Being a business owner and serving the local community is time intensive, yet rewarding.
Couple that with being a mother and we have a term called ‘a mompreneur’. According to Oxford dictionaries, a mompreneur is “a woman who sets up and runs her own business in addition to caring for her young child or children.”
But how do they do it? Motherhood is no cake walk and is very time consuming. Yet, women all across the globe are successful at being mompreneurs and loving their passion in business and serving their families.
Having been a mompreneur myself since 2011 and being the owner of not one, but two businesses, I know first hand that it takes discipline, often a lack of sleep and a serious commitment to getting things done.
In this post you are going to learn about 15 mompreneurs, all of which are college graduates, that are growing dynamic businesses and proudly serving their local community in the process.
Despite busy schedules, meetings via Skype and soccer practice pick-ups, these 15 women are intentionally pursuing their business dreams while being the moms they want to be.
Jamie Larson
Honoring and serving others can be ignited by difficult experiences
Jamie Larson is the owner of Jamie Larson Photography & The Snap Society.
First, Jamie launched Jamie Larson Photography eight years ago in 2008. Her other business, The Snap Society which is about empowering female photographers to create a profitable business, launched two years ago in 2014. Jamie completed her degree in Communication and a minor in Psychology from Bethel University.
There is a very personal and raw component to Jamie’s love of photography. Having her father pass away of cancer when she was two, left Jamie spending hours going through a box of family pictures as a little girl and feeling disappointment. She continued to thumb through the box of pictures, hoping to find more photos of family memories but there were very few. Her heart sunk every time. To this day, she is passionate about capturing families, because she knows first hand how short life can be and that we as a society need to make the most of everyday.
Having a business has helped Jamie be a better mother in a very unexpected way.
Leadership.
When people think of a mother, often times, they think of the words such as loving, nurturing and encouraging. All that came naturally for Jamie. However, what she never realized was that being a good mother, was also about being a good leader and leading her children well. The things that Jamie has learned in her business she is able to incorporate into her family too.
“Mothers are the ultimate leaders; We have the opportunity to shape and impact lives every single day.”, says Jamie.
One of the ways Jamie serves her community is by taking pictures of families who have a family member with cancer. Some families have had Jamie take pictures once their loved ones are in remission, but for many families, they have her come when they know the cancer is not going away.
Although Jamie is honored to do this for these families knowing that this may end up being their last family picture together, she’s humbled to do it and finds it to be one of the most important things she does in her work.
Daveia Odoi
Persistence is a key to success; Be willing to not give up
Daveia Odoi is a branding & business strategist of DNT Dynamite Design, LLC. As the CEO, Daveia launched eight years ago in March 2008 part-time and then transitioned into her business full-time, with no other sources of income, in October 2015.
Julie Schmitz
Make money doing something that serves your family well
Cathy Hackl
When opportunity knocks, be ready and willing
Cathy Hackl is the CEO & Founder of Cathy Hackl Consulting & Latino Strategy, and is also Hispanic Marketing Evangelist for Boom! Social Marketing.
The power of social media is what comes to mind in Cathy’s journey. Cathy obtained a Masters of Arts in Latin American and Caribbean Studies and Master of Science in Mass Communication from Florida International University, as well as her Bachelor of Arts in Broadcast Journalism from the University of Texas.
It was February 2015 when Cathy quit her job in internal communications at a local hospital to dive fully into the world of social media in May 2015. The launch of Periscope in March 2015 catapulted this “accidental” drive to be an mompeneur when she recognized the potential that live video had for brands and businesses. Originally, Cathy thought she was going to work for “The Man”, but now she knows she loves working for “The Woman” and that woman is her.
One of the original inspirations for Cathy to launch her company was her love for television and social media. She was inspired by seeing all the amazing woman who live a fulfilled life at their own pace, make money for their families and can still take their children to dance and soccer. It’s not about “having it all” says Cathy, it’s about finding joy in how you live your life. Everyone’s path is different.
