This attorney-turned-momtrepreneur fills us in on the major career switch — with two very little ones, to boot. My favorite part of her business? Those “after” shots.
What business did you start up?
A professional organizing business, Organizing Philly, that helps residents and business-owners maximize their space and simplify their lives. Read more
With the New Year comes my usual list of 359,224 resolutions, the first of which is always to travel with my family more than we do. And how clever of Corinne–she figured a lot of it out for us! Thanks to yet another mom full of gumption and the ability to create what was missing for us all, Have Baby Will Travel is the go-to site for our (and our children’s) wanderlust.
What business did you start up?
Have Baby Will Travel – an online guide for family travel with babies & toddlers. It features destination information, useful links and articles, packing lists, and first-hand accounts from parents of trips they’ve taken with their babies and toddlers. Read more
This musical momtrepreneur has become a tastemaker in the music industry, all because of her devotion to great tunes. Might I suggest that you check out a playlist on her site and listen while reading this interview? You will thank Val later.
What business did you start up?
I started a boutique music website, Valslist, that targets the over 25 crowd. Many in this age group have lost track of music and find it hard to keep up with new music. So Valslist does it for them. We search for the best new artists and introduce you to music you might not find on your own. We collect the best tracks, list them on our site in easy-to-download playlists, and add new music each week to keep you current. We take the hassle out of the music search and help you get great music back into your life and onto your iPod. We’re an iTunes Affiliate, so the format is familiar.
What motivated you to do it?
I’ve been a serious music lover my entire life. I’ve always been the music “go-to person” with my friends. The older I’ve gotten, the more requests for help I’ve gotten, which proved how out of touch with music busy adults get when real life, family, kids, and career start to take over. I thought if I provided a user-friendly website with a great list of the newest music, as well as some vintage oldies sprinkled in, I might help people get back into the music scene, effortlessly. Music is such a part of life, everyone should have it.
How many children do you have, and how old are they?
I have four boys, ages 24, 21, and twin 17-year olds. They had a lot to do with me starting this business!
How long have you been running your business?
My busines is 2 1/2 years old. I launched the site in August of 2007.
How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you choose to measure success?
My website is an iTunes Affiliate – iTunes pays me for every song that I sell on my site. They don’t pay a lot, so my website was never intended to be a big money maker. It is intended to launch my brand. I’ve gotten a paycheck from iTunes every month since I launched, so people are buying from my site. But the biggest measure of success was when the biggest music analyst in the industry, Bob Lefsetz (an industry favorite) wrote about Valslist. He touted Valslist as a fresh new idea in a struggling industry. He said I’m a (human) music filter which is necessary because there’s “too much” music out there to weed through, most people don’t know where to start. He said “whoever owns the filter owns the future of this industry.” Needless to say, my inbox was jammed the next day by artists, managers, producers, etc. and I’m still catching up a year later! Very quickly many other opportunities came along; presenting shows, artist interviews for my podcast series, linking with the Lollapalooza Music Festival in my home town of Chicago, etc. The biggest surprise? The day after Lefsetz wrote about me, I received an email from David Gilmour of Pink Floyd who praised my website and my ‘eclectic mix of music’ and asked my permission to use my site as an example for his UK Radio Broadcast Associates!
How did your family react to you starting your own business?
My family has been great, with a few surprises along the way. My husband is in business and is completely behind me, offering ideas and strategy. My boys are older so I’m obviously not balancing young ones and this – that would be harder, as I’m on my computer in my office all day every day. But some days the boys make comments like, “How many hours have you been on the computer? You’re in the same place you were 9 hours ago.” Also, sometimes it’s tricky due to the product I’m selling. Sometimes its awkward when your mom knows more new artists than you do when you’re a college kid. But all in all they’re very proud of me and support me all the way.
Easiest part of your job?
Listening to music. I’m so lucky to be making a job out of a lifetime passion. I will never ever tire of trying to find the next new artist.
Hardest part of your job?
Two sets of balancing acts: 1) Stopping the work to get my other things done (household things, meals, kid stuff, other obligations…) I’m so passionate – almost obsessive about the music that it’s really hard to turn it off! 2) Getting it all done – the business has gotten so busy and multi-faceted, I’m almost running every minute to get things checked off the to do list. I’m dealing with artists, magazines, blogs, doing playlists for those, music things for my community (pro bono), all on top of my marketing strategy – we’re doing an iPhone App and pitching some big businesses now. I have 5 college interns working for me but it’s busy just to delegate things. I’m a right brain creative first and foremost: following a structured business plan is not so easy for my personality type!
