LAIFA BABY
Nicole Mortimer, Oakville, ON
Born in Edmonton, Alberta since they didn’t have a hospital near the farm where we lived in Lafond. Today, I live in Oakville.
What is your inspiration?
The idea for Laifa Baby Sleepers came about when my daughter woke up at night — I would feed her and then when she was finally relaxed and ready to go back to bed, I had to change her using traditional sleepers, which were horrible. Sleepers with snaps were jarring and matching them in the dark was impossible. Front zippers let in cold air – by the time she was ready for her diaper change, she was completely naked, freezing and awake.
I had an idea for a sleeper that could help keep my daughter in a sleep state during night-time changes – it was simple and functional. As a mom short on time, I tried finding it online, but came up empty.
So I took it upon myself to make her a couple sleepers with my new design, which made dressing and diaper changing incredibly easy; more importantly, it kept my daughter in a sleep state. Laifa Baby Sleepers combine obvious with innovation — the patent-pending design has two zippers in a single garment to keep babies warm, covered and in a sleep-state and make the arduous task of diaper changing quicker and easier for parents.
What motivates you every day?
I am motivated and inspired by my kids and family. I have been blessed with such opportunity – it would be a shame to not give 110% every day. Life is too short for mediocrity.
Who do you look up to and in what way?
I look up to my younger sister in so many ways – she is one of the most level-headed, empathetic and supportive people I know. She is someone I can be completely open, honest, vulnerable and goofy with – we just get each other in a way only sisters can.
What have they learned from Pythons’ Pit?
I’ve learned that anything is possible if you want it badly enough. There’s no such thing as “I’m too busy” – that’s just another way of saying: “I don’t want to do it”, “I’m scared of trying” or “It’s not important.”
Python’s Pit ignites and encourages entrepreneurship in its purest form. If you want to start a business, you need an idea, drive and focus, but young entrepreneurs also benefit from the incredible support, mentorship and networking provided through Python’s Pit.
Key Mentor for Laifa Baby – Alyson Woodbridge
I live in south west Mississauga and have always been involved with the Oakville and Burlington communities throughout my career.
Current Job
Owner of Tarla Graphics, Print Consultant
Why did you choose to be a mentor?
Simple, after 30 years of experience, it was time to give back!! And since mentoring is a process that involves communication and is relationship based, it was a perfect fit for me.
What have you got out of mentoring?
Often mentorship is a relationship in which a more experienced or more knowledgeable person helps to guide a less experienced or less knowledgeable person. However, this has not been the case. I have had the privilege of working with a very skilled candidate. The difference between the two of us is straightforward; the mentor is not emotionally invested in the product. Therefore, it makes it almost effortless to be objective.
On a more personal note, I have been truly blessed to have met and worked with Nicole Mortimer. Through our interactions, formal and informal, we created an immediate bond. We have forged through endless pitches, met each other’s children, share recipes and family antics.
This has been an incredible experience for me both personally and professionally. There is so much to gain by being a part of Python’s Pit!