Melanie Hurley

Name: Melanie Hurley
Company: Piggy Paint
Email Address: fancynails@piggypaint.com
Year Founded: 2008
Family: Yes
Do you own a business?: Yes

Please tell us more about the business and when you started it (or would like to start it):

Piggy Paint was founded September 2008 by Melanie Hurley, a Stay-at-Home Mom with two fancy little girls, who love to have their fingernails painted. This Mom always hated the thought of her children putting their hands in their mouths after she painted their nails with traditional kid polishes. Not only did the ingestion of chemicals worry her, but the smell left her light-headed after painting two sets of fingernails and toenails. One day while Melanie was painting her girls’ fingernails over a foam plate, her daughter dropped a big glob of the solvent-based polish onto the plate. Shortly after, the paint began to bubble and “ate” through the plate. She looked in dismay at the hole and decided to test all of their other “kid” polishes on the foam. Within minutes, all of the solvent-based polishes began to bubble and eventually left big holes in the plate. From that day on, this Stay-at-Home Mom decided that any flammable substance that could eat through foam was unacceptable for her children’s fingernails, which would inevitably end up in their mouths. Her quest was on, and Piggy Paint was born. Finally, a kid-friendly polish without the accompanying drawbacks of traditional polishes. It has no foul odors, no toxic chemicals, and will not damage your little ones’ nails or the environment. Piggy Paint takes the worry out of painting nails and puts the fun back into this enjoyable activity you can share with your daughter and other special girls in your life.

How many children do you have?: 2

How would you define yourself as a hybrid mom?:

I went from Stay-at-Home Mom, to Mom with an idea, to Mom with business that is out of control! It's great fun, though can be very difficult to juggle the fighting, screaming, singing in the background while I receive phone calls all day (and night). Many times I end up hiding in the closet or bathroom. When people ask what time my office closes, I giggle to myself, because this office is open 24 hours a day!

Share one personal or business ambition:

I'd like to branch out into natural kids' cosmetics.

What is your favorite thing about being a mom?:

Though I may hear "MOM!" a thousand times a day, it might actually be one of my favorite things about motherhood. No one except my girls can give me that title, and no one else can fulfill that role for my girls. It is the most extraordinary word I know. I learned a new love when my daughters were born, and never imagined that kind of love existed.

What one belief, factor or trait would you say has contributed most to your success (either personally or professionally)?:

My ability to ask for help and keep a positive attitude. Also, pray, pray, and pray some more. Be careful, because if you ask, you just might receive!

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