The Enterprising Moms

Administered and judged by the Association of Marketing and Communications Professionals (AMCP), Hermes Creative Awards received over 3,600 entries this year.  Gold level awards are given for work that exceeds a high standard of excellence and serves as a benchmark for the industry.

The Leadership Fairfax Gala and Auction event marketing materials include a save the date postcard, website graphics, sponsorship package, invitation, program, and event signage.  Leadership Fairfax is a nonprofit organization dedicated to finding, training and growing leaders in Northern Virginia.  The Gala and Auction is not only their biggest event of the year, but also their largest fundraiser.

J.A. Creative provides marketing and creative services to businesses and non profits.  Last year they were selected to receive a Platinum Award and two Honorable Mentions.  J.A. Creative is a woman owned small business, whose services include marketing strategy development and implementation, a full range of creative services, and website design.

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The Enterprising Moms is teaming up with Celebrate Mama! to share a special offer being made to first time participants in this fun family festival that had more than 3,000 last year! If your target market is moms, you’ll want to be a part of this event on May 1st.

There are many ways to participate:

* Reserve a vendor table
* Place inserts in goodie bags
* Provide a performance or entertainment (this opportunity is reserved for registered vendors only)
* Come as an attendee (free!)

Opportunities are limited, so act quickly for the best opportunity to secure a spot and to take full advantage of the extended marketing campaign over the next few months.

We’re having an information session via phone tonight at 8pm, so put the kids to bed and plan to join us to get the full scoop. A second telephone information session is planned for next Wednesday,  January 20th at 10am.

Get more details and register today!

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Name: Suzanne Couming Caldwell
Title: Executive Coach and Consultant
Business: Vital Coaching and Consulting, LLC

Type of Business: (B2B, B2C, B2G): All Three!
Industry: Professional Services
Product/Service: Executive Coaching, Organization Development, and Instructional Design.
Years in Business: One year as Vital C & C, 7 years as an entrepreneur.

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
People and organizations going through transitions. I help when systems and processes need to be developed or improved. I also work with managers who are technically gifted, but in need of support in managing people and processes.

Motivation for starting your business:
After my daughter was born I couldn’t imagine going back to work for someone else. I worked 60 hours the week before I delivered her and I was supposed to be cutting back to part-time hours! I needed and wanted to be active professionally, but on my own terms.

Greatest challenge you faced in starting your business?
Describing what I do and getting people to appreciate the benefit enough to pay for my services. If a business needs a new computer, they’ll make the investment. It’s much more difficult to get business owners and organizations to invest in their human resources in the same way.

How you overcame it:
I’m still working on it! I recently realized that I have to ask more for what I need. Just putting the word out to my networks that I’m looking for more clients or leads has resulted in a lot of activity.

Greatest learning (as relates to business) to share with others?
Never stop learning and never be afraid to ask for what you need.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
The flexibility it affords me to work when and how I want to. I also love the opportunity to learn new things and work on a variety of projects.

Personally speaking …

Home life:
I’m a single mom to two wonderful children (ages 8 and 5). We adopted two beautiful cats who have really come out of their shells since they joined our family. We live in the Del Ray community in Alexandria, VA. It feels more like home than anyplace I’ve ever lived.

Childcare situation:
I share custody with my ex-husband. The kids hop between our houses – one week with me, one with dad; and they’re with me every day after school regardless of which house they’re staying at. I realized recently that I’ve only paid a babysitter once or twice in the past year.

Greatest challenge in managing home, business, family, self?
Well, that would have to be… managing all of those things as a single mom. The financial realities of self-employment have been very difficult since the divorce. But, I’m committed to being involved in my children’s lives as much as possible so I’m working very hard to find a way to do that.

How do you handle it?
I’ve been focusing on developing meaningful connections. Most of my work comes through referrals because people who know me understand the value I offer. I’m also developing a lot of partnerships. It’s just impossible to do all of the business development and meet client needs part-time. Staying centered and focused on the values that are important to me helps a lot. And I try to do yoga as often as possible… it’s like a drug for me!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated:
I recently connected with the most amazing, supportive and successful business woman. She was in my situation 30 years ago and she is thriving as a very successful coach and consultant now. Her advice was priceless. That very same day, I bought myself a beautiful “touchstone” necklace at The Enterprising Moms‘ Holiday Bizarre. I wear it almost every day to keep me centered.

