Our New Secret Source for Top Notch Gifts (and the Super Smart Mom Behind It)

The only way to know if a product aligns with your own values and interests is to learn its story.

Name: Jules Pieri, founder and CEO, Daily Grommet
Family: Husband, Desmond; Kids Dane, 21; Gray, 18; and Carl, 15. And two rescue greyhounds.
Year Daily Grommet was founded: 2008

Why do you think telling a product/designer's story is important? Two reasons. First because product stories are endlessly interesting, inspirational, and informative. In old retail models we never got to learn them. Video changes everything. Second, because people are increasing realizing that each purchase is an act of citizenship. Every product amplifies something in the world--good, bad, or indifferent. The only way to know if a product aligns with your own values and interests is to learn its story and meet the people behind it.

Can you offer any tips to other moms out there regarding growing a business or encouraging words for those with a small business? Think big. Women limit their own opportunities. They hesitate to raise capital. They wait until they are "really ready." I respect that choice to wait when the concern is about raising children. I worked part time in executive jobs for most of my motherhood, so I deferred working in startups myself. But I do question that hesitancy if the woman is not recognizing her own strengths and preparedness. Men don't wait until they are "fully baked." They just go for it.

I wake up in the middle of the night thinking about: Cash. Funding Daily Grommet.

Best thing about being a) a parent and b) a professional: I can relate to my employees, most of whom have children. I am a better manager for it. And I would not feel I'd had the life I wanted without having children...my three sons form, delight, and enrich me.

Guilty pleasure? Jeni's Splendid Ice Cream, from Columbus Ohio. It was submitted as a Grommet. I dream of it.

Are you ever afraid you'll run out of dailies products? that you'll have eventually covered everything? Not at all. I am betting on the inventiveness of people all over the world. Creativity, ingenuity, and entrepreneurship are in endless supply.

But having said that, I will deeply appreciate your readers taking a look at the types of products we feature and letting us know if they have something we should evaluate. There's a quick form to submit ideas right on our home page. I promise we look at every one. You can also Tweet #grommetidea and we look at those ideas too.

Check out Jules' awesome selections at DailyGrommet.com.