While she admits, “It’s overwhelming to leave the house sometimes,” she seems to manage all she does by being highly scheduled and organized.  I for one am impressed!

Mother’s Day is almost here!  Celebrate the Mompreneurs you admire by posting a comment about them below!  One lucky Mom will win a $20 Target Gift Card.

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Yes, I know. The majority (if not all) of you did not start a business because you love tax law and legal fine print. And in the flurry of supporting your current customers, working to add to your client base, taking care of your home and family, and finding some down time for yourself (remember down time?), it’s all too easy to put off the question of incorporating your business.

But as a business owner, the day will come when you inevitably will have to address the legal aspects of your business – and the sooner the better. And, fortunately, the process can be relatively painless and hassle-free. 

But let’s back up a bit. Let’s take a look at why you should incorporate in the first place. I talk to countless small business owners and freelancers who consider themselves too small to worry about incorporation. After all, you don’t have mazes of cubicles…you may not even have any employees. However, incorporation can still be a smart idea even for the self-employed graphic designer or wedding planner. And here’s why:

• It protects your personal assets: Once your business is incorporated, it exists as a separate legal entity. This means that the corporation (and not you, the owner) is responsible for all of its debts and liabilities. Of course, most entrepreneurs don’t start their business expecting to anger clients or default on payments. And most likely, you won’t encounter such problems…however what if a copywriter unintentionally plagiarizes while working on a client’s website? What if your major client fails to pay, making it impossible for you to meet your own obligations? Without incorporation, you, as the owner, can be personally liable in these situations, and this puts your own personal savings, retirement, child’s college fund all at risk.
• It can offer tax benefits: For some individuals and businesses, incorporating can help lower the tax burden. For example, through incorporation, a self-employed contractor could reduce her federal and/or state income taxes by avoiding self-employment taxes. And corporations may be entitled to additional deductions not available to individuals. Of course, specific circumstances vary, and you should consult with a CPA on your particular tax situation.
• It can change your outlook: You’d be amazed at how much adding three little letters (Inc or LLC) after your company name can change the way you approach and perceive your business. And when you’re working from home, you need all the reminders you can get that you’re actually running a business. Plus, marketing studies have shown that adding Incorporated or LLC provides a sense of credibility and trust with current customers and potential customers.

After “Do I need to Incorporate?”, the next question I’m usually asked is “What business structure is right for me?”  It’s a great question…one that I can’t necessarily answer here. But here’s a quick synopsis to get you on the right path: 

• Limited Liability Company (LLC): The LLC is very hot among small businesses right now, and for good reason. It’s a hybrid of a partnership and corporation. It offers liability protection, but with minimal corporate formalities (in a Corporation, you have to pass resolutions and file minutes whenever you want to make a change to the company…this isn’t the case for an LLC).  If you’re the sole owner of your business, the LLC is a great way to protect yourself without adding a lot of corporate bureaucracy. An LLC is considered a pass-through entity when it comes to federal income tax. This means the business itself is not taxed; rather, any business income or loss is reported on your own individual tax return.
• Corporation: The Corporation is the most common form of a for-profit corporate entity. There are actually two types: the S-Corporation and C-Corporation. Like the LLC, the S Corporation is also a pass-through entity for your income taxes. However, the C Corporation is not pass-through and for many small businesses, this can result in ‘double taxation’ where your Company is taxed, and then you’ll also be taxed on any profits/salary you draw from the business.

Unless your business is particularly complex, you should be able to incorporate your business or form an LLC online, without having to retain a business attorney. By working with a legal document filing service, you can represent yourself to create a legal business entity. And in the eyes of the law and IRS, your business structure will be just as valid than if a high-priced attorney sent in the documents for you. 

Of course, when spare seconds seem in short supply, legal fine print and paperwork aren’t exactly high on your priority list. But getting your legal ducks in a row can give you peace of mind and help you avoid any legal pitfalls in years to come.

Nellie Akalp, is the CEO and Founder of CorpNet.com, an incorporation filing service specializing in helping mom entrepreneurs in getting their businesses off the ground quickly and affordably. Whether you need help  incorporating, forming an LLC or filing a DBA, Nellie can help. To learn more visit: CorpNet.com.

An Interview with Jenny Reed

Jenny Reed is a travel specialist and owner of www.OurCruisePlanner.com, a travel resource specializing in cruise and land vacations to destinations worldwide.  In a recent interview, Jenny shared with me her refreshing view on owning a business, being a mom, and making it all work.  Read on to learn more…

Noelle:
What were you doing before you became an entrepreneur?

