This is an archived article that was published on sltrib.com in 2011, and information in the article may be outdated. It is provided only for personal research purposes and may not be reprinted.
A $15,000 "MomInspired Grant" from Kimberly-Clark Corp. will help one American Fork mom take her small but thriving business to the next level.
In addition to raising her six children, Becky Rasmussen is a certified birth instructor — also known as a doula — who is passionate about husband-coached childbirth and empowering couples with enough knowledge to savor the experience.
Rasmussen's product: a birth class in a box. "Labor 101" is a three-disc set of CDs and DVDs that sells for $34 and can be purchased from Amazon, eBay, her website http://www.mybirthclass.com and a few Utah stores.
Rasmussen was one of nine winners selected from more than 500 entrepreneurs who applied for Kimberly-Clark's second round of MomInspired grants. Kimberly-Clark's Huggies brand launched the program in 2010 and so far has awarded $15,000 to each of 21 innovative mothers — for a total of $315,000.
"We've experienced great success with online sales," said Rasmussen, 32, "but we wanted to move our product into more brick-and-mortar establishments."
Last year was the first full calendar year for "Labor 101" sales, and revenues hit six figures, she said. A large national chain has now shown interest in carrying the boxed set but asked Rasmussen to polish its video production.
"Then they would feel comfortable putting it on their shelves nationwide," Rasmussen said. "The Huggies grant accelerates our ability to meet that request."
Rasmussen earned her birth instructor certification in 2003 and taught for several years. After losing a son to Sudden Infant Death Syndrome in 2006, she took some time off, then decided to return to work on her own terms.
"My inspiration was twofold," Rasmussen said of her desire to make the instruction more consistent, comprehensive and convenient, but also to personally strike a balance between work and family.
The CDs and DVDs that make up "Labor 101" feature several experts, including a board-certified pediatrician, certified midwife and sports psychologist. An anesthesiologist — discussing the popular option of pain-blocking epidurals during the birth process — also will be added.
"We really work to talk about the polarization of pain preferences," Rasmussen said. "It's all your belief about labor."
Twitter: @catmck