Healthy Babies, Happy Moms, Inc.
Over its first 13 years in operation, East Greenwich venture Healthy Babies, Happy Moms, Inc. was a successful small business, experiencing moderate growth. Founder Kathy Moren’s background as a neonatal intensive care nurse, with experience in home healthcare and corporate consulting, positioned her as the perfect person to launch an enterprise focused on helping moms and babies get off on the right foot with breastfeeding, sleeping, returning to work, and more.
Then the Affordable Care Act hit like a hurricane. Overnight, insurance companies were required to reimburse patients for services they received from HBHM. The team at HBHM began building relationships and educating insurance companies on the critical importance of their services and the savings that the companies could realize by referring mothers to proper support before major problems developed. Demand soared. Moren turned to the RISBDC for assistance navigating the growing pains that accompanied such rapid expansion.
“It was excellent!” Moren said, of working with the RISBDC. “Dennis really prepared me to take advantage of opportunities, navigate difficulties, and project and prepare for future needs. I was able to secure financing because of his guidance. I highly recommend the SBDC for any small business owner needs and advice.”
Moren enrolled in the Goldman Sachs 10,000 Small Businesses assistance program. She also obtained financing from Centerville Bank to consolidate debt, furnish working capital, and expand her marketing budget. Along the way, Moren has managed the growth with the same professionalism and passion that she applies to her vocation. She has successfully ushered the company into this new phase while navigating significant personnel changes, the implementation of an electronic billing system, and a more aggressive outreach strategy.
HBHM is a licensed and nationally accredited home health nursing agency and durable medical equipment provider, passionate about the health of babies, and the physical and mental health of their mothers. They strive to provide women with the information, support, and products they need to be confident in their ability to breastfeed and care for their children. Services include baby care classes and lactation support groups, baby sleep and feeding/nutrition consultations, and assistance for mothers preparing to return to work following maternity leave. Know a new mom who could use the support of Happy Babies, Healthy Moms, Inc.? Send them Kathy Moren’s way!
