Mompreneur

Just because you're a mom doesn't mean you have to give up your creativity and passion for art. Novato mom and artist Alice Orth shows her paintings in exhibitions and shows throughout the North Bay, including area wineries. Her work can also be seen during the annual Marin Arts Council Open Studios, which are coming up this weekend, May 10 and 11, 2008. We asked Alice to tell us about herself, her family, and what it's like to be an artist and mompreneur.

Please tell us a little about yourself. What's your background?
After completing an AA in Fine Arts at the Collage of Marin, I attended and graduated from California College or Arts and Crafts [now called California College of the Arts] with a BFA in Interior Architecture. Encouraged by family and friends to pursue my love for art, I continued to paint alongside my design work. I discovered painting to be more gratifying than design and spent several years creating custom murals and mixed media on canvas. I am also the mother of a very charming four-year-old boy, and wife to an incredibly supportive husband. A couple years after the birth of my son, I passionately returned to painting solely on canvas. It allows me to be the best me.
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Making impressions of your children’s hands and feet in clay is a neat way to create a reminder of when they were small. Marin “mompreneur” Shawna O’Connor has made a business out of creating these special personalized keepsakes out of fine china clay with This Little Piggy. We asked her to tell us a little bit about herself and her unique business. She’s also agreed to give one lucky Marin Mommies reader a gift certificate for a free double print (two impressions on one piece), a $45 value. To enter the drawing, send an email to contests@marinmommies.com with "This Little Piggy" in the subject line.

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Mother’s Day is around the corner, and it’s never too early to start thinking about the perfect gift for the moms in your life (which can include yourself, of course).  I like to get gifts that that involve my children. One of my wish list items this year is a piece of custom photo jewelry by mom-owned tj & co. You send them your favorite photos and they seal them into a sterling silver pendant for a necklace or bracelet.

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Ever since my son and daughter were born, overflowing bins of outgrown clothing have accumulated year by year in my garage. I’ve been holding on to them with the intention of giving them to someone in need, selling them at a local rummage sale, or having a garage sale. Yeah right! Who’s got the time for that?

Since this is a challenge that nearly all parents face, Marin mompreneur Melissa Hereford has created Marin Kids Consignment, a unique local business that encourages the community to recycle kids’ and maternity clothing through local sales events. Their motto is “Saving the earth, one outfit at a time.”

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Looking for a modern decorative mobile for your baby’s nursery, child’s room, or anywhere else in your home? Check out the Oras mobiles, created by local mother of two and designer Vilija Marshall.  Oras designs take a fresh, playful approach to traditional mobiles. They’re available in either square or oval styles, both of which in turn are available in a wide variety of color combinations. All mobiles come ready to hand with mounting hardware and instructions, and retail for $180.

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Today I've posted an article by a guest blogger, Tammy Gibson of www.InStyleMoms.com. Tammy is a both a mom and a successful entrepreneur or "mompreneur", and shares a few tips for other moms who are thinking of going into business themselves.



Moms… turn your passions into profits.

• Do you have a dream or a passion you’ve put on hold, slowly simmering away on your back burner?
• Do you want the best of both worlds, be at home with the kids and run a profitable business contributing income to the household?

Not long ago I was in your shoes. I retired from teaching to commit to the most important full-time job of all, being a mom, but I’ve always had an entrepreneurial spirit in me waiting to explode out.  The time was right and I launched www.InStyleMoms.com, enabling me to stay home with my two children.

When women become moms, their passions, creativity and talent don’t disappear; they just get placed on hold for a while. Soon, many moms find a desire to express themselves in other ways.  They have this “There’s got to be more” feeling.  Perhaps it is a hobby you enjoy, music, art sports, etc.  Do you say “When the kids are in school then I’ll start…?”  Finish the sentence and you have your online marketing idea.

The mom marketing opportunity is tremendous.  

• Greater than 30 million moms are online
• There are 8 million women owned business generating more that 2 trillion dollars in sales per year
• Women start businesses 2 times faster than men with a longer survival rate

The time will never be better to start an online business.  Good news… it’s not as hard as you think to join the growing sorority of work-at-home-moms (WAHM).  So, what do you have to do?

After you have identified your passion you must research any competition and see if it is a viable business idea.  Go to a few websites and get a feel for what each site offers.  If there is NO competition, you may need to rethink your idea as there may not truly be a market for you.

1. Write a business plan.  What kind of business is it? Give a detailed description of the business and its goals.  Identify your target market. Describe your marketing strategy. Explain financial operations.
2. Organize.  How much time will you invest each week? Schedule it. Write down daily, weekly and monthly business goals.  Maintain your own office space.
3. Branding.  Make your business name something you love and easy to spell. Come up with a tagline/logo.  This is how the public recognizes you.
4. Website-Domain name must be easy to spell and remember.  Make sure it is available. Your website design must be easy to navigate and easy on the eyes.
5. Marketing- This will make or break your business.  Get the word out.  Network.  Advertise. Word of mouth.  Buy a good marketing book.
6. Knowing it all – you don’t and you never will.  Just do it anyway.  Ask for help. Most mompreneurs are more than willing to help.

There are challenges, of course.

• As every mom knows it’s hard fitting 25 hours into a 24 hour day.  The number one challenge is finding the time to wear 3 hats every day; mom, wife and mompreneur.  Block out your time, make it work and you’ll be glad you did.
• Rest.  Moms don’t need rest... at least that’s what the world seems to think.  But you do. Don’t stay up late every night. Get your sleep; otherwise your family life will suffer.
• There is an initial financial impact, especially at start-up. Expenses add up fast.  Make sure this business is a family decision and the costs are discussed upfront
• Time with your husband.  Don’t forget him.  His support is essential.  Now and then surprise him with a secluded retreat with just the two of you, no kids, and no business, just romance.

Moms don’t have to sacrifice their family life to pursue their dreams anymore.  This investment in time now will deliver tremendous benefits to you and your family down the road.  Imagine the possibilities.  In a few short weeks you can be on your way to the fulfilling life of being an online mompreneur.

Tammy Gibson is the proud owner of www.instylemoms.com, an online boutique helping moms live life in style! Tammy has been happily married since 1995 to Larry.  Together they have 2 children, Nicholas and Montana (named after football great, Joe Montana). Tammy lives by the Latin saying “Aude Aliquid Dignum” (Dare Something Worthy).  She says nothing is more worthy and daring than being home with her 2 children and being a successful Mompreneur

In addition to owning her own online business, Tammy is the Beauty and Fashion editor for www.HappyHousewivesClub.com and www.DivaMomsRadio.com.  She enjoys helping moms maintain their sense of style after having kids. She is also available for business consulting, personal coaching and speaking engagements. Contact her at info@instylemoms.com.