The Power MOB - Mom-E of the Month

April 2009: Brenna Burke, Owner, Clementine NW

01-Apr-09 23:51 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

Our MOM-E of the Month for April 2009 is Brenna Burke, owner of Clementine NW and mom to Joseph (5), Jackson (3) and Annabelle (8 months).

Brief biz description: Online boutique specializing in organic, safe, sustainable gifts and essentials for mom & baby

Target audience: Pregnant women and new mamas who seek high quality, eco-friendly products for themselves and their little ones, plus their loved ones buying gifts.

Job held before you started this biz: Special education assistant, then SAHM after Joseph was born

Initial Start-Up Costs: $7,000

Initial Funding Source(s): personal funding

First "woohoo!" business moment: When I had a blogger seek me out to write about Clementine NW because they loved the products and website so much!

Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment: I had two orders that were both going out to Illinois. I was trying to do both at once and ended up switching them up! That was a huge mistake and one I have vowed to never allow to happen again.

How you feel about competition in your industry: I feel that all of my true competitors and I are all seeking the same thing- to lessen our impact on the environment while providing safe, high quality, and stylish products for a vulnerable population. Of course, there are companies out there just paying lip service to the green movement, but the public is smarter than we give them credit for and the backlash against greenwashing has already begun.

Greatest source of clients for your biz: Word of mouth is number one!

Your inspiration: My kids! I started this business because I was appalled to learn about the toxic ingredients in products I was putting on my children, especially after being so careful about what I was putting in them. I also know that it is important to me to be with my kids as much as possible without totally losing my mind!

#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow: Be true to yourself. Find your story, find your voice, and be passionate about what you are doing.

#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance: Well, this is a work in progress for me. I started scheduling everything for the day the night before, which makes it much easier for me to carve out pure work time, pure family time, and even pure me time. I spent a lot of months trying to do it all at once and nothing was getting the attention it deserved.

Meet Brenna and check out Clementine NW's great mom & baby products at Mom Shop 2, April 18th at Oaks Amusement Park.

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March 2009: Alisa Gaylord, Founder, Gaia Baby Food

01-Mar-09 23:47 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

Our MOM-E of the Month for March 2009 is Alisa Gaylord, owner of Gaia Baby Food and mom to Ethan (3) and Claire (1).

Business Description: Gaia Baby Food teaches families how to make baby-toddler food in your home. We bring the equipment, organic ingredients, recipes, and containers to store the food. At the end of your 90 minute class, you will have a week's worth of food!

Target audience: Families with children ages 6 months - 2 years (approximately).

Job held before you started this biz: I worked in corporate outside sales before having my son, Ethan, almost four years ago. After his birth, I was lucky enough to stay at home with him.

Initial Start-Up Costs: Approximately $30,000

Initial Funding Source(s): Personal Savings

First "woohoo!" business moment: When I met someone at my son's school, and they heard that I teach parents how to make their baby's food. She asked, "As in Gaia Baby Food?" For an extremely small business in Portland, that has done little advertising, I was so surprised that someone knew of my company. I knew at that time, the ways I had gotten our name out was working.

Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment: Our target market was too slim and the time period that baby's would use our product was too short. It was very hard to build long term repeat customers. It seemed when we gained a new customer, we lost a customer. I re-evaluated the company, and changed the company's focus from food production to the education of making baby food. It broadened our target market significantly.

How you feel about competition in your industry: I believe competition makes you stronger. There's no other company in Portland who does the same thing. My competition locally is cookbooks and information on the internet.

Greatest source of clients for your biz: Referrals and word of mouth.

Your inspiration: My children are my inspiration. I want every baby in the US to have the same advantages as mine did when they were introduced to food.

#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow: Listen to other people's suggestions, but you know your business the best so listen to your gut.

#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance: Having designated "kid" days where no work is done, and email is checked minimally. Those days, I plan something fun for us to do, and my attention is completely on the kids.

Meet Alisa and learn more about how to make tasty, healthy baby & toddler food at her demonstration at Mom Shop 2, April 18th at Oaks Amusement Park.

