What business did you start up?

I started Calm the Crazy, LLC, a company that develops products that make life with kids easier…because more ease means more fun. We also believe that your life – your style, your attitude, who you are – shouldn’t stop simply because you have kids. So, we create products that are easy, smart, stylish and durable for moms (and dads!) by moms.  We are incredibly proud and excited about our first product – the Kikou: a unique and fashionable cover-up to protect your clothing from life’s little messes (a.k.a. spit-up, drool, snot). And it’s a great nursing cover, too!

What motivated you to do it?

My kids. I am fueled by my desire to both do something that allows me to spend more time with my family and sets a good example for them by following my dreams and doing something I’m passionate about. They have also inspired many of the products we’ve developed and are developing.

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

I have 2 beautiful girls–a 5 year-old and 3.5-year-old.  Both are full of life!

How long have you been running your business?

Almost a year now…but we’ve just launched our first product in the last month.

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

Well…I’m not exactly profitable yet.  But in many ways, I feel successful for just taking my business this far.  I’ve had tons of business ideas–from a doggie hotel to a bakery–but this is the first time that I’ve taken my business concept all the way to launch.  And for that alone I would define this effort as a success!

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

They are very proud.  My girls are incredibly aware and excited about the business.  They know that part of the inspiration is for me to see more of them, so they are very supportive!  My husband is the backbone to the entire operation. I could never have gotten this far without both his encouragement and support.

Easiest part of your job?

Idea generation.

Hardest part of your job?

Turning the ideas into reality.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Media relations…when does persistence turn into annoyance??

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

It always takes longer than you think, so plan for that.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Actually producing the first product. There’s no better feeling than seeing your vision turn into a reality.  It takes hard work and persistence…and sometimes you think it’s never going to happen.  But not giving up and seeing it happen–that is priceless.

Favorite part of a typical day?

When I come home from my “day” job.  My kids greet me at the door every day like they haven’t seen me for months.  It’s fantastic.

And a few more questions, considering that American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Childhood ambition? Be my own boss.

Time of day you get the most work done? Evening after kids go to bed.

Last purchase? Oval Ring Belt from Eddie Bauer.

Favorite book or magazine? Life of Pi

Inspiration? Husband and kiddos.

Least likely to…..eat sushi.

My life…..is crazy…and fun!!

Multimedia maven Brooke Randazzo Eggert does everything in two’s:  raising two boys, building two companies, speaking at two upcoming Momtrepreneur Exchanges.  Like any double agent, Brooke aims to maintain her creative lifestyle while driving her businesses forward–and doing it with her sanity.  That’s 4 stars and 1 high-five for you, Brooke.

What business did you start up?

SpiffyMoms.com and r3 multimedia group.

What motivated you to do it?

For Spiffy, my best friend and I worked at another parenting site and were dissatisfied with the atmosphere and the management.  That inspired us to create our own.  It has grown from being just a forum-based site to having a full information-based site with the forums as the add-ons.

For r3, I was working in my family’s business when we decided to create a third company which would utilize the talents of my cousin (photographer) and myself (designer) while also teaching my brother how to do both of those jobs.

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

I have two sons.  Alexander is 8 years old and Kyle is 5 years old.

How long have you been running your business?

SpiffyMoms has been around since February of 2007.  r3 was started in July of 2009.  I have over 10 years of experience in the design field and have done freelance work that whole time.

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

All of that depends on your motivation, your attitude and how much overhead you have when you first start.  We were lucky that for Spiffy we don’t have much overhead since it’s an online company.  For r3, we were fortunate to use our family’s business’ offices and just needed some equipment and marketing collateral.

I feel that Spiffy is successful and has been running well on its own since about the Fall of 2008 when we launched our redesign and added the content.

r3 is on its way up the ladder of success.  After putting in months of long hours and hard work, we are succeeding in building our business.

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

My family was very supportive!

Easiest part of your job?

The actual designing part.  I love it.

Hardest part of your job?

Seeking out new clients.

What skill would you most like to improve?

