Traci Bisson is somewhat of an ‘an accidental entrepreneur’. She started her own business in August 2000 after the company she worked at for five years suddenly went out of business. When times got tight eight years later, Traci turned to social networking for support. 

Lucky for us! When Traci couldn’t find just the right online networking group for her, she started her own site, The Mom Entrepreneur. Today this site is where mompreneurs in the know go for tips, advice and resources on balancing motherhood and running a business.

Read on to learn more…

Moms Helping Moms

An Interview with Traci Bisson

Noelle:
What initially led you to become an entrepreneur?

Traci:
I didn’t purposely set out to be an entrepreneur. In August 2000, the company I had been employed by for 5 years suddenly went out of business. This happened just 8 weeks after I returned from maternity leave – so the timing really could not have been worse. I was broke and unsure what to do but I had always loved to write and so I decided to try to make a go of being a freelance writer.

Noelle:
Wow, sometimes losing your job is the push you need to convince yourself its time to pursue a passion. How were your first months in business?

Traci:
It was tough at first. I spent my meager savings, a total of $18.49, on nice stationary from Staples and launched Bisson Barcelona, a freelance writing and marketing/public relations agency. I found a good niche to service – writers and authors – and ventured very deep into this industry. 

Things were pretty stable until 2008, when I began to experience a lot of financial difficulties. It was a scary time and I began looking for ways to network with other mompreneurs who might be experiencing similar challenges. But, since I had small children and really didn’t have the ability to get out of my house, I decided to focus on online networking opportunities.

Noelle:
What type of opportunities did you find back in 2008?

Traci:
Back then I found bits and pieces, of what I was looking for, but not the entire package, so I started trying to put together my own group of mompreneurs. I tried organizing a small local group, but that failed. I don’t think mompreneurs have the time to physically get together and that’s why networking online makes so much sense.

Noelle:
I agree. I was reading recently that mompreneurs are really unique in the way they network and support one another. I am not sure people fully realized this a few years back though, so I think you were a real crusader!

Traci:
Yes, I guess you could say that. In the last couple of years, more communities for mompreneurs have popped up, but I think we are one of the only groups doing things the way we do it.

Noelle:
Have you always been into networking?

Traci:
Yes! Before I had kids I was a networking queen, I would go anywhere, at anytime, and meet with anyone and everyone! But after kids, it just wasn’t possible. Networking events always conflicted with a feeding schedule or a bus schedule or something. Online networking worked for me, and I guess I knew it would work for other mothers as well.

Noelle:
What can mompreneurs find on your site today?

Traci:
It’s really grown. It started out as a blog, but now there is a networking group and a co-op shop as well as tons of other resources.

Noelle:
It’s a really great site and I have personally found it really useful. What has been your biggest challenge in starting your own business?

Traci:
Oh, there have been so many! Balancing motherhood and a business is probably the biggest, but I’ve also had to deal with breaking up with a business partner and incurring great debt, yet I’m still here! The most important thing is that you learn from your mistakes and that you get wiser about where you go in business. 

One important thing I learned as I went through some recent challenges is that marketing and public relations isn’t my passion. What I am doing with the mompreneurs is.

Noelle:
That’s great. I think every entrepreneur has an easier time when they are truly passionate about what they are doing. How has mompreneurship impacted your role as a mother? I think that there’s a myth that when you have your own business or you work from home, you will have a lot more free time.  What do you think?

Traci:
Well, I don’t think I have more time with my kids on the whole, but I definitely have more quality time with them. I also have a lot of flexibility, and that is great.

Noelle:
How do you balance motherhood and a business?

Traci:
I try to train my clients and pick the right ones to begin with!  It’s really important to have some structure. I have a message on my phone listing my office hours and indicating how long it will take me to return a call. That way my clients know what to expect.

I’m also really clear with my family – as to when they get me and when I need to be working. And, I am really lucky to have a great support group.  My husband, my brother and my mother all really help out.

