Meet Shannon Griffith of Green Diaper Babies in West Town

Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Griffith.

Green Diaper Babies was founded in August of 2013 by Shannon, a Colorado native who wanted to find her way in Chicago and realized quickly the need for the reusable diaper market in Chicagoland. The company started small with one employee and now a staff of 5, a commercial van, and a location in West Town they are grateful for the job creation, the small business success in Chicago, and the many thousands of diapers that have been spared from landfills.

Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
It was and is not an easy road. The real diaper industry has small profit margins, from initial supply of the diapers to the costs of a delivery company in the city of Chicago, expenses and the bottom line have been our largest hurdle. Additionally, the industry is modernizing and we took risks early on in the business that were the right step but lacked research and the test of time, which lent us to some costly mistakes. But as many say, all bad things that happen are not wasted as long as they are learned from. We’ve grown so much and feel confident in our regional and nation industry leading modernized cloth diaper service for suburb and cities alike.

Alright – so let’s talk business. Tell us about Green Diaper Babies – what should we know?
We are Chicagoland’s cloth diaper delivery service, based in the city but servicing surrounding suburbs. “We do the dirty work for you.” Our company specializes in making it easy for parents to have the cloth diaper alternative without the cost of owning diapers or the work and energy of cleaning and folding. We own all the supplies, provide families weekly with reusable liners, pail, and cloth diapers and wipes. We pick up their load each week, exchange for a clean supply, and then we manage their supply and provide customer service and support. We drive to the homes of each client, every week.

We specialize in being an expert in cloth diapers. We know how to wash them safely for babies. How to use them at night, at daycare, on the go, and everywhere else. We love to make life easier for parents but picking up their single bag of dirty weekly, offering them options for fewer waste and overall family impact on the earth. We also specialize in support; our team works tirelessly to support new parents and babies in all phases of their first couple years. In diapers, in resources, in phone calls and advice, our team loves to work alongside such wonderful new families of Chicagoland.

We are most proud of the community of supporters that we have in Green Diaper Babies. There are so many wonderful families we’ve had the pleasure of working with through our past almost 4 years, and it’s been a real joy to see the variety in babies, parents, and families that are drawn to utilizing our cloth diaper delivery service. Each family is our pride, we are grateful for our diaper family.

Any shoutouts? Who else deserves credit in this story – who has played a meaningful role?
Great question, and so important! Back bone teammates don’t get credit often enough, but I wouldn’t be here today without them.

First, the Demmels, partners of GDB, family, friends, and mentors. These two are central to this dream coming to life. From early stages of ideas and risk taking, to years later cheerleading and big idea guidance, The Demmels do not cease to push our company forward. They are friends and mentors who support me as just a friend who has “a job”, and as a first-time CEO; and yet they also call me to higher levels, encouraging me to have great pride in my work and confidence in the new roles I hold in the company. I owe so much to them, I’ll never fully repay, but the Lord knows my joy and heart when I say to them, thank you!

Second, Rachel. My best friend and sister. From miles away, she has been 24/7 on call emotional, spiritual, mental support and consultation. From my first client and bag of dirty diapers, to my first bad online review, to the tireless hours of diaper folding and deliveries; she calls, supports, listens and asks questions. She is my sounding board and talks me off ledges often. She doesn’t get paid for the work she’s done, but the company and I know myself, would be severely lacking if there wasn’t her support and care. Thank you, you’ll always be my person.

To my family in general: you shaped me into being hard working, caring, interested, open to new ideas, and positive, great qualities of an entrepreneur. Forever my largest fan club, your support has helped me through. Thank you for believing in my dream!

Third, community. I couldn’t do life without PEOPLE! Where that might sound obvious, it’s also profound to me. When I glance back at 2013 and each year until now, it is very clear to me that I would not have survived so many seasons without the generous, nameless hands who gave so much. Early on friends folding diapers, carrying boxes and bags, helping in the mundane very labor-intensive tasks. I had a dear friend work hours with me when I was rapidly growing and spent full days at a laundromat. I have had great support from wise friends who shaped my thinking of mission and vision, life balance and love, how to work through drive and passion to bring life and success to a startup concept. To my friend who told me in early 2015, you are 95% Green Diaper Babies, thank you—you set me on a path to give my very best, but not all of me to my company.

There are so many wonderful small business owners and entrepreneurs in Chicago that give life to ideas and stimulate the tired bones that enviably come around; it’s the people that keep me going.

Of course all hired staff have worked so hard and have cared so much about their job as difficult or random that it may have been.

And finally, Green Diaper Babies couldn’t be what it is without customers. If there were not families who were willing to take risks on a new company, support a small business, tell their friends, and be raving fans of us, we wouldn’t be where we are today. Thank you!

Pricing:

• Pre-Fold Package: $26.99/week (with cloth wipes +$5.00)
• 1/2 and 1/2 Package: $43.99/week
• All in One Package: $55.99/week
• Starter kit: $40
• Accessories (from covers to diaper clips): $10-$18

Contact Info:

• Address: 2021 W. Fulton St.
  K-107
• Website: www.greendiaperbabies.com
• Phone: 773-DIAPERS (342-7377)
• Email: shannon@greendiaperbabies.com
• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/greendiaperbabies/
• Facebook: https://business.facebook.com/773DIAPERS/?business_id=177703645975762
• Yelp: https://www.yelp.com/biz/green-diaper-babies-chicago-2

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