WAHM Blog

This weeks interview with a WAHM has been a really fun one! I recently join EntreCard to see how much of a traffic increase this blog could get and I have come across some really nice blogs! During my EntreCard drops, I came across Pretty Little Pumpkins, which is a WAHM work at home mom run business. Not only does she have an adorable website her products ROCK! Especially for moms with boys!

After getting to know Heather, I thought she would be a great wahm to do an interview with! Heather is not only a wahm but a wahm of four children ages 9 1/2, 4yr, 2 1/2 and 16 months old. So she is not only juggling being a mom of four children she is also running an online business and blog!

Before starting her online business she worked with her family business as an office manager and was going to school for funeral service. When her third child was born she decided she needed to stay home. She always had a dream of opening a children’s clothing boutique that offered HOT, QUALITY clothing for girls AND BOYS, and just needed a little incentive to make her dream come true!

When I asked her how her business came about she replied….“One day my son wanted me to put some of his old toys on ebay to make money to buy new ones and I saw how easy it was to open a store on there so we opened one and starting selling the baby things as they out grew them, my sons toys, and old clothes. It seemed like fate so I called our accountant to find out what I needed to do to start a business and he gave me the basics and told me to check out the internet…the rest was history”

My Interview With WAHM Heather, owners Of Pretty Little Pumpkins

How long have you been in business? A little over a year.

What type of products do you offer? We sell the most stylish, coolest children’s and babies clothing and accessories like misha lulu clothing, knuckleheads clothing, ah goo baby plush pads, trumpette, etc…

Why did you decide to start this business? It has been a dream of mine since i had my son almost 10 yrs ago, I was SO disappointed in the selection of cool clothing for babies and kids and especially for boys, I thought…”I can do better, I know what I want!”

What did it cost you to get your business started? The main cost is the inventory, that depends on what you get, how much, etc. right now I suggest people starting out start small, run with one or 2 GOOD, UNIQUE lines and stick with the minimums for orders. The economy is not very favorable right now for small start ups, but NEVER give up your dream!

What do you enjoy most about your business? The excitement of choosing inventory, meeting customers, and the apparel shows…FASHION WEEK!!!

How many hours a week do you invest in your business? I couldn’t not even begin to tell you.

What has been your best marketing method? blogs…they are inexpensive and the best way to meet my target audience.

What is your definition of success? Still being in business and doing what I love.

Do you market your business online, offline or both? If online, how do you market it? Mostly online but my husband is a big fan of leaving my coupons WHERE EVER he is. There are different advertising sites I use, but I really like blogs.

Where do you see your business in 5 years? I actually hope to open a brick and mortar shop in our little town.

Do you have any advice for other work at home moms? Work at home moms really do not need advice except to remember why they started working at home in the first place, we are generally go getters with fresh ideas who want the best of everything, kids, home, work, financial security and have a pretty good idea of how to attain those but we do need to be reminded of why we are driving ourselves CRAZY working 160 hrs a week at one time whereas our “working” friends put in 20-40 and come home to put in a SEPARATE 20-40…oh and if you can GET A NANNY!!!!! (I would LOVE to have one)

In Conclusion: As you can see by her answers, Heather is a proud wahm who realizes what it takes to have an online business! Many moms do not think they can raise children and work, but they can! Just WORK FROM HOME!

If you are like me and like to support women in business, take a look at her boutique! You can also check out Heathers’ blogs at http://www.fromthepumpkinpatch.com and http://www.thepumpkinvine.com

Popularity: 18% [?]

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This week I had the pleasure of conducting an interview with Michele Dupper, a mommy of a 11 month old son and Independent Representative for ONE Group. Michele has been a rep for the ONE Group for just over 8 months now, so she is a newbie we could say at running a home business.

Michele started her business for the same reason most of us did, becuase we wanted to be able to be home with the kids. So, she decided to leave her commercial sales job and venture out as a work at home mom!

Let’s see what she had to say!

The interview Questions…..

Before starting your business, what did you do for a living?
I was employed at a very large insurance agency. I worked in the commercial sales department. The people I worked with were great and I liked meeting and working with the clients, but it just wasn’t something that I looked forward to every day. It was to pay the bills, not something I ever saw myself doing for life.

How long have you been in business?
I have been with ONE Group since May of this year.

What type/types of products or services do you offer?
ONE Group created the world’s first certified organic skin, hair, body, cosmetic, oral and nutritional products.

Why did you decide to start this business?
I started this business for a couple of reasons. The number one reason is so I can stay home to raise our son. I want to be the one that gets to spend each day with him and see all of his firsts. The second reason is that I absolutely believe in the products and the company. I feel that this opportunity found me and it is what I was meant to do. At the time, I was not looking for a business. We were searching the internet for some natural soap to use on our newborn baby and we found ONE Group. After trying some products the decision to become a representative was pretty much a no-brainer. Unfortunately, most people have no idea that the personal care products they use every day are potentially really harmful. I want to educate people and offer them product alternatives that actually contain beneficial ingredients.

