The mom-preneur movement
PORTLAND, Ore. – More and more moms are taking the plunge, starting their own businesses. It's being called the mom-preneur movement.
Mompreneurs are defined as a new generation of women looking for flexible solutions in the workforce. However, since flexibility is hard to come by, so many moms are now realizing it's better to be boss.
It's a rapidly growing movement especially in the U.S. According to the Center for Women's Business Research, the number of women-owned businesses in America has grown 40 percent over the past 10 years.
At the heels of Mother's Day, we introduce you to two mom-preneurs: CEO of Grow Business Media Reiva Lesonsky and Bella Cupcakes owner Debbie Philips. These mompreneurs agree the biggest dilemma, even when you're boss, is balancing work and family.
"When you are working for someone else you are on their schedule," Lesonsky said. "If you run your own business you get to set your own agenda."
We spoke with two mompreneurs who both agree the biggest dilemma, even when you're boss, is balancing work and family.
"Women think that again they can balance this out at 50/50," Lesonsky said. "You have to realize, going in, that you can't."
Instead she recommends deciding at the beginning of each day how much time you can devote to each "job." Some days you'll do more business; other days the family will take precedent.
"It just started out as maybe baking once a week," Phillips said.
Phillips, a hairdresser by trade, recently started her cupcake business, Bella Cupcakes, in Gresham.
"I wanted to do something different," she said.
She is not alone. If you're thinking about opening your own, here's some advice:
1. Pick a business that you enjoy doing. Starting a business isn't easy, but neither is parenting. Find something you love, so when the going gets tough, your passion will keep you going.
2. Develop a game plan. Just like you planned for the arrival of your baby, you need to plan for the birth of your business.
3. Get online. Social networking is great a great tool.
4. Include your kids. "I try to involve my 18 year old," said one mompreneur. "She does a lot of things for me."
Meanwhile, mompreneurs discover some interesting things about sharing the work load: "My 7 year old is excited to wash tables," said Debbie Philips at Bella Cupcakes.
5. Finally, ask for help. It's a well-kept secret: most people will help if you ask them.
Phillips suggests these two other keys to success: perseverance and putting yourself out there.
"I hit the pavement and took samples," Phillips said. She now has her cupcakes in several restaurants and coffee shops and is about to open her own store.
"It's a new generation of women that were looking for flexible solutions in the workforce," said one source. "...Balancing work and family on their own terms."
Related links:
- Helpful info to start your own business
- "Why 75 percent of women struggle to succeed in business," from SavvyMompreneurs.com