Our dear contributor and woman behind The TomKat Studio Kim Stoegbauer, is taking time to answer some of our curious questions today. We are proud to boast that we knew Kim way back when. Okay, it’s only been less than two years but she’s exploded onto the children’s party scene with her sweet sense of style and highly coveted DIY party printables.
The best part is that I am available when my family needs me. My schedule is flexible, so I can choose when I work. I love being home, working in my comfortable studio, with my iPod playing and cup of coffee in my hand! The hardest part is finding the perfect balance between work time and family time since both parts of my life share the same space. When you are working outside the home, it is much easier to define hours and give your full attention to what’s happening during those hours.
What’s your typical morning look like?
With the help of my wonderful husband, we get the kids showered, fed, lunches made and off to school (Tommy is in Kindergarten and Kate is in Preschool). I get settled in at my desk and start checking email, Facebook & Twitter. I make sure our latest post is ready to go out for our 9:00am email feed.
What are your real work hours these days?
With Tommy starting Kindergarten and Kate in preschool, my work hours have become much more defined, which is great! I have three days of 9am-3pm of uninterrupted focused work time. I definitely can’t get everything done (plus household errands and duties) in 18 hours a week, so I usually also work after everyone is sleeping! I am a night owl so I love designing and blogging at night.
It takes passion, dedication and time to start your own business, all of which you have. How long has it taken for you to make your business profitable?
I have been very lucky with the quick success of my business. I started it about a year and a half ago, and with the lack of overhead it became profitable almost immediately. I am extremely passionate about my business, which makes it so easy to dedicate time to it. I still step back some days and can’t believe how fast it’s grown and that people really love what I am creating!
What or who gave you your big break? In otherwords, how did you get that massive facebook fan following ;)?
Hee! Hee! The Facebook following has really come gradually, rather than one big feature on another site. When I started my fan page, I really started using it right away to not only showcase my own work, but to feature other parties and products that caught my eye. I have been using it more as a community, where my readers can ask me questions directly on my page and I will always answer them. I also ask for my fans to help other fans with ideas for party themes and sources when they are looking for them. It gives the page that welcoming feel that readers respond to. I couldn’t be more esctastic that the page has nearly 10,000 fans!
WIN IT! The TomKat Studio is giving one lucky Project Nursery reader a $50 credit towards any purchase within the The TomKat Studio’s Etsy Shop (good for one year). Visit Kim at The TomKat Studio and comment back with either your very favorite collection or share a design idea for future TKS collections!
EXTRA ENTRIES
1. Become a fan of Project Nursery and The TomKat Studio on Facebook and comment.
2. Follow Project Nursery and The TomKat Studio on Twitter, tweet about it and comment.
3. Subscribe or let us know you are a subscriber with a comment.
4. Blog it and comment.
CONTEST CLOSED – Congrats MKR Creations
Comments
Paula
I am a PN fan on FB!
Paula
I am a fan of The TomKat Studio on FB!
Melissa V
Fan of both
Paula
I am a PN subscriber!
Karen
I’m a fan of Project Nursery on Facebook!
Karen
I’m a fan of TomKat on Facebook!
Karen
I follow TomKat on Twitter! (m19s99u)
Karen
I follow Project Nursery on Twitter! (m19s99u)
Katie
I love all of Kim’s things and I love the sneak peek she gave of the princess party. That is sure to be my favorite!
Katie
Fan of TomKat Studio on FB!
Katie
I’m a PN Subscriber!
Kim
Already a subscriber!
Kim
Love the boys ice cream shop theme!
Rebekah Woosley {All Thingz Related}
I love the Vintage Firetruck Birthday Party Collection!
Karla Curington
I love the sweet cupcake birthday collection!
Karla Curington
fan of project nursery
Karla Curington
like the tomcat studio on facebook
Andrea
I’m a Fan of TKS on FB!
Kristen
I subscribe!
Andrea
I’m a fan of PN on FB too!
Andrea
I’m a subscriber!
Kayla
Tomkat fb fan
Andrea
I follow you both on Twitter, I tweeted about this give away here @andreaworley
melissa
I am in love with both the alice tea party collection and the sassy witch collection
melissa
Im a fan of pn on facebook..
melissa
Im a fan of tomkat studio on facebook
melissa
I subscribe to pn newsletter
hminnesota
I love IceCream Shoppe collection.
Laura
I love the Kate’s Fairy Garden Party soooo adorable!
Laura
I just subscribed to the PN newsletter
Laura
I’m a FB fan of both TomKat and Project Nursery
Danielle
I follow PN on Facebook.