Hers right now is that of a work at home mom (WAHM) who travels every couple of weeks. Cathy is even more motivated now that she gave birth to her third baby recently in June 2016.
Serving her community is a passion that Cathy is hungry for more than ever, and we’re not talking about food here, people. The virtual reality world is a key focus in Cathy’s career and she’s very excited about her children’s future because of VR/AR technologies. “The VR/AR will help create more empathy and awareness in the world and it can be used for social good. Hence, why she’s participating in the creation of the #HELPERASE Child Trafficking VR documentary”, says Cathy.
Being bilingual has served Cathy very well in her career. When someone in the Spanish-speaking entrepreneurial business reaches out thanking her profusely for providing training and content in Spanish, she feels like she’s accomplishing her mission. She’s on a mission to serve the ever-growing U.S. Latino and Latin American entrepreneurial community by providing them with education, insight and advice on how to use social media tools and technology to grow and get more sales.
Alyson Porter
Solve a problem and provide a solution
Alyson Porter is the CEO/Founder of Kinder Keepsakes, LLC and a product business coach. Alyson launched Kinder Keepsakes in 2009 and her product and business coaching spring 2016.
After completing an Associates degree and getting a Bachelor’s from Brigham Young University, Alyson literally began her career by accident. Actually, you could say she had a pain point and she simply solved that problem.
She and her husband were graduating from college and they wanted their daughter to be dressed up with them but they couldn’t find a cap and gown small enough to fit their three- month old little girl.
So she decided to make one herself to solve that problem and then she launched it into a business. Learning how to run her product business has been full of experiences and valuable lessons, several of which were quite expensive.
Alyson therefore wants to help other women who are wanting to grow their product businesses beyond just themselves by growing a team around them. Plus she enjoys helping them to avoid some of the mistakes she’s made and realizing that it is so important to not give up and keep pressing forward. Especially, when you really want to quit.
Since Alyson was a NICU baby herself, ten percent of all purchases from the Kinder Keepsakes store goes towards this “NICU GRAD Project “fund.” When a purchase is made on ANY products from her store, you are in-turn blessing a baby and family in the NICU. Each family will receive a Cap & Gown with a tassel of a “NICU GRAD” charm and a special diploma with a place for picture etc. Families go through so much when they have a baby in the NICU. When they finally are able to go home, Alyson knows it is a very big day and it should be celebrated!
It is the beginning of the rest of the their lives.
Concita Thomas
Personal accomplishments can be great fuel for success in business
Stephanie White
Create a lifestyle that works for your family
- Stephanie won Business First Louisville “40 Under 40” in 2014
- Louisville Family Fun raised $5,000 for Big Brothers Big Sisters this year through a single event
- LouFamFun co-hosted an event for a nature preserve and had over 2,000 people in attendance making it their most successful year yet for the event
Roshanda E. Pratt
Serve the world with your gift through storytelling
Roshanda E. Pratt, (AKA The Rosho) storyteller strategist & heartfelt producer is one busy, yet super focused woman. She’s the CEO of The REP Network that officially launched in 2010. Having completed a B.S. Mass Communication from Winthrop University (Go Eagles), Roshanda’s journey actually started in a place you may not have guessed. Her business started in church. Roshanda found herself wanting to help her church tell their story through media relation strategies. And guess what?
It worked!
Her growing church in rural South Carolina was consistently featured in a local paper and by neighboring radio stations. They were featured several times in television news stories and cited as stories. She realized she was onto something. When Roshanda coupled her passions with her experience working in television news, she knew she could really be used to do good. If her church used her services, just imagine who else could use it?
Of course, being an entrepreneur has given Roshanda more control over her schedule and the ability to give her family additional things like “dinner out” on Mom. But, It has also allowed her to serve people in her community in a greater way, thus showing her three children to do the very same.
