Meet Dani Walker
Dani, tell us about yourself.
My name is Dani Walker. I am a self-employed mother of two handsome young men. I own a restaurant but am really focusing on building my wellness clientele. My husband got very sick with a serious auto immune disorder called Sarcoidosis. This is what led me to become very passionate about wellness and nutrition.
Tell us about your business.
I recommend nutritional supplements and toxin free products from a network marketing company called SISEL International. I also have a toginet radio show called Come Learn with Me.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
It has been time management. I want the freedom to stay at home with my kids but end up spending a great amount of time 'working' online, etc.
What has come the easiest for you?
It is easiest for me to talk to people about living healthy lives and making good choices for their families.
Where do you advertise...or do you?
I do not advertise anywhere at this time. It is mostly word of mouth. I do have a facebook fan page, a blog and am a member of Our Milk Money which is a national directory of self-employed parents.
What advice would you give to a mom who is interested in starting her own business?
I would say be sure it fits YOU and you are passionate about it. Otherwise, the struggles could cause you to lose interest, get overwhelmed and quit.
Many thanks to Dani Walker for sharing her story and advice to moms. Be sure to visit her blog, her facebook page and listen to her Come Learn with Me radio show.
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Mom in Business Profile: Kiley Sheppard of Colorado Springs Macaroni Kids
Meet Kiley Sheppard. She is the publisher for the Colorado Springs Macaroni Kids - where all the family friendly events in Colorado Springs are delivered free to your inbox each week!
Tell us about yourself.
My name is Kiley Sheppard and I am a proud wife and mother of two daughters. After giving birth to my five year old, I was diagnosed with Post Partum Cardiomyopathy. At that point, I realized I wanted to spend as much time at home with my family as possible.
Tell us about your business.
I started a photography business and within a few years my friend became a partner. We've been in business for about two years now. But while also working as a photographer I found time to become the Publisher Mom for Macaroni Kid Colorado Springs. Macaroni Kid Colorado Springs is a weekly newsletter that contains fun events for families in Colorado Springs and surrounding areas.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
The biggest challenge is building my reputation as the premier source for all things kid friendly in Colorado Springs.
What has come the easiest for you?
The easiest thing is actually publishing the newsletter and going to the events with my family.
Where do you advertise...or do you?
We utilize social networking sites and word of mouth to help get the word out for Macaroni Kids Colorado Springs.
What would you like to suggest to a mom who is interested in starting her own business?
My suggestion to any mom that is interested in starting her own business is to get out and do it. You will never know until you try. So, if you have an idea, write it down and put it on paper, do some research, and when you are ready, just do it.
Many thanks to Kiley Sheppard of of Macaroni Kids Colorado Springs for sharing her story and her great advice to moms who want to work from home! Like them on Facebook!
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Work Life Balance Part III - Get a Day Planner
Having a planner - whether it be paper or electronic - is the first step to getting yourself organized. However, just having a planner in your possession isn't enough - you need to use it and maximize it to make it work for you.
- Size. This is largely a matter of personal preference. Some people prefer a large 8 1/2 x 11 planner while others may prefer a slim electronic version. It should comfortably fit in your purse or pocket.
- Views. Your planner should have different views so you can look - at a glance - at a day, week, month, etc.
- Location. Always have it with you. It won't help you if you always leave it somewhere.
- Recording. Write everything in your planner. Your planner should be the first place an event gets recorded. If you follow this your planner will be up-to-date and a good central reference for you.
- Access. Use a tab or paperclip to mark 'today' so you can quickly reference your schedule. Many electronic PDAs have this feature.
- Lists. Have 'to-do' lists and daily action plans. 'To-do' lists should be categorized. For example, home, family, social, business. Items from your 'to-do' list will become items on your daily action plan so you can work toward accomplishing your 'to-do' lists.
- Time. Learn to estimate time. When you add 'to-do' list items to your daily action plan you need to determine how long they will take to accomplish. If you're like most people, you underestimate how long it will take. Be realistic.
- Color code. This is one of my favorites. Not only does color coding make your planner visually appealing, it makes it easy to see - at a glance - what your day, week, month is bringing. Use general topics for colors: family, finance, health, personal, spiritual, etc. Use a different color for each topic. Use highlighters for paper planners and different fonts/highlights on your PDA.