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February 2009: Jackie Mans, owner, Brow Betty

01-Feb-09 23:26 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

Our MOM-E of the Month for February 2009 is Jackie Mans, owner of Brow Betty, a waxing bar in Bridgeport Village that just opened in December 2009. She is also the mother of Olivia (age 7) and Ethan (age 5).

Target audience: Mostly women ages 18-65 who love to feel good and look good but might not have enough time or money for a full day at the spa- Getting your eyebrows done is such an inexpensive "facelift."

Job held before you started this biz: For the past several years my husband and I have been top producers with Coldwell Banker as realtors. Owning my own business is definitely a dream come true!

Initial Start-Up Costs: About $150,000

Initial Funding Source(s): Personal savings and angel loans

First "woohoo!" business moment: When the "arctic Blast" came we had to make the decision to close for a few days (we are open 7 days a week) and this was such a hard decision to make....The first day we re-opened after the storm we were PACKED ALL DAY and it was such an amazing moment thinking....if you build it....they will come!

Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment: OVERHIRING!! - I was warned about it and chose to ignore it and it really came back to bite me! I was SO worried about being understaffed and not being able to give "5 star" service that we are building a reputation on that I hired too many team members! I really did choose some wonderful women to work with me so it worked out fine when we backed off hours a bit.

How you feel about competition in your industry:
We really don't have any competition because it is such a new concept...this is good and bad. Getting people to understand what the concept is will take some time...those who have already experienced having this in LA, NY or San Fran are running to us! We are bracing ourselves for "new" competition of those who are watching us...we want to remain the first and the best!

Greatest source of clients for your biz: Word of mouth is the number one and we are already getting lots of repeat and "word of mouth" business but I came to THIS website prior to opening and found Tirza Wibel a fellow mamapreneur who does PR within a new business budget. She did press releases and really helped get the word out to the masses. The Drew Carney show on KGW helped a ton as did portlandpicks.com.

Your inspiration: My dad - he passed away many years ago but I learned more from him in 20 years than most do in a lifetime...he knew I was a risk taker and told me to always follow that and never give up. He was very successful in business and I am following big footsteps!

#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow: FIND A NEED AND FILL IT! - I read this so many years ago in a book and it really got me to where I am today!

#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance: Two phrases on why to balance: A happy mom is a good mom. Work hard/play hard. I work really hard but I also play hard too. When I am at work I go 100%; when my kids get up and then home off the bus I put on my mom hat and give them 100%. At the end of everyday I give time to myself! You have to make yourself a priority or else everyone else suffers!

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January 2009: Fara Heath, co-owner, Sound Roots School of Music

01-Jan-09 23:25 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

Our MOM-E of the Month for January 2009 is Fara Heath, owner of Sound Roots School of Music. The music school is located in Portland, Oregon and was founded in July 2008. Fara is also the mother to Miles, age 2.

Target audience: Music lovers, appreciators, and knowledge seekers of all ages and skill levels.

Job held before you started this biz: I tend to be a serial career jumper but in a nutshell, I have spent time as a counselor to troubled teens, a web designer in Times Square, the owner of a 85+ member art collective, an interior designer, and as a partner in a daycare. I think most of all, I really gravitate towards jobs where I work for myself and feed both my creative and entrepreneurial spirits at the same time. A music school is a long time dream come true for Chris and I, born in the early days of our relationship.

Initial Start-Up Costs: About $25,000

Initial Funding Source(s): Personal savings and loans

First "woohoo!" business moment: I would say the very first was the day we held our first class in the school. We had a lot of hurdles in nailing down our location and when our beautiful foursquare was finally filled with music, I was really overwhelmed with accomplishment.

Since then, my personal highlight has been at the finale of our Thanksgiving Rocks! camp. It was our first holiday rock camp ever and it could not have gone better! We did the final showcase at a local music venue and the kids (some of whom had never picked up an instrument before camp) were incredible! They worked so hard and had a blast! I was so proud to be a part of such a wonderful adventure and so grateful to be able to call this my job!

Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment: We have only been open for 3 months so I am sure there will be plenty more to come, but so far, I would say when we put on free promotional Rookie Rock classes for kids ages 0-6 with no RSVP required. We ended up with 40-50 toddlers and their folks! Our regular classes are maxed out at 8 kids, for obvious reasons. What we thought was going to be a great marketing opportunity possibly ended up giving people a negative first impression instead. We were totally unprepared for the large attendance - and it simply didn't work. It was a good lesson in quality vs. quantity. Offering free services is a great marketing tool, but it is very important to make sure you can make a top notch first impression or it can actually work against you.

