Smarty Moms: Robin Speas & Maythi Calvert

By Rachel H

We have a Smarty Mom surprise today, as we are featuring two moms, Robin & Maythi, founders of Spooneez! You have no doubt seen the Spooneez button ad on the left of our website, and in case you missed it, take a look at the blog write up here.

Robin Speas has lived in the Clemmons and WS areas since she was 10 years old. She is married to Mike, and stays at home with her children Maria(6) and Gabrielle(4). She is also due with her third daughter in October. She volunteers as a member of the LUMC Preschool board and the Meadowlark Elementary PTA. She is also a volunteer of the Clean and Green Committee. Robin has been doing Yoga for six years and has just begun doing Crossfit as well. She loves going biking with her family, doing crafts, cooking, and enjoying a good wine while listening to jazz!

Maythi Calvert has been in Winston for 16 years now. She and her husband, Owen, have two daughters, Reilly(4 ½) and Reese(1). She volunteers as a member of the LUMC Preschool board . Maythi lived in the Dominican Republic until she was 15 years old, so she is fluent in Spanish. She enjoys staying at home with her daughters and working on Spooneez! She also enjoys cooking and of course reading Triad Smarty Pants on a daily basis!

Let’s get to know our exceptional Mompreneurs …

Maythi, how did you come up with the idea for Spooneez?
Mainly out of a need to find a place to stash the spoons I used to mix my daughter’s formula while on the go. I constantly found myself wrapping them up in a paper napkin, or sticking them in a Ziploc bag – neither of which I thought was a very good option. As she got older and I also started packing baby food, things got stickier and messier. I knew there had to be a better way. Reilly was a colicky baby and I was up A LOT with her at night & would find myself thinking about what to do with the yucky spoons. I can’t stand messes and it was really irritating me. One night I came up with the idea and decided to sketch a drawing of my thought. It went from a little drawing, to my mom’s sewing machine and then, years later, once Robin came on board, things really started taking shape and we ended up with Spooneez.

Robin, what was the most difficult part of getting the Spooneez idea off the ground?
Finding the right fabric that reflects us.

Maythi, what advice do you have for other Mompreneurs looking to launch a new product or idea?
Do not give up – the most important part of this, as cliché as it might sound, is to believe in yourself and your product or idea. This is especially important when you hear negative feedback. Also, remember to be prepared for criticism and use it in a positive way. Be open-minded, especially if you have a business partner – you won’t always agree on everything, but at the end of the day, you both want the same result. And finally, surround yourself with good people. Robin & I have been blessed to have found great people to help us and encourage us along the way.

Robin, what has been the most rewarding part of your Spooneez adventure thus far?
The encouragement and enthusiasm my kids and husband have shown since we started making the spooneez in our dining room. The amount of headway Maythi and I have made since first talking about this great idea in a coffee shop last year at this time.

Maythi, how can our readers see these products in person and/or place an order?
Two local retail locations are O Baby Organics, in Winston-Salem (next to Whole Foods) and also at Accessorize This in Lewisville. We also will be having an Open House on Sunday, September 27th at Chi’s Boutique (3443-O Robinhood Road - Robinhood Center near Paul’s & Ego Hour) in Winston-Salem and will have a table at the Children’s Boutique Resale (1214-C Reynolda Rd. formerly If It's Paper) on October 3rd. Additionally, you can purchase Spooneez online at www.rollupthemess.com.

Now some questions for both of you,

What is the smartiest way you save money?
Maythi - Shop for groceries at Wal-Mart. I hate it there, but my bill always reminds me why I’m there!
Robin - Grocery coupons, Costco, Target

What is your favorite family activity?
Maythi -We love to go on the greenway right by our house – my husband and oldest daughter ride their bikes, and I push our youngest in the stroller.
Robin - Friday night movie night and popcorn downstairs in the basement, Saturday morning family bike rides down the Muddy Creek Greenway.

Favorite “me-time” activity?
Maythi - I don’t really have a “me-time” activity. Is that bad?
Robin - YOGA, reading and gardening

Favorite place to eat dinner as a family?
Maythi - At home. We don’t eat out a lot.
Robin - Las Estrellas

Favorite date night spot?
Maythi - Firebirds (although I am dying to check out the new Latin restaurant downtown)
Robin - Nice dinner at Firebirds, or Nobles Grill.

Favorite book you have read?
Maythi - A Million Little Pieces by James Frey – regardless of what Oprah’s beef is with him, this book was wonderful.
Robin - Angels and Demons, Water for Elephants, Harry Potter

Best place to eat lunch with the kids?
Maythi - Again, we don’t eat out much, but when we do, we tend to end up at Chick Fil A, Whole Foods or Moe’s – kind of depends on the mood & amount of time we have.
Robin - My kids would say ‘Chick-Fil-A’!!!

Favorite place to shop for children’s clothes?
Maythi - Target, Gymboree sales, and Lands End Overstocks (they have some really great deals)
Robin - Target, Baby Gap, Children’s Place, LL Bean

What is the best birthday party you have attended?
Maythi -Actually, Robin had a party for one of her children and they had a petting zoo. The kids loved it!
Robin - A Science Party for a 6 year old.

Best kept secret in the Triad?
Maythi -Winston-Salem Theatre Alliance – they are located on the corner of Northwest and Reynolda Road and have some really great productions and prices are reasonable.
Robin - Krankies Coffee, Local Farmer at Casanova every Saturday morning through summer months, Chi’s Boutique

What is your favorite mom’s must have item for around the house?
Maythi -I couldn’t live without my Sandra Boynton hanging family calendar. I get one at Borders each year. It has spaces for each family member’s name (up to 5 names) and hangs on our fridge.
Robin - hand held broom with dusting pan and Dutch Oven!!!

Mini-van or SUV?
Maythi - Neither. You can check out my comment on the TSP mini-van post from a few weeks/months back. We have a crossover (Ford Freestyle) & love it!
Robin - SUV

Favorite park in the Triad?
Maythi - Hathaway Park in W-S and Shallowford Square in Lewisville
Robin - Joanie Moser Park

Favorite or most helpful blog you have read on Triad Smarty Pants thus far?
Maythi -The recent swine flu post was very informative and I also love the Wednesday weekend event posts. They give you enough time to make plans for the weekend ahead.
Robin - Lyndhurst OBGYN, you can find ANYTHING on Triad Smarty Pants!!!!

Best thing about raising a family in the Triad?
Maythi - Having grown up in a city that had over 3 million people, Winston-Salem seems tiny to me. But that’s what I love about it – Winston isn’t exactly tiny, but it feels that way. We have a deep sense of community here. People are warm and friendly and seem to really care about making our city a better place.
Robin - The triad has so many wonderful things to offer for all ages throughout the year.

I could not live without my...
Maythi - family, computer, and hair dryer!
Robin- family and computer!!!

I love that you ladies had almost the exact same answers for some of these. It shows you have a great partnership. We wish you all the best with Spooneez!
TSP Readers, send us your Smarty Mom nominations by emailing us at triadsmartypants@gmail.com. We love to hear from you!

Posted by Triad Smarty Pants at 5:00 AM