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:: 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.

Givers gain more than Takers?

By Shara Lawrence-Weiss

I recently wrote a post related to the idea that December ought not be the “Season of Giving.” http://www.mommyperks.com/vip/?p=15777

The same might also be said for those who consider themselves Champions of Small Business. I’ve been working with small business owners for a few years now and there’s one topic that doesn’t come up all that often but it’s there, buried underneath much resentment and frustration:

“I would love to support others more but I need others to support me first.”

When the holidays roll around I see more of these women supporting other businesses, buying holiday gifts from their fellow business owners and so on. After the holidays are done, sales fall short. Now, this is very typical for many businesses:  the holidays bring an uptick in traffic, promotions and sales, sure. We all know, though, that spending continues throughout the year, right? From birthday parties and Easter to summer time crafts and Fall gatherings – people continue to spend money but generally speaking they seek purchases outside the small business realm at this point. They figure, “I supported someone at Christmas time – I’m done now.”

No doubt this is their right. We have every right to spend our money where we please. It’s interesting to note, however, that the small business owners I work with who continue to support small biz year round, seem to have a more successful run.

Some might chalk this up to “what goes around comes around” while others would credit a Spiritual way of thinking: “Do unto others as you would have them do unto you” (Luke 6:31). Whatever you believe you have probably seen it for yourself at some point: that the givers get more back.

From my perspective, working with so many small business owners, there appears to be something in common with the moms who truly succeed long term:

• They have giving and generous hearts and an outgoing nature
• They typically welcome people into their lives
• They chat openly about things and don’t keep the emotional doors closed
• They maintain a good sense of humor and are capable of laughing at themselves and their mistakes
• They enjoy what they are doing and they want to support others, even when others do not support them in return

I certainly cannot say that these observations are based on scientific research or $10,000 studies, using tax payer money to find the answers. The observations are based on my own experiences over the years. The women who do well in small business seem to have this overall package personality: a Givers Gain mentality. That’s not to say that all givers do succeed because they do not. I have seen far more of the givers succeed than the takers, though – I can tell you that much. When the givers seem to be struggling, others surround them and help to pull them back up; as though a fleet of warriors are there in the waiting. Those who have continually taken, asked for things, waited on others to support them first and so on… find that their boat is quite lonely when the ship begins to sink.

Givers gain more than Takers? I would say yes.

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.

Achieving $uccess:: Melanie Stewart

Market Mommy:: When and why did you found your business?

Melanie:: My name is Melanie Stewart and I am the Co-Founder and CEO of Compliance Partners, Inc. d/b/a CPI Experts and M&M Consumer Products, Inc. Compliance Partners, Inc. d/b/a CPI Experts was founded in 2001.  My son was 6 years old and I wanted to have flexibility with my time so that I could be more involved in his life.

I co-founded M&M Consumer Products, Inc. in 2009 because I was not able to find products on the market that addressed certain health and beauty issues that I was having.  I invented cues^TM,  Footeez^TM and The SASSI System as a result.

Market Mommy:: How long did it take before you felt successful?

Melanie:: It took about 2 years before I felt successful.

Market Mommy:: How do you define success?

Melanie:: I define success as owning my own business and living the life that I want to live.  

Market Mommy:: How do you balance parenting with running your business?

Melanie:: My family is my top priority!  I keep my family’s calendar with my work calendar so that I can make sure that I don’t schedule client site visits that would interfere with my son’s school events.  There are many days that I will work during the time my son is in school and then complete my daily tasks in the evenings when he has gone to bed.

Market Mommy:: When did you break the six-figure threshold?

Melanie:: I broke the six-figure threshold in 2004 with CPI Experts. 

Market Mommy:: What business strategies contributed to your success?

Melanie:: Creative and flexible payment arrangements for the consulting services provided to CPI Experts clients.  This allows small hospitals with limited budgets to purchase the consulting services that they need.

M&M Consumer Products is a niche product company.  We develop products that are solutions for specific health and beauty needs.

Market Mommy:: What specific marketing efforts really paid off for you?

Melanie:: I tried several marketing strategies when I started CPI Experts.  These included mailers and cold-calls.  None of these strategies really worked.  The best marketing for CPI to date has been referrals from satisfied clients.

With M&M Consumer Products, the best marketing has been getting our products featured on daily give-away and “coupon” sites.  Networking with people in the beauty and health industry as well as bloggers is also proving to be very beneficial.

Market Mommy:: What advice do you have for moms who are just starting out on their entrepreneur adventure?

Melanie:: There are several pieces of advice that I would give anyone just starting out:

o   Believe in the success of your service/product

o   Be true to yourself

o   Don’t under sell your worth

o   Be persistent

o   Network

In addition to her primary websites, products can be found on Facebook here and here. M&M Consumer Products also has a blog.

  

This post is part of a new series on Market Mommy, Achieving $uccess. These posts detail the journey these mom entrepreneurs have taken to reach sales of six figures and beyond. How do they balance it all? What strategies have worked for them? What advice do they have for you, the new mom entrepreneur? Follow our blog for many more Achieving $uccess stories in the near future.

September Favs

Each month we offer a dedicated e-mail featuring our favorite mom-owned businesses. This is a sponsored {meaning they paid for inclusion} e-mail and it goes out to everyone that receives our monthly newsletter. As an added bonus, we are featuring these great mom entrepreneurs on our blog today! Please check them out and see what they have to offer!

Babykakesink! - Home to the original "Alphabet Onesie & Tee" Even the tiniest babe can be the most stylish. These fun  and whimsical Onesie's OR Tees are the perfect solution for that unique or extra special gift.

Growth Chart Art - Growth charts are a great way for families to create memories and Growth Chart Art brings you artistic designs the whole family can enjoy. Stylish designs include: a tree with black bears, red sunflowers, antique ski, baseball bat, American Flag and more!