I have so many things that I want to learn more about in the design world.  They are things that I’ll see on a billboard or in a magazine or on a website and it inspires me to learn how to do it if I don’t already know.  There really is not one skill, the design world is constantly evolving and that means I do, also.

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

I wish I knew that, for us, print advertising doesn’t work well and I wouldn’t have spent the time on it that we did.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

I would have to say just opening this business.  We opened it in the middle of an economic downturn and have worked hard to get ourselves going and overcome that.

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

Your state’s business registration/info websites are a big help.

We were able to use the resources we had from our other family business, which means we didn’t have to do a lot of general research on things.  But the other place that I think is great are the meetups where you can talk to other moms who are doing what you do – like the Momtrepreneur Exchange.  I’ve found a lot of support at these functions.

And a few more questions, considering that American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Favorite part of a typical day? In the morning when everything is hopeful and I attach my to-do list.  It feels energizing.

Childhood ambition? To be a bag-lady (and sell bags like my dad does!)

Time of day you get the most work done? Late morning to mid-afternoon and then very late at night.

Last purchase? Supplies for wedding invitations that I’m making.

Favorite book or magazine? Layers Magazine and The Lord of the Rings.

Inspiration? My father.

Least likely to…..want to leave my desk in the middle of a creative inspiration.

My life…..can be crazy at times and the house is usually messy but I’m doing what I love.

Pleshette did not mean to inspire momtrepreneurs.  She did what any practical mother would do: get inspiration from her child to do something great and figure out a way to make it profitable, too.  And doing it as a one-woman show–without the tightrope or circus juggling.

What business did you start up?

King’s Kids Childcare & Resource Center: home childcare that specializes in caring for children with special needs and catering to parents with special work schedules.

What motivated you to do it?

I am a single mom of a child diagnosed with a “special need”.  Like most single parents I needed to master the complicated task of working a job while taking care of my son.  One of the most difficult assignments of being a parent of a child with a special diagnosis, is finding a childcare facility that offers both quality care for children with special needs and flexibility to parents who don’t work the typical 9 to 5 job.  I took my son from daycare to daycare trying to find one that not only stated that they accepted children of all needs, but actually took care of them.  Quite frankly, the high level of patience, necessary training and care was and is hard to find in the childcare arena.

2007 was my turning point. I was laid off from my job and it was then that I decided to take a leap of faith and start my own business. So, when the door opened I jumped in with both feet and never looked back.  It was then that King’s Kids Childcare and Resource Center was born, the childcare home that provides quality care to children of “all abilities” and caters to parents with flexible work schedules.

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

I have one child, a son , age 9.

How long have you been running your business?

I’ve been successfully running my business for 2+ years.

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

My business has been successful from the day I opened my doors and I have increased ever since.

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

My family and friends have been a great support to me, especially my sister who has been my personal cheerleader/ pep squad.

Easiest part of your job?

Caring for my kids and assisting in their growth and development.

Hardest part of your job?

Being a one-woman show.  If I could clone myself I would need to do it in triplicate just so that I could get everything done.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Financial management so that I can expand my business.

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

I wish that I had started my own business sooner. My advice to anyone looking to step into the world of self-employment is this: if you have a gift or talent, use it to fuel your success. Don’t procrastinate, start today.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Being a single mom who stepped out on faith and started my own business in the midst of unemployment and against all odds.

Favorite part of a typical day?

Being home when my son gets off his school bus while still being at work.

And a few more questions, considering that American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Childhood ambition? To be a billionaire so that I could care for my parents in their senior years, live a life of luxury both me and my children and have more than enough to help others.

Time of day you get the most work done? 1 PM – 3 PM or after my son goes down for the night.

Favorite book or magazine? Your Best Life Now – Pastor Joel Osteen

Least likely to…..fail.

My life…..is pleasant and prosperous.

Jennifer James is the creator of Mom Bloggers Club.  And Mom Blog Magazine. And Pregnant Bloggers Club. And Mum Bloggers Club.  And Mom Vloggers Club. Oh, and she’s a speaker, too.  And then maybe a consultant as well.  (Tired yet?)  Humble beyond humble, Ms. James is doing a LOT of community gardening and has been bringing moms together for quite some time.  She’s ahead of all the curves.  We could all learn a thing or two from Ms. James.

