As I mentioned before, I’m a huge supporter of mom-owned businesses. I love finding other women who have discovered their passion and have turned it into a career. My personal hero, Oprah Winfrey, says, “If you can get paid for doing what you love, every paycheck is a bonus.” This belief is what motivated me to start GLIMPSE OF SOUL PHOTOGRAPHY and to find other local area Momtrepreneurs who are living their dream.
This month’s Momtrepreneur is LISA CAREY of NEW CREATIVE WRITING.
Her motto: Express, Educate, Inform and Entertain.
You can view Lisa’s website at http://newcreativewriting.com/index.html to learn more about her services.
Here’s what Lisa had to say about her company, being a Momtrepreneur, and her advice for other Moms hoping to start their own business. She has some great advice for balancing your life & living your passion!
What services/goods do you sell?
Writing services, basically if you need to put something into words, we can help you or do it for you. Our services include: Writing: Print Article Writing, Authoring, Write for Hire, Rewriting, Ghost Writing, Key Word/Web Content Articles, Book Reviews: New Authors, Book Synopsis, Additional Services: Newsletters, Brochures, Menu’s, Training Materials, Marketing Materials, Audio Transcription, Word Processing, Proofreading, Document Formating, Website scripting and design, College entrance essay assistance, Children’s stories for self publishing (For example create your own story for your child’s birthday or Christmas based on their favorite concept, cowboys, princesses, unicorns, butterfly’s etc).
How did you end up going into this business?
I majored in college in English, with minors in Creative Writing and Education. I thought I would teach English at either the high school or college level and hopefully eventually realize my dream of writing a book and publishing children’s stories. When we first moved to Katy, for the first time in 25 years I wasn’t working full time. I realized that not only did I need to continue working for my own peace of mind, but that I wanted to have something all my own, that I created and that brought in an extra income. We looked at franchises and such but it just didn’t appeal to me. My husband had been doing some freelance writing for a consumer site, and suggested that now was the time I get to work on that book, or at least start writing something. I started doing a little freelance writing, articles mostly and then POW, it really took off and now I have so much work, I have hired an assistant.
What makes your business unique?
I find that putting people’s thoughts into words has made my business unique. Many of my clients also appreciate my ability to “become them.” Not only do they want professionally written newsletters or websites, but they still want it to reflect their personality and style. My personalitiy does just that, takes on other people’s excitement or stories and allows them a chance to share them through me. I have an insatiable curiosity about stories and life’s experiences, and actually have to stop myself from writing it all down! The ability to create using the practical or my imagination is really what makes my business unique, as we move from story telling to consumer information.
How long have you been in business?
I have been in business a little over a year. Sometimes it seems so much longer, when I look at each months succession of successes, and other times it seems like I just started last month as the excitement of each new project happens.
How long did it take you to launch your business? Did you face any obstacles?
I actually think this is what I was meant to do. Fate, destiny, karma, whatever you want to call it. One day I wrote an article. I sold it, and with each article I wrote and sold my self esteem and drive became that much greaters. Three months later I had a number of clients with ongoing assignments, 5 months later I had a webpage, now I year later I meet my goals for how much I earn each month, I am bringing in new clients and writing opportunities, both personal and professional and I have hired an assistant who works on a per project basis allowing me time to make more connections, work on projects and explore other opportunities. One article started it all. One article got me a book deal. One article for a client caused me to get three other clients. All this lead to an regular salaried position for a website writing consumer product information. It all started with just one article. There was very little cost involved and the biggest obstacles are finding quality projects to work on, and making sure everyone pays their bills. I have been “stiffed” once or twice.
How can people purchase your goods/services? (Website, storefront, etc.)
Website, personal consultations, and telephone. Most initial contact is either referrals or through the website. Then following up with personal consultations, interviews or even telephone calls.
How many children do you have?
4 College to crib.
How do you balance your business life with your family life?
1) Organization! Setting aside time everyday to work. I admit, I have some days I only set aside 30 minutes just to do communication, and other days I set aside quite a bit more.
2) Start off slowly, finding what your rhythm is and when you work best. It happens that I work best at night and afternoons, so basically if the children are asleep, then I work either on the house or on my business.
3) Have a to do list everyday, and include on that list something special to do with the children, like play dough or swimming. Don’t let your work take over what you are really trying to do, and that is create a satisfying business and personal life.
4) Create a schedule; it helps you to organize your time with both business and family.
5) Plan ahead; look at the upcoming church, school or local events. Put them on the calendar as options to attend. Knowing that there is something fun ahead of you keeps you working more steadily throughout the week.
What advice would you give to other aspiring Momtrepreneurs?
Find what you love and do it. It takes a great deal of time, effort and concentration. Don’t pick something simply because you think it will earn you lots of money, because if it is something you hate doing not only will you find yourself not even trying to keep your business going, but find that your lack of interest will cause you to feel bad and then you are less likely to try again or find what you are good at. I think that many women under value their contributions. Some women are born mothers, they are wonderful at nurturing and caring for all children that come their way, so maybe they should care for children in their home or start a drop in service for moms to go to the doctor or get a hair cut. Other women can sew wonderfully, so they could do monograms or alterations. The most important thing is to do what makes you happy, because let’s face it, happy mommys make happy homes. Once you find what you love, then use the tips above to keep balance in your life, because without it; it doesn’t matter how happy either life makes you if you don’t have the time to enjoy it or create special opportunities in life. After all isn’t that why we became Momtrepreneurs in the first place? To create a professional life that is satisfying and brings in income as well; to teach our children valuable life skills and to feel that sense of self esteem and self worth that sometimes we may not always feel being a SAHM.