Noelle:
Yes, support is so key. And if you don’t have immediate family nearby, like me, you really need to get creative in building out a support network.  What’s been your biggest surprise about mompreneurship?

Traci:
I am not sure there have been any big surprises, but I guess I’d say I was surprised by the overwhelming sense of freedom I felt when I left the corporate world behind. It felt like a huge sigh of relief to stop “working for the “man”.

Noelle:
Oh, I agree.  Some days I really can’t believe how lucky I am to be able to make a living and enjoy such great freedom and flexibility. Do you have any advice for aspiring mompreneurs?

Traci:
I say if you are interested in being a mompreneur, go ahead and take the leap of faith! It’s kind of like what you hear when you are thinking about having a child. You can’t really read all you need to know in a book and you can’t fully prepare for it financially. You just need to go for it. Street knowledge really comes in handy.

I’d also say be sure to find some local support groups and get some business counseling. It’s really important to have an external team of people you can check in with. 

Noelle:
Again, support really is key, especially when you are just getting started. I remember being full of self doubt when I was starting my business. I had some friends and colleagues that were real naysayers, but once I surrounded myself with the right group of women, women who had been there and done that, I began to believe I could succeed, and I did!

Are you seeing any trends in the market? If I am a mom looking to become self employed, where should I look?

Traci:
I’m seeing a lot of moms migrate to the virtual assistant industry. If you are a good multi-tasker, which many moms are, it’s an easy business to get started. And, based on your experience and knowledge, there is very likely a large target market for services.

I’m also seeing a great uptick in women getting into what I call “hobby businesses”. These are businesses you can start from home, like selling candles, Avon, or Send Out Cards. There is a whole system there and you are given great support and guidance. With all that structure its easy to be successful.

Noelle:
That’s a great idea. I so often think about service businesses being the easiest to start, I hadn’t really thought about hobby businesses. They really are great for moms!

In closing, tell me about some resources besides The Mom Entrepreneur, that you recommend for mompreneurs. 

Traci:
Well, www.themomentrepreneur.com, is my favorite of course, but I also like Laura Galloway’s site, www.mombizcoach.com. She is a great business coach. She also has a radio show and a bunch of great videos on her site. And, I like Heather Allard’s site, www.themogulemom.com.  She interviews a lot of great guests and features good business advice.  Finally, when it comes to navigating the social networking scene in general, I love Chris Brogan too, www.chrisbrogan.com. I love social media and he is a real thought leader in this area. 

Noelle:
Thanks so much for your time today Traci and thanks for all you do for the mompreneurs of the world!

Holly Reisem Hanna and is the founder of ‘The Work at Home Woman’, a website dedicated to helping women and moms fulfill their dreams of working at home and/or becoming self employed, while providing inspiration, motivation and support.

Holly is a true inspiration for moms struggling to translate their traditional career skills into a creative service-based business.  She has successfully taken the important research skills she gained during her years as a nurse and converted them into a business that helps other women start their own businesses. 

Read on to learn more.

From Nursing to Networking

An Interview with Holly Reisem Hanna

Noelle:

How did you decide to start The Work at Home Woman?  What were you doing beforehand that led you to this idea?

Holly:

I didn’t initially start out wanting to be an entrepreneur.  Before my first daughter was born in 2007, I had a full time job as an RN Clinical Research Coordinator.  But, from the minute my daughter was placed in my arms, I knew that I would not be able to return to my full-time job.  I decided at that point to become a full-time stay a home mom. 

However, after 9 months as a stay at home mom I got motivated to find a way to make some extra money from home.  I started asking past employers and friends if there was any work that I could do for them while caring for my daughter at home.  My networking efforts paid off and in December 2007, I started working from home by completing marketing research, establishing joint ventures and working as a social network liaison for a small publishing company that a friend was working for. 

Noelle:

Wow. So ‘The Work at Home Woman’ website wasn’t actually your first business!

