Grace Welch is the Founder, President, and Mom Inventor of the Patemm Pad, a diaper changing pad unlike other changing pads - it’s round, beautiful, and acts as an all-in-one changing station. Grace lives in San Francisco where her company, Patemm and Company, has been in business for 2.5 years. She started out as a work-at-home-mom (WAHM) working out of her living room but quickly outgrew the space.

Grace is mom to 3 AMAZING kids (her words and emphasis, but we’re sure they probably are amazing): Patrick, age 6; Emma, age 4; Jack, 15 months.

>> Patemm Pad post on googababy
>> Patemm Pad website

How did you come up with the Patemm Pad?

With my first child Patrick I found the small rectangular shape of diaper changing pads frustrating because aligning him in the right position was always a challenge — particularly since he was a rather wiggly baby. Even more annoying was the design of the folding/rolling pad that had ties, buttons, or even Velcro®. I needed something simpler, a pad that could fold easily — especially with one hand.

When my second child Emma was born, I, like most parents today, was always on the go and found my diaper bag overwhelming — especially for quick trips to the grocery store or a visit to the park. For these short jaunts, I only needed a few diapers, wipes, perhaps a change of clothes, and a changing pad. Plus, I wanted something small and compact that could be thrown in my car, handbag, or even at the bottom of my stroller.

What helped you to take the leap from having a product idea to actually making the product and your business a reality?

By 2004 I had been out of the workforce for a few years, and I wanted to return on my own terms — with my own business. I discussed various possibilities with my eldest sister Hanna, a researcher and consultant, who advised me that developing solutions to problems was a key way to think of new businesses. At one point during our conversation, I had to change the diaper of my daughter Emma on the ever so popular rectangular pad. Not surprisingly, she was rolling off this changing pad, and opening and closing the pad with a squirmy Emma in my arms underscored my frustration. The idea immediately hit me! A ROUND changing pad with handles would work so much better.

I recognized the need for something that worked better, so I started to create a solution. Months later after several prototypes, I created the idea for a ROUND diaper changing pad. I had a product, now I had to build a business around this solution. When I started my business I wanted to incorporate themes of my inspirations—my children and my husband Marty. I named my product patemm™ pad as a combination of my 2 children’s names patRICK and emmA.

I developed my product choosing various prints and names to extend the idea of my family and my cultural background. Each print is named after a family member and each collection is either in Bicol or in Tagalog, a Filipino dialect and the Filipino national language, to honor my parents’ homeland, the Philippines.

I had a product and my prior experience in public relations, marketing, and branding made getting my product to market less challenging. Not only did I feel that I invented a much needed and practical product but I had the skills to promote it.

What have been your biggest challenges in starting and running the Patemm Pad business?

My biggest challenge was thinking I could do it all! But, in reality, I needed help. My family is my biggest support system!

Do you have any advice for moms who would like to start up their own business?

• Think about the business model you would like to have
• Do your research and your homework
• Talk with other entrepreneurs/mompreneurs
• Think about you and your family’s lifestyle (in terms of running your own business)
• Is it financially feasible to start your own business
• Go for it!!!
• Most importantly, have fun!

Aside from the Patemm Pad, what are your 3 favorite parenting-related products?

1. Books
2. Baby Bjorn
3. Robeez

List 5 things you love about being a mother.

1. TOO
2. MANY
3. REASONS
4. TO
5. LIST!!!!

Thanks, Grace!