Laura
Following both TomKat & PN on Twitter and just tweeted about the giveaway – @addtoheart
charynn--twosugarbabies
my favorite is the alice tea party, hands down!
Brandi
I LOVE the Halloween Glam collection!
Olga
I follow TomKat & PN on FB and i absolutely love the fairy garden collection as well as the alice collection
Brandi
I’m a fan of Project Runway on facebook.
Brandi
Haha.. you know.. project NURSERY. :) Auto-pilot there.
Elizabeth
I love the lollipop party – would love to do it for my baby’s 1st birthday this year!
Elizabeth
fan of both on FB
Cindy
already a fan of PN on FB~
Cindy
already a subscriber
hminnesota
fan of both :Heta S
Alatiel
I LOOOOOOVE the Rainbow Party collection!
Cherie B
I am a fan of you and Kim on facebook!
Cherie B
I would have to say my favorites are the Pizza Party and the new Halloween collection.
LOVE them both!
Cherie B
I’m a subscriber of your blog.
Hoping I win!
jennfier
i’m a fan of both!
Kylie
I love the Fairy party set. I also became a fan of both TomKat and PN on Facebook today.
Janelle
I am a daily fan of Tom Kat Studio and also a fan of Project Nursery. My favorite collection is the Halloween Glam!
Stephanie
I absolutely LOVE the Glam Halloween collection! I just purchased it for myself!!
Stephanie
I am a fan of TomKat and Project Nursery on Facebook!!!
mollys
the firetruck collection is cute without being “cutesy”. Perfect for my son’s 1st birthday!
mollys
I follow via Google!
Michelle Moncure
I’m just starting my photography business and LOVE your birthday party stuff!!!!!
R Chan
I love this
http://www.etsy.com/listing/49547112/printable-invitation-design-alice-in
Andrea@High/Low
Love the ladybug party! It would be perfect for my niece!
Megan
Love them all, but the bubblegum one is super cute. And, of course, I love the lollipop one.
Megan
Fan of PN and TKS on Facebook!
Megan
Subscribed to the newsletter.
Amy
The “Sweet Cupcake Birthday Collection” is so pretty and is definitely a favorite.
Amy
I “like” Project Nursery on Facebook.
Amy
I “like” TomKat on Facebook.
Amy
I follow Project Nursery on Twitter.
Amy
I follow TomKat on Twitter.
Rosanne
I am a new subscriber to Project Nursery!
Ma.Teresa, Kristina & Roxana
We are 3 sister that admire TomKat and Love Project Nursery! We just bought TomKat’s Glam Halloween Design!
Andri Laouri
Love tomkat’s alice in wonderland collection!
Sherylle
I am a fan for both!
Sherylle
I am a subscriber
Gabriela - What Liberty Ate
What I like most about Kim, printables is that they are made with good cheer and optimism and this is reflected a lot on her designs. You almost can feel the party when having all the gorgeous pretty designs on your table.
I loved the SPA collection which is very sophisticated and I would love to see similar collection on her shop. I’m also following Kim and Project Nursery on Twitter and Facebook, and I also subscribed to the Project Nursery newsletter.
Samone
I’m already a TomKat FB Fan, soon to be Project nursery Fan.
I love Alice in Wonderland and a suggestion would be something musical for my 5yo son
And a quick thankyou for all the wonderful ideas from both of your blogs
Pooh!
The ladybug is my favorite
Pooh!
Subscriber
Jas
Oh my gosh! I love, love, love, LOVEEEEEEE everything by the TomKat Studio and am a huge fan!!!! :)
I follow the blog and love looking at all of the pictures :)
Christina
I loveeee the ladybug collection!! We used it for my daughter’s birthday party!
Christina
I am a fan of both on facebook already. :)
Christina
I already follow both on twitter! (@sociablextina) :)
Lora Joy
I love the Alice in Wonderland and Bubblegum Collection!!!
Sarah
Love them all but since I am planning a bee party for my twins I would say the bee stuff
bdaiss
I love TomKat! I’m planning a surprise party for November and am considering a few designs! I’d love to see a peony design in the future!
Monique Rizzo
I like the Ladybug party.
Thanks for the chance.
mogrill@comcast.net
Marichelle
I love those lovely invites!
Carmenpol
Too hard to answer ! I am often visiting Tomkastudio’s blog and I always find some new brilliant idea, some wonderful item to craft, organize parties….. I love it all.
Crystal
I love the Halloween collections!
Crystal
Facebook fan for both.
Crystal
Subscriber.