How you feel about competition in your industry: Every music school is working towards the same mission as us and anyone who is offering a quality, positive, self-confidence-building music education has our full and complete support. Because each music school offers their own individual style and teaching methods, we are not really at competition with each other but rather can be seen as complimentary to one another. Luckily, Portland residents value music education so there is plenty of business to go around.

Greatest source of clients for your biz: Word of mouth, web sites/blogs.

Your inspiration: Music and how it moves people. And of course, the students. I am inspired by the fact that they are not afraid to be vulnerable or challenged and there is nothing better to me than seeing a student have that "a-ha" moment when they really begin to "get it".

#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow: Don't be afraid to take risks. People are always telling me how much courage it takes to go out on a limb and start a business - especially in this economy. I often joke that some people may call it courage while others call it sheer insanity. But seriously, the way I see it -- adventure is what life is all about. And really, if it is not going to kill you, then what is the worst thing that can happen? Money and material things can always be replaced. In my eyes, the potential benefits of the risk greatly outweigh the potential loss.

#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance: Be present in the moment. When at work be at work and when at home be at home -- and be sure to take time for yourself. This is especially important when you are business partners with your spouse!

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December 2008: Stacey Lynn Fisher, owner Stacey Lynn Talks, co-host 105.1 fm

01-Dec-08 23:23 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

The December MOM-E of the Month is Stacey Lynn Fisher, owner of Stacey Lynn Talks, a professional voiceover company for radio and television commercials, narration and phone messaging systems. Stacey is mom to three boys: Griffin (6) and twins Cameron and Christopher (2).

Year business was founded: 2008

Target audience: Advertising agencies, production houses, businesses looking for a fresh new voice to represent them

Job held before you started this biz: Radio personality. And I'm actually headed back to morning radio next month! (not allowed to announce the station yet but listen for me on the radio 5-10am starting January 5th!)

Initial Start-Up Costs: $4500

Initial Funding Source(s): myself

First "woohoo!" business moment: The first week my studio and website were up and running I had six voiceovers!

Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment: Always buy the replacement warranty for your computer! Especially when your business is conducted solely on your laptop. Oh yeah, and don't have liquids anywhere near your laptop. I spilled a glass of water and it cost me $600 to fix my computer and another grand or so in lost business during the interim.

How you feel about competition in your industry: Competition is crazy in voiceovers, especially now with the struggling radio industry. As radio personalities lose their jobs they're turning to voice work. However there is always an opportunity to get work as every voice is unique and someone out there will find that your voice is THE voice they've been looking for.

Greatest source of clients for your biz: Word of mouth!  When past clients are talking about how happy they were working with me, they'll pass it along.

Your inspiration: My boys are my inspiration, my motivation, my reason for being. My mom never got to do what she wanted for a living, and we struggled financially. So to be able to do what I love and support my family is a blessing I'm thankful for every day. What an amazing example to set for my kids!

#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow: Do your homework!!!! Know your industry, your competition, and what your niche is.  Why will your product or service be better than your competitors?

#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance: Have a schedule that includes time for work, time for play with the kids, time for my marriage, and time for me to mentally shut down. That's A LOT to fit into a day. I had some big guilt issues in the beginning. Working from home it's a lot harder to separate things.  I finally set a work schedule, moved my studio/office upstairs, and let myself do what I needed to do. Once I set that schedule and shared my goals and expectations with my family I lost the guilt and became a much more productive business owner AND mother.