It has created a culture in Roshanda’s home so much so that her girls who are 8 and 10 want a business and her 6 year-old son to wants to help kids with cancer.
Earlier this year, Roshanda made a connection with a job placement company and planned the first ever job fair in the community near her church. With an unemployment rate higher than the state average, it was a genuine need. The city and county worked alongside Roshanda, along with local sponsorship from the media and a big company donated money to purchase gas cards to ensure people could get to their new opportunity as dependable transportation was an issue. The job fair, which had over 400 people in attendance and 30 employers with laptop stations and wifi for applications, gave locals and veterans opportunities to connect and gain employment.
Jennifer Auer
Flexibility is key when being a successful mompreneur
Jennifer Auer calls New Jersey home while she pursues life in business and motherhood. She’s the publisher of Jersey Family Fun, LLC that she officially launched six years ago in October 2010. Jennifer received her Bachelor of Science in Business Administration with a focus on Entrepreneurship from Bryant University in Smithfield, RI. Wanting to help families find easy affordable ways to have fun together in New Jersey was the original inspiration for the company she created.
As she travels around New Jersey and the country, she gets to have incredible experiences and adventures with her kids that are part of her ‘work’ days. If Jennifer had a more traditional office job, she wouldn’t have had the chance to travel as much as she gets to with her family and that brings great satisfaction to Auer. Her work day can involve getting creative at the Crayola Experience, kayaking on the river, or playing Monopoly with an elephant. There’s not much that can beat having your kids with you on your best work days. She creates content and manages her business during the day while her kids are in school which then allows her to be available for her family after school, weekends, and on holidays.
In 2015, through Jennifer’s creative leadership at New Jersey Family Fun, she launched ‘12 Days of Service’ across New Jersey. They provided children school supplies at back to school parties. They helped kids make holiday gifts for loved ones. And they visited every New Jersey Ronald McDonald home serving dinner to families with children receiving medical care at nearby hospitals.
Tina Greer
Help others live their best life through encouraging words and educational training
Tina L. Greer, founder and CEO of Greer Business Solutions, LLC, is a business growth strategist, professional speaker, and author. She has been in business for eight years having launched in July 2008. In her business, she has been providing business coaching and consulting services to aspiring women entrepreneurs for the last two years.
Having graduated from Murray State University with a Masters of Public Administration (MPA), specializing in Finance in August 2001, Tina has been able to help others live their best life through encouraging words, knowledge and educational training.
She receives joy and satisfaction in teaching and inspiring others into their greatness! Not only has she had opportunities to learn from mentors and other business executives both from the corporate world and entrepreneurs on how to be successful, but also to enjoy sharing what she’s learned with others in order for them to excel in their business ventures as well.
By being a business owner and mompreneur, Tina has the flexibility to spend more time with family and also provide the financial means in order to enhance their quality of life. It has also allowed her to equip her girls by teaching them what she knows as it relates to business so they realize that they can be successful in whatever they put their minds to, stressing to them that hard work, education, having a positive mindset, and being proactive are the keys to being successful in whatever you want to achieve in life.
Tina is thankful that she’s been afforded opportunities to be on several platforms such as radio, conferences, and business summits where she has been able to train and inspire business owners by providing business strategies and techniques necessary to be successful in business. The feedback has always been positive and helps many continue to advance in their business ventures. Under Greer Business Solutions, she also has an organization called Sisters United where she works with women entrepreneurs in establishing relationships through networking. Tina is a firm believer that when you connect people in building businesses, giving back to local charities that serve women and children on an annual basis through monetary donations, food, and material items as requested are essential to a thriving success.
Elizabeth Durham
Turning personal interests and passion into a thriving business
Elizabeth Durham, Founder of Elizabeth Durham, LLC enables women to stop hiding in order to find their true self and what empowers them through nutrition. She provides her community access to fresh, organic produce at reasonable prices with her company she founded, Lettuce Heads Organic Buying Club, LLC.
