Archive for the ‘mom entrepreneurs’ Category
Friday, March 11th, 2011
It is 1:44 am and I am up!
How often does this happen to you? You have had a very busy day…a very busy week…and your head has been spinning. You have tried diligently to create lists of all the tasks you need to complete by the end of the week, but there is just too much going on. The best time to process your day is between the hours of 1:00 am – 4:00 am right? Shouldn’t you be sleeping?
The head of an entrepreneur is constantly filled with ideas, new concepts, tasks to complete, and things you may have forgotten that need to be written down.
When this happens to me, I need to get up, hop on the computer, and empty whatever is inside my head.
Of course you should be careful sending emails during these late hours. You are not totally coherent so who knows what you might say when under the influence of the sandman. Then you have to explain why you were up at such a late hour working because those you email always want to know.
It is now 2:01 am; my stomach is grumbling, and I must resist the urge to eat. I don’t want to develop another bad habit.
My son’s celebrating his 11th birthday this weekend with 13 other pre-teen boys. Yes, at our home. I know, what was I thinking? I thought I would save money and have his friends over for a party at our house. How do you entertain 14 boys for 3 hours? Suggestions? I think it might rain.
On Monday, there was the last minute request for brownies that were needed for a fiesta in Spanish class.
Tuesday the kids were off from school because of voting and teacher workshops. Not much work completed that day. We did enjoy a trip to the library where I learned my son needed a reference book about an historical figure for a project due on Wednesday. And wouldn’t you know, James Armistead Lafayette was not listed in their encyclopedias.
Wednesday and Thursday was full of meetings, phone conferences and a teleseminar.
Today is Friday and I will most likely be exhausted all day. Phone calls, an eye exam and shopping for party favors and food will fill up most of today.
What a great week – I would not change a thing! The life of a mom entrepreneur is filled with so many riches. I love working out of my home. My dog is with me all day – my kids get off the bus in the afternoon, and I get to hear about their day – I am very fortunate.
Tell me about your week. Do you feel fortunate to be a mom entrepreneur?
Tags: insomnia, mind of an entrepreneur
Tuesday, January 25th, 2011
Six figure business coach Barb Wade has a mission – to empower other coaches to help change people’s lives while making a $100,000+ salary in the process. Wade teaches these coaches how to attract and enroll clients, and how to ask for – and get – competitive rates. By creating multiple streams of income from their coaching practices, Wade’s clients work 20 hours per week or fewer, and still earn impressive six figure salaries.
“It’s all about the math,” Wade explained. “If you have a few coaching packages at competitive rates, and serve about a dozen clients, you’ll earn six figures and still have time to market your company.”
Wade started her career as a life coach, helping people manifest their goals and dreams and have purpose and meaning in their lives. She built a successful practice with a full roster of clients and a six-figure salary. Soon, other coaches started asking for her advice about how to fill their own practices and make lucrative salaries. Organically, she began coaching the coaches.
Wade strongly believes that every entrepreneur should have a business coach.
“I’ve had my own coach the entire time I’ve been an entrepreneur, and it has expedited my success exponentially. A coach can save you so much time and money, and help you avoid many potential mistakes. They can tell you exactly what works and what doesn’t,” Wade continued. “The right coach can really catapult your success at a pace you can’t achieve alone.”
The Fort Collins, Colorado-based mother of two young daughters has created a healthy, balanced work-home life by creating defined work hours and a work space. When she’s at work, she focuses on work, but when she’s with her family, it’s “mommy time”.
“Be fully present wherever you are,” Wade said. “Don’t think about work when you’re with your kids, and don’t worry about your kids when you’re at work.”
Wade joined The Mom Entrepreneur Support Group eight months ago, and enjoys participating in the discussion groups.
“You’re able to create such intimate relationships sharing your challenges and providing feedback. The discussion groups make you feel like you’re not alone – we’re all in it together,” Wade continued.