Jenny:
I majored in marketing and advertising in college and when straight into marketing for a publishing company afterwards.  I moved up the ranks from marketing assistant to marketing director before I decided to purchase a Cruise Planners franchise.  I decided to start a business with the hope that when my husband and I started a family, I could have a home office and some flexibility to be there.  We were always passionate about cruising, so a travel industry business really made sense to us.  

Noelle:
Why did you decide to purchase a franchise over establishing your own travel business?

Jenny:
We did our due diligence before starting our own business and in the end we liked the structure a franchise offered.  By purchasing a franchise, we got the right to use an established franchise name.  We also enjoy greater collective buying power by being part of a large group.  Plus, we get lots of support for our business needs like marketing and accounting.

Noelle:
What is an estimated cost to purchase a franchise like Cruise Planners?

Jenny:
If you are not looking for a brick and mortar travel franchise and you have no prior travel planning experience, I’d estimate the cost to get started is about 8-10k.   There are discounts if you have been in the business.

Noelle:
That sounds reasonable.  Tell me about your transition into the business?  Did you work at it full time from the start?

Jenny:
At first I did it part time.  I took some time to start building the business and to get comfortable with it.  I transitioned into a full time role within six months though.

Noelle:
What were some of your biggest challenges at first?

Jenny:
I’d say marketing was one of the biggest challenges.  But when I started the business, I also faced two unique circumstances.  First, my husband had just been transferred from Georgia to Minneapolis, so I was in a new place with a new business.  Second, my training was originally due to start on September 12, 2001 – the day after 9/11.  It was a real challenge to start a new travel business during such a difficult time in our country.  I’m extremely thankful to be here nine years later.

Noelle:
Wow – nine years is a life time as an entrepreneur!  That’s great.  Have you continued to move around since launching your business?

Jenny:
Yes, my husband and I have moved three times since we started the business.  The good thing is that this type of business is easy to move and it’s meant little disruption to my customers.

Noelle:
That’s great.  I really think one great benefit of owning a service-based business its portability.  I know when I moved from the east coast to Colorado two years ago, I was really glad not to have search for a new job! 

Tell me a little about how you market your business?

Jenny:
Well, it’s really a two-fold strategy.  Before I became a mom, I was a real social bug that did a lot of face to face networking.  So originally I built my business by networking.  However, after I had my son two years ago, I really had to switch gears.  I turned more to social networking.  

I still also do some traditional marketing like direct mail and I have a website and blog.  But much of my business relies on providing great customer service and securing repeat business.

Noelle:
How has the recent economic downturn impacted your business?  I notice on your website you offer some creative options like Job Loss Protection Coverage.

Jenny:
Last year our business was down by 30 percent.  That was average compared to what we were seeing in the industry publications.  We really had to get back to the basics and remember what we did when we first started out.  We watched our budget closely and we took good care of our past customers.  We’re now seeing an up tick in business and we are very thankful for that.  However, consumers have changed.  They are doing a lot more last minute traveling than they did in the past.  This makes business planning difficult for us, but again, we are thankful for the business.

Noelle:
How has becoming a mom impacted your role as an entrepreneur?

Jenny:
Well, once I had a child I really need to tweak my time management skills!  It’s very easy to feel unbalanced as a mompreneur.  You need to realize that every day is different and some will be better than others.  I try to schedule ‘work time’ and ‘time with my son’ everyday – after all I think the most important part of being a mompreneur is being a mom.  I find that everything falls into place when you have your heart in the right place. 

Noelle:
What great insight.  Too often I think we moms try to multi-task meaning we try to do our jobs and take care of our children at the same time.  I personally find that a real recipe for disaster.  I really like how you consciously schedule time for each role.

Jenny:
Yes it works for me.  Plus, technology today has really changed things for mompreneurs.  It can help you stay in touch with your business when you are out and enable you not to feel like you are putting aside one role for another.  It’s especially helpful to me in a business like mine where a customer can have an emergency at any time.

Noelle:
So true. What’s been your biggest surprise about mompreneurship?

