the momtrepreneur maven.

My friend Maria is a dynamo. When she’s not serving organic meals, whipping up gorgeous curtains, or running many, many miles, she is plotting her triumphant return to the workforce.

Like me, Maria plans to go back to work when her youngest child is in school full-time, but she isn’t sure what path to pursue. With so many ideas buzzing in her head, she decided to corral them into a single chart to help her focus.

Maria listed her passions (such as child nutrition), skill sets (I know she’s a marketing phenom), and lifestyle requirements (home from work when school ends). She keeps this document on her computer desktop and modifies it as the thoughts come. Slowly but surely, she is creating a vision for her ideal job.

I’ve started a “focus chart” as well. Mine contains all my half-baked business ideas alongside my skills and wants. So far it’s not pointing in any coherent direction. But I’m hoping that if I keep at it, my focus chart will live up to its name.

-Michele Golden, The Reluctant Momtrepreneur

We spoke with Manisha Kothari, owner of the beautiful online gift boutique Wishwrap.com. She puts a little think behind her offerings, and here’s what she has to say about being a successful momtrepreneur.

What business did you start up?

A unique online gift store – it’s part boutique, part gift guide, part ‘feel good’ funhouse! Unlike other e-stores, Wishwrap.com is a gift store in the truest sense. It helps people give personal, thoughtful, meaningful gifts that will create lasting memories while still giving cool, quality products!

What motivated you to do it?

A combined desire to make people happy and to have a creative outlet.

How many children do you have, and how old are they?

One – my son will be 15 months old on March 1st.

How long were/have you been running your business?

Wishwrap.com will be 15 months old on March 1st.

How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful (however you chose to measure success)?

About 6-8 months. My biggest marker of success was when I started seeing people who had received Wishwrapped gifts come to buy gifts for others. At that point, I knew we must be doing something right.

How did your husband and/or family react to you starting your own business?

My family has been unconditionally emotionally and financially supportive. I come from a family that has had a family-run business for over 10 generations, so it was an ‘obvious’ choice from their perspective.

Easiest part of your job?

The easiest parts of the job are the ones that I have the most fun with — talking to customers, finding great new gift ideas, creating new concepts and communicating them.

Hardest part of your job?

The hardest part of my job is managing others who don’t share the same passion. Whether it’s the web devleopment team or the company that makes our packaging, if they’re not as committed to perfection and to our vision, it can be very frustrating because we still depend on them to do what we do.

What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?

I know it may sound harsh, but you can’t do it all. I was always told that you can, and I often expected too much of myself. I actually have gone from being a great multi-tasker to someone who now cherishes being able to do one thing at a time. So, that’s the best advice I can give others – recognize your limitations, organize the time you have, and commit yourself 100% to one thing at a time.

Any people or computer programs or other materials that you recommend for fellow momtrepreneurs to use/buy for their companies?

Find a mentor or a role model. Even if it’s not someone who’s done exactly what you’re setting out to do, finding someone who will inspire you can be a great motivator when things get sticky – and that will happen sometimes. Good financial software and/or an accountant to keep your finances in order is definitely a worthwhile investment!

Anything else I should have asked you that you should answer?

Where do you want Wishwrap to be in 5 years? — I want Wishwrap to be synonymous with thoughtful gift-giving. I would love for our playful dandelion icon to be recognizable as a tool for giving, and for Wishwrapping to be a vocabulary word that describes creative, personal packaging that makes every special gift extra-special.

A few more questions, just because American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs:

Childhood ambition….to own an ice cream parlor and a sticker factory – in the same space.

Fondest memory….waking up this morning.

Indulgence….cupcakes with chocolate frosting.

Last purchase…..diapers — it feels like that’s always my last purchase!

Favorite magazine…..Good – it always renews my sense of optimism.

Inspiration…..almost everything around me!

My Life…I haven’t caught up to it yet.

Last week my seven-year-old daughter overheard me chatting with a neighbor about this blog. She immediately asked what I was up to. No sooner did I say, “I’m thinking of starting my own business,” than my darling daughter cut me off. “I know! You’re a good ice skater! You should be a skate counselor!”

Now, I don’t think skate counselor is my true calling; that axel I landed in 1981 was a fluke. But I did appreciate the compliment. There are probably lots of things I’m good at that just don’t come to mind. I decided to ask around for more ideas.

