mom entrepreneurs

Staying power - how to stay motivated as an entrepreneur when the novelty wears off

It is not uncommon today for a woman to decide to stay at home with her kids and start her own business.  It is also not uncommon for woman to open a store-front business and manage it herself.  We do this because we want something that is flexible to our life.  We want to call the shots, I saw this quote on Facebook today and it really made me think: what keeps us so committed?

 

"An entrepreneur is a self-employed person working 16 hours a day to avoid working 8 hours a day for someone else." – Anonymous



So that might in some ways explain why we branch out into entrepreneurship.  We did not want to continue to have someone else call the shots.  What you’re unprepared for is how HARD it is.

Being an entrepreneur is HARD!

entrepreneur mantra
I know you’re thinking - you know that.  Isn’t it a given that you should expect it to be hard?  Well maybe you think you understand how hard it is but then once you get into the trenches you quickly realize you had no idea how hard this would actually be.  That idea of how this would be so flexible and give you total control just isn’t there.  Now you are working double time and still trying to fit in the personal time you wanted.  Now you are desperately trying to please a whole new set of people.  Your clients!

So why stay?  Wouldn’t it be easier just to pack it in and go back to that regular paycheck?

No!

Why?  Because you likely love what you do! (If you don’t perhaps reconsider the regular paycheck.)  You have a passion for your business because you chose it based on what you wanted to do.  Likely you love your clients and really enjoy serving them and providing them with something they need.

So once the honeymoon period wears off in your business make sure you keep that love and passion for what you are doing.

  • Find a community that you can connect with around the business so they can be your cheerleaders and always remember that original vision.  You will achieve success, just remember it is going to be hard and will take time.  This might be a group of entrepreneurs; this might be fellow licensees or franchisees of the same business or maybe even a business coach or team of coaches.

 

  • Continue to update your business plan to see how far you have come.  This will keep you on the right path and also adapt it to head in new directions when needed.  That will keep things new and exciting!

 

  • Set aside that personal time, this is often the hardest to do.  Those e-mails will wait and when you return to them later you will be happier to be back at it because you took that break.  Building a business is like raising a baby.  Remember to take a step back every now and then to see how far you have come.  Taking a look at how your business is developing is easier to do if you step back to see the whole picture.


I hope you have fun with your business and are able to hold onto the passion that brought you into it!  Good luck!

 

Guest post by Leanne Ballard, entrepreneur and owner of momstown Guelph. Leanne was recognized as one of the top 40 under 40 in her communty.

Posted by momstown mompreneur on 05/03/2013 - 09:34
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Should you mix business and family? momstown entrepreneurs, business partners, and twins sound off!

If you don't know already we, the owners of momstown Edmonton, are also identical twins.  Our poor members never know which twin they're talking to and we're constantly being mixed up.  Some twins might get annoyed by this, but we haven't made it easy on people. 

Throughout the years as most twins would grow apart and create their own identities, we've done quite the opposite.  It's almost embarrassing when people ask all the standard questions like, What do you do? Where did you work? How old are your kids? etc.

 

As we start to reply; We worked at the same bank, have had 2 sets of kids two months apart, worked as doulas together and now own momstown together.  We've always had similar styled hair and clothes, even living 10 hours apart didn't keep us from buying the same shirts! When we're mixed up we know that it's our own fault, no need to apologize!



We think the dictionary should read:

mixing business and family



Here are some Pros and Cons of working with your twin:

Pros
1) We can be snarky to each other with damaging our relationship.
2) We look like we work extra hard, because one of us is always at events.
3) We deliver a consistent brand because we are literally the same person.

Cons
1) Our brutal honesty with each other is sometimes uncalled for in a business relationship.
2) We have the same strengths and weaknesses.  It would be nice if one of us was organized, but unfortunately in this area we lack x2.
3) The "M" word (momstown) has been banned from family dinners because it's so hard to turn the business talk off when we're both so invested in it.

I know a lot of people wouldn't want to work with family.  It's definitely tricky at times but I couldn't imagine a better partner. We've never had completely separate lives so I can't imagine watching her accomplish what momstown does without being involved!

Posted by momstown mompreneur on 04/23/2013 - 09:43
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What I Love About Being an Entrepreneur

I would have never thought that one day I would be the successful business women I am today, but I am.  I was the first licensed chapter of momstown that opened summer of 2009.  I knew momstown was a great fit for me and I have enjoyed watching momstown evolve into the fabulous company it is today.  Not just for our members but also for those that are looking to be self employed and even take their kids to work.


