BUSINESS

Scottsdale.org

l @ScottsdaleProgress /ScottsdaleProgress

Scottsdale mom’s business helps other moms

BY KRISTINE CANNON

Progress Staff Writer

Scottsdale mom of two Kelsey Guthrie knows the struggle of keeping up with the ever-growing mommy to-do list.

One of the more time-consuming tasks, she said, involves hours online researching services, providers and businesses needed for one’s family.

“I started to think that if I could provide local moms a way to �ind the information and referrals that they need all in one spot, it would save some time – and sanity,” Guthrie said.

Thus, the MomSpot Concierge service was born.

Launched Aug. 1, the MomSpot Concierge eliminates the lengthy researching process and connects busy moms with vetted, trusted Scottsdale businesses – many of which are also owned by mothers.

“I started talking to some friends and moms and [asked], ‘What are you struggling with?’ Across the board, everybody said, ‘I just don’t have time to get done what I need to in a day,’” Guthrie said.

The free online service provides customized referral lists for parents based on the businesses they select to hear from.

Guthrie’s goal was to launch with 20 local businesses but instead launched with 31 across six categories: pre/ postnatal care and pediatric experts; maternity, newborn, and family photographers; nannies, sitters, private educators; celebration essentials and gifting; healthy living and self-care solutions; and home organization experts.

“The great thing about the Concierge page is you’re not committed to anything: You’re not booking anything

Mary Guthrie, 6, and Jack Guthrie, 3, show off Mom Kelsey Guthrie’s Party Boxes, carefully curated kids boxes that include everything parents need to host themed celebrations, from plates and decorations to checklists. (Pablo Robles/Progress Staff Photographer)

through my service page; you’re just requesting information,” Guthrie explained.

Once parents browse the hand-picked selection of locally owned companies and request custom responses from MomSpot partners, businesses have 48 hours to respond.

But the best part about using MomSpot?

“Discounts,” Guthrie said excitedly. “That’s the biggest thing.”

About two-thirds of the businesses subscribed to the MomSpot Concierge offer a discount, whether it be $20 off pre/postnatal massages for �irst-time customers of the Nurtured Mama or $300 off the placement package of choice with All About Nannies.

‘That’s just something that the businesses have agreed to do and it’s just so wonderful,” Guthrie said.

Olivia Williams, owner of the Nanny Café, joined the MomSpot Concierge because, as a mom herself, she was attracted to the service and the “big help mothers get from the MomSpot.”

“The concierge service provided by the MomSpot makes �inding any family service fast and easy,” she said.

As a subscriber for less than one month, so far, Williams said her business has already received multiple referrals for nanny services.

“Families are getting to know me and my agency a little better and that is big for me because I have the opportunity to be able to serve more families in the Valley,” she said.

She hopes that other businesses consider taking part in MomSpot because “the concierge service puts your business directly in the families’ home.”

“A lot of these businesses have really been suffering, especially the ones in the party planning area,” Guthrie added.

“It worked out that a lot of these businesses were looking for more support and ways to get in front of new audiences, so it’s kind of a win-win for everybody,” she continued.

Honey Bee Mobile Spa owner and fellow mom-preneur Sarah Woon is also a MomSpot subscriber and is “de�initely looking forward to what the future holds.”

“The idea and concept hasn’t been done before in Scottsdale,” Woon said. “I truly loved the idea of being able to go to one website and being able to plan a whole party in one spot. I knew I had to be a part of it.”

In addition to referral lists, the MomSpot Concierge also offers curated kids Party Boxes that include everything from plates and decorations to checklists.

These boxes, which are intended to make it easy for parents to host themed celebrations, are available for doorstep delivery. “On a personal level, it’s de�initely been connecting with the business owners,” Guthrie said. “The rewarding part for me is I just want to provide a service that’s going to help moms at the end of the day.”

Looking ahead, Guthrie plans to expand the MomSpot Concierge service next year into other areas around the Valley.

“Local small businesses are working hard to connect with new customers during this economically challenging time, and parents who are working and overseeing their kids’ schooling from home could use the help,” she said.

Information: themomspotaz.com

Opinion

Send your opinions to opinions@scottsdale.org

Scottsdale.org

l @ScottsdaleProgress /ScottsdaleProgress

Gen Z voters should not ignore local elections

This November many young activists, mostly members of Gen Z (those born between 1996 and 2015), will be voting for the first time.

The demands of the Black Lives Matter movement are on our electoral conscience. While most of us agree that we need to vote Trump out to further our movement, we also should focus on local elections. Local officials determine police funding, prisons, and enacting justice reform. These are key factors in furthering the demands of the BLM movement. If we want to keep our momentum we should look into electing local officials who support these demands.

Not only should we be focusing on local government positions, we should also be focusing on local ballot initiatives such as legalizing marijuana.

By legalizing marijuana, we lower arrest rates for drug charges, something that disproportionately affects black and brown communities. This is key to the BLM movement.

If Gen Z wants to keep the momentum of our movement, we must focus on these local elections equally. We have the power to make a real change for a more equal and just future and the first way to do that is to vote in each and every election, local and federal.

Letters

Motorists should also heed bicyclists on the road

Thank you for the very interestevery week day, and takes a longer streets and use hand signals whening article about the woman both on- and off-road bike ride on ever possible. losing her leg in a automobileweekends, I think that drivers should Doing these things takes a lot of motorcycle accident. be very aware of the bicyclists on the pressure off of the drivers, and also

I feel badly about her injuries, but streets and sidewalks. makes riding safer for bicyclists. As at least she is able to once again ride Having said that, however, I generthe weather starts to get cooler (hopeher motorcycle. In reference to the ally feel very safe riding on the streets fully soon!), I hope to see more and “Share the Road” needs and all, one here near Old Town Scottsdale. more bicyclists riding on the streets other group that should also be kept For bicyclists to help keep things here. It’s good for our bodies, and it’s in the loop are bicyclists. safer, I say that you should have your good for the environment, too!

As an avid bicyclist who bike comlights on when riding at night, obey mutes to and from work just about the traffic laws when riding on the -Stuart Handley

Together we are… Optimistic