Jenny:
Sometimes I really miss the social structure of my former job.  I liked knowing I had friends at work and seeing them every day.  But the upside of being a mompreneur is the flexibility.  Sometimes I am up working at 6 am and sometimes I sleep in and have breakfast with my son.  I no longer have a rigid schedule and it’s great.  Also, since I’ve become a mother – a whole new wonderful world has opened up to me.  It’s great to meet other people in my boat.

Noelle:
I bet it’s also opened of a new market for your – family travel.

Jenny:
Definitely, that is now one of my specialties for sure.

Noelle:
Do you have any advice for aspiring mompreneurs?

Jenny:
I’d say do your research.  Don’t jump into something feet first.  Do your research; hold a focus group; etc.  Also, remember that failures will happen, but they will make you stronger.  The flexibility is really worth it and you need to keep that in mind when things get tough.  If you stop seeing value in the flexibility however, then it might be time to reevaluate and make some changes.

Noelle:
I agree.  That’s great advice.  In closing, tell me about any resources you recommend for mompreneurs.

Jenny:
Well I really like www.themomentrepreneur.com.  I also read a lot of ‘mommy blogs’ – there are ones that offer advice on motherhood and others that offer advice on mommy businesses.  Twitter has also been great for me, especially now that you can make lists.  I’ve made some great connections worldwide on Twitter.

Noelle:
Thanks so much for your time today Jenny.  Please remind us where to find you when we are in need of a vacation!

Jenny:
You can find me at www.OurCruisePlanner.com or contact me toll-free on 1 866 532 7526.  Also, remember that there is no fee to use our services.  We get paid by the vendors we work with – so it’s free to pick our brains and get great travel advice!  Happy travels!

Way back in August 2007, a friend sent me a link to a cover story in US News & World Report titled: The New Mommy Track. The story detailed what I had been thinking since becoming a mom myself in 2005, which is that the traditional roles and rules of corporate America don’t work for today’s moms. And for this reason, more and more moms are starting their own businesses. 

I myself launched my own marketing consultancy back in 2003 before having my first child, and over the years I was amazed by the amount of young women and new moms that reached out to me for advice on starting their own businesses. Helping these women became one of my favorite things about being a business owner!

I realized however that I did not have all the answers these ladies needed, so when I reviewed a copy of a fellow freelancer’s book on launching a profitable copywriting business, it hit me that a similar book for women – and specifically moms – looking to launch their own businesses would be a great asset. Fortunately, my colleague agreed with me and our eBook, The Smart Mompreneur, was born. I also started a blog under the same name at that time.

It was a very exciting time and I was full of ideas on how I could make my book and blog great successes. However, at the very same time the book and the blog were born, there was another birth – my second child, Ellis! I don’t think I was prepared for how much having two children in my life would change things and how hard it would be to promote my new book and blog, while still running my marketing consultancy, and raising two kids. And here I sit, a little more than year later, still trying to figure things out…

I refuse to give up though! Some people tell me I ‘try to do too much’, but my mission is to support other moms and their burgeoning businesses and I know that’s a cause I cannot give up on. Being a mompreneur has afforded me the flexibility today’s moms need – and I really want to figure out a way to take my business to the next level so I can help other women achieve the same benefits. What better way to do so then to attend Blissdom 11 – a conference that is all about enhancing your blog, your business, your networks and your friendships? 

Plus, going to Blissdom 11 would give me a few nights away from my husband and kids! I am not sure any of them know how to use the washing machine, so it would be a great learning experience for them as well…

To vote to send me to Blissdom, visit this link and select: Noelle @ The Smart Mompreneur!  Be sure to let me know you voted by leaving a comment below – as this will make you eligible for some great prizes!  Also, please list an accurate email in the email field of the comment box, so I can get in touch with you if you win.

The question received more than 70 comments and by and large, the answer seemed to be a resounding yes. A quick search for additional data also indicated that email marketing is still a great way to reach your customer. According to the Direct Marketing Association, every $1 invested in e-mail campaigns in 2009 earned a return on investment of $43.62.

But that being said, all discussion participants agreed that if the content of your email newsletter isn’t relevant and interesting to your target audience, it will fail. For those that missed this discussion, I’ve summed up a few points we’d like to share with you on creating an effective email newsletter.

(1) Newsletters exist in abundance, but so do readers who are like sponges looking for information to soak up! Consider your content in light of this. Is your newsletter only providing company and product updates and other related sales information? Or is it providing real information that your readers will find useful? Your content should have your readers reaching out for more… and then reaching out for your products and/or services.

