If you are a mom who is deciding to start your own business so that you can stay home with your children but also contribute to the family’s bottom line, then you are not alone. The number of women, and primarily moms, that are starting new businesses is astounding. With the internet, us moms are realizing that we CAN do it all. With the right knowledge and the proper tools, we are making it all work with business and family life.
According to trends noted on the SCORE website, more than 1/3 of the people involved in entrepreneurial activity is women.
“The number of women-owned firms continues to grow at twice the rate of all U.S. firms (23 percent vs. 9 percent). There are an estimated 10 million women-owned, privately-held U.S. businesses. The greatest challenge for women-owned firms is access to capital, credit and equity. Women start businesses on both lifestyle and financial reasons. Many run businesses from home to keep overhead low.” (Source: SBA, Office of Advocacy and Business Times, April 2005)
It’s no wonder that you want to grow a business. So many women are already doing it and many are successful. A home based business can provide you with the lifestyle that in other generations moms only dreamed of.
Since my son was 15 months old or so, I have been a home based entrepreneur. Working as a conusltant and coach has allowed me the freedom to keep my children out of day care while also providing additional income for my family. I won’t say it has been easy because I have worked very hard to keep my businesses at levels where it was worth keeping them. There have been days I wish I was just one of those moms who read and colored with my children all day, but there have also been many days where I LOVE being a work at home mom. I enjoy having something that I can call mine. Something I do that doesn’t involve my children where I can step away from them and focus on other people outside of my household.
Having a business has truly been a dream come true for me. The best part about teaching other moms to turn their talents, passions and dreams into a business is that I can see what happens when they find clarity in deciding what business to choose and then watching their business blossom and bloom into something great.
* photo courtesy of pdekker3 on sxc.hu
