mompreneur

Mompreneur Spotlight: Lauren Kleban from LEKfit

The Gugu Guru team is big into adding must-have subscription services to your baby registry; when we came across Lauren Kleban’s workout streaming service, LEKfit, we knew we wanted to introduce Lauren to our mamas; we think LEKfit is a must-have item on your baby registry, as Lauren’s workouts are easy to follow and can be done anywhere! Lauren offers a ton of videos in her subscription service, with new workouts added every month. Read on about Lauren and her company, and head over to our Facebook to check out a special video Lauren created just for Gugu Guru’s followers (seriously, this is so cool). Head to the bottom of this post to enter for a chance to win 50% off a 3-month subscription to LEKfit.

Gugu Guru: How and why did you start LEKfit?

Lauren Kleban: I was a professional dancer before my first baby and I had been in the dance fitness industry since college so it was a natural transition. I created LEKfit because I saw a need for a workout that was both beneficial and fun; in a space where women (and men) could focus on achieving their healthiest self.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

LK: Everyday is different but I really try to stay present in whatever I am doing and focus on one task at a time. Finding balance will always be a work in progress.

GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

LK: I get to work from home! I get to see my littles in between clients and they get to see me working hard at something I absolutely love.

You can check out all of Lauren’s videos on her website, Instagram, and Facebook.

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Mompreneur Spotlight: Shelley Suh of Loyal Hana

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It’s no surprise that Gugu Guru is a huge fan of Loyal Hana, so we are thrilled that today’s Mompreneur spotlight is on Loyal Hana’s founder, Shelley Suh.

GG: How and why did you start Loyal Hana?

SS: Having worked in the fashion industry for over 18 years, I understand how having pieces in your wardrobe that look good and fit well can have the power to make women feel confident, capable and beautiful. It wasn’t until the birth of my children that I realized that this could be readily applied to solve an unmet need for tailored designs that flatter the bump and the boob.

When I had my daughter Cybelle in 2009, I returned to work and discovered a missing market in pregnancy and postpartum friendly clothing for women returning to their daily lives. About four or five months after my son Mason was born, I knew that I was not feeling like myself. I started getting the baby blues and on top of this, my father was diagnosed with his second cancer. I decided I needed to put all of my energy into something creative and with purpose.

I had the opportunity to introduce women to my collection in 2014 when Loyal Hana was born. More than just a collection of maternity and nursing garments, Loyal Hana is a reliable friend during a crucial time when the pressure is on to provide it all. The label represents a helping hand when circumstances make it difficult to be discreet; it’s a universal “thank you” and a way for new moms to feel confident and beautiful every day.

For me, Loyal Hana has been a success because it pulled me through a very hard time in my life and brought me back to serve a purpose by making things easier for other women out there.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

SS: Balancing work and life is a constant evolution each year. I am lucky to be the mother of two amazing children, Cybelle, who is seven and Mason, who is three.

I am fortunate to have support from my husband to create this line and co-parent the way we do, where we do. I think that when I started my family, I was challenged to redefine how to juggle my time between becoming a mother, being the best wife I can be, and maintaining my identity to have a career. With all this said, when you create something with purpose and passion you find balance and time to make it all exist. One precedes the next and without the birth of my kids, I would have never found my passion or personal challenge to start this collection. With every piece we make at Loyal Hana, I hope that it helps make the process easier for other women and makes them feel beautiful and confident.

GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

SS: Every mompreneur has a voice or platform to create something with purpose. Loyal Hana is my platform to share something, inspire someone, facilitate a process and simply to express who I am. This company has so much meaning to me because it pulled me through a very dark time in my life. This creative outlet inspired me to give back to the other moms that are having a similar struggle and want to return to their lives. The best part of starting this business is when I hear from another mom who loves my clothing and I hear it has helped her feel “beautiful.“

Date Night At Home With Erin Ziering

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We are so excited today to feature a guest post from the lovely mama of two, Erin Ziering! Erin and her husband Ian, along with their two little ladies, are the adorable family behind the wonderful lifestyle blog, At Home With the Zierings. Erin is here today to discuss how parents can have date night at home, even with sleeping kiddos upstairs!

