Faithful Reluctant Momtrepreneur readers know I have struggled to settle on one business. I always have a dozen ideas bouncing around my brain and can’t decide which one is worth going for.
Luckily, a conversation with our own Momtrepreneur Maven, Jill Salzman, helped me narrow things down.
Jill asked me to describe all my business ideas and we talked about their viability for a while. This one would be fairly straightforward, that one might have steep start-up costs, etc. There were so many things I hadn’t considered about each business, and I was grateful Jill helped me identify businesses that weren’t a good match for my situation.
But then things got interesting. Jill told me she’d been watching carefully while I pitched my ideas, and there were a few that made me light up. She noticed that one concept in particular seemed to float my boat. With this idea, I spoke rapidly and the details flowed, my eyes glistened and my hands gestured wildly (it’s an Italian thing I can’t control). Clearly, this was an idea to explore further.
A healthy alternative to your kids’ food containers! Three cheers for Jacqueline Linder. She’s a momtrepreneur AND an environmentalist, doing good for lunchtimes everywhere.
What business did you start up?
I am the Founder of LunchBots. LunchBots are stainless steel lunch and snack containers that are made from the highest quality, 18/8 stainless steel and contain no plastic. LunchBots are healthier than plastic because no chemicals leach into food and they’re better for the environment. The LunchBots Uno is designed for a sandwich or a main meal and the LunchBots Duo has a unique divider for packing snacks and side dishes.
What motivated you to do it?
I started LunchBots because I couldn’t find any non-plastic containers to use to pack my lunch for my kids. Instead of worrying about which types of plastics are safe, I decided it was best to avoid plastic altogether. They also help us eliminate the use of plastic baggies and other plastic containers that are so harmful to the environment.
How many children do you have, and how old are they?
I have two boys, ages 7 and 14.
How long were/have you been running your business?
I’ve been working on LunchBots since early 2008. We launched and started selling our products in January 2009.
How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you choose to measure success?
I feel that we were successful from the first day that we launched LunchBots.com. Without any advertising or PR, people found us online and purchased our products. There are many people who, like me, are looking for an alternative to plastic bags and containers.
How did your family react to you starting your own business?
They started pitching in and helping out! Even though it was not planned, LunchBots is family-run business. Even my youngest son has responsibilities and helps out. My teenager will work for LunchBots full-time this summer.
Easiest part of your job?
Product design!
Hardest part of your job?
Balancing work and family life! I love my job.
What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?
I now see everything as having a positive intention. If an opportunity does not work out, it means that it wasn’t right for us and there is a better one to come. I read recently that worrying is like a rocking chair, it gives you something to do, but it gets you nowhere. I keep this in mind and choose not to worry. I also surround myself with positive and supportive people.
Can you recommend 3 essential websites for moms in, or going into, business?
A few more questions, just because American Express should be featuring more Momtrepreneurs…
Childhood ambition…..financial security, professional cyclist. Fondest memory…. Elkhorn Stage Race in Oregon. Indulgence…..time alone. Last purchase…..running shoes. Favorite magazine…..Mothering and Inc. Inspiration…..God. My Life…..is incredibly blessed and I am extremely grateful for everything.
Ellie & Melissa are The Baby Planners who put a new spin on the old concierge business, with a brilliant slogan to boot. You can read their blog, check out their site, or watch them on the one and only Rachael Ray show (scroll down for the clip). For all you momtrepreneurs thinking about teaming up with a partner, you can get a glimpse from these moms about what it’s like to work together.
We were motivated quite simply by our own experiences as working women, attempting to juggle demanding jobs, pregnancy and the multitude of preparations necessary for our babies’ arrivals. We both wasted precious time and energy searching for the best baby products, which seemed to change on a daily basis. This emotional, anxiety-ridden time was the inspiration behind The Baby Planners ™. Our goal is to provide our clients with the research, recommendations and reassurance we wish we had.
How many children do you have, and how old are they?
We have 3 children between the two of us. Melissa has an 8-year old daughter and Ellie has an 8-year old daughter and a 7-year old son.
How long have you been running your business? Are there other Baby Planners out there?
It was in the fall of 2006 and we like to say that from conception to birth, it took close to 9 months to really get rolling. We spent a lot of time researching baby products, meeting industry insiders from manufactures to vendors and preparing a solid business plan. There weren’t any other baby planners when we started, but we’re proud to say we started an international trend!
What makes your business unique?
First of all, that baby planning/concierge business had NEVER been done before and secondly, we personalize each of our clients’ plans to truly make theirs a unique baby planning experience.
How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you choose to measure success?
Thanks to an early phone call from the Rachael Ray Show, we got off to a quick and successful start when we were not quite one year old.
How did your family react to you starting your own business?
Our husbands and kids have been very supportive from the beginning. Little did they know how often we’d be on the phone or computer with each other – constantly! But our kids are all in on what we do and know how important it is to us. They have been part of the process since it was just an idea and get a kick out of watching, hearing and experiencing it all. Not to mention it is fun to see Mommy on TV occasionally!
Easiest part of your job?
Having a partner to share it all with!
Hardest part of your job?
Having a partner to share it all with!
What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?
Know your worth! And charge accordingly!
Can you recommend 3 essential websites for moms in, or going into, business?
I ask because every time I go for a run, ideas pop out of me like overworked kneecaps. It takes only a few blocks and my endorphins, one by one, kick up new ideas for unique promotional efforts, better marketing strategies, or new blog posts. If I spend too much time on that elliptical machine, my husband sighs and unplugs it from the wall because he knows that otherwise, he will spend the evening batting away the forty businesses that I suddenly want to start. And I kid you not–with every push of the playground swing in which my daughter sits, my arms are more toned and my to-do list is lengthened.
It may an as-yet-unnamed physiological disorder. Or, if this description sounds all too familiar and you also find yourself going straight from the gym to the computer and purchasing 454 domain names from GoDaddy.com, perhaps you also recognize that working out is not so healthy for a momtrepreneur.
Stop working out. Keep focusing on the tasks at hand. And if the stress is too much for you, get yourself an 8 Ball Stress Ball and wish away those thighs.
I’ve decided to harness the collective genius of our readers and ask for your thoughts. After all, what is the internet, if not interactive?
Anyway, I’ve been mulling over the following: am I more likely to succeed with a business in my former field or in something completely new? On the one hand, using my past experience would help me avoid a steep learning curve. On the other hand, venturing into a whole new area is pretty darn exciting and would keep my interest.
If you have any thoughts or experiences to share on this question, please drop me a line at reluctantmomtrepreneur@jillsalzman.com. I’ll be sure to share what I learn in a future post.