What business did you start up?

I own a wide range of niche sites for moms from blogs to robust social networks.

What motivated you to do it?

I started building sites in 2003. I have always built sites that I would want to visit if I didn’t start them. I have always been motivated by creativity and a lack of certain sites on the Net.

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

Two children, 9 and 11.

How long have you been running your business?

Seven years.

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

I was profitable after about a year. I never set out to become a business, but the more I built sites, the more the companies came and wanted to advertise on them or hire me as a consultant.

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

My family has always been supportive. Always! I wouldn’t have achieved any success if I didn’t have my family in my corner.

Easiest part of your job?

The easiest part of my job is creating all the time.

Hardest part of your job?

The hardest part of my job is staying organized.

What skill would you most like to improve?

I would like to improve my organizational skills.

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

I wish I knew more when I started about how to work with brands, such as how to price advertising or how to talk to them about hiring me as a consultant. I had to learn all of that on my own.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

I am most proud that I am able to be the businesswoman I have always wanted to be.

Favorite part of a typical day?

Talking to moms and brands.

And a few more questions, considering that American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Childhood ambition? To be a writer.

Time of day you get the most work done? Mornings.

Last purchase? Big purchase or little purchase? I just bought sushi for dinner.

Favorite book or magazine? I don’t have a favorite. There are too many that I love.

Inspiration? I aspire to really grow my business and keep it humming for many, many years.

My life…..is wonderful!

What business did you start up?

I actually purchased a business in September of 2009 after looking for about three years.  We found one that resonated with me and jumped in!  It is called Baby Bouquets and Gifts Ltd. and is an online webstore. BB&G creates and delivers one-of-a-kind silk flower bouquets with hip baby products and clothing rolled up to look like flower blooms.

What motivated you to do it?

Wanting to parent the way I had envisioned AND fulfill my personal needs as a woman.

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

I have one daughter who is 7 years old.

How long have you been running your business?

Since September of 2009.

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

I am close to achieving my first personal sales goal – yay!  We aren’t using credit – much )

Easiest part of your job?

Shopping!!! And then receiving the deliveries, opening them and seeing all the good stuff!

Hardest part of your job?

Letting it all go when it’s time to be a mom, wife, friend.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Developing and designing my website: the photos, ads, graphics etc.

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

I wish I had been more social networking-savvy but I’m learning and asking for help.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

I am constantly proud of myself.  I think all the time “I did this, I can do this!”  I’m pleased that I chose to spread my wings and fly…

Favorite part of a typical day?

Receiving an order and then making that lovely bouquet, writing their personal message on the gift card, packing it up nicely and sending it off, I still get excited every time.

And a few more questions, considering that American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Childhood ambition? Wildlife photographer, actress, police officer…

Time of day you get the most work done? 9 am to 2:30 pm.

Last purchase? Milk? LOL.

Favorite book or magazine? The novel “A Fine Daughter” by Catherine Simmons Niven

Inspiration? Definitely my daughter but I find life overall inspiring when I’m in the mood.

Least likely to…..learn to budget!

My life…..is not what I had imagined.

What business did you start up?

Mymompreneur.com is a network of mom entrepreneurs dedicated to providing a community for women seeking sisterhood, professional growth, and work-life balance while remaining true to their values. Our online MyMompreneur.com online magazine features stories of success, challenge, and empowerment for all levels of entrepreneurs, from the person with a desire to start their own business to the successful leader wishing to mentor others.

What motivated you to do it?

Corporate America forced me into transition when employment became impossible to find. I moved to Southern California to be near family and began attending networking functions in an attempt to meet new women and build my new Mary Kay business. As I networked I would meet wonderful women doing amazing things and I wanted to share their experiences, success and triumphs with other women. Furthermore, I wanted to refer them to friends whenever I could to help “stimulate the mom economy.”  A personal blog was reconfigured into an online community that is now Mymompreneur.com. After the community was launched in 2009 I recognized the need to take new relationships forged online to an offline environment to further solidify those connections. Together we strategize to build our businesses, integrate technology and social networking into our business model, and create lasting referral partners.