What skill would you most like to improve?
Organizing and budgeting my time. It’s been a huge learning curve coming from being an at-home mom for 21 years, where your day is laid out for you with schedules and obligations with the kids. Now my day is a clean slate for ME to prioritize; that’s much harder. Every day I challenge myself to follow my to do list for that day and not deviate!
What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?
I wish I knew more about press/news releases: how they’re used and how to write one. The PR and marketing aspects of the business are the most challenging for me. Not that I don’t like them or understand their importance and role in my success, but rather, they exhaust me! I LOVE the creative side of the marketing – and think I’m pretty good at it – but the PR side is way too busy for me – I’d much rather hire that part out!
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
I had an idea for a business and made it happen. I want Valslist to become a household name for finding great music, and my brand exposure is growing every day. The fact that it’s an internet business is even a bigger deal for me: I’m 52 and didn’t grow up in the cyberworld, but I’ve learned something new every day and I’m not afraid to say yes and try new things.
Favorite part of a typical day?
Sitting down to plan my workday. I’m like a kid at Christmas. Every facet of my business excites me because the sky is the limit. The music industry is really struggling; it’s a great time to have a fresh new idea. But in the end, my biggest thrill is knowing that somewhere out there I’m helping a busy person find new music – effortlessly – and I know how good music makes them feel.
Anything else I should have asked you that you should answer?
I need to give accolades to my husband for supporting my endeavor because I don’t have to pay the rent with my Valslist paycheck; it makes it a more stress free startup. For some who do need to support themselves, a startup is trickier.
A few more questions, just because American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…
Childhood ambition….to have my own business – something creative.
Fondest memory….the birth of each of my kids.
Indulgence….to sit and read (type A’s rarely do this!).
Last purchase…..skinny leg jeans to wear with boots.
Favorite magazine…..MORE and Architectural Digest 
Inspiration…..life outside the box: discovering the new.
My Life…..and everything in it is a gift that I appreciate more every day.
Sheri’s business idea is not only intuitive, but proof that *anything* you are working on can be turned into a viable business if you see that there is a missing piece. Mazel Tov, Sheri, for opening up an entire new market for moms!
What business did you start up?
I launched MitzvahMarket.com, an online resource for Bar/Bat Mitzvah planning families at any stage of the planning process.
What motivated you to do it?
I am a real-life Mitzvah-planning Mom with upcoming Mitzvahs in both 2010 and 2012. I found my friends were a wealth of knowledge having been through it all before. I did some research and discovered there wasn’t an online resource to house all this great mom-to-mom advice.
How many children do you have, and how old are they?
I have two children. My daughter is 12 and my son is 10.
How long have you been running your business?
I left my job at Elle Magazine one year ago to take a big chance and launch this new business.
How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or
successful, however you choose to measure success?
A few months after we launched (November 2008) we started getting emails from Moms thanking us for the clever, useful and entertaining ideas. Then the calls started coming from various Mitzvah vendors wanting to advertise. They never had a way to reach this specific audience of planning families.
How did your family react to you starting your own business?
My kids were thrilled that I was no longer commuting to NYC for my job and that I would be around more. My husband has been great and very supportive.
Easiest part of your job?
There are two easy parts: the first is the commute! After commuting to NYC for over 11 years, the commute to my kitchen is very easy. The second is that I’m the target audience, so it’s easy to decide what our reader might want to know.
Hardest part of your job?
The hardest part is working from home with no beginning and end to my day.
What skill would you most like to improve?
Internet marketing. I’m a public relations executive, but would like to better understand how to drive traffic to your website using online resources.
What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?
Patience. After working in corporate America for so many years, I was very used to all the resources a big company can supply. It’s taken me a while to realize things happen much slower when you are on your own.
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
We are signing an agreement with a national Mitzvah magazine and will become their official Website enabling us to reach their 220,000+ readers.
Favorite part of a typical day?
Being able to take a break and drive carpool and make dinner for my kids.
Anything else I should have asked you that you should answer?
Any advice for a Mom thinking about starting their own business?
Get out there and network! Take a good look at your friends, family and former colleagues. You probably have connections to companies and resources you haven’t realized.
A few more questions, just because American Express should be
featuring more momtrepreneurs…
Childhood ambition….to work in the entertainment industry.
Fondest memory….my summers on Fire Island.
