Mompreneur Next Door

We hear it over and over again - bricks and mortar stores are dying. Don't start a retail store because everyone is shopping on line. Recently I met a mompreneur who would beg to differ. Megan Giltner, a self-proclaimed professional bra fitter and accidental entrepreneur, became the owner of a lingerie boutique a few years ago and says the business is thriving. Like many of us moms who pursue entrepreneurship, Megan always knew that being a mom was something important to her, and at the same time she needed to feel professionally productive and engaged. She had been working in lingerie for several years, initially as a part-time way to earn some extra spending money. When Megan was four months pregnant, the owner offered her the opportunity to purchase the business where she was working, and although timing may not have seemed ideal, she jumped in with both feet and has not regretted her decision. What Megan loves most about entrepreneurship is the ability to do something sh...

We talk a lot about giving our kids time outs, but have you remembered yourself? Are you giving yourself time outs from all of the mommy-, home-, and professional-life duties? When my kids were little, some times even 30 minutes of not being needed helped me feel so refreshed! And guess what happens when we feel refreshed? We are better moms, wives, and friends and feel whole again - like maybe we can do this mom thing and aren't such a failure after all. So what are some great things to do to take care of you, to make you feel like yourself? 1. Work out. This doesn't have to mean going to the gym every day or spending hours on machines and weights. This can be something as simple and free as grabbing another mom friend, putting your kids in a baby carrier and/or stroller, and going for a walk or run. You could find a gym that has baby sitting services. When my kids were little, I found a Jazzercise class where I babysat once a week so got my membership comped. There a...

So you've decided to do a mompreneur gig and now you're wondering how to be successful. First and foremost, congrats! Deciding and starting are two of the most important steps! Here's the secret sauce to success, what you need to do so you can be like those moms that you read about, so you can earn a decent if not amazing income with your business - WORK IT! Truly, that is what it takes. Whether you are doing a direct sales, MLM, network marketing, editing, writing, baby sitting, jewelry making, whatever-you're-interested-in-business, you truly have to work it consistently for a few years. For many mompreneurs, finding the time to work can be the hardest part because when we're moms, everyone else gets our attention and our priorities firmly lie with the kids. So how can we work our business, have the flexibility to be with our families, tend to our husbands and friends, keep track of the household, have time for our own self care, and run a business? Three simple...

Every day I talk to people who are either interested in joining me in business or in doing their own thing. But they're waiting, waiting to start because the timing isn't right. It's the beginning of the school year, or the holidays are coming, or winter is hard with the weather, or spring is when they want to get outside, or summer is when the kids are home and they have vacations scheduled. Or they're waiting because they don't have enough money. They have bills coming due or the holidays are coming or there are medical bills or college expenses. They're waiting because they don't know enough people so they want to start building their network. They're waiting because they want to make sure that when they do their business that they are in it 100% and do great. Do any of these sound familiar? Because if they do, do you think that the stars will ever align all in your favor? Life doesn't work that way. There are always obstacles, and the reason y...

If you want to start a non-profit, it can feel very daunting. You have a passion to help people but it can seem like there are so many obstacles in the way. So where do you begin? I recently spoke with Donna Detwiler, an incredible Mompreneur and non-profit founder who shared so much valuable information to help you in your journey. Donna has founded numerous for-profit businesses and most recently founded Spera Foundation USA, her non-profit to help "build Heart Safe Neighborhoods TM across America." Donna's passion for entrepreneurship stems from her quest for flexibility, something many entrepreneurs share. You can always earn money but you can't buy the time with your family and loved ones. Donna knew from a very young age that owning her own business was an inevitability. While some kids play teacher or fire fighter, Donna was playing "entrepreneur." Donna started several businesses over the years, most with the purpose of helping people live hea...