Best advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
Hang in there, it will happen! There is an incredible power in setting your intentions and expressing them out loud. Of course, you’re the only one who can really make it happen, but I do think there’s a lot of power out there in the Universe that we can harness as well.

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My Google phone. My ex and I have all four calendars color-coded on Google Calendar so I always know where everyone is with the click of a button.

What’s the most effective thing you do on a daily basis to make it all work?
I dress my son for school the night before and serve him breakfast in the car. He’s just not a morning person and we were having such battles every morning to get out the door. It has changed my life to really step back and let go of some of the silly “rules” think we’re supposed to follow.

On your nightstand:
Wow, I didn’t realize how cluttered it is! There’s Greg Mortenson’s second book, Stones into Schools; New Moon (book #2 in the Twilight series) and Transitions by William Bridges (I finally bought a copy for myself); also a large glass of water, various lotions, and pictures and notes from my kids.

Last purchase for self:
A sweater for Christmas.

Favorite way to unwind:
A glass of wine, knitting, and friends – preferably all at the same time.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
I have met some of the most wonderful women. In just a short time, I have made friends, collaborated with colleagues and discovered wonderful local resources. Community is very important to me and TEM represents one of my favorite places for connection.

Connect and learn more:
Web Site |  LinkedIn |  Facebook |  Blog:  coming soon! |  Twitter: dare I say, coming soon!

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Know any dynamic women (18 or older) with a great life story from which others could learn? Please nominate them to tell their story at www.HotMommasProject.org.

The Enterprising Moms is thrilled to partner with the Hot Mommas Project in encouraging women to share their stories and contribute to the education process for young women everywhere.

The Hot Mommas Project, the world’s largest library of teachable role models, is an award-winning venture housed at the George Washington University School of Business. The Hot Mommas Project takes the stories of the women and makes them teachable in a “case study” format, thus providing scalable, global access to role models and virtual mentors.

To encourage women around the world (18 and over) to nominate one another and write their stories at www.HotMommasProject.org, the project is holding its second annual case study competition through January 31, 2010.

Submissions take anywhere from two to three hours, and winners will be published in a leading Prentice Hall textbook. There is coaching available for story or “case” writers as it’s called in academic circles. While writing is a committment, it’s well worth it.

Learn more …

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• Thanks to all of the vendors for making the event such a hit. I continue to be amazed by the talents of the women in this community!
• Thanks to all of the fellow TEM members and shoppers who came out to shop and support our vendors and Spill the Beans. The energy in the room was palpable!
• Thank you to portrait photographer Rebecca Weiner for our grand door prize of a winter portrait session with up to three children. And congratulations to the winner – Jennifer Folsom, who just happens to have three kids!

A very special thank you to Donna Memmo for opening the doors of Spill the Beans after hours to TEM and the community and providing the delicious food (especially loved the cupcakes!) and drinks that kept us going through the night.

When I approached Donna about hosting the event, she didn’t hesitate for a minute. True to the nature of The Enterprising Moms, she’s a true collaborator and was so eager to participate and to share her shop with us. So, tell your friends about Donna and Spill the Beans and:

• Subscribe to her newsletter
• Become a Facebook Fan
• Visit her shop … to work, to play, to eat and drink, or just sneak away!

The food is fantastic (sorry, not a coffee drinker!) and the atmosphere is so welcoming. Spill is very family friendly with toys, books and games for kids (and health kid-friendly snack foods) and regularly scheduled entertainment. It’s also a great place for adults to meet and gather for work or play, with internet access for either! Learn more and check out the events calendar.

Thanks to all!

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Name: Donna Memmo
Title: Owner/Operator
Business: Spill the Beans – Organic Coffee and Chat House
Location: Alexandria, VA

Type of Business: (B2B, B2C, B2G): B2C
Industry: Food Service
Product/Service: Coffee/Bagels/Pastries/Lunch/Dinner
Years in Business: 1

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals: Everyone!

Personally speaking

Home life:
My husband (and support system) Mario (above), my daughter, and two little boys and I live in Hollin Hall, a cozy neighborhood in the Mt. Vernon area of Alexandria.  We happened to find a property less than two miles from home, and are fortunate to work with and for her neighbors, friends, even her kids’ teachers and coaches!