Holly:

Not actually!  During the time I spent looking for work at home opportunities I learned a lot of valuable marketing skills and became very familiar with the work at home market.  This knowledge motivated me to find a way to help other women and mothers find work at home opportunities, so I decided to create the ‘The Work at Home Woman’ website.  Today, I still do some work as a social network liaison in addition to running the site.

Noelle:

What a great idea you had!  The site is truly a great resource for women looking for work at home opportunities.  How long did it take you to put together ‘The Work at Home Woman’ website?

Holly:

It took me 16 months to launch the site.  I launched it on March 19, 2009 and I have been growing the business ever since.

Noelle:

Super!  You mentioned however that you still working part time as a social networking liaison.  I think it’s important that people realize you are essentially working two jobs at once while the site is in its start-up phase.  Sometimes that is what you need to do!

Holly:

For sure, but I’m passionate about building a career from this site and it’s worth the extra work.

Noelle:

How will you generate income from the site?

Holly:

I did a lot of research on how to make money with a website, and I think advertising and affiliate marketing are the best way to generate income from a website.

Noelle:

Well, that’s awesome.  Have you replaced your former income with your new businesses?

Holly:

I haven’t yet replaced my former salary, but I am also not working as much as I used to.  I have income coming in, and although it may not be as much as I want it to be, I think the most important thing is that I enjoy what I do!

Noelle:

So true! What has been your biggest challenge as a mompreneur?

Holly:

The biggest challenge is certainly having enough time!  I have a busy two year old to keep up with!

Noelle:

How do you manage childcare?  I know that’s a great concern to the aspiring mompreneurs I work with.

Holly:

I build my work schedule around my daughter’s schedule.  I always try to spend some time working before she wakes up.  I also do additional work while she naps.  However, as she gets older, her schedule continues to change, and I am currently evaluating a Mother’s Morning Out program that would give me set number of hours to work two days per week.

Mompreneurs with young children need to know that their children’s routines will constantly change.  It’s important to remain flexible and modify your work habits as you go.  

Noelle:

I agree.  What’s been your biggest surprise about mompreneurship?

Holly:

I’ve been really surprised that I don’t miss the social interaction I had during my former career as much as I thought I would.  My current business gives me the opportunity to interact with so many moms both online and in person.  I also really enjoy working from home.  I can get so much done in a short period of time without the interruptions!

One thing that isn’t is a surprise, is that I got rid of a major commute and I don’t miss that at all!

Noelle:

Ha!  I’m so glad to hear you don’t feel you are lacking social interaction as a work from home mom.  One of the things we mention in our book is that working at home can get lonely, but it’s great to see that you have been able to avoid that through aggressive networking.  Do you have any final advice for aspiring mompreneurs?

Holly:

Sure.  Now is a great time to start a work from home business.  There are plenty of great opportunities out there.  Some hot industries include virtual assistants, copy writers and social network marketing consultants.  If it’s your goal to launch a work from home business, do one thing to move that goal ahead today!

Noelle:

Thanks Holly!  I encourage all readers interested in starting a work at home business to visit your website today.

Tricia Dempsey is the founder of Agile, a technology talent firm that enables today’s technology leaders to hire and develop superior performers. Her path to entrepreneurship is proof that sometimes you don’t choose a business – a business chooses you. 

Six years ago, while serving as president of growing staffing agency, Tricia was diagnosed with breast cancer. Although she wanted to continue in her role, her treatment was not allowing her to work on a consistent basis. She felt this was unfair to the business, so she left it to focus on getting well. Upon her departure however, she still had clients knocking on her door, so she decided to start a small company under which she could invoice her clients “until her hair grew back.” 

Within 90 days, she had ten consultants contracting under umbrella and by the end of the first calendar year, her business had generated half a million dollars of revenue.  She hasn’t looked back since.

Although her success may at first sound like pure luck, it has been Tricia’s attention to and focus on her core strengths from the very beginning that has enabled her to achieve so much.