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

I have one little boy. He is four years old going on twenty-five. My mother calls him an “old soul.” I call him my best friend.

How long have you been running your business?

MyMompreneur was created in 2009.

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

It was only a few months that I realized the success of MyMompreneur when women began requesting to be featured on my site and clamoring for more content and resources.

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

My family has been very supportive. With the economy as it is, I think they all understood that I was going to have to get creative to be able to provide for myself and my child.

Easiest part of your job?

I have a background in web development so the easiest part is being able to do most of the technical work without having to spend an arm and a leg for design or development.

Hardest part of your job?

Finding the time to do it all.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Finance!  I hate doing all the mundane money stuff.  YES, I like to make money, but having to learn Quickbooks is a pain in the rear.

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

Not sure, it’s a learning process and I think I’ve done pretty well so far.

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

MYMOMPRENEUR.COM!! What? Is there anything else?

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

That I did it! Most mompreneurs will testify that there is always some naysayer that will try to convince you that you’re doing it all wrong or that you shouldn’t do it at all. I have a great sense of satisfaction that though it may not be perfect and I make mistakes, it’s mine and I did it.

Favorite part of a typical day?

Reading feedback from my members. Knowing that what I’m doing has impacted them in a positive way.

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

Childhood ambition…. to make my parents really proud and to have a family of my own to share my wealth, success, and happiness.
Fondest memory…. My father saying grace at the dinner table at Thanksgiving saying that the thing that he’s most thankful for is his children.
Indulgence…. Chocolate and Wine! Uh, is there anything better?
Last purchase….. new laptop before my desktop crashed. Can’t support my web development clients, twitter and facebook classes, and online community without it!
Favorite magazine….. right now it would have to be Savvy SWR Woman (since I have my own column in it).
Inspiration….. to leave this earth knowing that I made it just a little better for someone else.
My Life… is a mom entrepreneur.

Karla inherited the entrepreneurial drive from a previous generation of movers and shakers; her parents are both entrepreneurs.  This momtrepreneur turned her uncomfortable life experience into an online place of comfort for expecting women…(presumably all carrying future entrepreneurs).

What business did you start up?

BellyButtonBoutique.com, an online store that offers products of comfort and support for pre- and postnatal women.

What motivated you to do it?

One long and miserable pregnancy!  I couldn’t get comfortable, couldn’t sleep, had gestational diabetes, was in the hospital on bed rest and had the nerve to be worried as to whether or not I would be fired from my job!  One cannot live life that way.

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

Two boys.  Dylan is 3 and a half and Bryce is 20 months.

How long have you been running your business?

It will be two years this year.

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

I am still on the road to success.  At this point I am meeting all of my monthly financial obligations, which is huge!

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

My parents are both entrepreneurs.  I spoke to my father about what I planned on doing and he offered advice when asked.  My husband is the one that pushed me in the right direction.  Its because of him I am able to reach my full potential.

Easiest part of your job?

Getting paid by customers.

Hardest part of your job?

Getting the world to connect BellyButtonBoutique.com and pregnancy.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Networking.  I am working on it now.  It really helps when expanding your business.  People in your network can really sell your business to others.

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

Print ads are not always the way to go when they are amongst a sea of other print ads.

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

LinkedIn – its all about who you know and the people they know
Websitegrader.com – Once your site is up and you want to check your SEO
Savorthesuccess.com – Women in business helping one another and networking

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Actually launching the business.  That is everyone’s biggest hurdle.  You can register the name and secure the site, but until you launch, it’s all meaningless.

Favorite part of a typical day?

Checking my Google Alerts for trends in the industry.

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

Most motivating book I’ve read lately?  “How to Swim with Sharks without Being Eaten Alive” by Harvey MacKay.

