Archive for the ‘current events’ Category

The Mom Entrepreneur’s Top Picks for 2009

Tuesday, January 26th, 2010


This blog post marks our 2nd annual Top Picks list. If you missed 2008′s list, check it out here…>

Every year, we receive dozens of products to review. We do not review them all due to lack of time, but all products we receive are eligible for The Mom Entrepreneur’s annual favorites list. The only criteria is that the products fit some need for a woman who is either a mom and/or an entrepreneur.

The Mom Entrepreneur’s 10 Top Picks Count Down for 2009:

10. Scentsy* – I received a beautiful Scentsy Warmer as a gift from a member of The Mom Entrepreneur Online Support Group. It is a ceramic holder with a light inside that melts a fragrance bar, which sits inside a warming dish. Mine was from their autumn line and the dish was shaped like a leaf. It is very decorative and the scents I received, Cinnamon Vanilla, Poinsettia Pine and Pumpkin Spice, all smell wonderful. I prefer this over a candle since it is safer, and when the fragrance bar is used up, you do not have to throw a glass jar away.

9. Coco-Zen – As a mom entrepreneur, I rely on chocolate to get me through the day. It is a much better day when the chocolate is really good. That is why I choose Coco-Zen. All of their treats are made from organic and Fair Trade Certified™ chocolate. My favorite is the Chocolate Chai Spice followed by the Dark Chocolate.

8. My Storytime Friends*- Last Christmas, I received a stuffed bear packaged in a colorful box, which included a 32-page hardcover storybook, and a unique code for lifetime membership and online access to free stories, downloads, activities and more for children ages 3-8. The company has combined the things children love – books, animals and fun – and packaged them in such a way that encourages children to explore, learn and interact. All of the books include key messages of empowerment over adversity, attaining dreams, and aspiring for the future. Messages that children of all ages should hear over and over again. These stories come to life with cheerful characters, rich illustrations, and realistic dialogue that families can enjoy together. A book and a bear might seem like a common gift to give, but what really excited me about this product was the lifetime membership to mystorytimefriends.com. That is why I choose them for this list.

7. Lilypad LunchMates* – I am always looking for new ways to be more environmentally sensitive. My goal is to teach my kids these valuable lessons so that they will carry them into adulthood. That is why I love Lilypad LunchMates – they made switching from paper to cloth napkins easy. Lilypad LunchMates is a set of 5 reusable cloth napkins that come in fun colors and patterns. The company uses repurposed fabric to keep it from going in the landfill. That means they are not purchasing “styles” to sell, rather they are using the fabric that they liberated from the cutting facility as well as their excess fabric that would typically just get tossed. Their napkins are 100% cotton and handmade in the USA. They are also durable and hold up to multiple washings.

6. Frommer’s 500 Places to Take Your Kids Before They Grow Up (affiliate link)* – This bestselling guide takes you across town and around the globe to 500 of the most exciting places on earth. It comes complete with hotel information, age recommendations, websites and more. It is comprehensive and easy to use. You can search by country, state, or alphabetically. This book makes it easy to plan family vacations and to be assured the destination is one that all will enjoy.

5. Mosquito 86* – Every summer I worry about the many pests that invade our yard and home. Wasps build nests under the eaves of our house, swinging chair and in the ground. Ants of all sizes invite their relatives to move into our house for the season, and mosquitoes are highly abundant no matter how many bats we try to attract to our bat boxes. This past summer, we had days upon days of endless rain. Soggy weather is an open invitation for ants to move in to a home, and puddles are perfect breeding grounds for mosquitoes. I was invited to test the Mosquito 86TM Pest Eradication System, a professional-grade mosquito elimination system that is EPA approved and safe around humans and pets. The system worked extremely well for us and that is why they our on our Top Picks list.

4. Dinner Games – Last Christmas, I purchased the Gather ‘Round Dinner Game and Classic Style from Families with Purpose. Their dinner games are quick, simple, and fun. To play, families just sit down to dinner, pick a card, and read it aloud. My boys, ages 5 and 9 get so excited to play these games, and look forward to family dinners. More importantly, they are more apt to finish their food because we have found a way to make it fun!

3. HP Color LaserJet CM2320nf MFP* – You can click the link I embedded to learn all about this printer and get a full list of specs. What really matters though is that this printer is the first and last printer you will ever need. It was the easiest printer my husband has ever had to set up (his words). The printer, which includes copying, faxing and scanning capabilities as well, is very intuitive. It asks you questions during the setup process of its different functions that makes it easy to understand and use. This is perfect for us work-at-home moms who may have limited space and need to have a reliable printer that can perform many functions.

2. GoPicnic* – This product is a mom’s dream. GoPicnic creates the highest quality, best tasting ready-to-eat meals that are exceptionally convenient and require no refrigeration or special preparation – you can truly enjoy them anytime, anywhere! A GoPicnic meal is ready to eat right from the box, just grab a drink and enjoy one of their delicious, nutritious meals. They come in many varieties, including full meals, kids meals, and quick snackboxes. This was perfect for baseball games, soccer games, trips to the beach or park, etc. when you may be in a hurry, have not gone grocery shopping in awhile, or need something that will last if you are sitting out in the sun all day. Not only did my kids love the taste and selection, but so did my husband and I. They also offer gluten-free, kosher, halal and many other health conscious choices.

1. Citizen’s Bank – Last year, I was faced with the challenge of having to switch banks. I was very disappointed with the customer service I was receiving from my current bank at the time. I asked friends and vendors for recommendations, and the popular choice was Citizen’s Bank. Among the many perks I received was a free personal checking account for setting up a business checking account (which was also free), $.10 back for each online transaction I conduct (Green$ense program), a credit card that pays me back every time I purchase gas, and much more. I was also very pleased with their customer service, and their genuine willingness to help me get my business setup with their bank. That is why Citizen’s Bank IS my #1 Top Pick for 2009!