Wade, who created her company in 2000, works with clients globally, via telephone and Skype.
For more information – and to access a FREE, downloadable “How to Get Clients” Kit, which includes a special report, video series and e-zine, please visit her website, www.BarbWade.com.
You can also check her out at The Mom Entrepreneur Co-op Shop.
Tags: Barb Wade, business coach, six-figure salary
Tuesday, January 18th, 2011
Lisa D’Astuto, an entrepreneur with Votre Vu, a high-end, spa quality French skin care line, believes the key to happiness is knowing when to say “no”.
The busy mom, who oversees a team of more than 50 Votre Vu representatives nationwide, keeps detailed lists of what she needs to accomplish each day, week and month, eliminating the things “that just aren’t necessary”.
“I always think about what’s important and try not to worry about things that aren’t,” she explained.
The New Jersey-based mother of two teenage sons stays actively involved in her boys’ lives, supervising their activities and making sure they stay out of trouble.
“It’s especially important to be around for older kids – when you can be a positive influence on their life,” D’Astuto explained.
But she also wanted a challenging and rewarding career that leveraged her fashion-buyer background, her outgoing personality and her determination.
D’Astuto, previously a fashion buyer, has been home with her boys since they were born. She spearheaded volunteer efforts for her boys’ school, and then got involved with direct sales.
Prior to joining Votre Vu, D’Astuto started working for another skin care line, but grew frustrated at that company’s “one-size-fits-all” approach. Her clients were not seeing the results they wanted and, as a result, D’Astuto was not earning the money that she hoped.
In August 2008, D’Astuto followed her gut.
“I wasn’t happy at my former company and had a good feeling about Votre Vu. I did my research and decided to make the leap,” D’Astuto explained. “I believed that Votre Vu’s products were better quality, which would give my clients better results and, ultimately, be more profitable.”
Now, D’Astuto proudly represents Votre Vu, which offers high-end, natural skin care products at mid-level price points. Votre Vu’s custom products are handcrafted in France and include natural skin, hair and body care products, and an award-winning beverage line. The entire line is a fraction of the cost of department store products.
She enjoys the company’s direct selling network marketing model that allows her team to work directly with clients. Votre Vu is available 24/7 online and through independent consultants like Lisa D’Astuto.
D’Astuto has found a healthy work-life balance: she is able to work while her sons are at school, and be there to bake them cookies when they come home.
For more information, visit www.votrevu.com/joinourteam or contact D’Astuto at Frenchskincare@gmail.com, on Facebook or Twitter.
You can also check her out at The Mom Entrepreneur Co-op Shop.
Tags: Lisa D'Astuto, Votre Vu
Wednesday, November 3rd, 2010
Many women want a job that allows them to pursue a passion while giving back to the community. But they also want to be there to meet their kids’ school bus.
For many women, owning a business offers flexibility and the satisfaction of being their own boss. But starting a business can be daunting! Franchises can be a great alternative to starting from scratch.
There are many franchising options, including Hooray for Books (HFB), which offers a truly unique franchising opportunity.
HFB is a successful, growing business that combines reading, cooking and humor, encouraging children to become avid readers and chefs for life. It was started by Mary Murphy, a former teacher and mom of five.
“As a former teacher and a mom, I developed the program to work best for children, parents and teachers. Therefore, our drop-off classes for 1-11 year olds are 90+ minutes, giving parents longer chunks of time to get something done,” said Mary Murphy, CEO and founder of Hooray for Books.
In addition to classes, the Hopkinton, MA-based company offers birthday parties, summer camps, and book/cook clubs.
“Hooray for Books offers wonderful opportunities for people who want to go into business for themselves, but not necessarily by themselves,” Murphy explained. “Even if you have a great concept, it’s a lot of work to start your own business. There are significant advantages to buying a franchise, which has an existing system so you don’t have to start from scratch.”
Hooray for Books offers franchisees many benefits, including:
- A proven track record, based on 10 years of best practices.
