BCM - How and Why did you start Dapple Baby?

Dapple - Dapple was born out of our own desire to use safer cleaning products around our children. Dana was in front of the kitchen sink late one night, scrubbing and scrubbing her newborn’s bottles to no avail. The cleaners that were on the market were not only full of chemicals, but none of them were a match for the odor and residue that breast milk and formula left behind. We knew we wanted to create something that could address both issues – a product that could be fully natural and safe, but also really effectively tackle the messes that were specific to families with young children. So we started with Dapple Baby Bottle & Dish Liquid, working with green chemists and pediatricians to identify the natural ingredients that could actually break down those milk particles – a product that was both baby-safe, and baby-specific.      

BCM - Tell us more about Dapple?  Where can you purchase the products?
Dapple - Dapple now offers a full line of green cleaning products for households with children. In addition to the Dish Liquid, we launched Dapple Toy Cleaner (in spray and in wipes) that we’re very proud of. It was tested on sticky fingerprints, dried food, and anything else that might be left behind on toys, board books, strollers, high chairs, and countertops. There’s also Dapple Laundry, which zeroes in on everything from spit up stains to mashed up peas, and next month we’re launching Dapple Singles – individually-wrapped towellettes that are preservative-free, so you can use them on baby’s hands, faces, pacifiers, teethers, and more without worry.       You can purchase Dapple products at Duane Reade, Diapers.com and Dapplebaby.com.

BCM -Both of you have a great dynamic of work together. How did you team up? Why do you think you work so well together?
Dapple - We’ve always been great friends, but really saw how well we worked together when we teamed up to plan some local charity events. When Dana first started complaining to me about her baby bottle dilemma, it struck a chord, because one of my daughters is highly allergic and I had also been frustrated with the lack of safe cleaning products on the market. We knew together we could make this happen, and it all took off from there!

BCM - What advice do you have for other moms who are thinking about starting businesses?

Dapple - Never give up! We got to where we are now through sheer persistence. What we have learned is that closed doors CAN be opened. That sounds so simple but sometimes it’s overlooked – especially in the face of the incredible frustration that every entrepreneur is bound to face.

We’ve also learned that there is a strong and lovely bond between woman entrepreneurs and especially mom entrepreneurs. We have gotten so much help and advice from other moms who have started successful businesses. So if you have any questions don’t be  shy – reach out.  You can always reach one of us through dapplemoms@dapplebaby.com.

BCM - What has been your most memorable moment(s) as a mom?

Tamar: The moment of birth (three times over)
Dana:  3am – all three kids in our bed.  Very memorable because it happens almost every night.

BCM - What types of activities do you like to do with your kids?

Tamar: Singing and getting dressed up.  We live on Broadway and we’re all about drama.
Dana: Baking. It makes a huge mess and the results are mostly inedible but we have so much fun along the way.  We also take the kids every Sunday to BYOK (bring your own kid) – an amazing concert series for children at the 92nd Y in Tribeca.  Check it out at here

BCM - If you could give another mom or expectant mom one piece of advice, what would it be?

Tamar: Roll with the punches.
Dana: Stock up on play dough. There is no tantrum that can’t be overcome by some orange play dough.