Name

Type of Business:  (B2B, B2C, B2G):  B2B, B2G

Industry:  Corporate Social Responsibility

Product/Service: Consulting services for companies and non-profits

Years in Business: 1

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Companies or non-profits looking to strategically create initiatives, programs, and marketing in any area of Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR)

Motivation for starting your business:
Loved & missed the ability to collaborate with others to create lasting impacts for our world—but needed to balance work with my family life.

Greatest challenge you faced in starting your business?
A re-emergence of  my husband’s epileptic seizures —after having 2 seizures in 15 years, he’s had 7 in one year.  They started just weeks after I started my business, and have affected his ability to drive, assist in childcare and provide encouragement and support.

How you overcame it:
I am still overcoming it, day by day.  We’ve switched doctors and are pursuing treatments more aggressively, and have had some success already and hope for more.  However, accepting the situation, adjusting expectations, solving problems creatively, and having a wonderful community of women to support me has been crucial.

Greatest learning (as relates to business) to share with others?
Resilience is key—having confidence in your business and enthusing that confidence when things in your life or business do not go according to plan.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Focusing on what I love to do—and creating a business around it.

Personally speaking…

Home life (spouse/partner/kids/location/pets/etc.): Husband, GK, and Daughter, Ella, 2

Childcare situation:
Part-time childcare (I know I am SO lucky!), and childcare swaps with other moms.

Greatest challenge in managing home, business, family, self?
Managing the internal monologue about if I am doing “enough” in all of these areas.

How do you handle it?
Self-care (yoga, exercise, meditation), believing in abundance, and remembering that inputs are in my control; outcomes are not.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
Reconnecting with a former collegue, also a consultant, who needs to offload some work—you never know what circuitous route you will take to get clients!

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
I think it applies to both, but given in the context of business.   Show up, give people something to remember you by (an experience or a token), and write handwritten notes as thank-yous.

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
I hate to admit it, but my blackberry.

What’s the most effective thing you do on a daily basis to make it all work?
Set a timer.  I work in 30-45 minute increments, and then give myself 10 minute breaks to do “family” activities on my task list that I create each day.  It gives my brain a break, and I get lots done!

On your nightstand:
Journal, a daily devotional, a CSR book or Parenting book

Last purchase for self:
Pedicure

Favorite way to unwind:
Exercise

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:  I love how it’s a secure place where one can discuss business AND children, and how the two intersect, collide, and dovetail at different points on the road.  I love how energized and empowered I feel after meetings.

Learn more and connect

Web Site |  Blog |  Linkedin |  Facebook

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Name

Product/Service:
Spoken with Authority offers small-group classes and intensive coaching sessions that develop the speaking skills professionals need to advance their careers.  It also provides interactive workshops and keynote addresses to companies and organizations that want to unlock the potential of their employees or members.

Years in Business:
Two

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Smart, motivated professionals who are comfortable socializing, but don’t know the best way to package and present their thoughts in formal or high-stakes speaking situations (like client pitches, briefings, networking events or job interviews).

Motivation for starting your business:
As a college freshman, I was forced to take debate as a requirement of my major.  After a humiliating defeat in my first debate round, I committed myself to becoming a great speaker and empowering others with communication skills.

After earning two degrees in communication, teaching public speaking to undergraduates and participating in Toastmasters International, I realized there weren’t any outlets for professionals, especially young professionals, to hone their speaking skills in a fun, fast-paced and results-oriented environment.

I launched Spoken with Authority because no one should feel anxious or tongue-tied in speaking situations, whether they’re formal or informal, in front of an audience of one or 1,000.  Sure, speaking with confidence is a career development issue; but it’s a quality-of-life issue as well.

Greatest challenge you faced in starting your business?
Becoming self-reliant with technology.

How you overcame it:
I switched to a Mac and signed up for a year of their one-on-one sessions.  It was the best $99 I’ve spent.

Greatest learning (as relates to business) to share with others?
Figure out what your good at and what you aren’t.  For the things you’re not good at, pay a coach to teach you how or hire a professional to do it for you.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Narrowing the focus of my work to what I do best and love most.

Personally speaking …

Home life (spouse/partner/kids/location/pets/etc.):
I live on Capitol Hill with my husband, Doug, and 19-month-old son, Finnian.