Childcare situation:
My children are all school-aged, which was a requirement before we could embark on this adventure. My boys attend Ft. Hunt Elementary, which happens to be literally down the street from Spill the Beans!

Motivation for starting your business(es):
In this era of coffee house play dates, I saw a need for proper accommodations. Toys for the tots to play with enables mom an entire conversation or email written without interruption! I also saw a need for delicious foods without sacrificing quality or wholeness.

Greatest challenge you faced in starting your business?
Time is truly the greatest challenge. I love dealing with the public and pouring lattes for my
patrons, but am constantly trying to strike the balance between that and the management side of my work.

How you overcame it:
Still trying! I have been blessed with a super team, and they are all supportive when I need to “hide” in the office to churn out
a newsletter, plan an event or catch up on email!

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Being with my kids almost as much as if I did not work….It’s also brought out a bond with my husband that was unexpected. We’ve joked for years that we never, ever agree on anything, but having the exact same goals for this business has finally put us on the same page!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you
celebrated it:
Spill the Beans celebrated its One Year Anniversary this past Halloween! We had an all day celebration complete with entertainment … fun!

On your nightstand:
A notepad for when the wheels in my brain will not stop turning late at night. Three or four books which I have been trying to read since opening Spill the Beans … to no avail!

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
Blackberry and Google Calendar. I utilize the google calendar because I can manage all my calendars at once: sports, school events, Spill the Beans events, family appointments, etc.

Last purchase for self:
I honestly do not remember. Guess I should schedule a shopping day!

Favorite way to unwind:
Glass of wine with my husband.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
The support system! I love women helping women! This is what it’s all about!

Connect and learn more: Web Site |  Blog | Facebook

Contact: Spill the Beans, Organic Coffee & Chat House  |  703-780-3561

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Angela Hazuda Meyers
President/Owner
Meyers Marketing Strategy and Standing Room Only Event Promotion

Type of Business: B2B. Conduct B2B, B2C marketing programs

Industries: Marketing and Events

Product/Service: Marketing (Strategic, Executional, Interim & Retainer) and Event Promotion

Years in Business: 6 months

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:

• Small–midsized businesses, non-profits and associations who need help growing their organizations.
• Small-mid-sized organizations who don’t have enough funds or work for a full-time marketing director, but realize they need the function filled, or firms who have recently lost their Marketing Director and need a stand-in until they re-hire the position.

Personally speaking …
I am so sad to say that right now I don’t have much to fill in here.  I do a little knitting in the winter, I like to plan the kids parties with theme events and lots of fun activities, and I walk in the early AM with a group of women in the neighborhood and thoroughly enjoy my “adult time,” but other than that this is an area I am working on!

Home life:
I have a hubby of 5 years Patrick.  We have a romantic story of meeting, falling deeply in love, he quit his job a month after we met so he could be stateside (after knowing each other for only 2 weeks) then moving in directly with me literally after the taxi dropped him off at my house and getting engaged a year later on top of the Eiffel Tower – but sadly not much romance post kiddos! I have 3 wonderful children:  Grant (3.5 years old), Rhett (20 months old) and Charlotte (8 months old).  They are fun and keep me hopping, most days it’s wonderful and other days it’s a handful!

Childcare situation:
I have full-time, in-home care.  I attempted to go it alone without care, but with 3 under 3 at the time and now with them only 6 months older now, there was not enough quite time in the day to get any work done and not a quiet moment to talk to a client.

Motivation for starting your businesses:
A passion for marketing and helping other small businesses grow AND a desire to be more connected and present in my children’s days.

Greatest benefit of running your own businesses:
Flexibility.  I try to fit in a few events with the kids during the day each month, we walk to preschool and back and I have lunch with them at least a few times a week.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
I got 2 new clients for my business.  I called my hubby.

On your nightstand:
A notebook to jot down late-night thoughts and to-dos and a few children’s book, Oh and 1,000 Places to See Before You Die – But it hasn’t even been cracked open (I got it for Christmas) and I certainly haven’t scheduled a trip yet!

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
Sneakers.  I love getting out a taking a walk or jog to energize or blow off steam.  I try to walk most days with the kids or at least get outside for a little fun.