My family is number one, and being a momstown mama, my family is also part of momstown.  I love that I can take my kids to work. I love that my kids and my husband are experiencing things they wouldn't have if I had never had momstown.  My kids are seeing the town of Georgina for all it has to offer, from businesses to parades, community events and fairs, we see it often while manning a momstown booth.


I have met people that I would have never met if it wasn't for momstown and that includes my children too. From local celebrities to those they see on the TV. I have met people that I would have never have dreamed of meeting if it wasn't for momstown.

being an mompreneur


Aside from the great business it is, momstown has also opened other doors for me.  I would have never dreamed of being a co-host on a TV show with Rogers TV, and yes that too is on its way. Community producer and co-host, how exciting is that? 

 

 

 

Being an entrepreneur has also allowed me to be there for the important things for my kids.  As they went off to school and no longer attended momstown events I am still at the bus every morning and evening, with the exception of the Chamber break-net meetings, mommy is there. I am also able to attend school trips and in-school parties and special events that I would have missed if I were working the 9-5.


I love being an entrepreneur, but I love being an entrepreneur with a business called momstown. It's the momstown part that makes it special for me.  Each and every day I reach out to moms, moms like me, moms that need a break, want to laugh and want to just feel alive! It's called momstown love :)


Sometimes being an entrepreneur is tough. After all, it's up to me if I am successful or not, it's up to me if I receive a paycheque or not.  It's long hours often 7 days a week and it's always around me...like a third child.  Even after all that, I wouldn't change a thing cause I love being an entrepreneur... Thank-you Ann-Marie for making my dreams come true too

 

Written by Kim Edmiston, owner momstown Georgina

Posted by momstown team on 02/18/2013 - 12:45
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How do I join the momstown team?

The momstown mission is on fire and we're growing right across Canada. We get inquiries every day about how to open a momstown, how does it work and what are we about? We're in expansion mode with the goal os connecting as many Canadian moms as possible - all moms need other moms.

Our mission is to: Connect neighbourhood moms. One community at a time.


momstown.ca is a social networking, media and event company geared for moms with children aged 0-6 years old. The dual goal of each momstown chapter is to connect neighbourhood moms both online and in-person with over 20 local, in-person events monthly. Additionally, as a media company we invite and integrate brands and local advertisers into our mom dialogue in a protected and real fashion.



momstown is here at the right time and the right place. momstown is part of the social networking wave that is changing the way the online world operates and how society is behaving, learning and most importantly, parenting.



Join the momstown movement

We’re looking for moms, like you, to join the momstown movement.

 

momstown teamTeam momstown: June 2012

 

Are you searching for a business that is flexible and family friendly? Are you passionate about children, parenting, and connecting with like-minded mothers? How about internet-savvy, enthusiastic, self-motivated and leadership driven? Are you looking for an income, a fulfilling way to contribute to your family and an at-home business you can be proud of?

momstown is a dynamic small business to run - fun event planning with revenue earned from advertising sales and membership fees. It's perfect for a mom who wants to continue being the primary parent while owning a family-focused and mommy relevant business. momstown may be the right choice for you.

momstown baby

 

A bit about momstown

momstown is the original Canadian mom network, the only mom ‘website’ to plan regular events and achieve massive reach within the social media sphere.

Initially launched in August 2007 in Burlington, Ontario, with a focus to create a more integrated moms group, momstown was an immediate success because it met a relevant need in a unique and modern fashion. Our teacher-developed momstown educational curriculum is focused on early literacy, community involvement & local parents.

Today, with strategic partnerships with CBC Kids, Scholastic Canada, Today's Parent and a study commissioned by the University of Waterloo on the benefits to mothers brought by momstown, we are not the only ones to recognize the value that momstown brings to a community.

Our national network of momstown influencers and bloggers, with real-life neighbourhood connections, is the host of hundreds of monthly community events for moms and is unique gem in Canada.

A momstown License Includes

  • Exclusive license to own and run your momstown geographic territory
  • Revenue from all local membership fees, local advertising via online, newsletter & email advertising, event sponsorships, & social media campaigns. 
  • Territory specific, social networking website, up and running from day one
  • License to run proprietary momstown event programming complete with in-depth 5 year momstown national educational curriculum and program pillars.
  • momstown Training & Business Support
  • Access and support from a full team of momstown business owners, twice a year national conferences, ongoing training & team building

momstown is a turn-key operation, ready to be fueled by your vision and energy for your community.


momstown Testimonials

"momstown is the most vibrant mom community in Canada today. They've been able to take the best of the 1980's support group and carry that into the high-tech era for modern moms today." 
Ann Douglas, Author & Parenting Expert

 