2) The frequency of your newsletter needs to be right for your type of business and for the quality of the content you are able to develop for each issue. Frequency levels range from weekly to monthly to quarterly.

In terms of content, one suggestion is that you save up your resources to give each email more clout.  Another good recommendation is to prepare an editorial schedule in advance. If you know what will be in each issue of your email newsletter long before you are planning to send it out, you can pull together much better material. If you’re looking for ideas two days before you need to send it, then you’re always going to struggle for good content.

3) Your newsletter needs to be short and easy to read. One discussion participant noted that since streamlining her company’s newsletter, its readership was boosted from 12 percent to between 25 and 40 percent. Also, remember a clean creative design that is easy to read is key.

4) As with any direct marketing tactic, your list has much to do with the success or failure of your newsletter. You need to be sure you have the right people on your list, and quantity does not equal quality!

5) Finally, be sure you have an offer worth responding to. One company offering SEO services mentioned that when they noticed their competitors were charging upwards of $100 to help companies list their businesses on Google Maps, they created a free DIY guide. Your offer depends on your products and/or services, but keep your readers interests first and foremost when creating it, and you should be able to come up with a winner.

If you need help with your email newsletter, send me a copy. I’ll review it and send you a brief report on what’s working and what’s not!

1.  The nanny should be able to relate easily and bond well with your children while also maintaining a clear distinction from them. Nannies must be able to play with and enjoy your children (which can often be construed by the child as peer-level interaction) while also maintaining discipline. It is easy for a nanny (and a parent) to feel more comfortable in one role or the other: to be most comfortable being friends with the children, or to be most comfortable supervising the children and redirecting their errant behaviors. Parents and nannies must have a shared understanding of how to navigate both roles successfully and strike a balance between peer-level interaction and parent-level interaction with the children.

2.  The nanny must be able to relate with your family and administer discipline to your children in a manner that is appropriate and consistent with your family’s boundaries. You and your nanny should discuss, prior to hiring, the discipline style that your family would like the nanny to use.

3.  The nanny should have years of experience, solid references from prior employer-families, a clean background (pursuant to background checks), and completed training on nanny basics (CPR, first aid, the Heimlich maneuver, basic nutrition and food preparation, and general personal and home hygiene). Background checks may be obtained through Nannies4hire.com.  If you need your nanny to drive, then your nanny should have a valid driver’s license and a clean (or as close to clean as possible) driving record.

4.  The nanny should be able to develop and carry out fun, creative, and educational experiences for your child.

5.  The nanny should be capable of handling small “crises” on his/her own. You and your nanny should come to an agreement about what issues may warrant a call to you and what issues the nanny is authorized to handle on his/her own. Your nanny should be able to act comfortably within the boundaries you have provided.

6.  The nanny should be able to commit to your family for an extended period of time (unless your needs require less). Children often become attached to their nannies. When nannies leave, children often experience grief associated with that separation. Therefore, it is advantageous to hire a nanny who will be able to stay with your children for an extended amount of time.

7.  The nanny’s expectations regarding terms and conditions of employment should be close to the terms and conditions of employment that you are offering. If you are seeking a live-in nanny, a prospective nanny that seeks a live-out arrangement may not be a good fit for your family. If you wish to hire a nanny in a smoking home, a non-smoking prospective nanny may not be a good fit for your family. Pay rates for nannies should be discussed up front to ensure that the prospective nannies are willing to work for the income you offer.

8. The nanny should not have fears or concerns about the non-negotiable aspects of the job with your family. If you have a cat, and your prospective nanny is severely allergic to cats, the prospective nanny may not be a good fit for your family. (Side note: some allergic reactions can be treated with over-the-counter or prescription medications or other accommodations that may be used by the allergic nanny.)

9. The nanny should be a positive, loving influence in your household.

Candi Wingate owns and operates Nannies4hire.com, Care4hire,com, Babysitters4hire.com and A Nanny Placement Agency. Candi herself is also a former nanny and a mother who currently employs a nanny to help out with her children.  In sum, Candi knows nannies! To reach her, visit: Nannies4hire.com.

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As a woman entrepreneur just starting out, your to-do list can be endless. Promoting your company is definitely on your list, but where do you start? There’s traditional media, social media, advertising, blogs, TV, magazines, etc.  The possibilities go on and on. Resources are tight, so you need to know where to begin.