You can follow Erin on Instagram, and check out their Facebook page, too.

We need more date nights. Any typical night, after the kids are asleep at 7pm, I am sitting on the couch with a fresh glass of wine and turn on one of the 4 shows we are currently watching. Ian is on his phone finishing up emails and texts from his day. I am wearing old sweats and my hair is in a top knot. I shower the girls before they go to bed, so I usually will have jumped in with them. My makeup is off. Ian is most likely in his boxers. He just fully retires from his clothes at the end of the day. We are most likely exhausted. We have been exhausted since my first pregnancy. Some times we hardly talk at night. We sit quietly looking at the television until I finally say I am going to bed. (Usually around 9pm) Does this sound familiar? (Editor’s note: Uh, yes!)

I hope we are not alone.

I worry sometimes about keeping our marriage fresh. I worry that I am not the girl he used to date. The fun spunky, spontaneous girl that was always ready for a date. (I also look at him and remember he is not the same as well.) I want the love to still be exciting. I want the sparks that we feel when we are away from the kids and out of the house. Our date nights out are so romantic. I have rules. No movies, because we already sit and ignore each other enough in front of our TV. No place that stinks because it just loses the romance. A place where we can dress up. It is always nice to still impress the one you love. It also has to have music. We love to dance.

After about 6 months of having a new baby I realized I needed to find a way to mimic this at home. To create a space in our home where we could be engaged and feel passionate. With a few added outdoor lights, some cozy blankets and being away from the TV we have found ways to engage. Since sitters are expensive and not always possible we have set aside date nights at home to truly enjoy each others time. Think about when you were first dating and he would invite you over in the evening. You would do your hair and get ready to have fun and enjoy each others company. Our date nights at home we treat just like going out! Here are some of my favorite date night at home tips.

Recreate your favorite bar: Ian and I love going to a dark, cozy pub. I recreate this setting at home by pulling out some of our favorite game boards and placing some nuts on the table. With some candles lit for ambiance, and a couple of dark beers we enjoy our night laughing and playing games.

Patio romance: Sometimes we just need to completely remove ourselves from technology. When I notice we have both had a lot of work I set up our outdoor patio with some cozy blankets where we can watch the sun set and the stars. Without our phones or TV we can enjoy conversation. We catch up on our days and just talk about everything going on in our lives and what we hope to happen. There is something about laying under the stars that often encourages us to talk about our dreams.

More than hair and makeup, more than a pretty dress, being engaged is the most important part of the evening. Find a way to communicate as adults. It may just be about the baby, it may be about the house. Whatever it is, you have to be engaged. We so often go about our daily life, walking past each other and moving through the parenting depths. Finding a way to stop and communicate will remind you why you are in love. Slowing down and putting the electronics down can make such a difference for a night in. I hope you find a way to enjoy your new world at home, with the little one quietly sleeping upstairs remember to still set aside a few nights just for each other.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Monica Leonard of Molly’s Suds

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Today’s Mompreneur Spotlight is on Monica Leonard, the founder of Molly’s Suds. Molly’s Suds create soaps, detergents, cleaners and more which are all safe for both the environment and your skin and body, both on the outside and inside. Molly’s Suds products are made with earth and plant derived ingredients. If there’s something which needs to be cleaned, Molly’s Suds has a healthy solution for it!

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Molly Suds.

ML: We launched Molly’s Suds in 2008, 3 years after the loss of our daughter, Molly. I was a nurse and mom to 3 at the time she was born, and never would have expected a stillbirth. Though I have a faith in God, I wondered why she was not breathing, no life at birth, what did my body do different. As a pediatric nurse, lactation counselor, and mom to 3 other healthy children, I was struggling for answers. After a few months passed, we were pregnant again, and I started doing research about stillbirths. I came across a study that would change the course of our lives forever.

It was my moment… I felt duped by the system, fooled, defeated. I found out the chemicals that we come into contact with every day are not really regulated, alter our endocrine systems, are found in the cord blood of newborns, and are passed on for generations via DNA. It was outrageous. And who knew? No one knew including my obstetrician, coworkers, and family.

