Parent Tested Parent Approved (PTPA) was established in 2008 by founder and entrepreneur Sharon Vinderine. PTPA is a resource and community where parents get educated and informed on products prior to making purchases.
Here is SmartFem.com’s interview with Sharon:
SmartFem: What inspired you to start PTPA?
Sharon: It came from my frustration as a result of an awards program that I had entered for my new baby product called the Kangaroo towel. The fee was $5000.00 to enter, which is pretty steep for entering a contest. Despite my win, the company failed to deliver the promised marketing or the connections to manufacturers or to their own audience. They didn’t even link me to their website. I realized that there had to be a better way to connect products and consumers directly. My vision for PTPA was to show manufacturers that we have an active community of parents through our social media, television, advertising and our website.
SmartFem: You are a mompreneur, tell us about that.
Sharon: I felt that as a mom I needed to figure out a way to gage products for our children. It became not just a dollar value for me but a play value as well. There is nothing worse than spending a fortune on toy that your child loses interest in immediately.
SmartFem: Tell us about your PTPA Seal and what it means.
Sharon: The seal of approval actually means the product has been safety tested and vetted. As I stated earlier it’s not always about the dollar value, play value is important too. My kids have toys and games that they have been playing with for years.
SmartFem: What previous experience helped you launch PTPA? It is clearly very successful, as you have had several of your Seal of Approval recipients appear on Shark Tank with your emblem.
Sharon: I was an entrepreneur in high tech and I launched the first wireless Internet Service in Canada in the 90’s. I opted to sell the company to Primus Telecommunications after conceiving my first child as my priorities had changed.
SmartFem: What are some of the new things coming out for kids during the holidays?
Sharon: We are just starting to get some of them in now, however, you will be seeing more high tech items such as the 3D printer and toys that incorporate STEM: a curriculum based on the idea of educating students in four specific disciplines — science, technology, engineering and mathematics — in an interdisciplinary and applied approach.
SmartFem: So do you think Social Media has helped your business?
Sharon: I think word of mouth is incredibly important and social media gives us the platform to amplify that message.
SmartFem: Where can parents find out more?
Sharon: You can find me at www.PTPA.com. For those of you that are aspiring entrepreneurs with a kid-friendly product or service we would love to hear from you.
SmartFem: Sharon, thank you for your time. We will follow up with you before the Holidays for some new child product ideas.
