Putting the Mom in Mompreneur

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!