What did it cost you to get your business started?
Only $60 to join and that included 2 websites.

 What do you enjoy most about your business?
I love being in charge of me and not having somebody else tell me what, when and how. I also like the flexibility that working from home allows. It is hard to find time during the typical working hours with a baby at home, so I do most of my work at night.

How many hours a week do you invest in your business?
I am committed to investing a minimum of 5 hours a week in my business. However, I enjoy it so much I usually end up spending about 10 – 15 hours a week. I would love to be able to put in 40 hours each week, but that is just not feasible for me right now. That is one of the great things about having your own home business. Sometimes you can spend 30 hours a week and sometimes you can take a week off.

Is your family involved with your business? If so, how do they help?
My husband also really believes in the products and the company. He sees the big picture and wants to see this take off. He helps me whenever he can in many different ways. He is a great idea bouncing board and is also a very technical guy so he can do things for me that would take me many hours or even days to figure out on my own. Most importantly though, he is my biggest supporter and always brings me back to level ground when I need it.

What have you found to be the most challenging part of being a home business owner?
Time management is my biggest challenge which I’m sure all work at home moms can relate to. My first priority is my family, always. I find it is best for me to set aside a certain time of day to work my business and any extra time I get to put in is a bonus.

Where do you see your business in 5 years?
In 5 years I hope to be one of the most successful reps that ONE Group has in the US. The market is wide open here right now for these products since they are still fairly new to the US. It’s just a matter of getting the word out. People are becoming more and more aware of what they put in and on their bodies. The organic trend is only just beginning and I am so excited to be involved!

Do you have any advice for other work at home moms?
It’s still very new to me. I could probably use some advice.

Sound like a business you may be interested in? Contact Michele!

Michele Dupper (One Group Independent Representative)
386-868-3979
http://www.trulyorganicbeauty.com

Popularity: 6% [?]

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This week I had yet another opportunity to learn about another work at home mom. This week I am excited to share the interview I had with Lisa Pallardy, owner of My Little Rembrandt.

Lisa is a home based business owner and mother of 6 children. Prior to starting her home based business Lisa, was a civil litigation paralegal. It was not until she was pregnant with her third child, that she decided to become an at home mom.

Two years ago she launched My Little Rembrandt. My Little Rembrant create’s very unique and cool, custom gifts and apparel using a child’s or an adult’s artwork. Her store has items such as t-shirts, aprons, coffee mugs, notecards, party invitations and thank you cards, change of address cards, and baby birth announcements. She also creates big brother and big sister shirt designs and stated she will be birthday boy and birthday girl designs soon!

Her products would make excellent holiday gifts for grandparents or parents this holiday!

WAHM BLOG: Why did you decide to start this business?
Lisa: Three reasons: (1) I wanted to add to our family’s income; (2) I needed a creative outlet; (3) I wanted to share MY kids’ art creations with friends and family, so I made some notecards (for teacher gifts) and sweatshirts (as grandma gifts), and even made our family’s Christmas cards using my then 9-year old’s artwork. Friends and family LOVED the things I made and encouraged me to start a business offering this service to other moms

WAHM BLOG: What did it cost you to get your business started?
Lisa: When I initially started, I used our family’s desktop computer, so I didn’t have that expense. But I bought a good printer and t-shirts and supplies, so around $700

WAHM BLOG: What do you enjoy most about your business?
Lisa: Besides being able to be my own boss and work my schedule around my kids’ activities, I love how excited moms are when they write to me after receiving their order and express their excitement at being able to share such a unique and personal gift with their friends and family.

WAHM BLOG: How many hours a week do you invest in your business?
Lisa: At first, I worked probably 50-60 hours each week (INCLUDING WEEKENDS!), working early in the mornings while everyone was asleep (from 4:00 - 7 am), and then a few more hours each afternoon while my youngest napped, and then would work a few more hours in the evenings after the kids were in bed. Now that my website is built and I’ve got things more streamlined, I probably work my business 20-30 hours each week, completely around my life.

WAHM BLOG: Is your family involved with your business? If so, how do they help?
Lisa: I recently “hired” my 17 year old daughter to help me with some design work. She’s putting together a line of “Birthday Boy” and “Birthday Girl” shirts. My 11-year old son recently sat with me for several sessions while I designed some “big brother” and “big sister” shirts. I wanted his input to help create designs that weren’t too “baby-ish” — something that a 10 or 11 year old would wear.

WAHM BLOG: What has been your best marketing method?
Lisa: I recently started a blog (http://www.MyLittleRembrandt.blogspot.com) talking about fun child learning activities that I’ve used, drawing on my 20 years experience as a parent. This has helped my business tremendously by attracting moms who are interested in what I offer. Plus, it’s been a lot of fun! I also wear my kids’ artwork on many of my own t-shirts and sweatshirts, so when I’m out and about, people see what I do and ask about my business. I’ve gotten several contacts and orders for this holiday season just by doing that.

Popularity: 7% [?]

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