At breakfast the next morning, I asked my three-year old son what kind of business I should start. He suggested I run a firehouse made of candy. That is something venture capitalists would obviously fight over.

While skate counselor and candy-coated firefighter may not be in the cards for me, I think it’s useful to ask those who know me best what they think I do best. Then again, maybe not. Scarred from a recent furniture shopping excursion, my husband suggested I try a career in second guessing.

-Michele Golden, The Reluctant Momtrepreneur

I spoke with the authors of Getting To 50/50, a brand new book that addresses “How Working Couples Can Have It All By Sharing It All.” Sharon Meers and Joanna Strober were kind enough to be our author-interview guinea pigs. And they travel in very fancypants circles–they’ll be appearing on The Today Show on this Friday, February 27!

Why did you choose to write this book now?
Sharon: We wanted to make things better for working couples – we saw too many talented women giving up on jobs they worked hard to get because things just aren’t set up for dual-career families. So we went looking for a roadmap to help more couples find their way to what they want. We surveyed 1100 working moms and hundreds of men and women in two-career couples. We talked to dozens of the leading social scientists who study the outcomes for dual career families to find out what the facts are. We hope Getting To 50/50 will help get people talking – men with women, parents with employers – about what’s needed for working parents to succeed both at work and at home. It’s possible and it’s good for everyone.
Joanna: As a working mom with a working spouse, I really wanted to see more role models. And I realized that I had become a “role model” for younger women just starting in their careers. So I thought it would be fun to find out the secrets of couples who were managing two careers and family, both as role models for myself and others.
How many children do you have, and how old are they?
Sharon: My son is almost 8 and my daughter is 4.
Joanna: I have three kids: a daughter, 10, and 2 boys, ages 7 and 2.5.
How long did it take you to write the book?
Sharon: It’s taken over three years to do all the research, writing and editing – a lot longer than we expected. But it’s been tremendously rewarding to meet so many working couples who feel good about combining work and family and lots of great ideas to share with our readers – we’ve learned a ton ourselves. We also loved getting to talk to all the social scientists – the psychologists, sociologists and economists who study children and dual-career marriage – the research they shared with us is really encouraging for those of us in dual-career homes.
How did your husband and/or family react to your teaming up and becoming authors? You are two smart cookies—did they think you were crazy to add this writing bit to your life?
Sharon: My husband was thrilled – I’d been talking about doing this book with Joanna for a while and my husband thought it would be great for me to take the leap and “just do it”. I was in the process of changing jobs. To have the kind of job I wanted at the company where I’d worked for 16 years, I realized I needed to move our family to New York. So I left my firm with the idea I’d take 18 months off, write a book and find a job closer to home. The book part just took a bit longer : -)
Joanna: Yes, my husband thought I was crazy. Managing a family, a job, and writing the book was definitely a challenge, and he was worried that we wouldn’t have enough time together and as a family. We had lots of negotiations about how much time I could spend working on the book, and what other things in my life would have to give. I have not had time for exercise or friends in a long while. But it is worth it to have a book that I am really proud of and will hopefully help lots of people. And I was incredibly lucky to have such a great partner in Sharon. This really made writing the book a lot easier.
Easiest part of it all?
Sharon: We were amazed at how many people – people we’d never met before – were eager to share their personal stories. As one working mom told us, ”…happy working couples are culturally invisible. We need to change that.” And it was really refreshing to hear men talk candidly. Because our interviews were anonymous, men said a lot of thing that women don’t often hear – how they feel about being bossed around at home, how they feel if their wife quits her job, how they feel if a woman takes a paid maternity leave and doesn’t return. We think it’s much easier to solve the work/life balance problems if we can all talk frankly—and with good humor – knowing that men and women just aren’t that different and generally want the same things: happy families and rewarding work.
Hardest part of it all?
Joanna : You never know how long anything will take. We are two business people who hadn’t done much “creative” work since college. So it took us a long time to write and edit because we were really new at it.
What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew at the outset that you know now?
Sharon: It was great working as a team. Joanna and I have different ways of doing things and different strengths and that’s been great for this process. We also pulled in an outside writer/editor who helped us find our voice which might not have happened if we’d just plunged into this alone. We also got lucky and found a fabulous agent and publisher. For a book like this, having lots of input from different view points has made all the difference.
Was it hard working at such fast-paced, high stress companies such as Goldman with kids, Sharon?
Sharon: It was hard but it was worth it. What I learned in writing this book is that there really is no industry or kind of job where working parents have it easy. There are particular bosses – special individuals — who are open-minded and look at your results (are they great or not?) not how many hour you log at your desk. And at Goldman, I was lucky enough to have some of those bosses which made things easier.
Joanna, you were on the cover of the Wall Street Journal for all your successes (kudos to you). Same question for you–did you, and do you still, find it challenging to do all of it with children?
It is always hard to balance everything. I have found that the most important thing I can do is let go of everything in my life that is not really important. The house isn’t always clean, we often eat pasta for dinner (with no vegetables) and my clothes may not be entirely clean or ironed. But my kids get plenty of attention and my family and marriage is thriving. So I am ok focusing on the basics.
A few more questions, just because I believe that American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs:
childhood ambition….
Sharon: To be a ballerina or an archeologist.
Joanna: To be a journalist or a politician.
fondest memory….
Sharon: Falling in love with my husband.
Joanna: Backpacking in Europe with my husband.
indulgence…
Sharon: Spending a day by myself reading books.
Joanna: Taking a long walk with my husband.
last purchase…
Sharon: Nerf swords for my daughter.
Joanna: Currently bidding on ebay for a juicy sweatshirt for my daughter and a lego set for my son.
favorite magazine…
Sharon: All of them.
Joanna: The New Yorker.
inspiration…..
Sharon: Gandhi, Gorbachev and every woman who has ever stood up to make things better.
Joanna: Women who manage every day …. I am constantly looking for role models.

