Guest Post by David Hing :: Times are tough and since the global economic collapse, many people have lost jobs and been unable to find new ones. Thankfully, many people have discovered an entrepreneurial talent bursting forth from the ashes of their employed lifestyle.
The mom entrepreneur has traditionally been ahead of the curve. With mothers statistically more likely than fathers to be staying at home to raise children, it’s no surprise that those who have either suspended or given up a career entirely have gone on to find the motivation to either try a business idea that they always wanted to or to monetize a hobby.
But insurance issues can easily crop up for an entrepreneur. You can be left with gaping holes in your finances that you need to cover with funds you’d be better off investing in further growth, or simply keeping as business profits. A home-based business can often feel insignificant to its owners and a new entrepreneur might not really appreciate just how well they’re doing and what they have achieved. Often, a mom entrepreneur’s attitude leans toward the notion that they’re just bringing in a little extra money on the side. This lack of confidence means that public liability, business interruption or basic property insurance issues can get overlooked. Mom entrepreneurs are running companies that are often much more significant than they will give themselves credit for and they can still suffer from some of the issues faced by larger companies.
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With a 3-year old business, Caitlin finds solace in her clients and making a difference in families’ lives. See why Caitlin does what she does, and how she incorporates a little People Magazine as many of us do…
What business did you start up?
I founded Alter Ego Concierge, a domestic staffing and lifestyle management agency that specializes in the staffing of private households. We place full-time, part-time and temporary nannies, housekeepers, personal assistants, baby nurses, doulas, elderly companions, and other private household staff. We also specialize in concierge services.
What motivated you to do it?
I wanted to bring high quality domestic staffing to a professional level in the Chicago area. I love what I do. I love interacting with my clients and candidates, and ultimately I am happy to get up every day and do my work!
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Know any lawyers who are sincere do-gooders in their communities? They’re rare gems. Read what Donna Peel launched and why she’s someone you should ask to meet for coffee.
What business did you start up?
Pro Bono Network.
What motivated you to do it?
Seeing that there were no organizations that met my needs to stay in the legal field–even if I am volunteering–in a practical way while I raise my children.
How many children do you have, and how old are they?
Two of them: 7 and 10.
How long have you been running your business?
Since February 2011.
How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you choose to measure success?
I felt successful after the Network survived its first summer off and the attorneys came back ready and raring to do more. Read more
“If you’ve been thinking about beginning your journey through Startup Land, there’s never been a better time. Check out these tremendously valuable resources which will undoubtedly increase your chances of success.”
Check out The Founding Moms featured in the Get Inspired section of this infographic. YES! (Hint: Click on it to get a bigger version that you can ready easily.)
Guest Post by Lisa Barr :: Gearing up for that first job interview can be a hard sell. What do you do when a potential employer looks at you on paper and says, “Wow…nice work…but…what have you done lately?”
“Lately” (you think in a panic) does not even cut it on a resume. “Lately,” as in the last decade? Let’s see…diapers, Gymboree, dance, travel sports, doctors’ appointments, groceries, carpool shlepper extraordinaire…I could go on. And I’m sure you could too.
My first moment addressing “Lately” was forced upon me. My ex-husband had disappeared and I was left with two young children and 67 cents in my bank account. I still have the bank receipt. I know, mine was an extreme situation, but the feelings are the same. Who would possibly hire me? I wouldn’t hire me. Read more
Guest Post by Suze Solari :: Spring is here! Even if the cold still plagues us, the days are longer and warm nights will soon be upon us. In preparation for the new season, take a little time to review what’s in your closet. Remove what’s worn out, doesn’t fit or items you just don’t like anymore.
This is a perfect time to invest in a few key pieces for spring and summer. I’ve officially put away my tall boots and will be bringing out my platform sandals and peep toe wedges, ready to slip them on the minute the temperature get over 60 degrees. Read more
We could not be more excited. In the last two months, we’ve been launching like crazy!! We now have our monthly meetups, or Founding Moms’ Exchanges, in these locations:
Zagreb, Croatia
Indianapolis, IN
Singapore
Oakland, CA
Almere-Haven, The Netherlands
Denver, CO
Krakow, Poland
Scottsdale, AZ
Adelaide, Australia
And in Mexico? In addition to Mexico City we’re now also in Satélite, Monterrey, DF Roma, and San Luis Potosi, too.
It’s been an incredible ride connecting mom entrepreneurs around the world! We look forward to many more cities in the months to come, too. Don’t see your city listed here? Check out all of our cities over here.
“Jill Salzman, one of the four judges and founder of The Founding Moms, said it was a unanimous decision in choosing the team…Judges were tough but fair: After all, the weekend was about the learning experience. “To say we’re going to Facebook and Tweet is not really a sell,” one of the judges said in response to a pitch, pressuring entrepreneurs to re-think and revolutionize marketing strategies. They left entrepreneurs with a few key pieces of advice:
Work on your pitch. “You need to tell a good story, or you have lost us,” Salzman said. Make no more than three points in a presentation and know what you want to get across, what you want your audience to walk away with.
Don’t fill your slides with numbers and facts. Again, remember to tell a story, and remember that you are talking to humans. The numbers are important, but don’t make your presentation surround around them.
Salzman said the judges considered “who could actually be a thriving company down the road.” The winning company, Diabetes Winners! said they hope to continue the project running, and to check back to see where they are moving forward.” Read the rest of the Techli article here.
To learn more about Startup Weekend head over here.
Filling a hole in the market usually makes for one smart business idea. Jennifer took her desire for healthier skin products, mixed it with a dash of baby-bump inspiration, and voila! Her business was born. Read on for how she pursued it…
What business did you start up?
I started a skin care company called Created Pure. We use recognizable and wholesome ingredients like avocado oil, olive butter, beeswax, and French green clay to care for your skin in the most natural way, free from harmful chemicals. Created Pure’s mission is to give you effective and affordable skin care products with pure ingredients–as close as possible to their natural form.
What motivated you to do it?
When I was trying to get pregnant with my daughter, I wanted to be as healthy as possible. I could not find products on the market that were as effective, affordable, and chemical-free as I wanted, so I decided to create my own. Read more
