Richmondmom.com - Where Hip Moms Click

Leslie Lytle: Yoga for the Childbearing Years

Leslie Lytle: OmMama Prenatal and Postnatal Yoga

OmMama provides exceptional programming for Richmond’s expecting and new families. Owner Leslie Lytle, a Richmond mom, has a passion fpr prenatal yoga, which she has taught since 2001. OmMama’s offerings include childbirth education classes, postnatal and Itsy Bitsy® yoga classes and this fall they’re adding prenatal and postnatal Pilates to the schedule. At the core of all OmMama programs is a commitment to helping students build confidence and decision-making skills as they navigate the challenges of birth and early parenting. Nearly 2000 women have participated in our programs. Come find out why expectant Richmond moms and new Richmond moms keep coming back! Free class offer good through August 31, 2009.

Anne Hughes ensures European fashion is affordable, stylish in Carytown

Eurotrash and Anne Hughes have a lot in common: both are unique, hip, and fun. Both have a tiny little gal, Winnie at their side wearing an adorable pudgy smile. Click here to see Anne explain how Eurotrash began!

Both are in the heart of Richmond’s Carytown and the perfect place to support the 3/50 project.
Anne, a new mom (Winnie is her seven-month old, who really is the store mascot of sorts!) brought her love of comfortable, hip European fashion right here to Richmond, VA. With clothes at every price point, she’s created an affordable, fun, hip shop where both twenty somethings and their moms are often in the dressing room together.

“That’s when I knew I had a hit,” said Anne, “when daughters and their moms are trying on clothes together and both finding the perfect fit, regardless of age!” So, where did she get the name? “I used to joke with my friends when they’d ask what I was wearing that it was my ‘Eurotrash wear’ and it just stuck!”

Richmondmom.com readers: check out this store; whether you love comfy or diva, there’s something here for you, and Anne is offering 10% off for Richmondmom.com readers – just mention it at the check-out!

Debra Ruh’s special needs child sparks Richmond-based international business

A few years ago, Debra Ruh had a dream. She was to create a company that primarily hires persons with disabilities. Debra´s inspiration - a beautiful daughter named Sara, who has Down’s syndrome. When Sara entered middle school, Debra realized that her daughter’s employment opportunities were bleak. At 13 years of age, Sara´s reading and math skills were still at a kindergarten level.

Some suggested that Sara collect shopping carts at a local grocery store, or work in a sheltered workshop environment. But Debra knew that Sara could do much more.

Drawing upon a long and successful career in information technology, Debra´s entrepreneurial instincts kicked into overdrive and she created an IT company that hired mainly persons with disabilities—not only mild disabilities, but also severe disabilities.

Today, Debra´s dream has become a reality. TecAccess now has over 60 associates with disabilities ranging from developmental to physical. To say that TecAccess is a diverse company is an understatement: there are associates with cerebral palsy, brain injury, quadriplegia, diabetes, bipolar disorder, macular degeneration, visual impairment, blindness, and hearing loss—just to name a few.

Debra and TecAccess have become the global leaders in E&IT accessibility solutions. TecAccess specializes in Web and IT Accessibility, Section 508 compliance, and W3C standards. Services include testing and assessment, training, engineering, policy review, and consulting.  With awards too numerous to name here, we applaud Debra and her team for their tireless efforts, energy, and ingenuity! Click here to learn more about Debra and the TecAccess story.

Cora Pedrazzi flips for healthy Richmond families at Core Kids Academy

Ask Cora Pedrazzi why she got into the kid’s fitness business, and it’s simple: “I love coaching them!” Could it be that Cora’s energy level is often on par with the toddlers and teenagers she works with? We think so! Click here to see why!
Cora launched Core Kids Academy after training and coaching as a fitness consultant for over 20 years.

Cora began her career as a full-scholarship gymnast at the University of Maryland and graduated with a B.S. in Kinesiology. Since then Cora has been educating children and adults at all levels of ability in gymnastics, motor development, and fitness.

•USA Gymnastics Safety (USAG)
•Movement Lesson Plan Development (MELPD)
•American Council on Exercise (ACE)
•Kinder Accreditation for Teachers (KAT)
•CPR
•Bosu

Cora has a passion for kids, their motor skill development, and wellness, and works with all age ranges, from babies to teenagers to adult classes. Her enthusiasm shines through her class instruction and that of her staff. Cora looks forward to helping your children achieve new life skills as CORE Kids Academy; they’ll flip for you. Literally!

Sharmila Sanjay creates ThinkSmart Kids

Early Thinkers.  Future Leaders.

