Working mother of two, wife, and Founder of a start-up company. Yes, all at the same time. This is Michelle McHargue, and pretty soon, your kids will have her designs on their scooters, bikes, and helmets.

Although she has worked as a corporate recruiter for the past twelve years, Michelle has always wanted to create something on her own. In 2008, she turned a job-related set-back into an opportunity and began her own business, GoCharmz. Set for launch in early May (with her fingers crossed), GoCharmz is keeping everyone up to date and giving sneak peaks at the designs on their official Facebook Fanpage.

I totally fell in love with the designs the first time I saw them, and knew I had to pass Michelle's story along to my Mommy friends. I also realized that her story will be inspirational to all of us who want to do our own thing - read what Michelle has to say and get inspired!

K: What exactly are GoCharmz and what inspired you to create them?

Michelle: GoCharmz allows kids to decorate their activity toys (scooters, bikes & helmets) with unique charms. They can take generic toys and dress them up and show off their personality. Specifically we created a patent-pending device called a scooter tube that attaches to most kick scooters. The tube has holes that kids can pop charms in and out of. Similarly our bike charms can be snapped onto the spokes of bicycles. And finally our stuff wouldn't be cool if we didn't give kids the ability to put them all over their helmets. So we created a backing so you can peel and stick the charms onto helmets or really any hard surface.

It was important when we started GoCharmz that the direction and attitude of our brand was odd, funky and fun. There are plenty of cute, basic charms and we wanted to set ourselves apart. I was laid off in late 2008 when the market took a tumble and I found myself with a lot of time on my hands. I was coming up with inventions and driving my husband crazy. Then one day the idea came to me while scooting my son's sticker infested scooter to school to pick him up. Many of the kids were checking his ride out and staring back at theirs, probably thinking, "wow mine is so boring (naked!)". So the ah-ha moment hit me and that was the beginning of my company.

K: Did you create the initial designs yourself?

Michelle: Yes. The initial idea was to create something that could fit on a scooter and then allow kids to pop charms into it. I could imagine it but after a few lame prototypes I found a designer to take my concepts and create a real design prototype. Even at that stage it took some 7 months to get the design right. Then we had to create the charms to go into the tube. I am really fortunate that my own brother has a great knack for design. All the crazy charm designs are his unique artwork. It's something we are both very proud of.

K: What has the process of getting them to market been like?

Michelle: The process has been daunting, exciting and scary. Pretty much every verb you can think of ... but its all worth it. Its really freaky sometimes to stop and reflect on what's taken place over the last 12 months. There are of course things I would do differently but I wouldn't change the experience. I have learned a lot and now I look forward to the next chapter. Taking this product to market this spring. I am sure there will be many screw ups to come but that challenge also makes it fun. I really like what I am doing. I like creating products that help kids enjoy their toys and encourages them to be more expressive. Ideally GoCharmz will help kids to be more social and active "outside." Too many kids are cooped up all day inside and alone on the computer or playing video games.

K: Where will people be able to buy GoCharmz?

Michelle: Everywhere - that's the dream but for starters GoCharmz will be available online @ gocharmz.com ( website coming soon) and we're going to test market it in our local mall through a standalone kiosk. The GoCharmz bike spokes will also be sold directly to hundreds of bike stores throughout the U.S.

K: What keeps you inspired to keep pushing through all the hard work?

Michelle: It's the kids. When I get down and feel overwhelmed I remind myself of the big picture. Giving kids something that enhances their play time. I have seen it locally with the kids we've shown the products to. Their faces light up and they get what we're doing - quickly. That inspires me. It inspires me that eventually that enjoyment can take place in neighborhoods all over the country. Just knowing I had an idea and took the time to design it and finally bring it to market is only part of it. The inspiration comes from knowing kids will love what we've done and get more enjoyment from their activity toys.

Thanks Michelle!

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