Childcare situation:
Finn is with our babysitter about 15 hours a week.

Greatest challenge in managing home, business, family, self?
Sticking to a budget.

How do you handle it?
Not as well as I’d like.  Speaking of which: if anyone out there knows QuickBooks and wants to trade coaching services, let me know!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
I just booked and received a deposit for two, half-day workshops on communication skills in May for a regional engineering firm, which is a new client.  To celebrate, our family ate outside at our favorite Mexican restaurant on one of the beautiful evenings last week.

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
Network with people who can use or refer your service or product, not people who do what you do.

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
Digital camcorder so clients can see and hear firsthand their speaking strengths and areas needing improvement.

What’s the most effective thing you do on a daily basis to make it all work?
Sleep.

On your nightstand:
Woman at the Washington Zoo (a collection of profiles by Marjorie Williams)

Last purchase for self:
Two new pairs of my favorite running shoes – Asics Gel Cumulus.

Favorite way to unwind:
Running, hiking, biking and Belgian beer.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
Positive energy and can-do attitude I get from associating with other members

Connect and learn more:
Web Site |   Speaking of Speaking E-Newsletter |  Linkedin |  Facebook |  Twitter

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Name:  Hillary Berman
Title: President
Business: Berman Events

Type of Business:  (B2B, B2C, B2G):  B2B

Industry:
Meeting and Event Planning

Product/Service:
Organization, planning and implementation of meetings and events

Years in Business:
7 years in business, 12 years in the industry

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Anyone planning a corporate, non-profit, association or government meeting or event

Motivation for starting your business(es):
I was looking for the ability to choose my own work and the flexibility to have a family while still working.

Greatest challenge you faced in starting your business?
It is scary to go out on your own and not be sure whether the business will come.  Taking the initial leap was the challenge for me.

How you overcame it:
I realized the benefits could outweigh the risk, lined up a few clients and then went for it!  I haven’t looked back.

Greatest learning (as relates to business) to share with others?
I have learned to trust my gut.  Although it is difficult to turn down business, there are some people you just know you’d be better off to not engage with – even if that means a little less business that month or that year.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
The ability to choose my work and clients has been invaluable for me.  In addition, the flexibility of being self employed serves my family well.

Personally speaking …

Home life (spouse/partner/kids/location/pets/etc.):
I have a husband who travels often (hence the need for a flexible schedule), a 6 ∏ year old son, a 4 year old daughter, and an aging dog.  We live in Olney, Maryland and love it!

Childcare situation:
My kids are both in school (one in first grade in public school, one in preschool for the same hours her brother is in school).  Twice a week, our once full-time nanny picks the kids up and takes care of them until 6:00 so I have two full days to work.

Greatest challenge in managing home, business, family, self?
My greatest challenge is finding enough time to get it all done.  My husband travels often and I have my business and household to run, plus 2 kids to take care of.

How do you handle it?
I try to be organized and efficient about getting household/kid-related things done.  For example, I’ll put in a load of laundry while I’m working, flip it into the dryer when I take a break, and get the next load started.  This way, it is all clean by the time the kids go to bed (and my husband is home to help fold!).

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
I am taking my marketing to the next level. After being in business for 7 years, I finally enlisted a web designer and someone to work on web content for the Berman Events website.  I’ll celebrate when it’s complete!

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
There are some people that wouldn’t even be happy in Disney World – you can’t take it personally.

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My blackberry, which I resisted getting for a long time.  It allows me to stay connected to my clients while not sitting at my desk.  My goal is for clients to not have to wait a full day to hear back from me, and this allows me to stick to that fairly well.

What’s the most effective thing you do on a daily basis to make it all work?
I think I’m still trying to figure out what that one thing should be!  I try to step back and appreciate how lucky I am, and that my family is why I do what I do.  It helps me focus and reenergize when I need to.

On your nightstand:
Lamp, alarm clock that plays music (I don’t like to wake up to beeping), a coaster for the glass of water I keep there at night

Last purchase for self:
A new blackberry when mine broke

Favorite way to unwind:
Get lost in a good book or get a pedicure.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
Other Enterprising Moms are a wonderful resource, with so many great suggestions and support.  I value being in regular communication with others who understand my struggle with balancing it all, and trying to do it all well.

