For Those Mompreneurs To Be Out There
1. Tell us about what inspired you to become a Mompreneur.
Barbara: After returning from a trip to NYC I had discovered a concept that was not yet in the Tampa area so I decided to start something similar. I have always been looking for something of my own to do, it was just a matter of finding something that I was passionate about.
Aly: After having my first child, I was not sure what avenue I would take career wise. I was an elementary teacher before I became a moms and was not sure I wanted to go back to teaching. I loved my career choice, but knew I could not give it the 100% effort that I had previously done. I was kind of at a stand still career wise, but enjoying staying at home with my daughter. When Barbara called with the opportunity to become a partner with Divine, I did not hesitate. Divine was the perfect opportunity to be my own boss, make my own flexible”mommy” hours, and make a career out of the two things I do best, educate and entertain!
2. What is one thing that you think that all moms planning to start their own business should know?
Barbara: It’s important to have a business foundation in addition to your business dreams.
Aly: Stay positive because with great success comes great challenges and bumps in the road.
3. How were you able to balance being a mom and an entrepreneur?
Barbara: I think it’s a continual process. Some days/weeks are better than others. It?s important to have the support of your friends and family as it’s hard to juggle all of the responsibilities with the multiple facets of being a mom, wife, business woman etc.
Aly: I am still working at it everyday! It is difficult sometimes to not want to answer emails, make phone calls, etc when you are at home with family, but I try to turn off my phone when I am at dance class with my three year old daughter or make Saturday and Sundays family time with out the cell phone or computer:) My daughter knows when mommy is working and I think it is great for her to witness me enjoying my career.
4. What is your opinion on large businesses that seek out moms who want to work at home? Do you think that these are good options or should women just focusing on doing their own thing?
Barbara: In all honesty, I’ve never explored options provided by large businesses for moms to work at home. As a mom entrepreneur there are always tradeoffs. Any business opportunity should be assessed on a continual basis to ensure that you are happy with what you are getting out of the time you are putting into it. It’s not just your time now, it’s your families time when you become a working mother.
Aly: I think that it is a matter of what avenue you’d like to take career wise.Working from home is definitely not easy and comes with its own challenges! It depends on whether you want to work for someone else or if you have the means to start your own company.
4. What is one technological device that you can not live without?
Barbara: My iphone!
Aly: Blackberry!
5. How were you able to fund your business as a start-up?
Barbara: Aly & I each came with a small initial investment that laid the foundation for us to get started.
6. How were you able to overcome the “glass ceiling”?
Barbara: I honestly don’t believe that its ever been a problem for us. I believe that people expect results from all businesses and that as long as you are able to deliver a quality product that it’s not an issue.
7. Are you able to take time for yourself to focus on your own health and wellness?
Barbara: Based upon time constraints, I’m only able to focus on my health by staying active with my family and maintaining a healthy diet. My husband is also nice enough to watch our daughter and give me some “me” time every few weeks. Again, it’s another aspect of life that requires continuous effort to keep it in balance.
Aly: Moms always put themselves last. It is just the natural thing to do sometimes when you are taking care of everyone else in your family. I make sure to try and do something for myself once a week. Whether it is a hot bath to just wind down and relax, or a yoga class to try and clear my mind, it feels great to do this for myself. I am a better mom when I am happy and healthy!
8. Do you think your family life suffered because of your work ethic?
Barbara: I think that it’s important for me to be diligent with my time and how much time I’m spending on work, and how much time I’m spending with my family. I have found that if I don’t pay attention it’s very easy to be consumed by work.
Aly: No. I sometimes stop and think about the choices I am making through out the day. If I miss my daughter’s swimming lesson or dance class for a meeting, I think, is it worth it? Life is too short. I am consciously making these decisions everyday and although it is difficult at times, I am happy with the decisions I make/or have made work ethic wise. I know that the happiness I have with my career helps me to be the wonderful mom I strive to be!
9. How are you helping other mompreneurs to become successful?
Barbara: We are providing other mom entrepreneurs the opportunity to network with one another and share inspirational stories about being a mom entrepreneur at Moms Reinvented. Outside of our annual event we are always working on connecting moms in the community with one another and with businesses that we’ve come in contact with.
Aly: See Moms Reinvented! Encouragement and Inspiration!
Check out the Moms Reinvented in Tampa this Saturday, October 17th.
Check out the Moms Reinvented Flyer for more details!
If you need money to start your own business, check out the Happy and Healthy Mompreneur Fund.
