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!