Connect and learn more:

Web Site: under construction…check back soon at www.bermanevents.com
LinkedIn: Hillary Berman
Facebook: only a personal page now, but will create a Berman Events page once my website is complete

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Name: Rene Hackney, PhD.

Title: Founder

Business: Parenting Playgroups

Industry: Parent Education, Psychology, Children’s Play

Product/Service: Parent and Teacher Workshops, Preschool Play, Social Skills Groups

Years in Business: Six

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals: Parents of children birth to ten years old

Personally speaking …

Home life: Married 17 years with two daughters: Alicen 11, Claire 8

Childcare situation: They are home with a sitter summer mornings.  They are with me after school and with dad when I lecture.

Motivation for starting your business: I wanted to work for myself, make decisions as I go.  I enjoy teaching preschool and wanted to marry that with my education.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:  Can take my children with me as needed.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:  We opened our second office.  No celebration yet, too early.

On your nightstand: Why Gender Matters, The Friendship Factor, The E Myth

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without: A toy – Facebook – love being in touch with so many friends.

Last purchase for self: Old Navy Flip Flops

Favorite way to unwind: Hot bath

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz): If there is trouble, speak directly.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:  Meeting others who overlap efforts.  I need to reach out more!

Connect and learn more:
Web Site | Blog |  LinkedIn | Facebook |  Twitter

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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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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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Name:  Eryn Cadoff
Title:  Team Leader & Independent Wine Consultant
Business:  The Traveling Vineyard

Type of Business:  B2C and B2B
Industry:  Wine
Product/Service:  Free, fun & informative in-home wine tastings.  Online wine sales, wine of the month clubs.
Years in Business: 4.5 (business launch was January 2005)

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:  Anyone who loves wine and is over 21!  But to be more specific – my best potential hosts are people who love wine and like to entertain, and my best B2B customers would be anyone who needs to give client gifts (realtors; those in charge of corporate gifting for their company).

Personally speaking…

Home life:  My home life is crazy – just like everyone else who is an Enterprising Mom!  My husband, David, and I have 2 daughters.  Violet (age 5) is starting kindergarten, and Alana (age 3) is in preschool.

Childcare situation:  I stay home with the kids, and work my business around our family schedule.  I’m excited to have a little more time on my hands this fall with my oldest in kindergarten!  David works long hours, and usually isn’t home before 7pm, but is a very supportive spouse, so we have made our schedule work around his work and mine.

Motivation for starting your business(es):  Wine!  I had been in a direct sales/party plan business prior to joining The Traveling Vineyard.  When I heard there was a company with that same business structure but for wine – I had to start right away.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:  Adding to the family income while doing something I absolutely love.  It just doesn’t get better than that!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:  I think the most exciting thing that has happened in my business recently is the fire that has been lit under some of my team members.  It’s really exciting to be working with people who are embracing their own opportunity with The Traveling Vineyard and wanting to grow their owns teams!

On your nightstand:  Bottle of water, a book about wine, and a mindless magazine (usually OK or Cosmo).

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:  My laptop!

Last purchase for self:  I splurged recently and got a really fantastic red dress at a local boutique here in Gainesville.  The store owner makes everything herself!  I love supporting local business…especially when I’m getting something of higher quality than I could elsewhere.

Favorite way to unwind:  Glass of red wine, piece of dark chocolate, and something on HBO (current addiction is True Blood)

Best advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):  It’s the simplest advice I’ve ever gotten, but still the best, as it can apply to your personal or professional life.  “Just Ask!”  It’s impossible to find new hosts, new team members, new business without ever asking for it – nobody can read your mind.  It’s impossible for anyone to know what you want if you never ask for it.  Sometimes the answer will be no, but you’ll never know if it’s a yes unless you ask.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:  The best thing about being an Enterprising Mom is the same thing I love about direct sales/party plan businesses.  We’re all in business for ourselves, but by supporting each other, we don’t have to be in business by ourselves.  Most of us are solopreneurs, independent contractors, etc., and having a group that you can ask questions of, bounce ideas off of, etc., is great for all of us.