To help strengthen and simplify your PR to-do list, here are six key things to keep top of mind:

1) Get Your House in Order. It’s important to be sure you have your key items lined up such as a professional website, press materials (bios, company backgrounder, fact sheets), key messages, and images. Be sure to have all of these materials on hand, and post these documents online in an “About Us” or “Press” section of your site. That way they are easily accessible to media and you have a place to direct people for more information.

2. Prepare Your Pitch. Everyone has a story to tell…what’s yours? It’s crucial to find your unique story beyond just a press release. Reporters want to know why your company is different and what you have to offer that is worthy of writing about. The best way to tell your story is to think about how you help others. People often think their story is about them, but the real story may be about the people your company helps. Or it could be about the struggles you went through to found this business. Get to the heart of your story and stay away from being overly promotional.

3. Target Your Outreach. Once your pitch/story is prepared, you need a targeted media list. This can be done in a few ways:

• Through a subscription database such as Cision or Vocus (this can be pricey, but useful if you’re building a lot of media lists)
• Conducting your own research. Decide your top targets and visit their sites and/or read their publications to find out the best person to contact for you and your story. Finding the right journalist to pitch is one of the most important factors in getting press.
• Enlists a service such as HandleYourOwnPR.com that offers affordable media lists available for immediate download. You can also hire them to create a custom list for you.

4. Start Local.  A great way to get regional or national attention is to first start local. Begin your media outreach on a local level with newspapers, TV, local websites, etc. Most cities have someone who covers local news – companies, profiles, interesting stories, etc. Once you have hit it on the local level it’s time to expand your circle.

5. Gain Momentum & Stay Committed.  PR can take a while so it’s essential to not give up. PR is a commitment, a long-term, ongoing to-do, so if you don’t see results after a month or two – keep going. It takes some time to gain momentum and get noticed. Also, if you get rejected, put it behind you and move forward. There is plenty of PR for everyone out there. Be assertive, but not aggressive.

6. Use What You Got – PR isn’t just about getting press to write about or feature you. It’s also about engaging consumers and creating a community online through sites such as Facebook and Twitter. Another great way to reach your customers regularly is through an e-newsletter or blog. Write about your company and what is new. Offer them inside scoop, deals/discounts, etc. to make them feel a part of things.

Being an entrepreneur can be scary at times as there is never enough time in the day, but just remember hard works pays off in the end. PR takes time and is something you earn. Stay focused and in the end you’ll be rewarded handsomely.

Jenny Finke is the U.S. founder of HandleYourOwnPR.com, a website that provides DIY PR advice and tools, including media lists. She also is the founder of a full service PR agency, Red Jeweled Media. Please find her at www.HandleYourOwnPR.com and www.RedJeweledMedia.com.

An Interview with Marla Murasko

For most moms, balancing a family and a business is tough stuff. When you add managing the needs of a special needs child to the mix, it’s hard to imagine it could all be possible! That’s why I was so glad to meet special mompreneur, Marla Murasko, who is successfully managing a business, a family and the needs of her special needs son while also building a network for others in her same situation. 

Read on to learn more. I have no doubt you’ll be inspired by her ingenuity and resourcefulness!

Noelle:
What were you doing before you became a mompreneur? 

Marla:
Before I became a mompreneur I worked for Johnson & Johnson in the sales and marketing department for almost 11 years. When my family relocated, I left Johnson & Johnson to become an administrative assistant at a preschool which I absolutely loved! However, I realized that my husband’s job was going to force us to relocate every three to four years and I wasn’t keen on looking for a new job every time we moved, so I began to look for ways I could do what I was doing from a home office.

Noelle:
How did your previous roles impact the businesses you run today?

Marla:
I carried over a lot skills from my former jobs to my current businesses. I learned a lot about marketing and sales being in the those departments. I also learned how to work with people and to address their needs effectively and efficiently. I also like to be creative and to plan things – like events and I enjoy coordinating projects.

Noelle:
What steps did you take in transitioning into a full time freelance virtual assistant?

Marla:
Well, I definitely took my time with the transition. Any big jump like this is scary – and it takes time. I did lots of research on the Internet and before I launched my own business, I actually found a job as a regional administrative assistance for a company based out of California that allowed me to work from home. This was great as I really got the chance to learn what it was like to work from home before actually launching my own business. I realized I could do it and so I did some more online research and stumbled upon the wonderful world of virtual assistants (VA). Then I started ExecuEssential Administrative Services.