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

Childhood ambition….to be an astronaut.
Fondest memory….the night my husband said, “…I say all of this to say, I love you…oh Lord, God, Jesus help me!!!”
Indulgence….dessert.
Last purchase…..a new purse.
Favorite magazine…..Newsweek.
Inspiration…..prayer.
My Life…..is full and I love it.

What business did you start up?

I launched a vertical learning curve into the professional speaker circuit. After speaking in venues from childcare conferences in ritzy hotels to parent programs at historical theatres, I realized the marriage between speaking and writing. At that point, I began a duel learning curve as a writer and author.

What motivated you to do it?

Building stronger families through parent empowerment is my calling; my passion. I express this through speaking and writing to parent audiences.

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

My daughters are 21 and 27 years old, and our adopted son is 20 years.

How long have you been running your business?

Since 1996. That’s when I hung out my shingle as a speaker for hire.

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

Since providing a service has lower overhead than a retailer with inventory, I began to realize a profit within a year. Success is another story.  Do we ever feel successful?

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

They’ve been – and still are – extremely supportive. My family is my most enthusiastic cheerleader.

Easiest part of your job?

Book signings and speaking on stage. When I’m onstage, audiences may consider my job as glamorous, and because I love speaking to audiences it is an easy part of my career. I’m dedicated to my work; however, my at-home, day-to-day work is anything but glamorous.  It’s more pajamas and popcorn. Instead of a corporate wardrobe, I offer parenting insights and encouragement on telephone interviews while I’m barefoot and doing a load of laundry. No daily drives on the freeway; my commute is down the hall. Rather than power lunches, I munch when hungry often stealing away time to meet my husband.

Hardest part of your job?

Editor rejections and program planner rejections – when other parenting experts get the speaking gig instead of me.

What skill would you most like to improve?

I continually try improving my platform skills so I’m an entertaining and engaging speaker.

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

Everything has been a learning curve; tax records, marketing, writing, platform skills, record keeping.  It demands tenacity to start and maintain a home-based business. Success doesn’t respect intelligence, rather persistence.

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

Sure, I like The Publicity Hound for great tips on promoting your business.  I often tweet about this site and share her tips.

HARO (Help a Report Out) is a tremendous list of journalists and others needing expert quotes.

John Kremer is a publicity guru.   On the left side of his home page are several helpful articles for those going into or wanting to build their business.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

On the homefront, my proudest accomplishments are my kids and a 31-year marriage. On the professional side, it’s my parenting title, The Birth to Five Book: Confident Childrearing Right from the Start, which won the 2009 Good Parenting Seal from Parental Wisdom.com.

Favorite part of a typical day?

Flexibility to take breaks or work as I please. This job works around my schedule.
With a flexible schedule, I write articles, promote my books and prepare new presentations when the mood hits and obsess at each as long as desired. This slacker-friendly “lifestyle” makes some people – and relatives – wonder if I work at all.

Final thoughts?

While I’m neither the Zig Ziglar of the platform nor the J.K. Rowling of the literary world, I am proud of what I do as a momtrepreneur.

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

Childhood ambition…. be a missionary to France.
Fondest memory…. wedding day, my kids’ birth, and vacationing on Ocracoke Island.
Indulgence…. extra dark chocolate.
Last purchase….. dark chocolate candy bar with pomegranate.
Favorite magazine….. don’t have one.
Inspiration….. my life is inspired and motivated each Sunday at church.
My Life… is blessed, exciting, rarely dull, and challenging.

What business did you start up?

A professional organizing business, Organizing Philly, that helps residents and business-owners maximize their space and simplify their lives.

What motivated you to do it?

Although I had a fulfilling career practicing law, I always fantasized about being my own boss doing something I loved — organizing. The ability to set my own schedule to spend more time with my family was my primary motivation.

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

2 children — 3 years old and 6 months old.

How long have you been running your business?

18 months.

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

I’m still not sure how I measure success. I had clients immediately. My business continues to grow in many different ways.  I recently returned to taking on clients after a 5-month maternity leave for the birth of my second child.

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

My family is incredibly supportive in every way! My husband really pushed me to make my dream a reality.

Easiest part of your job?

