Rising Stars: Meet Lisbet Street

Hi Lisbet, thanks for joining us today. We’d love for you to start by introducing yourself.
In 2017 my first, currently only, Grandson was born. I was excited to get behind the sewing machine again to make baby stuff. I thought I would just make some “quick and easy” flannel baby essentials. I started with burp cloths because those are essential to any new mom’s diaper bag!! I wanted to keep it fun and practical but was never quite satisfied with the traditional pattern sizes or the styles. I looked through the crafting sites for patterns and styles that I liked and started trying different patterns. I found a “kidney bean” design that I loved and they worked fine but they weren’t quite right. I started modifying the pattern for size and fit around the neck and shoulders, keeping clothing protection and bigger shoulders in mind. They had to have three layers, a cute print, an absorbent flannel in the center, and a terry cloth backing for extra absorbency and quick clean up and into the laundry. My daughter loved them and I started making them for her friends that were having babies and they loved them! It wasn’t long before everyone was telling me I should be selling them because they were the best!! In 2018, my daughter came with me to all the local craft fairs and festivals and there were very few fun baby essentials out there.

I went to my best friend, Julie, and she agreed they were really the best burp cloths available as she had been using them for her grandbabies as well. Her daughter came up with the name “Bestemade” as it plays on our Scandinavian roots. I am a Danish immigrant and Julie is of Norwegian descent and an endearing name for Grandma is Bestemor, which literally translates into “Best Mom”. Julies’ grandkids call me Beste and my grandson calls her Beste so it just made sense to call our best-made burp cloths, made by Viking Grandmas “Bestemade”.

We started playing with enhancing other baby essential patterns looking to make durable and long-lasting products that also came in fun and cute patterns. I created large blankets, perfect for “tummy time” or floor play, and bibs big enough to cover baby’s outfit and often matching the burp cloth’s curated pattern. Julie created the best flannel crib and toddler sheets that don’t slip off the mattress and hold up for years of washing! In March of 2019, Bestemade came to life and was fully embraced by many at the various craft shows. Again, it wasn’t long before “word of mouth” became a part of my sales as well!

This is not my full-time job but it is a full-time passion. I work part-time for my husband’s business and I take some time off several days a week to hang with my Grandson muse that helped start it all. It brings me such joy to make other parents happy with a quality product that helps lighten the laundry load during feeding time and to hear the Grandmas and Great Grandmas say “I wish we had something fun like this around when we were having babies!”

Would you say it’s been a smooth road, and if not, what are some of the biggest challenges you’ve faced along the way?
It is definitely a rollercoaster! I think the big hurdle was definitely Covid, but probably my constant struggle is knowing what the preferences are in nursery themes for choosing my prints. I often google or look on Pinterest for the trends in baby nurseries or for baby showers. It’s funny how those can change from show to show and how long a print that I absolutely love will just “sit around”.Too bad my Magic Eight Ball doesn’t help me lol

Appreciate you sharing that. What else should we know about what you do?
Prior to children I worked pharmacy and then was blessed to be a stay-at-home mom for many years before working as an aide for the Chula Vista Elementary School District, then started helping my husband in the office at the family business, West Auto Wreckers (used car parts), where I currently work part-time.

What makes you happy?
My Grandson makes me happy and by nature, I guess I like making people happy! New parents have enough to navigate, so I like to put a smile on their faces with a good product that they don’t have to worry about. There can be so much trouble in this world, why not spread a little of your joy when you can!