Mommy Monday:: STC

Sherrie Tennessee founded her spa Management company, Sherrie Tennessee Consulting – STC in July, 2011. The services she provides include consulting services for those starting or growing a business in the beauty and wellness industry. “In addition, I also teach continuing education courses to massage therapist and spa management courses as an adjunct at various colleges,” she said.

Like others, Tennessee sometimes finds it difficult to balance work and family. “It has been a challenge finding the balance between being an entrepreneur and up until this month a stay at home mom,” she said. “I make the most of nap and bed times, plus I use my support system to switch off child care and allow time for me to work on the business.”

Tennessee prides herself on strong time management skills. “I think that time management is key to success. I have a time chart breaks down my day in 30minute increments. I put in the must do-first; grocery, laundry, work, quality time with family. Then I put in the other items that need to get done, including writing, posting, and creating new leads, it really helps to keep me on track.”

She is encouraging when talking to other aspiring mom entrepreneurs. “My advice to other mom entrepreneurs is to not be afraid to follow your dream. I feel as a mom we are already super hero or she-ro as I like to say. Why don’t we share our talent with the world and earn a living as well?”

For marketing, Tennessee utilizes social media and word of mouth to advertise. She also has a writing blog where she features stories about the companies she has worked with.

STC can be found online, or Tennessee can be reached via e-mail.

Mommy Monday:: Rebecca Nash Photography

Rebecca Nash is the mom behind Rebecca Nash Photography. She started her business on a part time basis in September, 2010. When she moved to London, Ontario last year, she began pursuing it full time after receiving funding through the CYBF (Canadian Youth Business Foundation) in late March 2011.

Her business has multiple facets including wedding photography, portrait photography and fine art photography. “I am also a proud member of the Artisan Group (a celebrity gifting organization) and will have my new line of stationary with Fine Art Images on display in the 2012 MTV Movie Awards Celebrity Gifting Suite and in the Celebrity Swag Bags at the same event,” she said.

Celebrities will be receiving a portrait case trimmed in ribbon from Rebecca Nash Photography this year. Inside a set of 4 4”x5” blank note cards with fine art photos on the cover, corresponding envelopes, a biography card and a gift certificate for a full set of 12 note cards and envelopes of the theme of their choosing. More than any repeat business, Nash hopes to receive photos of celebrities holding her new products to use on her website and in promoting the new line of products.

As part of her fine art photography, she is also collaborating with another local artist on a touring gallery exhibit in honour of the bicentennial of the War of 1812. The exhibit is still in the creation phase but the hope is to have it ready to tour North America in early 2013.

Nash said she finds balance by implementing regular hours for work, family, and me time. “Everyone can understand what's happening and when. We have special nights for the family too, including movie night and board game night every week that we all look forward to.” She said, “It makes it easier for everyone to focus and respect the time frames.”

Like me, she’s also a big fan of to-do lists. Each week, she prioritizes the list into what must be done immediately, what should get done soon and what will get done sometime. “Then, I use the prioritized to-do list to block in tasks that must get done first and then work the way down the list for all the hours you have available for work. Use a timer to keep you on task and within your time frames!”

Nash encourages organization when talking to other mom entrepreneurs and aspiring business owners. For marketing, she utilizes her website, celebrity gifting, social media, bridal shows and local publications most often.

Rebecca Nash Photography can be found online here.

Mommy Monday:: Early Lingo, Inc. and Certified Tax Coach

Because of some mis-communication, we have two wonderful Mommy Monday businesses to share with you today!

Caryn Antonini is the mom-founder of Early Lingo, Inc. The company offers animated and live-action videos to teach a child (ages 6 months to 6 years) the basic foundation of a foreign language. The company launched in January, 2011.

The first six DVDs of the series are available in English, French, Spanish, Italian and Mandarin Chinese, with more languages and titles to follow in 2012. This past holiday season, a six DVD box set in all languages was released and has proven very popular.

When businesses are new, they require a lot of time and energy. “Given that I have a new start-up, balancing work and family can often be a challenge!” Antonini said. “I feel like I'm always "working" though I do create balance by making time for myself and sticking to it. I do the same for the time I spend with my two-year-old and my husband. When I'm with them I'm completely present. With another baby on the way, this is very important!”

She encourages other mom entrepreneurs to ask for help when they need it.  “Don't be afraid to ask for help and make sure you get what you need, whether it be free time, help, or even emotional support,” she said.

Marketing strategies used for Early Lingo, Inc. include social media, advertising, PR and tradeshows. You can find Antonini’s business online at her website, and on Facebook and Twitter.

We're also featuring Dominique Molina, mom and owner of Certified Tax Coach, today. She started her business in February, 2009 and since then, the business has grown to 200 members across the country.

Certified Tax Coach provides professional designation for tax planning specialists including education and support services and connecting small business owners with this network so they can pay less tax through proactive planning!

Molina admits that balancing work with family is a juggling act! “I use as much "found time" as possible ie: folding laundry while I'm waiting at sports practice, taking conference calls in the parking lot waiting for school pickup, and meticulous scheduling,” she said.

Her advice to other mom business owners is to be present. “It doesn't matter if you are physically there with your child, if your mind is thinking of all the million things you need to get done between work and home, the time is not quality,” Molina said. “I use meditation to "reset" my day when my brain has taken off and I need to be present with my family.”

To market her business, Molina most often uses media and PR along with strategic partnerships with accounting professional organizations and networking to grow her business.

 

Mommy Monday:: StormSister

Becky Sturm launched StormSister Spatique in 2005. The spatique offers hair, skin, nail, body lotions, potions and serums. She followed by launching her own multi-use beauty and grooming product brand in 2011, 3waybeauty.

Although she admits it doesn’t work for everyone, Sturm has her office at home. This, she said, helps her to balance business with family. “I have a teenager left at home and if he is home when I'm working I drag him with me wherever I go. I did this with both of my sons, even when they were little. It's a great way to stay up on what they are doing and expose them to business culture and people.”

That is the advice she gives to other mom entrepreneurs most often, have the kids help you as much as possible. “Even if they don’t like it,” she said, “it is great experience for them.”

Sturm’s marketing tactics include her website, Facebook, Twitter, other social media and some magazine ads. You can find her online at StormSister and at 3waybeauty.

Mommy Monday:: Hena Tayeb Photography

Hena Tayeb started her architectural photography business and online shop in 2009. Hena Tayeb Photography offers photographs for purchase online.

Tayeb works from home and has a 20-month-old child. She admits that balancing business with family is one of the most difficult parts of what she does. “B the internet in a treasure trove of resources that make it comparatively easier to make connections and network,” she said.

She also credits the support of her family. “I have a very supportive and hands on husband.”

When giving advice to other mom entrepreneurs, Tayeb encourages them to give up the idea of being perfect. “We have to give up the idea of being the perfect wife, mother and business woman. It is a lot of hard work and sometimes the laundry will remain unfolded for a few days,” she said.

“It's important to get your priorities in order and do what’s most important first,” she added.

Tayeb uses social media as a marketing tool, but she cautions against letting it become a time drainer. She is also a part of a few very supportive and informative networking groups. “Join a group that supports what you do and learn and build relationships,” she said.