- Contingency Planning. Take into account 'what-ifs' when planning. Things pop up - phone calls, traffic, long lines. Don't pack your day so full that you cannot possibly get your list accomplished. When scheduling appointments, allow enough time in between for travel, meals, etc.
- Changes. Changes are OK! You have the right to change plans and priorities. Your planner works for you!
Your planner is not rigid. Be realistic - your planner works for you - not the other way around. Your planner should be a tool to help you achieve your goals.
Julianne Alvarez-Wish is a military wife, mother, business owner, writer, blogger and legislative advocate. She is the Director of Communications for Our Milk Money, the Colorado State Leader for the National Association for Moms in Business, the owner of The Wish Place, Buy by Mom, Buy By Mom Blog and A Wishful Thought. She is a Stay-at-Home Mom Examiner for Examiner.com. Her passion, purpose and goal is to help parents work from home so they can be home with their children.
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Meet Lexi Butler of BeadedJewels.biz
Meet Lexi Butler. Lexi is a Work at Home Mom (WAHM) happily married for 16 years and is blessed with children. Besides being a devoted mom she is a certified Goldsmith, Jewelry Designer/Beading Artist and, since 2008, the owner and creator of Beaded Jewels.
Exquisite handcrafted, beaded, trendy and personalized. Woven Rivoli Swarovski crystal chokers. One-of-a-Kind affordable custom made beaded jewelry chokers for mothers and daughters. Choose from a variety of colours or have your own set made.
This division offers you exquisite, handcrafted, beaded, trendy, personalized, woven Swarovski crystal birthstone coloured bracelets. One-of-a-kind affordable, custom made beaded jewelry bracelets for you whether you have one child or seven and best of all...the price is the same!
She offers an exquisite line of handcrafted beaded, woven and wire-wrapped jewelry and accessories. Each piece she designs is inspired with great passion and love. She takes great pride in presenting handcrafted, high quality, sophisticated pieces at very reasonable prices.
No two pieces are alike. There are many variations in style. She uses the richest of colors and makes designs from the simple to very complex. She will duplicate a piece only by request of the customer that originally ordered the piece.
Lexi's Background
Lexi grew up in her father's jewelry business in Germany. From the time she was four years old she was sitting at her father's side watching him design jewelry. Just a year later, she had her own little work place next to her dad and she was a proud owner of a coping saw and some files. After she completed tenth grade in Germany, she apprenticed as both a Goldsmith and a jewelry designer. She went to a professional school in Pforzhelm to learn all the practical and theoretical aspects of becoming a Goldsmith and a designer.
She worked in her father's company for ten years and designed quite a few jewelry lines. Her father's jewelry was unique in design and one-of-a-kind as he only worked with 18ct rose gold and platinum with diamonds and super fine gemstones. His jewelry was very expensive! She knew then that if she wanted to continue in the business, she would have to find her own niche.
In 1994 she left the work force to be a dedicated mom to her children. She immigrated to the USA in 1996, bringing all of her tools with her not knowing if she'd ever use them again.
A Valentine's Day gift card from her husband is actually what got her business started in 2004. She went to a craft store nearby and after some prayer, was directed to the beading section. She picked up some books and some supplies and went home. The same year she started to sell her creations at craft shows - this was the catalyst for Beaded Jewels. Her designs were unique like the jewelry she used to design for her father.
People were starting to notice the difference in her designs compared to other beaded jewelry. People also noticed the high quality of her jewelry and accessories.
On January 23rd, 2008, Beaded Jewels was born. Lexi designed the website herself and launched it also on January 23rd, 2008. Since then, Beaded Jewels has been growing by leapes and bounds!
Lexi Butler is continuously designing and creating new divisions in beaded, woven and wire-wrapped pieces of jewelry and accessories for Beaded Jewels. Here are some new divisions:
Beaded Jewels Mother-Daughter Jewels Division
Exquisite handcrafted, beaded, trendy and personalized. Woven Rivoli Swarovski crystal chokers. One-of-a-Kind affordable custom made beaded jewelry chokers for mothers and daughters. Choose from a variety of colours or have your own set made.Beaded Jewels Brand New Huge Beaded Rivoli Swarovski Crystal Ring Division
These are truly one-of-a-kind, unique, affordable, custom made and designed creations just for you in your colours and size. Choose from three different ring styles in your size and the colours you want from an array of choices in colours.
