July 2009 Momtrepreneur of the Month: Monica Kalozdi of Kalencom

Having three kids and co-owning a large brand would be a big enough challenge for most women. Monica Kalozdi, Co-owner of Kalencom, didn't stop there. Those metaphorical peaks weren't a big enough challenge for Monica. So she set out to climb Mt. Everest in 2005. For her attention to detail and her commitment to personal excellence, Monica Kalozdi is the July 2009 Momtreprenuer of the month.

Monica has a strong head for business and a huge heart--she dedicated her climb to the Teen Life Counts foundation in hopes to raise awareness about the issue of teen suicide. Her athletic feats are admirable, but even more impressive is the steady growth of her high fashion baby brand.

Kalencom bags are renowned for their sturdiness and fresh looks. Parents adore that the diaper bags come outfitted with all the extras, such as insulated bottle bags and padded changing pads. Each season the company brings fresh fabrics and cool silhouettes to style starved moms.

The year my business launched: 1973

Hometown: New Orleans

I'm most proud of: The fact that Kalencom survived and thrived in the months following Hurricane Katrina when our entire plant was destroyed by the rains. We moved our employees to temporary housing in Florida and helped to settle them in their new surroundings by providing free housing, directing them to local schools, arranging for childcare, etc. in order to give them some semblance of life before Katrina. Our business took off, and many of our customers had no idea what had happened nor the fact that our business had moved.

On the personal side, I'm most proud of my climb up the North Side of Everest, which very few women have achieved. This happened a few months before Katrina, and I feel that experience positioned me well to get through the uncertainty of the hurricane. My new way of living is to take life one step at a time, just as one climbs mountains.

Recent success: Opening another factory in Tylertown, MS, where we are able to employ a large number of local inhabitants.

What I tell other women looking to launch a new business: Be prepared for ups and downs, i.e. successes and failures, and brace yourself to work much harder than you've ever worked in your life. If you think of your business like another child then your mind will never turn off and that's what's needed to launch a business (and to keep it going!)

When I'm not working on Kalencom you can find me: Mountain climbing

Before I launched this business, I wish someone had told me: It's all encompassing - it becomes your life and you become it.

The best business book I've read:Rich Dad, Poor Dad: What the Rich Teach Their Kids About Money--That the Poor and the Middle Class Do Not! by Robert T. Kiyosaki

If I had an extra $1000 to invest in my business I'd buy: Another color printer

The hardest thing about owning a small business: Admitting what you are not good at and delegating to a more capable person.

Best thing about owning a small business: You can contribute as much as you want. In my case, I serve not only as co-owner, but I am also the designer which gives me a tremendous outlet for my creative side.