Linda Byerline, Happy Heiny's
Company: Happy Heiny’s, San Diego, CA
Entry Submitted By: Allison & Partners
Company Description: Happy Heiny’s, one of the largest manufactures of modern cloth diaper products, offers an assortment of environmentally safe, economical cloth diapering products for infants, toddlers, bed-wetters and adults worldwide. Founded in 2002 by Linda Byerline, Happy Heiny’s products are made in the United States by working moms and are sold in more than 300 retailers.
Nomination Category: Individual Categories
Nomination Sub Category: Best Entrepreneur – Non-Services Businesses – up to 100 Employees
Nomination Title: Linda Byerline, President, Happy Heiny's
during the eligibility period (up to 500 words):
Linda Byerline founded Happy Heiny’s in 2002, in response to the birth of her
daughter, Sarah Grace. Sarah Grace was born prematurely and developed chronic
lung disease from the ventilator that helped save her life. Additionally, due
to the chemicals used to manufacture disposable diapers, doctors recommended that
Linda and her husband, Mike, switch to cloth diapers in hopes of decreasing
Sarah Grace’s need for medications and further hospitalizations.
Unable to utilize disposable diapers, Byerline designed and sewed her own cloth
diapers that fit Sarah Grace comfortably; didn’t cause diaper rash; and more
importantly reduced the number of hospitalizations her daughter needed due to
Sarah Grace’s allergic reaction to disposable diapers.
As Byerline continued to sew cloth diapers, she would occasionally sell extra
diapers eBay. Much to Byerline’s surprise, her cloth diapers were quickly selling
on the online auction site – fetching as much as $250 per diaper. She quickly
realized that other mothers could benefit from safe and easy-to-use cloth diapers
and thus, Happy Heiny’s was “born.”
The success of Happy Heiny’s was also organic in that within six months of
starting her business, Byerline was selling her cloth diapers to wholesalers and
within a year Happy Heiny’s products were being stocked by multiple retail outlets
throughout the world.
As a true mompreneur, Byerline continues to grow her business and become an
expert in running a small business while always placing her family first. Her
family-oriented values are carried throughout the company, as all of Happy Heiny’s
employees are working mothers. Currently, Byerline employs nine work mothers.
With a family-first attitude, Byerline has created a product and company that
focuses on providing alternatives to mothers throughout the world. Happy Heinys
are sold in over 300 retail outlets throughout the United States and
internationally in South Korea, Israel, Italy, Singapore, United Kingdom, Canada and Australia,
among others. Additionally, Byerline’s deep understanding of the importance of
childrearing and commitment to providing a superior product offering, have made
Happy Heiny’s the success it is today.
Byerline received the Work At Home Mom (WAHM) MVP Award in 2007 as well
as a So Swanky Award for 2007.
Furthermore, Byerline also recognizes the importance of charity involvement.
Happy Heiny’s participates in two yearly charity auctions and has raised close to
$50,000. Every September, 10 percent of all Happy Heiny’s sales go to a specific
charity, depending on the need at that time. Happy Heiny’s has helped numerous
charities by donating funds to the September 11 Red Cross Fund, Red Cross San
Diego Wild Fire Fund, Tsunami Fund, Autism Speaks, Fistula Care Foundation
and this September will donate 100 percent of the proceeds from the special pink
ribbon diaper to the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation.
In addition, Byerline is raising three children and living a full life with her
husband, Mike. She takes personal pride in attending all school functions and actively
participates in scouting and little league with all three kids while also
keeping food on the table and running a household.
http://www.sdbj.com/search.asp?keyword=happy+heiny%
27s&publication=San+Diego+Business+Journal&category=All
http://www.momtobedepot.com/
Linda Byerline is the founder and president of Happy Heiny’s and manages all
aspects of the international company. Prior to having a family and founding Happy
Heiny’s, Byerline served as a nurse assisting quadriplegics as they returned home
from the hospital. After having children, Byerline was a stay-at-home mom until the
birth of her youngest daughter, who was the inspiration for her successful
business.
Byerline currently resides in the San Diego area with her husband Mike and three
children, Sarah Grace, Michael Jr. and Jacob.