Indulgence….dark chocolate.
Last purchase…..Steve Madden high heels.
Favorite magazine…..In Style.
Inspiration…..my Mom.
My Life…..is going great!
How much do we love (and need) moms helping other moms? Support is key, and Lori has turned her desire to help others into a growing business–and book! She even finds time to practice Tae Kwon Do…
What business did you start up?
Momnificent!® is a company focused on helping moms live magnificent lives – personally, professionally and spiritually. Momnificent!® provides coaching and other resources to empower moms to minimize stress, celebrate balance, and create positive change in their lives.
What motivated you to do it?
Discovering my life purpose and having a heart-felt desire to make a difference in this world. I am a mom too, and I know how hard it can be. I want moms to know there is support available to them as they walk through the journey of motherhood. I also have a heart for children, and want to do what I can to contribute to raising the next generation. Moms are models for the next generation, and we have the ability to make the world a healthier and more positive place to live. I want to be a part of that movement.
How many children do you have, and how old are they?
I have two wonderful boys. Kai is 18 and a freshman at Mizzou, and Ian is 7 years old.
How long have you been running your business?
I started my coach training in September 2003, and opened my business in July 2004.
How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you choose to measure success?
It took about two years for me to become profitable. I have always poured the majority of all my income back into my business because I am still building it. This year has been tougher, not only because of the economy, but because I had a few major business ventures – rebranding and publishing a book. It’s all uphill from here!
How did your family react to you starting your own business?
My family has always been very supportive. My husband has been my biggest supporter, often promoting my business because he is so proud. My older son has done work for my company, and even my little guy loves to promote Momnificent!® He loves to hand out marketing postcards.
Easiest part of your job?
The easiest part of my job is coaching my clients. I’ve been doing it for years, and it comes very natural for me.
Hardest part of your job?
The hardest part of my job is marketing a service/products that moms view as a luxury, rather than a necessity. My challenge is understanding my market and what they want or need in the way of personal and family growth. I have always been a sponge for learning and growing, so sometimes I assume all moms are like me, but all moms are different.
What skill would you most like to improve?
I am constantly striving to improve in all areas of my life. I guess if I had to pick one area I wish I were much better at, it would be sales and marketing. After all, you can’t really build a business without that skill.
What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?
I would have to say that knowing how to build a business is critical to success. When I first started my business, I knew how to be a coach. Even though I had worked in business and knew how to run the administrative side of a business, I had no idea how to build a company. I have spent years educating myself on marketing, business building strategies, successful business models, writing sales copy, etc. It would have been easier if I had known all that when I started, but the journey of learning has been good, none the less.
Can you recommend 3 essential websites for moms in, or going into, business?
Ali Brown
Kendall Summerhawk
National Association of Entrepreneur Moms
What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?
Writing and publishing my new book, The Momnificent! Life ~ Healthy and Balanced Living for Busy Moms, and creating my brand Momnificent!®
Favorite part of a typical day?
I love my quiet time when everyone has left the house for work and school, and I get to dive into what I love – my business! I love being home for my son when he gets off the bus, and I love snuggling up in bed at night with whatever book I happen to be absorbing.
Anything else I should have asked you that you should answer?
Start a business because you love what you do! No matter how discouraged you feel, don’t ever give up on your dream!
A few more questions, just because American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…
Childhood ambition….When I was a kid, I wanted to be a pediatrician. God had different plans for me.
Fondest memory….When I was young, I had been outside playing in the snow (I really don’t like cold weather). When I came in, I remember being so cold. My mom put my feet in those old hair dryers that you used to wear on your head, and turned on the heat while she went to make some hot chocolate for me. I remember drifting off to sleep feeling blissfully happy and warm.
Indulgence….chocolate, chocolate and chocolate!
Last purchase…..creamy tomato soup and barbeque chicken chopped salad from Panera Bread – yummy!
Favorite magazine…..when I make time to read magazines, I like Entrepreneur and Oprah Magazine. I know that Ali Brown’s new magazine (Ali Magazine) is going to be a favorite of mine!
Inspiration…..positive people that have a zest for life, people who smile and laugh a lot, people with amazingly good energy.
My Life…..is rich and full. I am blessed in so many ways. I have amazing friends, a loving family, and I get to do work I absolutely love! I love my Tae Kwon Do family, and feel wonderfully empowered by practicing Tae Kwon Do. I love to read, watching good movies, and of course, creating. That’s what being an entrepreneur is all about!