After attending Eastern Illinois University for her Bachelor of Science in Recreation Administration degree, Elizabeth started Elizabeth Durham, LLC in January 2014 as a Facebook page and founded Lettuce Heads Organic Buying Club, LLC almost 7 years earlier at the end of 2009.
The original inspiration to start her nutrition business was her own health struggles. Elizabeth used nutrition to heal her body and wanted to share what she had learned with others in hopes of their struggles being lessened. Lettuce Heads Organic Buying Club was launched to provide her local community and family with access to fresh, organic produce.
Seriously, who doesn’t love fresh organic produce?
Owning a business and working from home has allowed Elizabeth to be more present in the lives of her five children. She never dreamt she would home-school but she is in year two and finds everyday an opportunity to learn and grow right along-side her kids. She also gets to teach them the importance of following your dreams, working hard and being good to others.
Through her health journey, Elizabeth has been able to empower other women with the proper tools to overcome their health struggles. She’s been fortunate to connect with a local functional medicine doctor’s office to provide her clients with healthy cooking demonstrations, allergy friendly tips and easy recipes.
After hearing people say, they just couldn’t afford to eat healthy, Elizabeth went on to create her recipe book, Gluten Free Cooking On A Budget. Healthy recipes with ingredients you can find even in a local farmer’s market.
You can start a business on something so simple as providing food which creates a domino effect of greatness that changes the community and stimulates the economy. Be the change!
Shevon Jones
Focus on the changes that can be made to increase quality of life
Shevon Jones was inspired by her desire to show mothers how to find their purpose outside of motherhood and to give them the tools to balance it all. She’s the founder of The Pink Revolution that she launched in 2015. It really came out of her own need as she has moved along the momprenuer journey.
Shevon obtained a B.S Human Services from Kennesaw State University and a Masters in Social Work from Clark Atlanta University. She wants to give moms all of the things she wish she had when she started and to help mothers to live outside of motherhood. “So often as mothers we lose ourselves and forget our dreams and I wanted to show mothers that it is all possible and help them to rediscover their purpose”, says Jones.
Being an entrepreneur has allowed Shevon to show her daughter that if you work hard you can achieve your dreams. She is constantly showing her that hard work and dedication will pay off if you are committed. It also has allowed her not to take life so seriously, which in return, allows Shevon to be calmer and more at peace with her interactions with her daughter.
Rachel Kline & Lauren Breeze
Create new experiences for others while fulfilling personal business goals brings such satisfaction
Lauren Breeze and Rachel Kline are the co-owners and founders of Nashville Fun for Families. Lauren handles the core marketing aspect and Rachel focuses on content for their business in Nashville, Tennessee. Both being college graduates, these ladies were able to find a career that worked with the lifestyle they wanted to create. Lauren received B.S. in Marine Transportation from Texas A&M University and got her MBA from St. Edward’s University. Rachel attended Middle Tennessee State University.
After Lauren moved to Nashville due to a corporate relocation, she approached Rachel, a Nashville native, to help create a resource for parents to find adventures and events for the whole family in Middle Tennessee.
Lauren loves that she gets to explore Nashville with her family and write about it for other families to enjoy. Her kids get to be involved in what she does for a living, so making it a true family affair is great.
Rachel knew that they had succeeded when locals were sharing their content because it was solving a need for locals in the community wanting to have fun for their families.
Their intention is always to create useful content to help moms and dads make the best use of their family time.
When they see people they know use their website and their content, it brings them both such gratification in what they have truly created for the community.
So gratifying!
Petrina Turner
There are often many routes to having a successful journey
Conclusion
It certainly wasn’t easy, but these mompreneurs are great examples of success. Many received a college degree that are not necessarily related to the ultimate path they have taken in their lives. But being able to run a business, be a mom and doing something that you love is absolutely possible while serving local businesses and community.
In the comments below, tell me one thing you were inspired or encouraged by with these successful mompreneurs? I look forward to reading your thoughts.