Judging the S.T.A.R. Mom Entrepreneur Awards

By Mindee Doney

Yes, it was an honor. 

Yes, it was fun.

Yes, I learned about some uber cool, fun products and services Moms had created.

And, Yes, I picked up some insight I can apply to my own business.

All good stuff but none of those things were the true reason I really enjoyed judging the Mommy Market S.T.A.R Entrepreneur awards.  Honestly, what inspired me above all else was the obvious, out loud passion driving hundreds of everyday Moms to say NO to housework and wiping butts all day and YES to living a full, beautiful life.  Life as an educated woman, business owner, wife, daughter, friend, sister and Mom. 

All 65 Mompreneur stories I read and websites I visited clearly came from a Mom who made a distinct choice  to make motherhood a part of her story but never the place where her life’s purpose starts or ends. Every woman was committed to her family and her children and also very committed to herself too.  It was remarkable and life changing for me to see story after story of courage, empowerment and confidence for these Moms who wanted to do more, be better and truly grab life by the tail.

In 1987 they made a box office hit movie about a Mom who dared to work!!!  My how things have changed!   Mompreneurs, Mommy Inventors, Mom-Owned….whatever it’s called,  the truth that us moms can do more and be more, is catching on like fire.  I will cheer and cheer for every moment a mom realizes she can be a present, awesome Mom and still pursue her desires in relationships, businesses, writing, creating, dreaming or just LIVING as the woman she was before her baby BOOM!

Congratulations again to Jessica at HopeFull for winning the competition with such a big heart, a solid business model and a fantastic brand.  Cheers to every Mom out there who does not settle for Motherhood alone when her heart and spirit craves for more.

Be Well, Peace Mamas…

Mindee Doney: Author, Inventor (Boogie Wipes®), Idea Consultant.Tired of chasing her kids runny noses, Mindee herself ran with an idea she had for a saline infused nose wipe she called a Boogie Wipe ®. In 2007, she partnered with Julie Pickens and by 2011 grew her concept, to $12 million in sales, with distribution to 50,000 retail locations in 8 countries. She managed all PR, marketing and branding herself and landed Boogie Wipes® on the Today Show, The Big Idea with Donny Deutch, Good Morning America, in People Magazine, The NY Times and countless others. She is the author of Get your Own Juicebox – Confident Moms raising Capable Kids (May, 2012) and consults an exclusive group of start-ups through her company Juice Box Consulting.

Why Working on Your Phone May Not Improve Your Business

By Jill Salzman

Just how mobile are you during your workday?

You've seamlessly moved a lot of your work to your phone through apps. You can check and create notes in Evernote there. You can respond to business emails there.  You can interact on Facebook and Twitter and LinkedIn using their apps. But I've started to realize this isn't such a good idea for everyone in business.

We have kids to take places. We have mouths to feed. We are women on the go! So you feel obligated to turn your attention away from your home office and onto your mobile device. Big brands have been investing more and more into making our lives easier on the go. There's an app for that, right? There's an app of every kind now available to you to accomplish what you'd normally do at your desk. But at the end of the day, is it improving your work?

I ask because I recently talked to a social media guru who mentioned that he never, ever tweets on the go. I then heard from a marketing director that she refuses to use Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn on her phone because of the mistakes she's made (been to DamnYouAutocorrect.com yet? It's hilarious.) I've had the same experiences that they have.

When I reply to people via my iPhone, I tend to be much more blunt or brusque than I ever would from my desk chair. If I check my email at the gym, I tend to read people's emails quicker and read emotion into their messages that's just not there when I'm in my comfortable, familiar workspace. Every contribution I make on the go is ever so slightly more aggressive; it's as though I'm trying to tell people, "Hurry it up! I'm on the go. Let's get through this so that I don't have to bother, people." And honestly, I don't mean that at all. 

For moms in business, it's incredibly hard to stay on top of an inbox when you have to be in five places at once. And what with social media and those streams updating on a constant basis, there's a desire to keep up with those streams while you're at the playground or in the car waiting for your kid to get out of class. What's not working, though, is the ability to think clearly without any external stress and interact with people to accomplish what you really need to accomplish: good, solid, and positive work. Just because we now have the ability to do everything via phone apps does not mean that it will improve work product. You can't interact in the same way and as the recipient of many a harried email, I can tell you: we all know you're in a rush. Slow it down.

While the Twitter addict in me may very well keep Hootsuite on my iPhone, I have recently stopped doing any other work on my phone. It's too counterproductive. And I'm pretty sure that recipients of my communications are all the better for it.

How much time are you spending doing work on your phone?