"Having been around since momstown’s beginning, I’ve seen its team in action at national meetings and watched it grow from one chapter into a vibrant, licensed business. Momstown is a great step for any new entrepreneur who wants to work for herself, provide beneficial service to her community and stay rooted in family life. We need more momstowns in Canada!"
Julie Cole, Co-founder of Mabel's Labels

 

"It's been a privilege seeing Momstown grow over the past little while. My instructors have developed a lovely relationship with Momstown owners all across Canada. I love that there are businesses like Momstown that allows women to be their own bosses, that is why I started my business as well. From one mom entrepreneur to another I can honestly say that joining a strong team of people like Momstown will be a wonderful experience."
Laura Berg, President and Founder of My Smart Hands

 

Who's the mama behind momstown?  ann-marie burton

Ann-Marie Burton is the owner and co-founder of momstown.ca and motivated to grow momstown with an expansion strategy built on mom entrepreneurs. As the mother of 3 very young children, Ann-Marie intimately understands the mom consumer and the passion of mom entrepreneurs. Her own passion comes from building a dynamic business model, inspiring other entrepreneurial momstown mamas and developing a national momstown platform to connect and support neighbourhood moms across Canada.

Prior to becoming a mother and launching momstown, Ann-Marie spent 8 years in Customer Development and Marketing at Unilever Canada and has a degree in Honours English & Communications from Wilfrid Laurier. Ann-Marie was honoured to win the 2011 Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award from SavvyMom Media, has been named the Woman of the Week by Women’s Post, listed as one of Canada’s top 50 Mompreneurs in 2010 and is regularly featured in print, online and television.

Ann-Marie is well suited for the task of both developing the momstown brand and for leading our ever growing team of entrepreneurial momstown mamas. Still based in Burlington, momstown has an official “HQ” team of 4 who support Ann-Marie with Business Development, Marketing, Online Publishing and Team Leadership.

 

Reach out to momstown

Can't stop thinking about the momstown opportunity? Reach out to us. The first step for more information is  to fill in this form here and a package will be sent to you. Next, once you've decided you'd like to pursue momstown further,  we set up a phone call to discuss. Thirdly, you get to work on a business plan to submit to momstown HQ. This way we can evaluate your business skills and you can dig in and decide if running a momstown chapter is what you really want to do.

At any point, feel free to reach out to Ann-Marie or the whole team of momstown entrepreneurs to get their take on the business and the fabulous team we've built. Each one will say the team community is compelling, inspiring and supportive and I know they will also all admit, that being a momstown entrepreneur is a lot of work. Flexible? Yes. Family Friendly? Yes. Hard work? Absolutely.

 

Read on for some of our own team member's take on the momstown business and the commitment they have to execute the momstown mission of connecting fellow moms.

Why Doing what you Love (momstown!) will repay you in Spades


How momstown mompreneurs thrive with mentors and a team


How to find focus as a Work At Home momstown mom


momstown Mom Entrepreneurs are Rockstar Business women

Reflections as an entrepreneur and a momstown mama

A newbie's take on the momstown national team conference

 

Posted by momstown mama on 06/28/2012 - 13:41
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mom entrepreneur profile: Cheryl Yakem of Monkey Doodlez®

Welcome to the momstown moments mom entrepreneur profile! In this ongoing feature, we bring you some of the best and brightest mompreneurs - and find out what really makes them tick. We hope to inspire mompreneurs-to-be and support mom-based businesses across Canada and around the world.


Today's featured profile:

monkey doodlezCheryl Yakem of Monkey Doodlez®

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cheryl is a busy mother to four young children who turned the desire to find a trim, yet absorbent cloth diaper into a thriving company with a range of products. Monkey Doodlez® was one of the first companies to market with a reusable swim diaper and not only are they adorable, they are approved for use in public pools. Their patent pending Tuck and Go system is a hit amongst dads and daycares – no more handling soiled inserts and their two-size system saves money without compromising fit.

 

1.    Why did you become a mom entrepreneur?

After the birth of her eldest daughter, Cheryl wanted to find ways to reduce her family’s exposure to toxins such as those used in disposable diapers and wipes – but she couldn’t find a diaper she was happy with. So, she started developing her own. Now, 7 years later, Monkey Doodlez® has grown to include a range of products including All-in-One Diapers, Reusable Swim Diapers, Wipe Cubes and the patent pending Tuck and Go Diaper System.

 

According to Cheryl, the best part about owning her own business is that she gets to develop products that are not only healthier for babies, but ones that save families money – especially during these challenging economic times. “I just love hearing from happy customers who’ve discovered just how easy it is to use cloth diapers when they try our products,” she says.