Noelle:
Wow, it sounds like you have really spent your time researching the field and that you have a lot of experience in the area now. Are there some resources you can recommend for others interested in learning more about being a VA?

Marla:
Yes, I definitely did my research. Six years ago when I began looking into work from home opportunities, the VA field wasn’t nearly as established as it is now. I really had to look for information. Today there’s a lot more information on the field out there, but I recommend two sites. One is www.vanetworking.com. This is something I am a member of and find value in. The other site is www.vaclassroom.com. This is where I go to keep up with the competition. It offers plenty of great training opportunities. There are many great networking groups that you can join, and social media today makes it very easy to find the information and the training needed to become a small business entrepreneur.

Noelle:
Great! Let’s circle back to a few things you said earlier. You mentioned that your husband’s job requires you to move a lot. Have you been able to keep your clients as you’ve relocated?

Marla:
Well, yes and no. I have some long term clients that I’ve kept for years, but I have found that VA work is very project-oriented – which means clients come and go. I like this about the field because it means that you are always meeting new people and always working on new projects. In a traditional administrative role, that wouldn’t be the case. You’d work with the same people from 9 to 5 everyday and many of your tasks would be repetitive. 

Noelle:
What were the biggest challenges you faced in adjusting to owning your own business?

Marla: 
Owning your own business is fun and exciting, but it’s a lot of hard work.  You basically have to wear all the hats from marketing and sales to being your own IT department (computer person).  It takes a lot of hard work, time and dedication, and it doesn’t come easy.  It can take some people a long time to become “comfortable” working from home.  And the whole concept of social media can either hurt you or help you.  You have to invest and stay fresh with your skills and new technology to stay competitive.

Noelle:
Yes, I agree – it’s really important to stay current in your field, but this can be hard to do when you have limited time and resources. Has the investment been worth it?

Marla:
Definitely. As I stated before you have to have dedication and be really savvy in the “social media” world.  This takes time and money, but in the end, if done correctly, this can offer a real return on your investment.   

Noelle:
That’s great. I too have had to invest time and money in understanding social media. It wasn’t out there 10 to 15 years ago when I started my marketing career! How has mompreneurship impacted your role as a mother?

Marla:
It’s been wonderful. Being a mompreneur allows me to remain creative and driven.  It provides me a real sense of accomplishment. Plus, as a mom of a special needs child, it really gives me the flexibility I need to take my son to therapy, doctor appointments, school, etc. It would be very hard in a 9 to 5 environment to get the time off needed for all the therapy required. It’s very rewarding.

However, there are whole new set of needs that come up when you run your own business, and I don’t think people are aware of this when they decide to start a business from home!  You have to be extremely disciplined to succeed.

Noelle:
Oh, I couldn’t agree more. I think people think they are going to have a lot more free time when they start working from home, but in reality you take on so much more when you have your own business – I think you can easily wind up with less free time!  What in your opinion is the biggest time sucker?

Marla:
I’d say it’s promoting yourself. I can easily get the work done for my clients, but effectively promoting my business can be tough! When you have your own business, you have to be constantly promoting yourself which is a pressure you don’t have in a 9 to 5 job. 

Noelle:
Yes, it can be extremely draining, and personally I think its one reason many small businesses fail. Sales and marketing are a lot harder than people think they are! What words of advice do you have for other aspiring mompreneurs?

Marla:
Be realistic with yourself. Be clear on how much time and money you are willing to commit to your venture and be honest about the level of passion you have for the venture. You need to be true to yourself – if you’re just starting a business so you can work from home and your heart really isn’t in it – you will fail. There has to be a real passion and a real commitment.

Noelle:
Speaking of passion, tell me a little about your new venture, Special Mompreneurs^TM.

Marla:
Sure! Being a small business entrepreneur and a mother of special needs child, I have a real passion to empower other moms that are looking to start a business.  I have learned that getting advice and support from people who “wear the same shoes as you”, makes it is easier for you to be honest and more receptive, as you know they can relate to your everyday struggles.  So, as an advocate for special needs children, I have also become an advocate for the mothers who love and care for these children.  I want them to realize that they too can become a small business entrepreneur if that is a dream they want to pursue. 

Noelle:
Why did you start the group?