Jill Salzman is currently growing her third entrepreneurial venture, The Founding Moms, the world’s first and only kid-friendly collective of monthly meetups for mom entrepreneurs.  A graduate of Brown University and law school, she started a music management firm and then a baby jewelry company before her current venture. Jill has been featured in national media outlets including People Magazine, The Chicago Tribune, Daily Candy Kids, and WGN TV.  In her spare time, Jill enjoys kloofing, baking, and erasing her daughters’ crayon artwork from the kitchen walls.

Business of the Week:: A New You is Waiting

By Pamela Howard

Are you a busy mom who focuses on everyone and everything but yourself?  Do you feel worn out? Overwhelmed?  Feel like life is passing you by and there HAS to be more to it?  Trust me, I know how you feel - I've been there and so have most of my clients!  Today's culture expects women to be everything to everyone and since that's just not possible, we end up feeling stressed out and unhappy which leads to unhealthy habits.

Let me help you make simple, meaningful changes that will improve your life!  As a Holistic Health Coach, I look at the whole picture of health and nutrition and work with each client individually to help them create the vibrant, healthy and happy life they deserve to live.   Right now, I'm offering a free one on one health consultation where we'll spend almost an hour talking about your health, your life and your struggles, and how we can work together to make positive changes that will last!  Get ready to increase your energy, lose a little weight and feel fantastic about your life!

When was the last time you talked with someone about your health and received the personal attention you deserve? 

It’s rare for anyone to get an hour to work on their nutrition and goals with a trained professional. As a Health Coach, I create a supportive environment that will enable you to achieve all of your health goals. I have studied all the major dietary theories and use practical lifestyle coaching methods to guide you in discovering which approach works best for you.

Most approaches to nutrition dwell on calories, carbs, fats, proteins. Instead of creating lists of restrictions and good and bad foods, I coach my clients to create a happy, healthy life in a way that is flexible, fun and free of denial and discipline.

No one diet works for everyone. I will guide you to find the food and lifestyle choices that best support you. I will also help you to make gradual, lifelong changes that enable you to reach your current and future health goals.

Could one conversation change your life? We can work by phone, Skype or in person.  Schedule a free initial consultation with me today!

Childcare Suggestions for the WAHM

Question:

Is it better to send kids off to daycare or a nanny while you work on your business, or should you just work around them? Will the business succeed or fail?

– Susan, owner of Splendipity Inc

Reply from Shara Lawrence-Weiss:

This question has no “one right answer.” Each family is different and each situation needs to be assessed within its own boundaries.

For instance: a single mother will have a different situation than a married mother. Those with money to spend on childcare will have a different situation than those on a tight budget. Mothers who have family members nearby to help will have an easier time than those who live hundreds of miles away from family members.

When I first began my book business I had just one child. He was in school full time and I was pregnant with our second child. I was working in a Preschool on Fridays, attending college at night and I would work on my home business Monday-Thursday while my son was in school. I had no childcare and no money for childcare.

Fast forward a few years and I was running two home businesses, my husband was running his web design business, I was attending college part time and was pregnant with our third child. My husband also worked from home and we took shifts with the kids so that we could each work/pay bills. My mother-in-law left us some money and we agreed to use that money to hire a full-time sitter – so our home businesses could flourish and expand. That worked! Our sitter moved on to college about 8 months later and we were left without childcare once again. Our businesses began to make more money and we then hired a live-in nanny to help us expand to new levels. Our nanny is currently here and works 7 hours a day (split shift). My husband and I continue to take turns with the kids, cooking, cleaning, errands, etc.

Our nanny is leaving soon to get married and again… we’ll be asking the question, “What should we do now?” I’m currently pregnant with our fourth child. I may need to cut back on my working hours or work in the early morning, while the kids are at school and after they go to bed, while the new baby is napping and so on. We’ll be looking into hiring a high school student for after-school and weekend help. Both my husband and I enjoy having our kids around and do not want to put them into full-time daycare. We prefer to find alternatives to that choice but of course – there are mothers who prefer daycare and want to utilize the option so they can work in quiet.

When I was a single mom I would trade days with another mother. That way, we each got a day to ourselves every week and no one had to pay for childcare.

Here’s an article I wrote about childcare options for moms who work at home: http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?p=12613

Each family must assess their own situation and do what’s best for their home, family, children’s needs, etc. This may mean seeking in-home live in childcare or part-time day care or after school help from a teen/college student or co-op trades with another mother. It could mean working in shifts with a spouse or business partner or working early morning hours/evening hours after the kids have gone to bed. It all depends on your business needs, dreams, desires for meeting goals, financial situation, the needs of your kids and more. There’s no “one answer” for every home.