 

Targeting Helps This Entrepreneur Hit the Bull’s Eye

An Interview with Tricia Dempsey

Noelle:

The recruiting industry is a crowded marketplace. There are the “Big 5″ Generalist Firms, loads of small boutique firms, and dozens of other options in between. You’ve been extremely successful at setting Agile apart from the competition. Tell me a little bit about how you established your niche and how your focus has contributed to the company’s success.

Tricia:

Well, I start by saying that I think branding and positioning are evolutions versus revolutions, or at least that has been the case for me! Since Agile’s inception, we’ve gone from small Atlanta-based boutique staffing firm to a larger regional player, but one thing we’ve always remained true to is our focus on hiring and developing superior technology talent.

Noelle:

How and why did you decide to focus on technology talent?

Tricia:

Well, I really am the quintessential technician turned entrepreneur. I grew up in the technology staffing space.  I spent about 8 years recruiting technology talent for a company that went from being a $5 million business when I started to a $1 billion dollar business by the time that I left. After this experience I understood the space top to bottom and left to right! I got to know many of leaders in this space and that has opened doors for me since the beginning. I think being in one space for so long has been a real advantage for me and my business.

That being said, I have always been tempted, as I’m sure the people reading this book will be, to serve all audiences, which in my opinion, equals the death of a business. I think the best way to plant yourself and ensure growth, is to define and stay true to your core business. Once you’ve mastered that and it becomes a predictable revenue stream, then match a new market, product of service to your business and focus on making that a success. It’s critical to have some predictability in place, otherwise trying to launch a second offer becomes extremely distracting – especially when you already have limited time and resources to grow your business.

Noelle:

You’ve differentiated your business by focusing recruiting technology talent, but you’ve been successful at differentiating your business by using a unique recruiting approach.  Tell me a little about that.

Tricia:

We looked at what our competition is doing and we really turned that on its head.  Most of our competition does two things.  1) They turn to job boards for talent and 2) they use standard job descriptions to recruit their talent.

At Agile, we believe in fishing in ponds versus fishing in the ocean. Our recruiters average about 12 years of experience meaning that each recruiter has a strong network of top talent to source from. This smaller, stronger, deeper talent pool means we have ready access to resource with the right skills.

We also start with the end in mind when recruiting for a position. We consider what our customer will access during a resource’s end of year performance review and from there we craft a job description. We’ve found that this approach really turns out top performers.

Noelle:

What other unique angles have you taken to differentiate Agile?

Tricia:

We’ve made a real effort to differentiate our business through community service.  We’ve taken very active roles in two organizations, Women in Technology (WIT) and Susan G. Komen for the Cure®. Our work with these groups has enabled us to interact with many potential clients on an informal basis.

We’ve also been very successful at leveraging the brand equity of these larger organizations. A potential client may not recognize our name before we meet them, but we gain some instant credibility by being associated with such great organizations. 

I’d guess that our work with WIT and Komen has helped us open more doors than any other marketing or business development initiatives we’ve undertaken. Plus the work has been so fun and rewarding for our team!

Noelle:

That’s really great.  I know Agile fundraisers have raised over $100,000 for Komen over the past 5 years and that’s really something to be proud of!

Tricia:

For sure! Our fundraisers are a big part of our strategy to engage with our clients in unique and meaningful ways. We’re not fans of banging on our clients’ doors and saying, “Can I have a job order? Can I have a job order? Can I have a job order?” which is very much the model of 400 of our closest competitors.

Noelle:

Tricia, thanks for all your time today and for all the great advice. Is there any parting advice you’d like to offer aspiring freelance moms? 

Tricia:

I advise aspiring freelance to focus on the things they do best and to outsource all the rest. It took me some time to get here, but I have a very solid model at this point. The core parts of my business, recruiting and selling, are managed in-house. Everything else including, human resources, marketing, accounting, finance, legal – you name it – is outsourced to experts in those areas. 

This may seem like an expensive model, but if I add up the cost of all of these professional services, it only equals the cost of about one full-time equivalent. I’m leveraging many expert-level resources, the best in their field kind of resources, for just the price of one full-time internal employee.  It’s made such a difference in my business and I enjoy my business so much more because of it.