Heather Campbell-Dewar

WHAT GOT YOU STARTED?

by Burke Campbell

Published in the Financial Post

  November 26, 2007

Heather Campbell-Dewar is CEO of Baby Sherpa, an on-line company (www.babysherpa.com) that makes and sells backpacks designed to carry diapers and other infant-care items. Baby Sherpa is located in Stony Mountain, Manitoba. Heather Campbell-Dewar tells Burke Campbell what motivated her to become an entrepreneur.

HEALTHY START: “Even as a kid, I was active. I have a degree in Physical Education. I’ve always been the outdoors type, and there’s a lot of outdoors in Manitoba.”

MOTHER OF INVENTION: “I became a mother, and found myself carrying bags of diapers, baby food, toys. I couldn’t find a useful backpack and I knew I could design something better. One day I started sketching. Things evolved from there.”

SELF-RELIANT: “I’ve got an independent streak. Out west, the pioneering spirit is still part of the culture.”

WE’RE ALL HUMAN: “Celebrities have my backpack. Brad Pitt, Gwyneth Paltrow, Reese Witherspoon.  Even the famous have to deal with diapers.”

GROOVIN’ IN A FLAT WORLD: “Everything’s happened so fast. I had an idea for a product, hired a trusted contact to make it. I sell on-line and ship with UPS or Canada Post. I started in 2002, and last year, won an award from Dell  Canada and RBC Royal Bank. Ten years back, I never dreamed I’d have a business with customers around the world.”

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