WAHM Going Back to Work

Hello everyone,

I am sure I am not alone - but I can't help but feel that way sometimes - this week especially so.  I am facing the dreary realization that I will soon have to leave my wonderful little 10.5 month old son to go back to work at my "job".  Perhaps it would not be so distressful, so anxiety-provoking, if I liked my job more; if it wasn't so stressful, so back-breaking, so exhausting (emotionally and physically).  I like what I do at a basic level (I help people when they are unable to help themselves) ... but I hate the politics, the physical strain because there is always a shortage of staff, the inability to get a day off, the thought of missing my son`s second Christmas and birthday, the stress of always worrying when I answer the phone that I will be told to drop everything and be at work in 30 minutes ... what will I do with my son when this happens?

I have struggled for 4 (almost 5) months to make Storks & Berries a successful business while I have been on mat leave.   I have, essentially, succeeded.  I am not losing money.  The problem is that  I am also not making enough to win the argument with my husband that we can afford for me to stay at home with my son and run my business.  This is a grim moment for me as I generally always win arguments :)

I have been told it takes 5 years to have your business show a profit.  5 years! ... my son will be in school already ... Storks & Berries will have to do better than this.  My goal is to run a successful business from home that I believe in, selling products that are environmentally responsible, so that I can contribute to my family`s income AND watch all of my son`s special moments.  I have determination, a very strong-will, and motivation on my side.  I am a Capricorn, and true to my zodiac sign, I tend to be successful when I set my mind to something.  My mind is set - Storks & Berries will be successful (I have lots of ideas and plans to make it so!).  I may not have had enough time to make Storks & Berries profitable yet ... but I will ... before the end of my next maternity leave.

I strongly believe that life is too short to spend much time doing something you dislike.  I have a family to think about now though ... up and quitting my job at my whim no longer seems like as viable an option as it has in the past - my family needs a (safe) place to live, my son needs a backyard to play in, we need to eat.  I will go back to work (for now), and somehow find the time necessary to continue to grow my business, so that my family can afford to have me stay at home with my son and run a business that I believe in and am proud of.  I am, however, heartbroken at the thought of missing a day of my son`s life ... for a job that I get nothing out of except a paycheck.  

What will I miss when I return to work?  Will my son finally learn to say "Mama" when I am not home to hear it?  

How will I continue to grow my business (something which I actually quite enjoy doing) to the standards that I have set for Storks & Berries ...  standards that my customers have come to expect?  How will I keep everything running smoothly (translation: perfectly ... as I am a perfectionist)?

I truly enjoy running my business, interacting with my customers, making Storks & Berries my very own - it is very rewarding - a great personal-growth experience.  I love watching my son grow day-by-day, learning new things along the way ... that face when he finally gets something he has (apparently!) been contemplating.  It doesn't seem right that I have to sacrifice moments with my son and my business to leave them both and do something I find so much less rewarding.  

I write this for those who may be in a similar place in their lives and who may be reading this.  I know I am not alone - there are other new moms (even some new mompreneurs) who are going back to work but who would rather stay at home with their babies.  At this moment, however, as I prepare to write my "return-to-work" letter, I do feel alone ... even somewhat abandoned and unsuccessful.  I know these feelings are emotional (perhaps even childish) with no bearing in reality ... but for this moment in time ... they are the feelings of a struggling  new mompreneur, of a mommy waiting to hear that first "Mama", of a woman who wants to do it all perfectly but knows that even she has limitations.

Thanks for reading.

Trade show success tip #4

I hope that someone is finding these tips useful. Vendor shows can cost a lot of money and time so its vital that we maximize the benefits.

Do you realize that there is a great, untapped pool of potential customers at every market or trade show you'll ever do. Time and again I've observed how they are neglected even though they are all around at every show. Who are they? Other vendors!

Remember that all the other vendors are busy people who need to shop for products and services too. Plus they are keen to support other business people they get to know and who treat them well.

So next time you do a show ensure that you:

- Visit as many other booths as you can either before or during the show to meet the other business people there. Shake hands, introduce yourself and get to know as many other vendors as you have time for:

- Offer a vendors only special like a free sample or a discount. Trading product can also be mutually beneficial:

- Get their contact information and follow up with a phone call to say what a pleasure it was to meet them and that you look forward to seeing them at another event soon. Next time one of their friends wants a product like yours who do you think will get the referral?

Some of my best hostesses are business women I've met at trade shows and markets. I'm doing a party this week with a woman who was in the booth next to me at a Christmas Craft Show! I strongly encourage you not to neglect this group of wonderful customers right under your nose!

Have a Spicy Day!

Vendor Show Success Tip #3

Hi and Happy Earth Day.

I'd like to propose that the most important phase of every trade show begins after you get home! Follow up is essential to maximizing your investment and realizing a measureable business boost.

Capture contact information from everyone you engage with at the show. Offer a draw and invite everyone who speaks with you or makes a purchase to enter. Bring a clipboard, draw entry forms and pens and pass them to your customer to fill out. If I'm not too busy I hold the clipboard and fill the draw form out for them so I can ask them additional questions and make some notes. This is a great opportunity to learn more about them and their needs!

Call everyone within two or three days after the show. You don't have to be nervous or feel like you are being pushy. Just call and say thank you for stopping by the booth. Then tell them that you really appreciate their interest in your business and that you would love for them to be a valued customer. If you do a monthly email newsletter this is also a good time to ask permission to add their email address to your list. Easy peasy right! Check whether your contact would like further information or products at this time. If not, ask permission to follow up with them in a month or whatever interval seems reasonable to you and then make sure you call them as promised.

