Kickstarter helps fund stay-at-home mom's vision for children's toy

What do you get when you combine a design professional, a first-time mom, rambunctious two-year old twins and an idea for a simple children's toy?

In the case of Marie-Claire Camp, the answer is a successfully funded Kickstarter project and the beginnings of what she hopes is a sustainable business.

Camp is the creator of children's wallet cards: educational, non-toxic and indestructible cards that children can play with in lieu of all the other items that curious kids pull (and destroy) from their parents' purses and wallets.

Camp explains her inspiration: "Being a mother changed everything about me and my life. I suddenly had two other people that I needed to care for! I knew that I could shape my boys' world by surrounding them with beautiful and intelligent toys and things to help them grow and learn. I started making simple toys for them when they were babies -- shaker toys and puppets. And then later, [I made] big things out of cardboard boxes and recycled materials."

With an idea for a better toy, Camp turned to Kickstarter to help get the project funded. She describes the Kickstarter experience as "a lot of work," especially with the project funded, as she needs to create and distribute the rewards for the supporters of the project. However, the benefits far outweigh the extra work. "The fun part is getting feedback! I have dozens of emails from backers who 'can't wait to get the deck into my toddler's hands' or 'LOVE this idea!' and are 'telling everyone!' It's really encouraging to hear that people love your idea and want to give you money for it, too."

With  a little funding in place, Camp is busy making the products for her supporters and developing her online store. Long-term, her goal is to create something more than a one-hit wonder. "A sustainable business is my goal. I created an LLC, have an accountant, a lawyer -- all the parts are falling into place." 

Camp also earned $5,000 from StartGarden which will be used to cover the remaining costs of establishing and growing her business.

To learn more about Camp's new venture, you can visit her online store here or the original Kickstarter project here.

Source: Marie-Claire Camp, Wallet Cards
Writer: John Rumery, Innovation and Jobs News Editor