Last purchase for self:
Blackberry

Favorite way to unwind:
Wine a little…

Best advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
My mom said – You need to start your own business.  After positions in various companies I was frustrated with an organization’s lack of vision, inefficiencies and inability to execute.  Many companies get in their own way on a regular basis and I want to help them advance.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
There are more than one BEST to this one…I love working for myself because I get to be involved with so many exciting businesses and work for a number of different clients, which is very fulfilling.  It’s an opportunity you don’t have when working for one company.  I also love showing my children how mommy works, getting them exposed to alternative work environments and in the future I look forward to them understanding that they can do whatever they want to do as they grow up.

Connect and learn more:
MeyersMarketingStrategy |  Standing Room Only Event Promotion

LinkedIn |  Facebook |  Twitter

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And, if you have a special offer that you’d like to extend, please get in touch through The Enterprising Moms web site. Additional offers will be added as they become available.

Enjoy!

Health, Wellness, Skincare
What: Choose from over 400 of Arbonne’s botannically-based health, wellness, and skin care products
Terms: 35% off retail PLUS FREE shipping if you order by 5/31/09!
Note:  Cheers to you….an Enterprising Mom! TEM members receive 15% off retail every day!
How: Leave a comment below about what you love most about being an Enterprising Mom to learn how to take advantage of this offer.
Thanks to: April Toman, Arbonne International

Inside-Out Workout
What:  Pilates session designed to connect mind, body, spirit. Works especially well for those who don’t have time to appreciate their bodies as much as they’d like to.
Terms:  Free for TEM members. Offer expires 5/31/09
How: Leave a comment below about what you love most about being an Enterprising Mom to learn how to take advantage of this offer.
Thanks to: Lizette Ayala, Mind-Body Coach, Body Rules

A Personal Attache
What:  Personal Assistant Service for Women
Terms: Enjoy 50% off hourly rate for TEM members during the month of May (offer expires 5/31/09).
10 hour minimum purchase.  Includes in-home or offsite work and 50 miles of travel for errands.  Supplies and additional miles (.60/mile) will be billed to client.
How: Leave a comment below about what you love most about being an Enterprising Mom to learn how to take advantage of this offer.
Thanks to: Alicia Anderson, Attache Services, LLC

Smart Mom Jewelry
What: Teething Bling®, inspired by babies who like to tug on our jewelry, is the original patent-pending teething jewelry
Terms: 25% off anything on our site.  No restrictions. Offer expires 6/30/09.
How: Leave a comment below about what you love most about being an Enterprising Mom to learn how to take advantage of this offer.
Thanks to: Amy Maurer Creel, Marketing Director, Smart Mom, LLC

Custom Window Treatments
What: Custom window treatments, including draperies and panels, soft shades (roman shades, flat shades, etc.) and top treatments (valances, cornice boards, etc.) for TEM members and their referrals only.  Includes a free one hour design consultation.
Terms:  10% off. Design fees apply and are tailored to each project. Offer expires June 5, 2009
How: Leave a comment below about what you love most about being an Enterprising Mom to learn how to take advantage of this offer.
Contact: decorator@creativeeleganceinteriors.com  |  (571) 331-4801
Thanks to: Paola McDonald, Creative Elegance Interiors, LLC

Happy Mother’s Day!

:: @ The Enterprising Moms ::

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In addition to Linkedin, we’ve recently joined Facebook and are gently wading into the Twitter pool. Join us as we explore these new tools and ways of communicating and determine the best ways to harness their potential.

Connect with us. Grow with us . . .

• Visit The Enterprising Moms web site
  
• Subscribe to The Enterprising Blog
  
• Join our LinkedIn Group
  
• Become a fan of The Enterprising Moms on Facebook
• Follow EnterprisingMom on Twitter

On a scale from 1 to 10, how immersed are you in social networking? What challenges are you facing? What’s been most successful for you?

: :  @ The Enterprising Moms  : :

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So, a round of applause to these two business savvy moms. In the spirit of TEM, support these fellow business owner moms by:

• Reading the article: Spilling the Beans about New Coffeehouse
• (If you’re local to the DC metro area) Endulging yourself at Spill the Beans in Alexandria, VA.
• Shopping for your next jewelry purchase at Trish Thackston Designs.
• Leaving a comment of congratulations for them right here!

Way to go, business savvy moms!

::  The Enterprising Moms ::

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