- A complete toolkit, including lesson plans, recipes, training, instructions and support.
- A unique concept combining cooking, books and humor. It’s the only business of its kind and has huge growth potential.
- Flexibility and work/life balance. Franchisees design their own hours based on their family responsibilities.
- Many revenue streams, including classes, mini camps, birthday parties and cook/book clubs.
- Passion. HFB franchise owners are passionate about making a valuable difference in children’s lives.
“Hooray for Books offers a fresh take on the franchise concept,” Murphy continued. “Unlike traditional franchises, we don’t insist that employees work weekends and all summer. Franchise owners create their own success, on their own terms.”
HFB is granting select franchise opportunities in New England and nationally. Murphy expects to open five new HFB locations by Spring, 2011 and continue to grow from there.
For more information, visit www.hoorayforbooks.com or email mary@hoorayforbooks.com.
Tags: business opportunities, franchise business, Hooray for Books
Wednesday, September 29th, 2010
Lanae Paaverud, the Social Networking Nanny, understands the power of online networking. She spent 10 years building an online retail business as an eBay seller, and progressed to her own retail website, three years ago. Through these experiences, she acquired valuable knowledge about online sales and networking.
When Facebook and Twitter were introduced, she was interested in – and curious about – these new social networking tools, using them to promote her business. When her social networking efforts successfully drove customers to her company, her friends wanted to know how they, too, could leverage these tools to increase awareness and sales for their own businesses.
“So many people were unaware of social marketing’s benefits and asked me questions about getting started,” Paaverud explained. “The interest was apparent, and I knew this was a great business opportunity.”
Minneapolis-based Paaverud launched Social Networking Nanny in the summer of 2009. After
brainstorming a name for her company, she incorporated the word nanny because “a nanny comes in and teaches you.”
“I teach people so they can take over their own social networking efforts. Ultimately, you’re the best advocate for your own business,” Paaverud continued.
Like other mom entrepreneurs, Paaverud strives to balance her career and family – a husband, a 19-year-old son, and twin 18-year-old daughters.
The key to a successful work/home balance is honesty and communication, which Paaverud embraces in all aspects of her life.
Her family supports her business endeavors, calling her “cool” for being entrepreneurial. Hoping to be a good role model for her kids, she encourages them to think independently, solve conflicts, collaborate with people and work hard. Her kids, who have inherited the entrepreneurial spirit, help with the “behind the scenes” work, and have started their own businesses, as well.
Paaverud learned about The Mom Entrepreneur Support Group through social marketing channels and loves the group’s information sharing.
“Other mom entrepreneurs really know where I’m coming from,” she said, adding that The Mom Entrepreneur members all have common backgrounds and challenges – like running a business while tackling laundry and other household logistics.
Her advice for other mom entrepreneurs is to combine their product, their passion and information sharing. Communicate about the “human side” of your business and collect input about your product.
“People think that social networking requires a huge time commitment, but you could spend as little as 10 minutes per day on Twitter and Facebook, just to remind people that you’re out there and you care what they think.”
To learn more, visit www.SocialNetworkingNanny.com.
Tags: online networking, social networking
Monday, July 19th, 2010
In her former life, Mary Murphy was a longtime Kindergarten teacher, making learning fun for young children. Now, as the founder of Hooray for Books (HFB), she offers “Creative classes where kids look, cook & devour good books!” ™
After the birth of her third child, Mary left her teaching job with an idea to start educational classes for young children, teaching them to read and cook in new and creative ways. Local mothers encouraged her to “go for it,” and in 2001, she started teaching a few classes per week.
Mary used her teaching background to create unique, one-of-a-kind programs for her young students. Next, she used her experience as a mom to make the programs attractive for parents, too. She offered 90 minute drop-off classes, allowing parents enough time to run to the grocery store while their kids were in their classes – a win-win for all.
