The Enterprising Moms

Jennifer Folsom
Director, Momentum Resources

Type of Business:  (B2B, B2C, B2G): B2B
Industry: Staffing
Product/Service: Part-time and flexible full time staffing
Years in Business: 1.5 yrs

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Small to medium-sized businesses and non-profit organizations looking to hire permanent or contract part-time or flexible full-time in a variety of fields, from CPAs and Accountants to Bookkeepers, Project Managers and Virtual Assistants.

Personally speaking …

Home life:
7 year old identical twin boys,  22 month old son, husband is software and management consultant

Childcare situation:
Belle View Elementary School & part-time nanny

Motivation for starting your business:
As a former investment banker and management consultant juggling twins and a more than full-time career, I knew there was a huge talent pool out there of women just like me who would trade any number of things, salary, title, etc, for just a little bit of flexibility so that they could gain a better work life balance. Smart companies and organizations are hiring these women (and some men) at very cost-effective rates to get the job done with lower overhead and risk.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Flexibility! Though I work harder than I have in my life I am absolutely passionate about this work. I know that we are doing good for both our candidates, who get careers that make sense with their family lives, and clients, who save money AND get high-quality work done. I’m able to have a big breakfast with my kids each morning, send them to school, get a little one on one time with the baby, work hard for 6 hours, get the kids OFF the bus for the crazy homework/dinner/bed hours, and then go back to work. By working when my kids sleep (5-7 am, naps, evening) and are at school, I am really getting the best of both worlds.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
In the past month, I’ve been able to place a Virtual Assistant and Research Assistant with Michele Norris, host of NPR’s All Things Considered (and personal hero of mine). I found a Mandarin Chinese translator on 48 hours notice that is half the cost of a friends’ prior translating service, putting a stay-at-home to work on her own terms and saving this firm thousands of dollars each month. And I had my first threepeat business, placing a third resource with a high growth government contracting firm. To celebrate I joined an over 30 women’s soccer team, taking back some of the personal time I’ve given up for the business over the past year.

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

Last purchase for self:
Solo trip to Seattle

Favorite way to unwind:
Sitting on my deck with a glass of wine and a good book (current read: Melissa Bank’s The Wonder Spot)

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
Do the work you love, and the money will come.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
This is the only group where I feel COMPLETELY at home, as every single member is having the same challenges every day, raising children and growing a business. There are women I network with, kvetch with, laugh with and ultimately, do business with.

Connect and learn more:
Web Site |  Blog