The easiest part is doing the hands-on organizing.  This comes naturally to me and is really fun.

Hardest part of your job?

The hardest part has been becoming comfortable selling myself and my services.  As an attorney I had no background in running a business, let alone in sales.  To me, this has been the most challenging and interesting part of being an entrepreneur.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Again, sales.  I’m always soliciting advice from more experienced businesswomen about how they network, get business, promote their services, etc.

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

I’ve received so much helpful advice.  Perhaps the most useful was the advice to network and meet as many people (other business-owners, potential clients, etc.) as you can.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

Making a difference in my clients’ lives makes me most proud.

Favorite part of a typical day?

Interacting with a client on a job.  Hearing about their struggles to get organized and offering solutions tailored to their lifestyle and needs.

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

Maybe a question about how to manage work-life balance.  Maintaining work-life balance isn’t easy even when you are your own boss. In some ways it can be harder. But it’s worth the struggle.

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

Childhood ambition….to do my best.

Fondest memory….my wedding day and the first days with my newborn sons after their births.

Indulgence….massage.

Last purchase…..brunch.

Favorite magazine…..Vanity Fair, The Atlantic Monthly

Inspiration…..my husband and children.

My Life…..my family.

What business did you start up?

Have Baby Will Travel – an online guide for family travel with babies & toddlers. It features destination information, useful links and articles, packing lists, and first-hand accounts from parents of trips they’ve taken with their babies and toddlers.

What motivated you to do it?

We wanted to take a family vacation before my first maternity leave was up.  In the early days of motherhood, I found leaving the house a challenge, never mind leaving the country.  I turned to the internet expecting to find a community of like-minded parents hoping to still travel with their baby.  When I couldn’t find a website that could provide all the information I needed, I decided to start one myself!

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

My daughter is 4 and my son is 8 months.

How long have you been running your business?

I launched the website in April of 2007 and re-launched it with a professional design in October of 2008.  Presently I’m in the process of revamping it again!

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

From the moment we launched I received such favorable and supportive feedback that I knew we were truly on to something.  As traffic continued to increase, we knew it would be worth it to invest a little money into getting it professionally done.

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

When I speak of “we” I mean me and my husband. His unwavering faith in me and my ideas keeps me motivated when I’ve had a tough day or am feeling discouraged.  He found a way to help make this happen, and for that I’m eternally grateful.  He taught himself how to build a website and created the very first incarnation of Have Baby Will Travel on his own!

Easiest part of your job?

Connecting with and helping parents who are planning their first trips with their new families.  If I’m not traveling, I love hearing about other people’s travels!

Hardest part of your job?

Prioritizing tasks that need to be accomplished and still being present for my kids.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Time management! Without a doubt, going into an office everyday made it easier to stay focused.  I do tend to be easily distracted since I’ve been working from home!

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

I wish I had discovered the value of social media from the start, and not been so tentative about developing relationships with people in complementary businesses.

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

Seriously, I’ve learned more in the past 6 months on Twitter than in the past 2.5 years of research.  Twitter has introduced me to a wealth of knowledge from experienced professionals and wonderful personalities.  It can get a bit addictive (hence the time management problems!), but Twitter has taught me so much and made me aware of how much I need to learn.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

For my big giveaway last year, I rounded up all the gear to be featured and pitched the segment to our city’s highest-rated morning television show. It was an exciting couple of weeks!

Favorite part of a typical day?

Call me crazy, but I love our mornings.  It’s a great walk to school to drop off my daughter, and once we’re home my son goes for his nap and I have an hour or so to work.  A lot’s been accomplished by 10am and it feels pretty good.

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

Childhood ambition…..movie star.
Fondest memory…..my daughter on the beach for the first time.
Indulgence…..monthly manicures and pedicures – would love to make them bi-weekly one day soon!
Last purchase…..birthday gifts for my daughter.
Favorite magazine…..I LOVED Cookie – I’m so sad it’s gone!
Inspiration…..I’m inspired by my family – I want what’s best for us and that’s what’s best for me.
My Life…..is a work in progress, but I’m headed in the right direction.