The Life of a Mom-Preneur
I am constantly asked what I do for a living. The answer is complicated and it can be answered in many ways, but I find no one really understands what exactly it is that I do every day.
My typical answer is, I’m a Mom but I also own my business and work from home. Now most people think I’m joking or that I must be selling Tupperware or something. Some politely say, oh that’s nice and move on. I met a woman on the airplane who went on and on about her job as a corporate VP at some large corporation. When I told her I worked at home she said “I think it is so cute that Moms like you are able to stay home with the kids and find a way to keep busy with a little job.” Okay, Number 1, Moms don’t NEED anything else to keep them busy. I don’t care if you have 1 child or 10 children; if you are a Mom you are busy. Number 2, my job isn’t LITTLE.
I could bore them with the details of all the different hats I wear, Mom, Chef, Taxi, Business Owner, Marketer, R & D, Customer Service, Shipping and Receiving, etc. My corporate VP’s are two 7 year-olds that help pack boxes with me in the afternoon, I guess you could say they are the head of our Shipping Dept. But people still don’t seem to get it. I am constantly asked to babysit other kids, because their working parents assume that I don’t do anything all day. I’m home therefore I’m available.
Obviously one of my challenges is how to express what it is I do on a daily basis. That I have to be on the ball, creative and in charge 24/7 not just at my job but also at home with the kids. I don’t punch out at 5pm, in fact I haven’t punched out since our website went live 4 years ago. I own my own business but that’s not all, I am also the head of every department within my business. As mom, there are the kids, the laundry, cooking, cleaning, homework, soccer practice. The list goes on and on.
I've been hearing the term “Mom-preneur” more and more. I guess that is what I am. I have to say I like this term better than WAHM, I’ve never liked the way that acronym looks. It reminds me of WHAM!, the 80’s band, and all I can think of is George Michael. He’s not really the ideal pin up for Mom-preneurs.
Will this term Mom-preneur help explain what I do? I don’t know. What I do know is more and more women are starting up their own businesses from home. Who better to do this than Moms, we are used to juggling so many hats in our personal lives that adding more ‘hats’ is like adding more shoes…we can never have enough…
This post is filed under The Life of a Mom-preneur and has the following keyword tags: ecommerce, work at home.
14 Comments
PetsRight says:
Loved this article. Don't forget about us "Dad-Preneur " as well.... lol.
eofficeworks says:
I also loved the article. It's funny how "employees", disregard, because of ignorance, the hard work it takes to be a business owner, that has their kids as VP's, shipping manager, and admin assistant.
Christa says:
Thanks for your post on this topic. I have a 5-month-old (my first) and I'm constantly amazed by how many people think my life is "easy" managing my consulting business that I've been running for three-plus years while also taking care of my son full-time. It's nice to hear I'm not alone!
yourtherapysource says:
I can relate to this article all too well. People ask what I do when I say I started my own business working from home. I always assume they are thinking MaryKay or Pampered Chef. I tell people I own and operate an Internet retail site for pediatric therapists. I feel like people assume I just dabble in it meanwhile it is an extremely profitable business that I grew from scratch - creator, author, publisher and web developer. I have four children and people I meet have no clue that I even work. Maybe that is my own fault. Thanks for the post. Now I do not feel alone in my complaints.
Mark Anthony says:
I used to run a Home Based Business Association and heard this all the time. "Since you are home, could you watch for (UPS/Fed-Ex, my Mom) and still drives me nuts when people think Home Based Business is a part time hobby.
It comes from jealousy that they have to punch a time clock and you don't. If they only know how many times I wished I punched a time clock and could go home!!
Then I remember I look at them and see what they are going through and I am glad I don't punch a time clock!
gp says:
Being an ecommerce entrepreneur can be scary. Just in the process of launching my first website www.ItemsInStock.com. No income for past seven months. Having a job used to be a breeze as compared to this. Hats off to all you mom - dad - preneurs.
pearceb says:
Hi Kara,
Great blog!
I can totally relate. I'm in the process of setting up my home business, after freelancing for five years as a web copywriter and SEO specialist, as well as doing my 'day job' as a systems specialist for the largest telecoms company in South Africa, and raising a 4 year old as a single mom! Phew. How many caps is that?
Well done all single parents who work too, mom or dads. Great job and we know it's not easy being everything to everyone.
Yay Us!!
ilovejeans says:
Hi Kara, It's so good to hear i'm not alone! I own/run an online denim website full time and have a 2 half year old daughter. It is strange your right other womens attitude towards women of strength like us. I was in a situation last month when a younger woman who also has her own business said to me " Yes haven't you been having lots of babies?".My reply was - just the one and that was nearly three years ago now. Well my little job brings me to working on a Friday night when others are in the pub or watching TV. I know what I would rather be doing.....
Dean Iodice says:
Kara
don't feel left out, all of us work at home people share the same issues. Oh your home can you do this and that. That women you met on the plane she wishes she could be in your boots.
Carry Wichtendahl says:
I know the neighbors understand I have a business - they see the pile of orders leaving and supplies arriving all the time, but for those that don't see it, they think I am doing this as a hobby.
Shipwire eCommerce Order Fulfillment Service says:
Hey Kara and all you Mom-Dad-preneurs.
I've had the pleasure of working with quite a few parents that have quit the corporate life and are building million dollar businesses while raising kids.
I came across a pretty interesting blog post by one of our users and thought you all would like to just see the blog this family set up. Great graphic!!!
http://mywifequitherjob.com/how-to-outsource-inventory-and-product-fulfillment-operations-of-an-online-store/
e-onlinedata Erin says:
Mom-preneurs are the most ingenious, hardworking, and devoted business owners. Thank you Kara!
malibumom says:
I felt like I was reading my story and it was so comforting to hear that I'm not alone in the saturated daily grind. I love being a mom more than anything and I hope that all of this hard work leads to more freedom and time with my family because that is what I REALLY want. As for now, my "at home business" is now 40 minutes away in an office/warehouse with a nursery area for my daughter to nap and play. Some days are better than others. I find that I constantly am recalibrating my mind in order to stay positive and continue to manifest success. Thanks for sheding light on the mom-preneurs out there!
Kara English says:
Hi Everyone! I just wanted to thank you all for your comments. It's so nice to know I am not alone. :)