The ThinkSmart Kids philosophy is based on the fact that the sky is the limit to what we can teach a young child.  Children are naturally curious and crave to learn more.  Sharmila’s curriculum is fun and interactive and works effectively for children between ages 12 months and 12 years. 

ThinkSmart’s holistic “Right Brain” enrichment programs will unlock and nurture the giftedness in your child.  The lessons are based on research from famous educators and brain development experts.  Lessons are customized to each child and they receive new materials in a progressive manner, ensuring that the child is not bored with repetitive materials.  Sharmila also works with children with Autism, Downs Syndrome and ADHD.

Sharmila teaches each child rich vocabulary, math facts and information on different subjects like science, geography, history, foreign languages like Latin and Spanish, word roots, world cultures, critical thinking, Yoga, BrainGym exercises and more!  Please visit ThinkSmartKids.com for more information or call Sharmila, 804.794.4402.

Kat Costello and hubby create hip zprbag, right here in Richmond

This is just too cool, ya gotta really see the Zprbag to get what makes it unique.

“What would happen if I sewed a bunch of zippers together?”  That simple question spawned what is now zpr bag™, the latest must-have fashion accessory for teenage girls.  The nylon bag allows girls to customize its size and color to suit their moods through adding or subtracting “zpstrips.” Still not quite sure what a zprbag is? This video will explain.

And in January 2009, Green Alley, LLC (zpr bag’s parent company) announced a strategic alliance with Harvest Direct, the Massachusetts-based leader in direct-response television products and distributor to national retail chains, including Wal-Mart, Kmart and Target. Zprbags come in 9 different looks in one (great value and fun to customize yourself!). 

“We loved the idea of a bag that would be fashionable, shareable, changeable, and affordable.  Not to mention washable,” says Kat Costello.  The couple has a now-two-year-old daughter, Emma, and they relished the opportunity to seamlessly blend family life and work.  The pair and their design team spent three years meticulously honing the product/item, as zprbag underwent dozens of revisions. zprbag was featured in Teen Vogue’s June/July 2009 issue.

Smart Richmond mom grows Smart Solutions Tutoring

Smart Solutions Tutoring LLC belongs to Richmond mom Meghan Sheriff, who founded the tutoring company in February 2006. Meghan taught high school English and Journalism for eight years prior to staying home with her young sons. She has grown the business to a full-service tutoring company offering academic tutoring in all subjects to clients, K-Adult; classes range from first grade enrichment to Italian for adults!

“Often times classrooms are crowded and, sadly, many students can ‘fall through the cracks.’ With a private tutor, there is plenty of personal attention and it has been our experience that our students have a renewed sense of confidence after their time with us,” says Meg. “It is our goal to meet the needs of all learners. As teachers we understand students and their needs. Our service is unique because we work closely with students, parents and teachers to craft a program of study that is individualized for each client’s success.”

Smart Solutions Tutoring works with Hanover County Parks and the Children’s Hospital Education Program and are proud partners of Hanover’s Promise and several Hanover County Public Schools. Call Meghan, who is also an advocate for the March of Dimes and Richmond parents struggling with preemies, at 804.291.6751. Mention Richmondmom.com and they’ll waive your application fee (a $25.00 savings).

Ellie Venafro is a traveling parent’s friend with Tots on the Go

Watch Ellie Venafro in action and you’ll quickly see why how she launched her very own e-business, and later a Richmond showroom, for Tots on the Go. Tots on the Go has an amazing selection of travel gear for todays modern kids.

Another neat option Ellie offers: equipment RENTAL, for travel. What could be better? She even offers travel tips for parents on her site and blog.

For names like BOB, Phil and Teds, Micralite, DadGear, Lillebaby and everything for kids including strollers, jogging strollers, travel Gear, diaper bags, and carriers support the 3/50 project and Ellie Venafro’s Tots on the Go. 

eMommie: Pre-loved maternity wear by Farah Hottle

What a cool concept: gently-loved maternity clothes online. Richmond’s Farah Hottle re-launched eMommie.com, The #1 Site for Used Maternity Clothes in ’09. Unlike a consignment store or sale they buy clothes outright with no consignor’s fee or waiting for the clothes to sell.

Here’s Farah with her story about launching eMommie.com, and why they’re so different. And, they really need gently loved clothing now, as demand on the site is HIGH. Drop your clean, wrinkle-free clothes off to pick up later, or wait; usually it’s just @15 minutes to get a quote with an itemized receipt.

Location: Parham and Mayland. -Office hours: Monday-Thursday, 9 am to 5 pm, Friday from 9 am to 2 pm.  Evening and weekend appointments also available. 

Contact: (JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address), 804.270.3320.