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November 2008: Megan Thomas, Founder, Peekaboo Picks

01-Nov-08 23:22 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

The November MOM-E of the Month is Megan Thomas, owner of Peekaboo Picks, an online magazine based
near Seattle, Washington. Megan is mom to Aiden, age 2, and Ireland, age 7 months.
Year business was founded: February 2007
Target audience: hip moms everywhere
Job held before you started this biz: Prior to Peekaboo, I worked as a Marketing Coordinator in the Real Estate arena.
Initial Start-Up Costs: Very minimal; We designed and built our online magazine ourselves.
Initial Funding Source(s): We are completely self-funded
First "woohoo!" business moment: Running Peekaboo Picks Magazine has been a constant series of "woohoos!" both for ourselves and for the companies we partner with. When an owner emails me to let me know their traffic doubled the day they were featured on Peekaboo, that's such a great feeling. We've also helped companies land wholesale accounts and be picked up by major media outlets and for me, that's what it's all about!
Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment: Over the past year, Peekaboo has grown by leaps and bounds. When companies started to take notice of our site, I was flooded with product review requests and buried in a never ending inbox. I made the mistake of thinking I could do it all myself and I ended up falling way behind. Then a friend of mine suggested The 4 Hour Work Week by Tim Ferriss, what an amazing book! After reading the book, I decided to bring on a team of writers and product reviewers as well as a product review coordinator. I'm now able to focus my time on growing the business as well as work on my new business.
How you feel about competition in your industry: I've spent many hours researching our competition. When I started Peekaboo Picks, I had no idea what I was getting into but since then I have truly honed my Internet research skills. There are now hundreds, if not thousands, of mom review sites so it was important for us to stand out from the crowd. Peekaboo Picks is not just a review blog, it is an online magazine. Each week we feature a fresh issue including five regular columnists, along with a "Peek of the Week" and a weekly Fab Swag Giveaway. Other features of the site include our trendsetting product blog, video casts, and a lively hip mom community. We're also lucky enough to have an in-house graphic designer (my husband) who makes Peekaboo really stand out from the crowd with it's amazing "look" and professionally designed email newsletters.
Greatest source of clients for your biz: Word of mouth! We also have a great return on investment from our editorial placements. Companies who have been featured on Peekaboo have such a great response that they often return to us for their advertising needs as well.
Your inspiration: My kids, of course! With two small babies, it was important for me to find a way to be home with them during the day. They are the fuel that keeps me working until the wee hours of the night!
#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow: Do what you love and the money will follow. I absolutely love running Peekaboo Picks and consider it a privilege that I am able to do it - regardless of the money (or lack thereof). It has opened up so many doors for me, and has led me to new opportunities that I am thrilled to be pursuing. I believe that quality of life is the most important thing. If you're not happy doing what you're doing, then it really doesn't matter how much money you make. I also find that general happiness, a positive attitude, and passion for your work is where success happens.
#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance: Never wish away your time with your children. As working moms, quality time with our kids might be limited so make the most of it. I'm my most productive after a quality day spent with the kids (I do a lot of my work in the evenings). And if you work from home, make sure you get out of the house (even if it's just a walk around the block) every day!

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Zenana Renee Rose, owner of Zenana Spa & Wellness Center

01-Oct-08 23:19 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

The October MOM-E of the Month is Zenana Renee-Rose, co-owner of Zenana Spa & Wellness Center. Zenana is mama to Tatiana, 20 years old, who lives at home, attending Aveda Institute

Year business was founded: 2005

Target audience: pregnant and parenting families, mostly moms but dads too!

Job held before you started this biz: Labor and Delivery Nurse and Lactation Consultant

Initial Start-Up Costs: $535,000

Initial Funding Source(s): Cash investment and SBA loan

First "woohoo!" business moment: The day that we opened our doors I came in early to prepare. I walked through the spa when it was still quiet and while observing how incredibly beautiful it was, I realized that we had created the entire place from the ground up. We actually did it! Our little dream had become an incredible reality.

Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment: Not paying very close attention to the statements from references for potential new hires. I learned that if you do not get a glowing report from a potential candidates reference do not hire them. My employees are my most valuable asset. Because we are a service-based business we rely on our employees to provide exceptional services. If I am not careful about who I hire it can be detrimental to my business. I am incredibly grateful for the wonderful staff I have presently.

How you feel about competition in your industry: I really like to work cooperatively with everyone in my industry. I try to create relationships with my colleagues and find ways in which we can work together to support each other.

Greatest source of clients for your biz: Word-of-mouth. Women talk to each other, especially mothers. Our customers are our biggest source of clients. We have a great referral program that keeps more customers coming in all the time.