Cooking is something Mary has been passionate about since she was young, so making that activity a centerpiece at Hooray for Books was only natural. Mary is also a self proclaimed “humor expert” creating theme days, wearing costumes to match the theme and greet excited learners with “out of the box” recipes with learning challenges built in.
Her Hopkinton, MA-based company grew due to popular demand. Today, she offers classes for ages 2-
11 as well as birthday parties, summer camps, and book/cook clubs at her two local locations.
The next chapter? Mary is franchising her successful business, with the goal of opening locations first throughout New England and then nationally. As a business convert, she knows moms want exciting, yet flexible business opportunities.
Running a Hooray for Books franchise is that and so much more. Her ideal candidates don’t need a background in education. In fact, she’s considering people from corporate backgrounds who have taken time off from full-time careers to spend time with their children. Franchise owners will receive HFB lesson plans and recipes, as well as personal support and a proven track record. Franchisees can arrange their class schedules based on their own family responsibilities and be part of a fantastic company.
Mary’s advice for others who are considering an entrepreneurial business concept: Go for it. She believes that women are fantastic at finding and filling a need, and then turning it into a business.
The busy mom of five kids (ages 17, 12, 9, 7 and 5) strives to maintain a healthy work-life balance. She finds time in her schedule to work guilt-free, usually from 9 pm until midnight. That way, she can spend quality time with her family, and then carve out a chunk of uninterrupted time to concentrate on work projects when her kids are in bed. (She calls herself nocturnal!)
Mary understands that children’s attitudes towards reading are formed between ages 2-8, and she’s delighted to give them positive experiences in her classes. She enjoys promoting that positive attitude through books, making letter associations through cooking activities, being silly, wearing crazy costumes, planning creative projects for them to enjoy – and watching them learn.
For more information about Hooray for Books and franchising opportunities, visit www.hoorayforbooks.com.
Tags: educational classes for young children, franchising opportunities, Hooray for Books
Monday, April 26th, 2010
If you had the opportunity to follow your passion and make money doing it, would you?
Now, acclaimed best-selling author Tamara Monosoff reveals the clear road map in Your Million Dollar Dream: Regain Control & Be Your Own Boss, Create a Winning Business Plan & Turn Your Passion into Profit (McGraw-Hill, May 2010).
Tamara has helped tens of thousands of people take control of their lives and careers by launching and growing successful businesses of all types. In Your Million Dollar Dream, she brings her years of experience directly to readers, providing expert insight, invaluable resources, and examples to help readers:
- Link your dream to practical business possibilities
- Identify your skills & motivations
- Get your business in the media spotlight
- Use Twitter, Facebook & the Internet as powerful business tools
- Create Value & Build Your Brand
- Find the funding to support your business
- Create a compelling & effective business plan
SAVE THE DATE — Wednesday, April 28th – This is the only day you can get awesome free gifts with the book purchase!
Tamara has put her heart, experience, and knowledge into creating a book that has the valuable insider tools you can use to make money your way. She admits it has been an enormously rewarding experience, and each day she finds herself using the tools she has outlined in the book!
“As we climb out of the global recession there is an opportunity to access our creativity and construct our career on our own terms,” says Monosoff. “Many people dream that ‘someday’ they will finally do what they’ve always wanted to do — be their own boss and make money doing what they love. I wrote this book to provide the actionable steps necessary to make that ‘someday’ — Today!”
Your Million Dollar Dream combines clear step-by-step guidance with the resources needed to start immediately. It offers compelling and true stories of others who have created rewarding businesses and made significant lifestyle changes.
Your Million Dollar Dream features stories like that of Jean Thompson, a former Microsoft employee who built Seattle Chocolates and Kelly Strowd, who traded in a 10-year law enforcement career for a pet-sitting business. This book makes otherwise daunting tasks fun and enjoyable and paints the exciting picture of successful entrepreneurship.
Tags: be your own boss, Tamara Monosoff, Your Million Dollar Dream
It is 1:44 am and I am up!
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