Connect and learn more:
Web Site |  Linkedin |  Facebook |   Twitter

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Name:  Marilyn Nowalk
Title: President
Business: Intelligent by Design, LLC

Type of Business:  (B2B, B2C, B2G): B2B, B2G

Product/Service:   “Special Projects,” Strategic Reengineering, Project Management, Application Development, Reporting and Analysis

Years in Business: November will be 4

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
CEO, COO, CIO, CFO, Directors of Finance, Sales, Ops, IT – basically anyone who has a project they’d like to get off the ground, but don’t have the time, man power, or skills in house to run it successfully from requirements to post-live hand-off.

Personally speaking…

Home life:
Married to Steve for 17 years.  Twin boys, Alex and Brendan, age 6 and in kindergarten.

Childcare situation:
We have and love our au pair, who has been with us about 10 months, and has just agreed to extend for a second year.
Previously we had a full-time nanny, and prior to that my husband was a SAHD for 13 months.

Motivation for starting your business:
In the Spring of 2005, I had a pair of two-yr olds at home and was working for a regional consulting company.  While I was not working the horrid hours I had before they were born, I was traveling a fair amount, and did not have the flexibility of schedule that I didn’t even realize I needed.  So in May I resigned, and took the summer off.  I knew I wanted to do something else, but wasn’t exactly sure what!  By November I had figured it out, and starting working on the logistics of setting up a new business.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
For sure the flexibility.  I set my schedule so that when I am not traveling (which is about once/week), I am available for school drop-off, and either I pick up the boys from school myself or I am at home to greet them when they arrive with their au pair.  When I need to take them to the doctors (or last month’s ER visit!), I don’t have to explain myself to a boss, and I just make up the hours after the kids go to bed.  As a night person, I get very productive after 9 PM.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
Ha!  I took a vacation and really relaxed.  While this sounds like a strange accomplishment, as a workaholic I have always had a hard time really separating for vacations, and this was even more exaggerated once I started my own business.  Earlier this year I made a concerted effort to train my staff to operate in my absence, and finally in August really allowed myself to let them fly on their own.

On your nightstand:
I always have five books or more in some level of engagement – but I am pretty heads down into “Leap of Faith, Memoirs of an Unexpected Life” by Queen Noor (of Jordan).

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My Blackberry.

Last purchase for self:
Nothing recent, but I am starting to research new laptops – I need something much smaller and lighter.

Favorite way to unwind:
Either snuggling in bed with my kids, or when I need a break from them, with a good book in a comfortable chair.

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
The only dumb question is the one you were afraid to ask.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
I love that beyond the professional satisfaction I get from a job well-done, I am teaching my children that the gender stereotypes of the past are passé. Women can run the business, men can (help) run the house, companies can be successful even if their staff is allowed to have a life.  We may not be the largest or the most powerful consulting firm in DC, but I believe our employees and clients are among the happiest and most fulfilled.

Connect and learn more:
Web Site: Intelligent by Design
LinkedIn: Marilyn Nowalk

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Name: Tammy Goddard

Title: Owner and Artist

Business: Bead On Through

Type of Business: (B2B, B2C, B2G): B2C mostly, but have recently started doing some B2B

Industry: Retail, Jewelry

Product/Service:
Handmade jewelry. I have over 200 pieces I make regularly to sell, which isn’t reflected on my website – yet, and I take custom orders all the time. I often sit down with a customer and help them design a piece, including brides. Usually it is because they want a piece to match an outfit, complete a set (for example, they want a pair of earrings to match a favorite necklace), or find something in a magazine that they want reproduced. I work primarily with beads – from gemstones to Swarovski crystals to everything in between. I also make personalized jewelry with names and birthstones.

Years in Business:
Hung my shingle in 2005. That was the year “Bead on Through” was born, but I had been making jewelry as gifts for a few years prior to this.

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Most of my work comes directly from referrals. I often hear from customers by saying “someone stopped me at a party the other day and asked me where I got my necklace!” The customers love that (who doesn’t love compliments?) And then it is also a huge compliment to me.

Personally speaking…

Home life:
I live in Leesburg, VA with my husband of 10 years (next week!), Josh and my two children. Josh and I have been friends since we were 15 years old, but never dated until our mid-20’s. Our kids are: Ever Grace who is 5 and Trent Adam who is 4. We also have a rescued dog, a Golden named Finn and a little fluffball of a dog named Toto. We feel thrilled to be here and grateful when we all snuggle down together at night. Having had my 4th heart surgery last summer, and now both of my kids having uncertain cardiac futures, every single day is a gift for us.