Sit down and write out your family goals along with your business goals. Compare the two and do your best to meet in the middle so everyone in the family feels heard, cared for and taken care of. If you notice that something isn’t working, modify!

Shara Lawrence-Weiss has a background in education, early childhood, special needs, freelance and marketing. She owns various websites including: Mommy Perks, Kids Perks, Personal Child Stories, Early Childhood News and Resources and Pine Media (co owner). Shara is an active member of her town charity group and a Library Board Member. Learn more about her at Mommy Perks.

Are You Accountable?

By Amber Davis

Every few weeks I have coffee with this amazing woman. She and I are a lot alike - love the city, never desired to stay in small town America after high school (yet somehow we are both here, raising our families), we have a strong fashion sense (Ok…well she does) and marketing backgrounds.

We met through our local RFL (Relay for Life) and worked passionately on the committee for several years. Now we are both focusing on raising our families! She has an amazing blog  and consistently turns trash into some beautiful decoration for her home. I work my butt off managing my home based business directorship! Regardless, there is a little back story.

Recently, we have been discussing business ethics and if small business owners are getting off too easy! Many of them are not accountable for their actions and have no repercusions for poor service, no-shows’ for appointments, etc.. We have both had several situations recently where we have felt frustrated! Living in a small town our hands are tied in many ways.

My question today is: ARE YOU AS A BUSINESS OWNER ACCOUNTABLE & ETHICAL?!

Business ethics can be defined as written and unwritten codes of principles and values that govern decisions and actions within a company. In the business world, the organization's culture sets standards for determining the difference between good and bad decision making and behavior.

How many people do you use weekly that are small business owners? Your hair dresser, your photographer, coffee house, direct selling consultants, massage therapist, nail tech, even a farmer's market to name a few. Being in the direct selling industry I use small business owners whenever possible. Even Etsy and this website are comprised of small business owners.

Why are small business owners not held accountable for the same ethical and customer service standards as say….Bob Evans? Frankly, my expectations are HIGHER from a small business owner than from that of a corporation.

My recent experience gave me several ‘sick to my stomach feelings’. I want to share the drama but I won’t bore you with the details. My friend has had two similar ‘sick to her stomach feelings’ situations recently as well. All three from different local business owners! We will probably not use these businesses again.

A business owner with good ethics chooses to go above and beyond when a mistake was made. In our situations, we as the customer felt we were going the extra mile to accommodate for their mistake, miscommunication and disorganization!

It’s not just about good ethics but good customer service. Many can argue these are one in the same but search the net and you will become overwhelmed with choices of articles on each. My personal feeling is if you are in business and you want to be successful YOU MUST practice good ethics and good customer service.

How do you do this?

The Golden Rule as it’s called by Wikipedia or Also known as, Luke 6:31

Do to others as you would have them do to you

This rule alone is not only a good business practice but good life practice and can be applied to many situations!

If you are a business owner I beg of you to provide good, ethical service to your customers. Not sure how to accomplish this? Email me! I have 17 years in direct sales and was taught by the best teachers in the business! Many, many classes, articles and lectures on how to be successful! I’d be happy to answer your questions!

Everywhere you turn there is a startup business. Everyone buys a fancy camera and starts doing photography, some have a natural talent and are well suited for running a small business, others….not so much! Tons of direct selling companies keep popping up every day, I’m sure you know someone who sells something! The point is even if they are amazing at what they are doing still need to provide good, honest service to their clients.  My team worries there are too many consultants with our company but I remind them – Be good to your customers and they will stick with you. This doesn’t mean you bribe them or give them extra goodies for free. It simply means if you’re in it for the long run then take good care of your customers! Even if someone leaves for a bit they are likely to come back to you.

It is one of my goals and on my vision board in my office – Good Customer Service…Be honest and Ethical!

Please add it to your daily goals! You’ll be a better professional and better person!

Amber Davis is a 17 year direct sales associate with The Lonagberger Co. and currently director for at Thirty One Gifts.  Holding a degree in business administration and marketing, she previously worked in the business industry. After the birth of her second child; family took priority over work and she left her full time position. Now a mother of four, she believes firmly in direct Sales and the endless opportunity it provides! "I can't imagine ever returning to a traditional 9-5 job," she said. She firmly believes in doing what works for your family. She helps her husband on the family farm and writes her own blog: Adventures in Farm Life. This, she said, is a work in progress and mostly serves to share family photos. In her free time she loves to travel and enjoys volunteering.