Mel
Since I became a fan of the TomKat Studio, I’ve been obsessed with her work. Everything is so pretty!!! But my favorite is her SPA collection, the one she inspired on the Barbie party. I love it!!!!!!!
Christy Johnson
I absolutely LOVE Tom Kat! Their Vintage Firetruck collection would be perfect for my son’s first birthday party!
Christy Johnson
I’m a fan of Project Nursery and TomKat on Facebook!
Christy Johnson
I follow Project Nursery and TomKat on twitter and tweeted this giveaway!
Christy Johnson
I subscribed to Project Nursery!
sara
I like the new lollipop collection.
Katie Bourke
I am a facebook fan for Project Nursery and TomKat.
Jenn S.
I like the Fairy Garden Birthday Party Collection the best.
Sarah W
I love the Lollipop invitations!
Sarah W
I subscribe to Project Nursery!
Shelby
I would love a pink snowflake themed party on TomKat Studio. I could use it for my daughters 1st birthday on Dec 23!
Shelby
I follow TomKat and PN on FB
Shelby
I’m a PN subscriber!
Nicole
I love the firetruck party! My 2 1/2 year old would love this for his next party!! Who knew firetrucks could look so sophisticated!
Nicole
I’m a subscriber!
Corinn
I am a subscriber!!
Ingrid
Id have to agree with her, the lolipop collection is adorable.
Ingrid
Im a subscriber too!
Ingrid
And im a fan!
Natalie W
I am a TomKat fan and a subscriber to Project Nursery! I love the Lollipop and the Glam Halloween collection!
Josie
I love the lolipop collection
Josie
facebook fan
Josie
I follow on twitter
Josie
email subscriber
angela m
my favorite collection is the little ladybug
thanks
flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com
angela m
fan of Project Nursery and The TomKat Studio on Facebook
angela m
flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com
angela m
email subscriber
flower_child_23(at)hotmail(dot)com
Cindi
What lovely party items! One of my favorite collections is her
“Modern Holiday” Line!
Many thanks, Cindi
Cindi
I am a Facebook fan of Project Nursery and TomKat Studio…
Again, many thanks!
Cindi
Cindi
Also, I follow Project Nursery and The TomKat Studio on Twitter.
“Tweet” ~ http://twitter.com/cmh512/status/25807875385.
Thanks very much…Cindi
Cindi
I am a subscriber to Project Nursery.
Merci, Cindi
sarah b
we live close to a fire station and my son just loves watching the firetrucks go by…. i think the firetruck party would be a big hit in our house!
sarah b
i am an email subscriber
Sara
I am a subscriber of both TomKat and Project Nursery.
Sara
I am in the process of using the Vintage Circus themed party package and love the collection.
Sara
Fan of both on Facebook.
Amber R.
I am subscriber!
Amber R.
I’m also a fan of both on facebook!
Amber R.
I heart the Halloween glam collection! I actually purchased it last week and am planning a fabulous Halloween party thanks to TomKat Studio!
Sara Berryman
I am a subscriber and would love to win this. My favorites are farries and butterflies and the sweet shop.
barbg31
This is such a cute site- I love it!! The Vintage Cowgirl collection is my favorite!
Heidi
I love the Cupcake collection!!
Heidi
I’m a fan :-)
Vicki Wurgler
I like the lollipop party collection
Sarah Condon
I love all of her stuff but especially the crab party she did!!
Sarah Condon
I am a fan on facebook!!
Sarah Condon
I am a subscriber as well!!
Anj Am
I like her “Modern Holiday” collection! :)
Stephanie J
Haha I just found the collection I could have used 2 years ago when planning my sons first Birthday. I love the fire engines.
Stephanie J
I follow both on twitter couponclippin
tweet
http://twitter.com/#!/CouponClippin/status/26028499176
Felicia K.
I love the Gumballs collection!
Felicia K.
I like you both on FB as Felicia King.
Felicia K.
I follow you both on Twitter as @pbandjmama
Felicia K.
I subscribed via email!
Meghan
I love the vintage surf collection.
Meghan
I am asubsrciber.
jennifer barr
lolipop collection
jennifer barr
subscriber
chevybelair1@Juno.com
Melanie
I like her Modern Holiday stuff!
trixx
Love the Halloween Collection, such attention to details; love it!
trixx
I subscribe to your blog!
Lisa L
My favorite is the Nautical Crab Birthday Party collection… so summery and fun! tylerpants{at}gmail.com
Lisa L
I’m a subscriber. tylerpants{at}gmail.com