Your inspiration: I love to read about other businesses and how they have become successful. Oregon Chai has been a big inspiration for me. They started out as a small, local mother/daughter business. As I read their book, Nirvana in a Cup: the Story of Oregon Chai, I felt I wasn't alone and that many of the struggles and triumphs I have experienced are normal for a new business.

#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow: Test your advertising methods very carefully. Don't spend the money if it doesn't bring you it's worth in clients.

#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance: Get plenty of sleep. I work hard but I make sure to get at least 8 hours of sleep every night (at least most of the time). I also practice yoga. Yoga has been a life-saver for me. It helps me to stay in touch with my body, mind and spirit and to maintain a sense of balance in my life. And getting massages, of course! As with our business motto, in order to be the best wife and mother that I can be, I must make sure to take time out to nurture myself.

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Daniela Juhala, owner of PDXShopgirl

01-Sep-08 23:18 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

The September MOM-E of the Month is Personal Shopper and Image Consultant Dani Juhala, owner of PDX Shopgirl. Dani is mama to Joseph, almost 7-years-old, and Max, age 2.5.

Year business was founded: 2006
Target audience: Every Woman that wants to look and feel better - my motto: "Dress for the Life you Want!"
Job held before you started this biz: Sales and Marketing for a major appliance manufacturer (!) and after that Stay at Home Mom to Joseph for 2 years.
Initial Start-Up Costs: around $4000
Initial Funding Source(s): my incredibly supportive husband:)
First "woohoo!" business moment: Within my first month of business I was featured on AM Northwest - what an incredible experience!
Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment: I once was asked to drive an hour and a half to see a client in a teeny tiny little town and was wondering if it was worth my time to go this far south for a client...this client became one of my most loyal customers and has become a very dear friend ! You never know what doors you open for yourself when you just say :"YES!"
How you feel about competition in your industry: There sure is enough business for all of us!
Greatest source of clients for your biz: First of all word of mouth, my gym (Club Sport) and my monthly segment on AM Northwest
Your inspiration: I was born and raised in Europe - Vienna, Austria, and I take a lot of inspiration and ideas during my once yearly trip back home!
#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow: Ask other women for help! It is amazing what we can do for and with each other.
#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance: Some days we just cant do it all - find time for yourself to think and breathe - I get my "time-outs" while running or at a great massage!

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Sadie Lincoln, owner of Barre 3

01-Aug-08 23:16 | Marlynn Jayme Schotland (administrator)

It's back! We're re-instating the monthly Mom Entrepreneur of the Month (MOM-E) in this issue. Each month, a new Mamapreneurs, Inc. member will be featured, both here and in our newsletter. The August MOM-E of the Month is Sadie Lincoln, owner of the new exercise studio Barre 3, where the ballet barre meets yoga and pilates. Sadie is also mama to Audrey Charlotte, age 4.5, and Drew Joseph, age 3.
Target audience:
Moms! I will have childcare for busy Moms (Dads) too. I am also targeting busy professionals (mostly women) looking for an efficient and upbeat mind-body workout.
Job held before you started this biz:
Brand Marketing and special projects for CEO of 24 Hour Fitness, Inc.
Initial Start-Up Costs:
All in - $250k
Initial Funding Source(s):
Self-funded and Angel investor
First "woohoo!" business moment:
I have so many! I suppose the first one that comes to mind is developing MY OWN brand identity, logo, colors, and studio design with no decision committees or red tape. WOOOOOHOOOOO!
Biggest Mistake-Turned-Teaching-Moment:
Saying yes before thinking it through. I am still working on this one.
How you feel about competition in your industry:
There is room for all of us. I am trying to avoid making fear based decisions and instead listen to my instincts and be open minded.
Greatest source of clients for your biz:
Word of mouth and referrals. I have a feeling the success rate of existing clients will inspire others to experience barre3.
Your inspiration:
#1 piece of business advice everyone should follow:
Seek to understand before being understood.
#1 sanity-saving tip for work/life balance:
Create work that is not a chore but an integrated part of life. The very essence of my brand is BALANCE. The 3 in barre3 is a symbol of balance like a triangle or tripod. Developing a practice to continually cultivate balance in the body and in life is my goal.

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