I felt like I needed to educate myself more on the chemicals my family and I were being exposed on a daily basis, and see where it took me.

I started small by filling a big black trash bag with all of the toxic products we had after researching the ingredients and discovering the negative effects they have on human health.

We were not left with much on the shelves. I started to learn more about ingredient integrity, and talked to people that were on the same quest for safer products. I talked to people in the environmental science, healthcare, alternative medicine, and chemical industries; and I didn’t stop there.

I really talked about it to anyone who would listen; a lot of family and friends thought I was nuts. They believed the products on grocery shelves were all completely safe, and that the household names we all came to know and trust were just fine.

At this point, I had given birth to a healthy baby boy following Molly’s stillbirth, and I was able to find better organic or natural alternatives to use in place of the conventional brands we had been using…except when it came to laundry detergent. It was the only product I could not seem to replace comfortably. We decided to work with an organic facility to help us perfect a product I worked on for a couple years. I ultimately found my audience at farmer’s markets, mom groups, La Leche League, and other similar places, and in late 2008, at a farmer’s market in Buford, GA we sold our first bucket of Molly’s Suds – the rest is history!

GG: How do you balance work and family?

ML: Work life balance is very important to me. It can be done – we just have to set limits. I’ve had a pretty experienced journey at the game of life, and realize that we don’t get these years back. I’m manufacturing and selling laundry detergent, and so I have to remind myself, it’s not heart surgery. Emails and calls can wait. After work hours, I spend time with my family, which in turn keeps me less stressed and more productive when I am working. I also have an extremely supportive and loving husband, whom I think is the key to my success in our family business.

GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?

ML: I love being a mompreneur because nobody can tell me I have to miss a field trip or performance, or find someone to watch my sick child. When I was a nurse, I missed a lot when it came to kids and family, because my shift always had to be covered. So I am thankful for the opportunity to be able to be there when I need to be. It’s hard work owning a company, and after the house winds down, I still may send out a few emails or sit on the patio with my husband to strategize. It’s good for the kids to see me working out of passion, making a difference, and allowing Molly’s little life make the world a better place one wash at a time!

Mompreneur Spotlight: Lindsey Laurain of ezpz

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Here at Gugu Guru, we’re proponents of any products and ideas which make mealtime easier for the family; which is why we’re so excited to introduce Lindsey Laurain of ezpz! ezpz features placemats, bowls, and mealtime tools which are not only healthy and safe for babies and kids, but promote self-feeding skills and independence in young children.

GG: How and why did you start ezpz?

LL: Our life can be pretty chaotic, especially at mealtime, and my husband and I were fed up with the messiness and cleanup time dedicated to each meal. One night (in the midst of his frustration) my husband said, “Someone needs to create something kids can’t toss or throw at meals!” The next day I hopped online and, low and behold, nothing exists. From that day on I was committed to creating products that made meals with kids ezpz – and that is how the Happy Mat came to be!

GG: How do you balance work and family?

Balancing work and family is a constant challenge, but I do my best! I try to shut down my computer when the kids get home from school and spend some time giving each one of my three boys the attention they deserve. One thing I love about starting ezpz from scratch has been teaching the boys about what you can achieve with hard work, a positive attitude and teamwork.

GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

The best part of being an entrepreneur is having an amazing team and community! I have the pleasure of working with my best friends, husband and brother! Our community (ezpz fans and supporters) are also phenomenal; they keep us motivated and upbeat even when times are tough.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Caroline Freedman, co-founder NurturMe

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This week’s Mompreneur interview is with Caroline Freedman, co-founder of NurturMe. NurturMe is the first and only family of certified-organic, dried fruit and veggie meals and snacks created to nourish healthy growth and overall wellness in little ones. Made from specially selected super fruits and veggies that are quick-dried in order to preserve freshness, flavor and vital nutrients, NurturMe baby and toddler foods are certified organic, gluten-free, non-GMO and kosher, with no added preservatives, sugars or salts. They’re also super lightweight and made in the USA, leaving a smaller carbon footprint on our planet than the other options found in the baby aisle.