What was your Top Pick for 2009?

*(The products listed above marked with an * were sent to me at no charge. That being said, I am under no obligation to write a good review or to write any review about these products, and what I’m writing here are my own opinions based on my personal use of the products.)

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Filed under 2009, current events, mom entrepreneurs, top picks for 2009, WAHM, work at home moms, work life balance | 0 Comments

The Mom Entrepreneur’s Top Picks for 2008

Thursday, January 1st, 2009


2008 is a year most people want to forget. In reading through the year’s current events, I saw listings of key news events, which included deaths, suicide bombings, government corruption, war, economic devastation, job losses and more.

Yet as crazy as 2008 was, the year marked historic elections, the first woman to win an IndyCar race, the house passing a law to expand civil rights for the disabled, leaders of the world’s richest nations agreeing to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases, California banning trans fats in restaurants, and neighbors helping neighbors through a power outage in a bad ice storm in the northeast.

These may seem like small accomplishments (except making political history) in the wake of the tragedy and devastation recorded this year, but in order to find a light at the end of a dark tunnel, you need to look for the good and remain hopeful.

I choose to mark 2008 as a year of revelations and renewed passions. The creation of The Mom Entrepreneur was born out of my frustration and boredom. I lacked interest in what I was doing everyday. I needed a new creative outlet and a way to connect with different people. I found mom entrepreneurs who were struggling to balance motherhood and running a company like me.

I want to commemorate 2008 with my 10 Top Picks count down. The year has presented me with amazing products, services and ideas as well as interesting people who have made it a memorable year. These 10 Top Picks in some way helped me to juggle my mom entrepreneur responsibilities and gain a sense of sanity at the end of the day.

The Mom Entrepreneur’s 10 Top Picks Count Down for 2008:

10. The (Oopdoo) Hug – An (oopdoo)™ hug is an irresistibly soft fleece wrap in the shape of a large bandage; the symbol of healing. This item worked like a charm when my kids had a hard time sleeping due to a cold. It made them feel comforted. I think this is such a creative product and all moms should have at least one on hand for helping kids feel more secure when needed.

9. OxiSoft Hand Sanitizer – My kids are always getting dirty. OxiSoft is great because it is alcohol-free. I have read several reports about children becoming sick from the alcohol in many hand sanitizers. My four-year old always wants to suck his thumb after petting farm animals, picking up something dirty off the ground, etc. This product helps keep his hands germ free and allows me rest assured that he is safe from accidental poisoning.

8. Fabulous After 40 – I love Deborah Boland and JoJami Tyler, “The Glam Gals”, who are image and style experts. They specialize in helping women 40 plus look and feel fabulous. I subscribe to their newsletter, which offers advice, tips and resources on how to look your best. In November, they offered a Mommy Makeover article for our blog, which was a huge hit with readers.

7. Kraft’s 1 Bag, 5 Dinners – Kraft’s quick and simple meal plans have saved me from several dinner jams. Sometimes it is so hard to get motivated to cook for the family or get creative with dinner ideas. The kids love mac and cheese, but I would be a bad mom if I served it every night. I use the 1 Bag, 5 Dinners meal plan when I need quick, simple and nutritious meal ideas for the week. The site offers many different meal ideas, easy to follow recipes and a complete grocery list that can be printed out.

6. Garmin Nuvi – This GPS navigation system has helped me out of many jams. Most recently, I was caught in traffic on my way home from a meeting with a client in Boston. I had a limited amount of time to get to my son’s school to pick him up. I hit the detour button on the GPS and it navigated me around the congestion. It also told me approximately what time I would arrive at the school. I love devices like this that help me balance being an entrepreneur and a mom.

5. The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur (TPE) – TPE is more than a book or a website…it is a life philosophy. Even though I started my company several years ago, I can easily connect with many of the lessons Mike Michalowicz teaches. His book, by the same name, offers valuable advice in a blunt and realistic language that will make you laugh, cry and say ah ha! Use it as your guide to success…especially in this economy.

4. Me Time – Me time is not only a rare moment mom entrepreneurs long for, but it is also a great line of t-shirts produced by Coed Sportswear, Inc. I love the bright colors of the shirts as well as the many sayings, including “celebrate life” and “live your dream”. The company has creatively captured the spirit of the phrase “me time” and also provided women with fun and fashionable apparel.

3. Chris Brogan – I am a big fan of Chris Brogan. I appreciate his knowledge of social media as well as his sincere approach to informing his blog readers about new technology and methods for connecting online. Chris’ advice inspired me to research social media, which has resulted in amazing opportunities and a large online community of mom entrepreneurs. Don’t try to navigate the social waters without first subscribing to his blog or newsletter, and following him online.

2. Twitter – Many people think Twitter is a waste of time, while others swear by it. I am with the latter. This social media tool has been a great resource for allowing me to connect with other mom entrepreneurs. I have “met” amazing people from around the world and taken advantage of opportunities that many companies only promote on Twitter. It is free to sign up. And in my opinion, it is the best way to be connected to the social scene.

1. Blackberry – Any mom entrepreneur who owns a Blackberry already understands the many benefits this device offers for balancing motherhood and running a company. I absolutely love my Blackberry! It allows me to stay connected to my kids when I am at work, and on top of client projects when I am with my kids. I do not have to always feel tied to the office. I can have the flexibility of spending quality time with my kids, and at the same time monitor my client’s needs. The Blackberry IS my #1 Top Pick for 2008.

What is your Top Pick for 2008?

Rating 3.00 out of 5

Filed under 2008, current events, mom entrepreneurs, top picks for 2008, WAHM, work at home moms, work life balance | 0 Comments