Marla:
I started the group because I found that although there were a lot of great networking groups for mompreneurs, these sites didn’t have what I needed from a ‘special mom’s perspective’. I wanted advice on how to manage my time and my clients while also dealing with the needs of my special needs child. And, when I went to sites focused on the special needs themselves, such as sites covering downs syndrome or autism, I wasn’t finding the information I needed from a business perspective.  When I didn’t find what I was looking for, I started my own site!

Noelle:
That’s great. What can members expect to find on the site?

Marla:
Special Mompreneurs^TM is is a “one-stop shop” online community of Mompreneurs, who have started their own businesses while staying home to care for a special needs child.  We provide inspiration, support and share our experiences both personally and professionally.  We respect and value each other.  Being a member of Special Mompreneurs brings real benefits.  You can come to one place, find information about special needs, network with other moms, and learn ways to run a business.  We provide an e-commerce shop of products, an e-learning campus and a panel of advisors that you can reach out to for advice.

Noelle:
I think it’s wonderful and I think you have stumbled upon an important niche. I am so glad to be working with you and the moms in your group!  How can other interested mompreneurs get involved?

Marla:
Go to my site at http://marlamurasko.com/special-mompreneurs/ and become a member.  We offer a 30 day free trial membership so that you can experience what being a member of Special Mompreneurs is all about before you join.

Noelle:
In addition to your site, what other resources do you recommend for mompreneurs?

Marla:
I have two that are my favorites.  One is the www.themomentrepreneur.com and the other is www.twittermoms.com.

Noelle:
Thanks so much for your time today Marla! I think you are a huge inspiration for other aspiring mompreneurs!

I understand that many moms choose to launch their own businesses so that they can physically spend more time with their kids. A lot of the moms I interviewed for my book, The Smart Mompreneur, felt this way and several commented that putting their kids in a traditional daycare setting of any sort would completely undermine this goal. I respect this viewpoint, but I also strongly feel that whether you’re looking to run a part-time or a full-time business, you can’t be successful if you constantly have kids screaming in the background, wreaking havoc and running into your office every five minutes!

The reality is that small children are not going to keep quiet during business calls or take naps when you want to get work done. So if small children are a factor in your life, you should start thinking about childcare options as early as possible. You should also be sure to factor any potential childcare costs into your projected monthly income and expense projections.  But, the good news is that when you work for yourself and have lots of flexibility, you can often get very creative and arrange childcare for a minimal cost or no cost at all!

When my first daughter was a newborn, I shared a nanny with another freelancer. This option afforded me an extreme level of care at a fraction of the traditional cost. Now that she is older, I’ve enrolled her in daycare three days a week. I found a great retiree that watches my younger daughter at her home while my older daughter is in school. She charges me less than a traditional nanny would since I bring my daughter to her home AND I now have my home office to myself three days a week!

This type of arrangement may or may not work for you, but I will say that these arrangements have consistently provided me with three days per week of quiet, uninterrupted time to focus on my business. On the days that my kids are home with me, I often check e-mail, schedule calls and complete urgent tasks during their naps, but for the most part, I try to limit my work to the days when I have reliable childcare.

Again, what works for me may or may not work for you, so I’m also providing you with a few other creative childcare options to consider:

Create a childcare co-op. A childcare co-op is basically a group of work-at-home parents that swap child-care duties. If you chose this option, keep track of the hours that you watch each child and make sure that everybody gets their fair amount of time. The benefit of this option is that you get free childcare. The downside is that you can’t work while you are watching other people’s children.

Organize a mom-swap. Instead of many people working together within a co-op, a mom-swap is basically you and a friend trading off childcare days. If you chose this option, make sure you set clear boundaries, so neither of you takes advantage of the other. It would also help if your kids get along well. If they don’t, this could be a nightmare.

Share a sitter with a friend. Have a sitter watch both of your children at the same time and split the costs. Here again, make sure that you communicate with your friend to avoid complications.

Barter services in exchange for child care. Pay the person caring for child with your services, rather then your money!

Locate an affordable mother’s morning out program. Many churches offer these programs, and you can enroll in more than one!

Regardless of the option(s) you choose, the bottom line is its important to be sure your children are cared for during the time you plan to work. Spread the word that you are looking for childcare and survey all your options. It may take some time and energy, but your investment will pay off when you find the best and most affordable childcare.

Do you have a creative childcare strategy to share?  Post your comments here!  I’ll also collate the information into a future post and send the mom with the most creative solution a $20 Starbucks card!

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!