The Video above only tells a part of the Story. Meet Laura Wellington Gerry, CEO ~ The Giddy Gander Company, The Wumblers
Tell us a little bit about yourself and what you do professionally.
My name is Laura Wellington Gerry and I am an entrepreneur who owns two technology and financial companies along with a new children s entertainment brand The Wumblers. I live in New Jersey with my four kids, my new husband and a new baby on the way.
What do you enjoy most about your profession and why did you choose it in the first place?
I love watching ideas come to fruition and my passion for making the world a better place for children has really been the focal point with my new adventure The Wumblers. Being an entrepreneur in children s entertainment allows me to develop this brand in the way a mom would want a brand developed from the heart and the soul.
Tell us about the organizations your company supports and why?
We are a huge proponent of giving back and we teach this in the various storylines The Wumblers portrays from the simplest lessons of responsibility, respect and social consciousness. We have worked with Gildas Club Worldwide to develop a nationwide art contest and we took a very active role in the Blythedale Children s Hospital s annual holiday benefit sponsored by WPLJ Radio. We had our large character Bertrum on hand to entertain the kids and we donated a lot of toys and gave a monetary contribution as well. I even requested that wedding gifts be sent to Blythedale on behalf of my new husband and I which they were extremely grateful for. Most recently we have partnered with Tuesdays Children as we are donating money from products bought on our website and from a new iphone app we created. We recently held an event at Six Flags, Great Adventure and raised a sum of money that we donated directly to them.
What is the biggest risk you ever took professionally and/or the biggest obstacle you have overcome? The biggest risk was when my husband was passing away I made the decision to leave the businesses we owned and have grown from nothing in the hands of one of his relatives so I could spend the last few months by his bedside. I had to make a decision and I chose memories with my husband and children over the business because those I could never get back. When my husband passed away I returned to find the business in shambles and I had to take over the ship and steer it for a turnaround. I unfortunately had to let a lot of great and loyal employees go and cut back tremendously, but in the end I brought the businesses back to where they once were and they continue to flourish.
From where do you draw inspiration? Who have been your role models, mentors, etc?
My inspiration comes from my four children. Watching them everyday grow and become who they are has been amazing. My oldest daughter continuously tells me she wants to be like me and run the business when she is older and that fills with me so much pride.
The father of the family of investors that have taken a chance on The Wumblers has been a poignant role model as I watch how he has built his business and maintained a strong worth ethic and sense of value. He has his son working up through the ranks and learning all aspects of the business and all of his employees are loyal and respectful of where they spend their days.
How is the current economic situation affecting your company/organization?
It is definitely tough out there because retailers are scaling back on their inventory and are afraid to try something new, but on the flip side companies that didn t have the time or need to listen to a new company or review a new product line are doing so now. Retailers are trying to find something unique that will set them apart from their neighbor and a company like mine offers just that opportunity.
What one thing would you like to learn this year?
What it will take to get on the Oprah Winfrey Show
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I would love to for every child to have a Wumbler and work on season 2 of the series and create a Wumbler movie for all families to enjoy.
What do you do for fun/relaxation/entertainment?
I enjoy my summer home in Old Saybrook, CT with my family. Watching my kids grow is the most fun any mom can have. I enjoy movies and reading and of course massages.
Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?
If you have a dream you should follow it. Passion will lead you down the path and keep you forging forward. Bringing good people to work side by side with you is super important. They need to share that same passion and motivation otherwise it won’t work.
Which, if any social networking sites do you belong to?
Twitter and Facebook
Learn more about Laura and the Wumblers at www.wumblers.com