GG: How and why did you start your NurturMe?

CF: The idea came about seven years ago, when I was pregnant with my first child. I was doing a lot of research about when to feed your child, what ingredients are appropriate, how the whole process works. … It was very intimidating. I was surprised to find there was no innovation in baby food. It was still Gerber. It was still pureed foods in jars. It seemed like the perfect opportunity to create a brand that could appeal to modern parents.

GG: How do you balance work and family?

CF: I found a partner. Aside from actual workload, there is just so much problem-solving that goes on. My business partner, who also has two children, Lauren de la Rosa, and I help one another. We have two very different approaches, and, in some situations, her approach is more effective and, in others, mine is. The fact that we have that dynamic as co-founders has enabled us to both grow our families, stay sane and enjoy this ride we’re on. Also, in regards to maintaining balance, it’s important to have a rich and fulfilling social life. There’s this idea that entrepreneurs have to have their heads down and focus on work all the time, but my experience has been that as my company and my responsibilities have grown, my relationships and my friendships have deepened. I don’t have this tunnel vision on work 100 percent of the time.

GG: What’s the best part of being a “Mompreneur” and running your own business?

CF: One of the things I love most about it is being an example to my girls. Their view of what a mom does is work, run her own business, while also (hopefully, from their perspective) being an involved and present parent. It’s something that I hope will shape them into confident girls and women who feel that they, too, can do whatever they set their minds to.

Please visit nurturme.com for additional information, including pricing and where to purchase NurturMe products. Visit NurturMe on Facebook and Twitter for special promotions, recipes, new products and more.

Follow NurturMe on YouTube, Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram

Mompreneur Spotlight: Ericka N. Perry, Founder of The Stork Bag

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For this week’s mompreneur spotlight, we sit down with Ericka N. Perry, CEO/Founder of The Stork Bag – the first ever reusable pregnancy subscription bag, curated with 8-12 products to meet your trimester and postpartum needs.

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about The Stork Bag.
EP: I launched The Stork Bag in 2014 after my best friend found out she was pregnant for the first time. I remember searching for the perfect care package to send her but coming up short. During that time I discovered there was no product out there that matched my needs so after about 4 weeks of planning, The Stork Bag was born and it has been history ever since. Having the opportunity to do what I absolutely love and serve a population that I am passionate about has been the most amazing part of my journey thus far.

GG: How do you balance work and family?
I have a schedule for everything! My kids know when its snack time, bedtime, quiet/reading time, etc. I use schedules to maintain sanity but more than that, I am a person who works well with deadlines. Scheduling helps me keep everything in focus and prioritize to get things done efficiently and effectively. I also am not afraid to seek help when things start getting too busy, which is why I rely on my team to help me maintain a comfortable balance and prevent me from work-overload.

GG: What’s the best part of being a mompreneur?
The flexibility to have time to spend with my family. Although, I work harder now as a mompreneur than I ever did working outside the home, the best part is being able to somewhat dictate my own schedule. I also have a passion for motherhood and take pride in being able to help promote other women-owned brands. Being a mompreneur gives me the platform to help promote, encourage and inspire and that is what I intend to do before it’s all said and done.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Heather Stoeckel Karpinsky of Baby A & Baby B

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This week’s fab mom is twin mom Heather Stoeckel Karpinsky of Baby A & Baby B.

GG: Tell us about your product and how you came up with the feeding set?

HSK: We were so excited when we found out we were expecting twins. The news came as a big surprise and so did their arrival. Grant and Gavin were born at just 31 weeks after I developed preeclampsia. When they were born, I did not get to hold them. They were rushed immediately into the NICU and I remained in the operating room praying. That day started my journey as a mother of twins and the experiences below gave me the idea for the Twin Feeding Set.