Childcare situation:
My husband is a cop and has an amazing schedule. He works the day shift. So he is home during the week a few days and even on work days he is home at 5:30 pm. I work from home and schedule appointments when Josh is home, so one of us has always been fortunate enough to stay at home with the kids.

Motivation for starting your business(es):
I have always loved making things. From homemade jam to knitted scarves, I am a terror at places like Joann Fabrics or Michaels. A friend of mine introduced me to jewelry making and I was hooked from that day forward. Once I realized I could make money from selling my jewelry, it became a longterm goal to eventually retire from real estate and just do Bead On Through. By the way, Bead on Through was named after my favorite group, The Doors. Break on Through was one of my favorite songs, so Bead on Through was born! I feel a thrill like no other when I am creating things. It’s not simply something I want to do, its something I have to do.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Making it exactly what I want. Let’s say I decide I don’t like something I have been making anymore. Well, I just stop making it! Complete freedom.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
For the first time in BOT’s history – my jewelry is going to be carried in a Hallmark store in Virginia Beach!! I haven’t figured out how to celebrate it yet, I am still so speechless that this is even happening! And also – I have been hired as the Jewelry Instructor at Joann fabrics in Leesburg – this is going to be so fun!

On your nightstand:
Glass of water, whatever book I am reading now (currently obsessed with Young Adult fiction, the Twilight series- my guilty pleasure), medicine and mini Nilla wafers (to wash down the medicine – haha)!

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My Blackberry. I have one item on my blackberry “memopad” which I use constantly – anytime I have an idea or a brainstorm, I put it in my memopad. I have been using it a lot lately when I think of an idea for my blog. Another item on blackberry – “maps”, like my own handheld GPS, it helps me find places all the time.

Last purchase for self:
A book – Eclipse (by Stephenie Meyer) just came out in paperback this week, and my hardback copy is falling apart so I had to get the paperback.

Favorite way to unwind:
Making jewelry.

Best advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
“Fake it ’til you make it.” I used to hate when my mother would say that to me. But I have learned, especially with my own business, that you have to appear confident even if you don’t always feel like it. It’s important to be (or appear to be) very self-possessed in running your own business.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
The fellowship! I love connecting other people. I get such a thrill out of reading an inquiry, and then thinking of a way I can help connect that person. I mean, what are we doing this for if not to help each other out? And a perfect example is this – I am getting all this support from you all for my bookstore to help raise money for the Americanheart.org for my kids. Its just wonderful!

Connect and learn more:
Web Sites: Bead on Through and Online Bookstore
Blog: Mama Tazz Says …
Facebook: no fan page yet, but I would love to friend you at Tammy McIntyre Goddard
Twitter: tazzygod

Logo: Don’t have one – but my slogan is “Making Chicks Happy Since 2005″

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Name: Rene Hackney, PhD.

Title: Founder

Business: Parenting Playgroups

Industry: Parent Education, Psychology, Children’s Play

Product/Service: Parent and Teacher Workshops, Preschool Play, Social Skills Groups

Years in Business: Six

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals: Parents of children birth to ten years old

Personally speaking …

Home life: Married 17 years with two daughters: Alicen 11, Claire 8

Childcare situation: They are home with a sitter summer mornings.  They are with me after school and with dad when I lecture.

Motivation for starting your business: I wanted to work for myself, make decisions as I go.  I enjoy teaching preschool and wanted to marry that with my education.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:  Can take my children with me as needed.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:  We opened our second office.  No celebration yet, too early.

On your nightstand: Why Gender Matters, The Friendship Factor, The E Myth

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without: A toy – Facebook – love being in touch with so many friends.

Last purchase for self: Old Navy Flip Flops

Favorite way to unwind: Hot bath

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz): If there is trouble, speak directly.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:  Meeting others who overlap efforts.  I need to reach out more!

Connect and learn more:
Web Site: Parenting Playgroups
Blog: Working on this
LinkedIn: Rene Hackney
Facebook: Rene Giese Hackney but we are starting a page for work
Twitter: working on this too

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