2.    What’s your biggest challenge working for yourself?

Cheryl believes that the biggest challenge in owning her own business is the same challenge that all moms face – regardless of their profession – finding a balance for herself, her family and her career.

 

Cheryl laughs when people say, "Oh you’re so lucky to have your own business – you can take time off whenever you want." The truth is, having your own business means you get to work whatever 24 hour shift you want and that you have to be a master multi-tasker. You quickly learn to cook dinner while planning marketing campaigns, answer emails while refereeing fights between the kids, fold laundry and design new products. The neat part is, all those efforts result in YOUR own success and rewards.

 


3.    What advice would you give other mom entrepreneurs?

Her advice to moms thinking of running their own business is to “find your passion, because you’ll be devoting more energy to it than you can ever imagine. There’s no time off because even when you’re away from it, you’re thinking about it.” That being said, Cheryl wouldn’t have it any other way – she loves being the CEO of her own company.

 

Cheryl and her team are excited about the future of the company. “As parents become aware of the dangerous chemicals in products like disposable diapers and wipes, as well as how easy it can be to go reusable, I see only great things ahead for this industry,” says Cheryl. “We love being part of the movement,” she jokes.

 

Monkey Doodlez® is known for its commitment to producing high quality products in Canada and to employing professional sewers who work from home. Join them on Facebook, follow them on Twitter, and check out their website for full product details.

Posted by momstown mompreneur on 04/27/2012 - 12:57
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mom entrepreneur profile: Claudia Harvey of Dig It® Apparel

Welcome to the momstown moments mom entrepreneur profile! In this ongoing feature, we bring you some of the best and brightest mompreneurs - and find out what really makes them tick. We hope to inspire mompreneurs-to-be and support mom-based businesses across Canada and around the world.

 

Today's featured profile:

dig it handwear logoClaudia Harvey of Dig It® Apparel

 

 

 

 
Dig It Apparel is a lifestyle brand of products concentrating on women and families to fill a niche in the Canadian market.

We began in 2009 with our first product Dig It Handwear® Utility Glove. Unique to the market, our Industrial Designed Patented glove has a pillowtop protector built into each fingertip to minimize dirt and debris from reaching fingertips. We have 4 sizes designed specifically for a woman’s hand... to fit snug, provide dexterity and keep hands and fingers protected in any DIY project. We are thrilled to say we are in all Home Depot stores across Canada.

In 2010, we branched out to create Eye Dig It®, our safety sunglasses with certified safety lenses and frames with 100% UV protection …all in a fashion forward frame that look like a fashion sunglass. The differentiating benefit to this product is the safety features added to the glasses so you can look fantastic but still protect your eyes in every way.

In 2011, Dig It became the Canadian Distributor for DeBug™ Insect Repellent Patch which is an all natural Vitamin B1, Deet alternative to keeping mosquitoes away for up to 48 hours! It is perfect for camping, sports and any outdoor activity!

As we grow, our goal is to create and distribute more products that keep in line with the wonderful feedback we receive from discerning women and their families. 

 

Here are some words of wisdom from founder Claudia Harvey:

 

1.    Why did you become a mom entrepreneur?

I began Dig It® Apparel Inc. after I worked corporately for a number of years and had a young family of 3. I felt torn between my career demands and my family needs. I left the corporate world with the knowledge I had gained and to put this knowledge to work for myself. Having my own business allows me the flexibility of hours to be there for my family and work in a business I enjoy.

2.    What’s your biggest challenge working for yourself?

Because I now own my own business, every penny and minute count that I put towards the business. To make a success of the business I need to work effectively, creatively and every action should impact the positive future of my business. Because there is such a strong personal stake in the business I have to turn that “off” during family time and ensure they are the most important part of my day when I am with them. This is sometimes very difficult but I try to make a concentrated effort to adhere to this rule!

3.    What advice would you give other mom entrepreneurs?

Just like most things in life, timing is crucial to family and business. I couldn’t have imagined starting Dig It when I had babies at home. But only a mere 4 years later, I was able to see how I could juggle both without sacrificing either.  So sometimes patience is key and you can start on an idea, have it percolate, meet people, mull strategy, do your research and then be ready to act on it when you feel the time is right.

Part of the key to both personal and professional success is to surround yourself with likeminded, positive people. I started Dig It with my business partner Wendy who compliments my strengths and I hers. Wendy and I knew each other for many years and have the same work/life ethic. We work well together …and we divide and conquer wherever we can.

 
To find out more on Dig It products and where they are sold, please visit their website. You can also join Dig It on Facebook and Twitter for the latest updates.

Posted by momstown mompreneur on 04/01/2012 - 20:16
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