so happy not to have to purchase a maternity coat. She called it “an amazing invention” -Brittany, Vermont
“I have had many comments on my coat extender now that Fall has arrived in NYC! Thank you.” - Anna W, NYC
“My extendher arrived today and it is perfect!!! Living in the UK and being an outdoorsy person I need so many different coats and couldn’t find the right styles of coat to fit my bump so this is just fantastic. I found you through a Google search as I thought if you get trouser extenders for maternity then someone should make coat ones and your Etsy page come up, it’s not a product I could find in the UK… I love the clips as the other one I found only worked with a certain zip but my Extendher will work with everything and once we’re baby carrying my husband is looking forward to taking his turn too! Thank you so much – you’ve made my bump and I am so happy!” - Jo, UK
POSITIVE PRODUCTIVITY GIFTS!
WHO: Please Notes
WHAT: Affirmation stationary grounded in positivity and proven personal development principles, created by my friend Cheryl Karen who has been featured In Style, Forbes, Thrive Global, Fast Company, Hello Giggles and Huffpost!
OFFER: 20% OFF when use coupon code DREAM2019
AWESOMENESS: The PleaseNotes line was created for those who are ready to start something new, but might not be sure on what first steps to take. Grounded in Personal Growth Principles, our goods help you reconnect with your personal power, value your gifts and fuel you to go after what you want.
We cultivate three main tools to success; Confidence, Clarity and Creativity. Our mission is to inspire others to make a difference in their lives by being courageous and stepping into their own personal power.
“This is great work, it's a gift and more people need to know about and use these goods. I love it!” - 5-star review by Les Brown, Personal Development Leader
“I'm in love with the PleaseNotes line. I have the mirror decals all over my apartment, and I love the Journal.” 5-star review by Monique Coleman, Actress / Women's Empowerment Leader
CHILDREN’S BOOKS GIFTS!
BOOK: Mumablue Series (Customized Children’s Books with YOUR KID as the main character!)
AWESOMENESS: Totally customized, printed on-demand hardback children’s books based on the likeness of your own child (or one you love!) Customizable to various languages, too! Choose from four storylines. and add your own family photo and dedication!
COLORING BOOK: Careers for Little Sisters: A Coloring Book for
Inspiration (Volume 1) (English Edition)
AUTHOR: Me, Melissa Del Toro Schaffner
AWESOMENESS: Color beautiful, realistic and inspirational materials showing children their career possibilities for when they "grow up". Let's encourage little girls to DREAM BIG in their lives. This book is created with the loving intention to inspire, entertain and lift up all people, especially little girls… all little girls. Dream early. Dream big. The world needs you. May all of your dreams come true.
OFFER: $6.99
COLORING BOOK: Profesiónes para Nuestras Niñas: Un libro de colorear para la inspiración (Volume 1) (Spanish Edition)
AUTHOR: Me, Melissa Del Toro Schaffner
AWESOMENESS: Complete Spanish translation of the popular coloring book Careers for Little Sisters: A Coloring Book for Inspiration
OFFER: $6.
BOOK: Lily and Lucy at the Playground
AUTHOR: My dear friend Elizabeth Melillo
AWESOMENESS: A paperback children’s book based on the author Elizabeth Melillo’s adorable and mischievious puppies. Lily and Lucy at the Playground is a delightful tale of a girl and her two puppies at the neighborhood playground and the importance of being safe while playing outdoors.
OFFER: $21.99
GROWN-UP BOOK GIFTS!
BOOK: Written in the Stars: A Novel
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Melillo and J.C. Schaffner
AWESOMENESS: An eBook available in MULTIPLE formats (ePub, Word, Barnes&Noble, Online Reader, Pdf) & first 20% is available FREE! Krissy Finch had the perfect life. But just as suspicions arise about her "perfect" husband's fidelity, she learns that her best friend has been diagnosed with breast cancer. As her hopes to save her marriage fade and her best friend is slipping away, Krissy finds herself seduced by a younger man. Should she fight to sustain a lost “perfect” marriage or succumb to the seductive currents of fate?
OFFER: $3.99
BOOK: Written in the Stars: A Novel
AUTHOR: Elizabeth Melillo and J.C. Schaffner
AWESOMENESS: Both paperback AND eBook versions available on Amazon.com in Kindle Reader format.
OFFER: Paperback $9.99 & ebook $3.99 (FREE with Kindle Unlimited)
AUDIOBOOK: Astrid's Survivor Journey
AUTHOR: Jennifer Joy Sprosty
NARRATOR: Melissa Del Toro Schaffner
AWESOMENESS: Available on Kindle or as an Audible Audiobook,
This is a story about a woman named Astrid who nearly dies of a life threatening disease. Shortly after, her home is destroyed by hurricane Sandy.
A therapist serves as the narrative voice (Melissa Del Toro Schaffner) in the story as he recounts how her determination and fortitude helps her to strive to overcome extreme hardships and adversities. He also emphasizes how it was essential for Astrid to work on healing her mind and spirit in order to heal her physical body. This story represents how we should never give up fighting for our dreams or our lives.
OFFER: $6.08 OR email me at [email protected] for a PROMO CODE to get it for FREE!
ONLINE COURSE GIFTS!
WHO: Tamsen and Chris Horton (Kip’s parents!), Easy as PB&J
WHAT: I’m actually including this book under “ONLINE COURSE GIFTS” because it is truly a short course delivered via paperback OR ebook with bite-sized and jam-packed practical step-by-step guidance!
AWESOMENESS: Created by my friend Tamsen, who is a lawyer turned entrepreneur, and her husband who are forty-something parents with student loans, professional degrees, two amazing kids, and a mini-van, they believe 1000% that you can have “more” without leaving what you already love and worked hard to achieve behind. (because they are doing it!) It will show you how to share what you know and make money doing it. No matter who you are, what you do, or what you believe you are capable of doing - you have a PB&J inside you. PB&J = the sandwich and represents the digital product you can make to sell by packaging the areas of excitement and expertise you already have into pieces of content. P = the peanut butter represents “Personality.” All the pieces of you that are essential to creating the PB&J product that’s right for you. B = the bread represents your “Buyers.” J = the jelly represents your “Joy” and is the specific area of your expertise.
OFFER: Paperback $14.99 & ebook $5.55 (FREE with Kindle Unlimited)
PERSONAL CARE GIFTS!
WHO: My Magic Mud
WHAT: Activated charcoal oral care invented by my dear friend Jessica Arman. When her daughter’s genetic condition that caused her to be susceptible to cavities and tooth sensitivity tried to take over, Jessica went into mama-bear mode and knocked it out of the park with her mommy intuition and resourceful invention.
AWESOMENESS: My Magic Mud is sold at most major U.S. retailers and is an international sensation these days, but it was not always that way. The Armans struggled for a long time looking for ways to find financial freedom and mission alignment as a family. Ironically, it was their daughter’s oral health issue that led to their incredible success. Looking to ease the symptoms of her daughter’s condition, Jessica began tinkering with different home remedies using sea salt, baking soda and other ingredients. My toddler LOVES the Wintergreen flavor!
I ❤️ My Magic Mud on so many levels, it’s ridiculous. It’s literally safe enough to sprinkle on a piece of toast and eat. AND the tooth powder whitens your teeth with the first application without creating any sensitivity! That’s why you NEED to go out and support this incredible woman and mama of four. It was her children, actually, that enabled me to see how great my now-husband was with children, and caused me to fall madly in love with him at the Arman house one fine Thanksgiving many moons ago! Her family is the reason I now have a toddler that uses My Magic Mud!
Click Here To Purchase Now also available on Amazon.com