Beaded Jewels Motherhood Jewels Division
This division offers you exquisite, handcrafted, beaded, trendy, personalized, woven Swarovski crystal birthstone coloured bracelets. One-of-a-kind affordable, custom made beaded jewelry bracelets for you whether you have one child or seven and best of all...the price is the same!There's even more to Lexi and Beaded Jewels!
Lexi has a Bridal Division which is spectacular. You can see it here.
Lexi Butler is also the founder and creator of the Cancer and Cause awareness line Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope. The mission behind the fine hand-crafted bead-woven custom made to order bracelets is..."spread awareness of cancer and causes through colours nationwide."
Please download her informative E-Catalog about her personal experience with colorectal cancer through her father and also the research of facts that are written down for the common good of the people to spread awareness and knowledge. The facts are accompanied by pictures of Beaded Jewels Bracelts of Hope in the associated colours.
I now own two Beaded Jewels Bracelets of Hope (and 3 zipper pulls). One in honor of my father for colon cancer and one for me for migraine awareness. Read my review of Lexi's Beaded Jewels Bracelts of Hope here.
Here is how to contact Lexi:
Phone: 406-241-4502
Lexi's office hours: Mon-Sat 9am-5pm mountain time
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Mom in Business Profile: Debbie Glickman of Fairytale Wishes, Inc.
Tell us about yourself.
I am the mom to two wonderful kids (Gracie 11yrs. and Joey 8 yrs.) and have been married to my husband Jason for almost 14 years. Before having kids, I was an ad chick - a VP account director for the 2nd largest ad agency in Chicago working on accounts such as Kraft Foods, Illinois Bureau of Tourism and Children's Memorial Hospital. After my son began going to school full time, I knew that I couldn't go back to the ad business and be the kind of mom I wanted to be so I decided to try to think of a business I could run from home. I love to travel, exercise, read, do yoga and play with my kids. I try to learn something new every day (or at least once a week :) )
Tell us about your business.
My company is called Fairytale Wishes, Inc. I manufacture all natural aromatherapy sprays for children to help empower them to overcome common childhood fears and anxieties in a fun, interactive way. Each spray comes with a mini-fairytale written by our magic fairytale wishes frog, Freddy, and a bit of magic glitter. Currently we have 4 sprays in our line:
Sweet Dreams Spray (lavender scented) - Spray this on your child's pillow and it chases bad dreams away.
Monster Repellent (bubblegum scented) - Did you know that monsters are terrified of the smell of bubblegum? It gets in their fur and their fangs and their tentacles and then they can't come and scare everyone so just the scent of bubblegum keeps them far away. Spray this in your closet, under your bed or anywhere you think a monster or anything scary might hide.
Super Hero Spray (peppermint scent) - Give your child's clothing a quick spray of this energizing scent to give them courage and confidence all day. Whether they are taking a big test, going to the doctor for a shot, getting on the bus for the first time, etc. etc. - this spray will help them face anything in their day.
Happy Camper Spray (grape jelly scent) - Take this spray to summer camp or when leaving home to help keep homesickness far away. This sweet scent will help your child banish homesickness so they can get on with the fun that they are having when away from home.
What has been your biggest challenge so far?
Having enough cash flow to get the word out about our products and create a huge demand for it. Every house with kids could use a bottle of Fairytale Wishes sprays to help give kids a "Happily Ever After!"
What has come the easisest for you?
The creative aspect of developing these products. They came from my own experience as a mom in helping my kids deal with their own fears throughout their childhood.
Where do you advertise...or do you?
Currently, I focus more on PR. I have found it to be more effective in creating a demand for our products. I have advertised in Creative Retailer Magazine which is a trade publication.
What would you like to suggest to a mom who is interested in starting her own business?
The best advice I could give any mom interested in starting her own business is to find a great network of women who have done the same thing. We are all so eager and willing to help a fellow mompreneur out with anything and everything. Ask a lot of questions. Never give up if you are really passionate. Be prepared to evolve an idea based on feedback and advice. Get your kids involved so they feel part of the process and not left out. Always remember - the harder you work, the luckier you get and if you love what you do - it doesn't feel like work!
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