Happy Earth Day!

I just wanted to take a minute and wish all of you a Happy Earth Day tomorrow. Please remember that it is the small steps that we take everyday that will lead to big change tomorrow. Don't throw away that paper cup recycle it or better bring your own stainless steel mug instead! I also wanted to share a picture of a new product I just received in today I thought it was fitting to share this lovely play silk hand dyed in Canada and named for the earth with all of you today. Have a great day tomorrow!

Self Care Tips for WAHMs

As WAHMs we know that each day is chock full of all the stuff we have to attend to – tending to the children, preparing meals, doing laundry, cleaning the house, running errands as well as getting our work done. We never seem to stop and there is rarely any down time. Many of us are tired, cranky and run down – hardly what we dreamed it would be like when we decided to be a WAHMs.

Here are 5 tips all of us can use to be happier and healthier.

1. ME Time. Oh, we’ve heard it before, but how many of us actually do it? We think we’ll get some time for ourselves later, but it never happens. Make it happen by scheduling it, just like any other appointment. Book that spa treatment or dinner with a friend you’ve been meaning to have. Plan a solo shopping excursion. Arrange time at the gym or sign up for a course. Book a sitter in advance or be sure to remind your partner that you’ll be unavailable. For example, my hubby is happy to be at home with the kids, but he needs me to email him a reminder otherwise he is liable to double book himself!
2. Quiet Time. If you have children who nap or have quiet time during the afternoons, you probably try to do some work or homekeeping during this time. Instead, try to have a bit of quiet time yourself. A few minutes reading a good book, meditating, stretching or taking a cat-nap will invigorate you and give you energy to get through the rest of your day.
3. Don’t Always Be A Night Owl. Although many of us start our second job after the kids are down, you need a little down time too. Schedule some light work for a couple of evenings a week, and do something fun or relaxing on the other nights. And, remember that you need to get a good night sleep to be your most effective during each busy day!
4. The Love Connection. Don’t forget about scheduling time with your hubby or partner - whether it’s for a date night or just a few minutes holding hands on the couch talking in the evening. It may not seem very romantic to schedule time with your loved one, but it is crucial to maintaining a good relationship. And besides, knowing that you have time with your partner gives you something to look forward to!
5. Comfort Kit. What are some little luxuries that you enjoy? Chocolate or other snacks? Wine? Specialty coffee or tea? A favorite shower gel or bubble bath? Scented candles? Make sure you have a few of these items on hand and treat yourself to a little happy each day. For me, a great day includes a hot shower with a favorite invigorating shower gel, homemade iced coffee and a yummy granola bar as my afternoon snack, and 15 minutes reading my favorite magazine with my feet up. Sometimes little things can make a big difference.

Taking time to take care of you really is one of the most important things you can do in order to be a better mom, wife and business woman. And when in doubt, just remember the old saying: If Mama ain’t happy, ain’t nobody happy!

Wow! MPowered Marketing Events & Aha Moments!

As I'm planning the 4th event in my 7 event marketing training and networking series here in Calgary, I'm reflecting on the comments from past attendees. I have had several people, who have serious business backgrounds and have made career shifts, say they have had "aha moments" when they think they were "aha'd out". I've had people who have barely started their journey of business creation have the lightbulb go on and really get inspired to start their businesses on a great path by making the right first marketing steps.

I've seen connections happen purely by magnetic pull between likeminded women. I've seen one attendee leaving another attendees house as they made a connection and shared their services. I've had about 90% of attendees return and all them of them will continue to return as life, kid and husband schedules allow. We have room for more! Each event has us at about 75% capacity. I'd really love to see some of you make it out and discover some truly meaningful learning and connecting. I am so inspired by the inspiration of those who have attended and the power of their enthusiasm for their businesses and mine. The reciprocal support and encouragement has been beyond my expectations, but everything I'd hoped (planned for).

The next event is focused on the concept of "brand." I firmly believe that as a one-woman show, a business owner where YOU are the heart of your business, that brand goes WAY beyond the obvious. While it is easy to understand branding to encompass the visual elements of our business (logo, graphic design) and our name, it really starts with who you are, what your values and goals are, and how you operate your business. These things exude your company in every way and if every output is consistent with this vision, you will create a marriage of customer perception and brand. Surely you want the way you present your company and what your customers think of you to be the same!

Our guest speaker at the next session is Nichole Menard, owner of Over the Rainbow Children's Boutique in Calgary (130th Avenue S.E.). Njchole took over a popular consignment store, kept the business name anticipating leveraging the well known name while converting the store to a specialized boutique of new and trendy children's items. Come hear Nichole's interesting story about brand and the challenges she has faced as she continues to evolve her business.

Next event is Tuesday, April 28th at 7:30 p.m. in Copperfield. Full event details and registration are on my website. http://www.mpoweredmarketing.com/Events___Services.html

I'm so happy to hear about the successes you are all having and enthusiasm you are experiencing this Spring. I am enjoying reading all your posts!

Kim

New Small Wonder Website

It seems with the break-neck speed of technological advancement these days, its not possible to create something like a website, and then just leave it be. This is the third incarnation of the Small Wonder site, and it keeps getting better and better. And I keep learning more and more about creating them.

Of course, it will always be a work in progress...

Take a look and let me know what you think.

www.smallwonder.ca