While working in advertising when her son was just 18 months old, Michelle L. Brandriss recalls being suddenly exposed to innovative ideas in the area of baby products. When she was dropping him off at daycare, she would use masking tape and Sharpies to label his belongings. Going into that field just made sense to her; it was during a time where matching items were coming out and, being a new mom, she loved seeing her child’s name on everything. Ms. Brandriss is the founder and president of her own company, Name Bubbles, LLC, in Ballston Spa, New York, since 2009, which also donates a portion of its sales to Blessings in a Backpack through its Giving Program. Since its founding, the program has raised over $3,000 for the foundation.
Ms. Brandriss attributes her success to discipline, setting up short-term and long-term goals and checking them off as she went along. Currently a domestic brand, she sees her brand going global in the near future. Prior to the start of her professional career, Ms. Brandriss pursued a formal education at the University of the Pacific in California, where she attained a Bachelor of Arts in international/global studies in 1991.
In light of her exceptional undertakings, Ms. Brandriss’ company was named Outstanding Product of 2009 at the iParenting Media Awards and received the Parenting Award for Best School Supply from SheKnows in 2012. Two years later, the company was given the Seal of Approval by Parent Tested Parent Approved and a Gold Medal at the Mom’s Choice Awards. She also was honored with the Excellence in Small Business Award by the U.S. Small Business Administration in 2017. As of 2020, Ms. Brandriss joined a nonprofit organization, the Women’s Presidents Organizations (WPO), for women presidents, chief executive officers and managing directors of privately held, multi-million dollar companies. As a founding member of the Troy-Renssalaer Tech Valley chapter, she works alongside nine other founding members.
If Ms. Brandriss could offer some advice, it would be that a lot of people get caught up in the frilly things, but when it comes down to it, it is about following through with everyday tasks, making goals and figuring out how you are going to achieve those goals. Always watch your cost because your bottom line gets you through the next month and into the next year. Watch your cost and be as fair-minded as possible. Be flexible, a good listener, a multi-tasker and have a common sense approach to problems and getting them resolved.