Getting To 50/50 publishes TODAY! Get it at stores nationwide, or at Amazon online.

This momtrepreneur of 3 has been collecting her booty pirate-style by heading into the world of publishing.  Donna’s books are a hit on Amazon, and her company is obviously a hit to children everywhere (even her own!).  Stay tuned for Part 2 of the Donna Bennett series…

What business did you start up?

Three Chiquitas Publishing.

What motivated you to do it?

I have always loved writing and my kids love pirate books! I found a way to get some important messages across in the pirate books, while still having the adventure that the kids are drawn to.

How many children do you have, and how old are they?

I have three children. Cady is 8, Sam is 6, and Rachel is 4.

How long have you been running your business?

Since 2006.

How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you choose to measure success?

8 months!

How did your family react to you starting your own business?

My husband is very supportive and the kids LOVE the whole pirate thing! They come with me to book readings and signings and other pirate events.

Easiest part of your job?

The writing of the stories! Also, personalizing the books to the children at the book signings – they LOVE that!

Hardest part of your job?

The marketing and publicity. The book is on Amazon, but so are 500 other pirate books! We sell very well on Amazon, but most of our profits come from pirate festivals and holiday events where we do the book signings.

What skill would you most like to improve?

The skill of building more time into the day, but something tells me if I figure out that one, I’d have a new business to market!

What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?

To not spend so much time doing things the traditional way.  I have found more outlets for my books in non-conventional venues then I thought possible. The big bookstores have too many rules and loopholes – it is a shame how many fabulous books can’t get in there!

Can you recommend 3 essential websites for moms in, or going into, business?

Facebook – I use it for promoting events all the time!

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

My balancing act – I am somehow a nurturing mother and wife, but can also build businesses right at home in my jammies at my laptop.  I am a true entrepreneur! I used to be in the corporate world and I am not sure I could ever return.

Favorite part of a typical day?

Kissing my kids goodnight and spreading joy to others!

Anything else I should have asked you that you should answer?

If you would like to purchase Petey and the Mean Pirates or the newly released The Ice Cream Pirates as a holiday gift for your child, I will write a personal message to your child!

A few more questions, just because American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Childhood ambition….I wanted to be a waitress and a cheerleader.  In essence I am both just by being a mom.

Fondest memory….my father taking us on trips to amusement parks.

Indulgence…..chocolate chip cookie dough.

Last purchase…..clothes for the kids – Lord knows, I could use some.

Favorite magazine…..I prefer novels – Phillippa Gregory or Maeve Binchy and other authors who write sagas with strong women characters.

Inspiration….. My mantra these days is to find happiness from within.  It is easier to look to others to satisfy us, but not as rewarding!  Quote to go with the mantra, “Welcome yourself home! You are the one you’ve been waiting for!”

My Life… “is like a tapestry of rich and royal hues. An everlasting vision with an everchanging view…”  Thanks, Carole King.