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Name: Jackie Zlatanovski
Business: FLIK FLOPS, a maker of light up flip flops for kids
Industry: Children Goods & Services
Location: Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
Reason for starting: The idea for FLIK FLOPS came from my 7 year old daughter while on summer vacation. Light up flip flops for kids did not exist, so we started FLIK FLOPS to teach our children to follow their dreams and leave a legacy. We want to prove that kids sometimes do have the best ideas.
Related: Read about another female entrepreneur helping children materialize their dreams here.
How do you define success? Personal success is defined by being able to do what you want when you want without having to ask permission. Being an entrepreneur brings me closer to my definition of personal success. Professional success is defined by having a product or service that people feel a need to have because of its utility.
Biggest Success: Moving cross country, on a whim, from Chicago to Las Vegas with my husband over 17 years ago. Without a job, a place to live or any friends in Las Vegas, we’ve created a successful life. It was my biggest risk and greatest reward.
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it? The biggest challenge has been launching the company in an off-season, during the polar vortex and sub-zero temps across most of the country, while patiently waiting for the growth. We’ve only been operational for 6 months but it’s given us an ample opportunity to plan for the public launch and growth of the company this Spring.
It is also a challenge being a breadwinner and working mother with 3 children under 10 and a stay-at-home husband. It puts a lot of pressure on a budding entrepreneur. However, forgoing a stable executive position with a major hospitality company in exchange for becoming an entrepreneur has been my most important goal. Becoming an entrepreneur will put me in control of my future allowing me to create the life I want for me and my family along with unlimited growth potential.
Related: Motherhood: An inspiration for starting your own business.
Who is your most important role model? Steve Jobs because he was an innovator who held a high regard for his product and did not waiver from his goals, even in the toughest of times.
[box_light]Website www.FLIKFLOPS.com
Twitter @FLIKFLOPS
Facebook www.Facebook.com/FLIKFLOPS[/box_light]
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Read about another Children’s Goods entrepreneur here.
Edited by The Story Exchange