Thrifty Mommy » stay-at-home-mom

5 Tips for New Women Business Owners

Jennifer Chait — Wed, 22 Jul 2009 04:21:22 +0000

The rate of home based businesses and work at home jobs have grown in this economy. People are looking for new ways to make money, but not everyone has what it takes to run a home based business. Plus, economy poor or not, many parents, mama’s more so than dads in my experience, are looking for ways to make a living AND be with their kids at home.

Three years ago, at age 47, Barbara Rosenzweig was a stay-at-home mama selling Mary Kay. Her husband was so impressed with how professionally she ran her job that he bought her a pretty bling Mother’s Day gift – her own staffing business. Talk about a gift to live up to.

The new business, Dental People, a dental-office staffing organization, had been stagnant when Barbara got it as her gift. She read business books, created business and marketing plans, a sales program, and developed a website. Result: in just 24 months, Dental People’s revenues soared to over $500,000 annually and may reach the million-dollar mark in 2009. Plus Barbara has further extended the company to allow it to eventually staff other medical staff in both the pharmaceutical and medical marketplace.

Barbara was recently named Emerging Women Business Owner of the Year by The National Association of Women Business Owners – Minnesota Chapter (NAWBO) and has 5 essential tips for success that women should know when starting or acquiring a new business.

It is never too late.
If you think you can you are right. If you think you can’t you are also right.
Use whatever strengths you have to succeed. All of us have something unique.
Achieve success by forming habits of doing things that unsuccessful people will not do.
Support others and they will gravitate towards you, elevating you to new heights.

Good tips!

To learn more about being a work-at-home mama read…

[image via stock.xchng]

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The Debate Goes On

Karen Weideman — Wed, 24 Jan 2007 03:11:08 +0000

Did you see today’s Oprah show? The show was titled “My Baby or My Job: Why Elizabeth Vargas Stepped Down”. Mrs. Vargas told her story of why she stepped down from a prestigious career as a news anchor. She continues to work in journalism, but her job and hours are not as demanding. She did this because she wanted to be around more for her children. And the debate goes on . . .

Working moms and stay-at-home moms are so critical of one another. Working moms seem to think that stay-at-home moms sit around all day and eat bon-bons while watching tv. Stay-at-home moms sometimes think that working moms don’t love their children enough, they’re more concerned with their careers, or they aren’t willing to make sacrifices for the family.

I am a working mom, but I have stepped back from my career right now while the kids are young. When my daughter was 14 months old, I went back to work teaching part-time at a preschool. When my son was 7 months old I went back to the same type of job. I have taken a huge cut in pay and this is a hard decision. I am with my kids a lot! Sometimes I wish I could be like a working mom so that I could send my kids away for a little while each day, just for the fact that they wouldn’t get on my nerves so much and that I could appreciate them more. I also miss the health insurance and other great benefits, including retirement.

Work expenses are something that I had to consider when I decided to be a part-time stay-at-home mom. I figured by the time I paid for childcare for 2 children, clothing, gas, and vehicle expenses, I would be clearing about the same amount of money that I’m getting now. Perhaps it might be a little more, but it wouldn’t be much.

I am very fortunate. I work at the preschool that my kids attend. They go to work with me each day. I take them to their class and they leave with me when I’m done. And right now, my daughter is in my class since we’re short-staffed. I am truly thankful that I have found something that works for my family.

On the Oprah show today there was a debate as to whether or not women could have it all. Oprah said something great. She said, “You can have it all. You just can’t have it all right now.”

And the debate goes on. Tell us what you think about working vs stay-at-home moms.

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Creative Ideas for Preschoolers

Karen Weideman — Wed, 10 Jan 2007 04:12:11 +0000

If you’ll notice, “The Porch Light” is listed under our links of favorite blogs. Revka is a stay-at-home mom of 3 young little girls. She writes about life, family, cleaning, and many other issues moms face. Recently, Revka launched another blog focusing on ideas to use with your preschoolers. At Revka’s “Little Fun; Little Learning” you will find songs, crafts, helpful websites and more. Be sure and check it out. This would also be a great site for homeschoolers. I have already found some ideas to use with my preschool class.

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Mommy Sites for You

Karen Weideman — Fri, 20 Oct 2006 03:58:19 +0000

I was doing some web surfing tonight and found a blog called 5 Minutes for Mom. It is written by twin stay at home moms. You should check out their site. On their site they also have a bunch of other blogs listed.

So, I am reading blogs listed on 5 Minutes for Mom and really enjoying what I’m finding . . . and then I’m wondering where the time went and wondering why I’m not in bed yet!! Does that sound familiar to you? I think I need to take Robyn’s name Sleepy Blogger and make it my own!

Anyway, I came across another blog that I thought you thrifty mommies might enjoy. Diary of a SAHM is, well, the diary of a stay at home mom. Go figure! LOL Sandra blogs about kids, the weather, recipes, television shows, being cranky, and anything else that goes on in a mommy’s life.

Sandra had a recipe on her site that looked pretty yummy. On Thursdays, she posts crock pot recipes. This week’s recipe is Chicken and Mushroom Stew.

I was just saying how much time I spend in front of the computer without even realizing it. You should read Simple Balance Technology & Resource II, found at Holly’s Corner. She reminds us that in the midst of all the technology around us, it is still important to prioritize our lives, prepare by getting our work done, and live life. The chores can wait, but your kids will always be there. It was a great reminder for me.

Be sure to visit Holly’s Corner. She and her husband also have a site called Hope to Adopt.

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