Stopping the Spread of Germs: When we were able to go home after 6 weeks in the NICU, we were very happy and nervous. My babies had entered into this world as warriors and I wanted to do everything in my power to protect them. Leaving the strict rules of the NICU and heading home made me very worried about exposing Grant and Gavin to sickness. Parents of premature babies know that colds can be harsh and in some cases cause permanent damage to a premature baby’s developing lungs. When my son Gavin got a cold at just 6 months old, I did everything in my power to ensure he got better quickly and that Grant did not get the same cold.

Keeping foods separate due to allergy: Being a parent makes you want to do the best for your children. I wanted the best and most healthy foods. I started making purees at home. It was a great way to save money and ensure only the best ingredients were used. We soon discovered that Grant loved anything with apples and Gavin did not. Gavin would get an upset stomach when he ate anything with apple. So ensuring their foods were not confused became important.

Making things a little easier: Feeding twins is so different than feeding a singleton. I always felt so silly juggling separate bowls and spoons while frantically trying to feed my boys. I also felt weird using the same spoon and bowl when both boys were healthy. It was a stressful experience and I hated making them wait so long in between bites. I searched online to try to find something that would make the process easier, but was unable to locate anything, so I started looking into doing it myself. These circumstances gave me the idea for the twin feeding set.

The Twin Feeding Set provides two mouthpieces to keep germs from spreading and two matching bowls that make it easy for parents to measure how much food each child has consumed. The Twin Feeding Set is also easy to hold and allows the parents of multiples to feed both children without juggling separate bowls and spoons. We started using the first model of the twin feeding set for my boys when they were 7 months old and they have yet to spread a cold or germs. We tested out the product for 6 months before we started to sell them online. The twin feeding set has enabled them to eat their favorite foods at every meal. It was a dream come true for us because it turned a stressful time into an enjoyable time for everyone.

GG: What is the best part of being a mompreneur?
HSK: The best part of being a mompreneur is connecting to other parents of twins. It makes me a better mother and I love hearing their stories. Becoming a mother to twins is my life’s greatest blessing and being able to use what I have learned from my past experiences has been truly wonderful.

When I graduated from Albright College in 2002 I started working at MBNA, a bank based in Wilmington, DE. I took a position in customer service that taught me to “think of yourself as a customer” and “success is finding a better method.” When MBNA was sold, I took a new role in development at the University of Delaware. I helped to raise money for scholarships, programs, and research. The birth of my twins altered my plans and going back to work was not possible. My salary did not cover the cost of daycare and coupled with my husband’s hectic career as a helicopter pilot we agreed it was best for me to stay at home with my boys. My focus was on nurturing and caring for my twins, however part of me missed working. When I discovered how simple changes to the products I already used everyday would make parenting twins a little easier my journey as a mompreneur began. Being a mompreneur has given me the best of both worlds. It enables me to be at home with my boys while letting me use my experience in customer service to help others. My new role has helped me grow personally and professionally while connecting me with parents of twins from around the world.

GG: How do you balance it all?
HSK: I take it one day at a time and always do my best. Balancing is almost impossible with twins! You can plan and prioritize and then something can happen that changes all of those plans. I am so lucky that I have a great support system (my husband, mother, father, friends, and my entire family) that I can always count on. The day of my first large order my son Grant had an allergic reaction that caused a severe asthma attack and I rushed him to the hospital. Without the help of my mom and my husband I would have failed in getting my orders completed that day. I would never want to let anyone down, so doing things all by myself would be impossible. It takes a village.

Introducing Elizabeth Granados and The House of NOA

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As parents, we’re always concerned with our baby’s safety, so we strive to make our homes as safe for them as possible. But, we also want our homes to be stylish places for adults, too – which is why we love the concept behind The House of NOA! The House of NOA, founded by mompreneur Elizabeth Granados, creates traditional foam play mats for babies and kids – however, these are crafted with gorgeous designs – which are sure to add style to any room of your house. Elizabeth’s vision was to create a beautiful play mat both mama and baby would love. She teamed up with Illustrator and Designer, Sophia Vincent Guy, to create a unique and original design unlike any other play mat available. When you lay down the foam mat pieces, they create the illusion of a beautiful rug – but this “beautiful rug” is easy to clean and able to withstand the rough and tumble of a toddler! Unlike anything else on the market, the Little Nomad play mats are an elegant addition to any room of your house!

GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about Little Nomad.
E.G.: The idea for Little Nomad came to me long before I was ever pregnant with my first and only child. In fact, at the time I was struggling with infertility. A friend of mine invited me over to her gorgeous new home and upon opening the front door – the otherwise tastefully decorated family room was covered in tacky foam plats. I began to have visions of how they could be reimagined, but felt that maybe I didn’t have the authority to have an opinion on the matter since I wasn’t a Mother myself. Years later and several months after giving birth to my daughter, the idea resurfaced in my mind, but this time with the confidence I needed to turn the vision from dream to reality. I decided to launch on Kickstarter as a way to validate the product rather than using investor funding because I wanted to get close to my customers from the start. What better way to build a company than to attract a community of tribe members who have your back and believe in what you’re doing?

GG: How do you balance work and family?
E.G.: I started working on Little Nomad when my daughter Taliah was about 6 months old. As an entrepreneur, my mind is always thinking of ideas and ways to change or improve what I’m working on. Sometimes, it can be difficult to turn these thoughts off so that I can focus on my family.

Additionally, I feel like my iPhone can be a terrible distraction – so I try to keep it out of sight when I’m spending time with my daughter. With my husband in residency and working very long hours, my most cherished moments of the day are at about 5:30AM when my daughter gets up and we eat breakfast as a family. In this fast paced world, its important for me to always be mindful of what matters more than any email or Facebook post, my wonderful husband and daughter.

GG: What’s the best part of being an mompreneur?
E.G.: When I was nine years old, my Mother developed an educational board game. She took my brother and I with her to Taiwan to meet with manufacturers. I didnt realize the impact that had on me until recently. My Mom taught me to be a fearless entrepreneur, leading by example. I hope to show my daughter that as women, we can achieve any goal we set our minds to. I hope to give her the same gift that my Mom gave me.

Mompreneur Spotlight: Jillian Darlington of MomCo App

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GG: How did you decide to launch your business? Tell us a little more about MomCo App.
JD: I was a stay-at-home mom when my son was born. I divorced my husband when my son was 2 and needed to find a way to support myself and my son so I purchased my favorite indoor playground. As Taylor entered elementary school, I decided to sell the indoor playground and invested the money into my new business venture, the MomCo app.

The MomCo app was truly inspired by my own life experiences. As a young mom, I worked tirelessly going to playdates and classes with my son just hoping to click with another cool mom to be friends with. After I got divorced, I downloaded the Tinder app. It made me think, “Why doesn’t something like this exist for moms to locate other moms that live close to them?” As the owner of indoor playground, I was always trying to find a way to advertise to my target demographic that was within my budget.

This is how the concept for the MomCo app was formed. It’s a GEO-location-based social networking app for moms to find friendship and support. Also, it’s the perfect platform for any business that caters to women and children to be able to list themselves so all the moms in their community can easily find them. The app is based on proximity, so the moms and businesses that are closest to you show up first. You can also plan playdates, get support through forums, save money through deals, find events in your area, learn about the best products for moms, and enter giveaways. It is truly a one-stop-shop app for moms.

The MomCo app solves issues for moms and small business owners. I came up with the concept in January 2014 and the official launch was in April 2015.

GG: How do you balance work and family?
I think work/life balance is a struggle for any working parent, but one thing that I love about owning my own business is the flexibility. Although I am extremely busy, it allows me to be able to spend time with my son and still be the type of mom that I want to be. I can go to school parties, sports events, birthday parties, etc. Being able to do these things are so important to me.

GG: What’s the biggest lesson you’ve learned as an entrepreneur?
I have a learned a lot along my entrepreneurial journey, but I have truly learned a lot by being a women entrepreneur in the tech industry in particular. You are the minority. I was pretty shocked at how you are treated, especially when it comes time to get funding. This industry is still dominated by men. I am hoping to change the perception of women in tech and teach young girls that they can go into this field.

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