So What Do You Do? So What Do You Do?

The clash between modern day feminism and authentic femininity can be subtle--but it exists. Consider a small talk at a social gathering when a stay-at-home-mother is asked, “So what do you do?” While some respond with admiration for her vocation, others stop dead in their conversational track.

God doesn’t call every mother to be a stay-at-home mom, and He doesn’t call every woman to work outside the home.  But there is a new phenomena of Catholic business moms entering the marketplace.  The ones who learn from the right role models are finding the mompreneur lifestyle just what God had in mind for them.

Savvy mom biz owners know the right mentor helps cut your learning curve, build your business quicker, boost your confidence, and lower stress.  With the  Communion of Saints, don’t  restrict yourself  to only modern-day role models. Take a look at these mompreneurs from the Bible and learn from their  win-win combo in both building your business and Christ’s Kingdom.

1. Become Your Clients’ Support Hub  – Lydia (Acts 16: 14-15, 40)

A high-end  purple cloth dealer, Lydia flourished in her marital unity and strong sacramental life.  She paid attention to the young Christian community’s needs, becoming a hub of safety and support.

LESSONS IN ACTION:

  • Offer valuable products, support, service and information to your customers to be their “go-to” person. for their most pressing needs.
  • Pay attention and respond to the evolving needs of your clients.
  • Don’t be intimidated to market to  top-end customers.
  • Your natural approach to integrating your faith with your business and personal  life can  be attractive for  your high-end clients,  who are in powerful positions to influence  many  others for good.

2. Exploit Your Business Excellence for Christ – Priscilla (Acts 18:1-3, 24-28)

A tent maker with her husband, Priscilla capitalized on her work connections.  Along this path with delicate charity she explained the way (of God) in a loving way to a person in error, and she became an effective disciple touching many lives.

LESSONS IN ACTION:

  • See your business supernaturally.  Worldly success turns heads and opens  door for Christian witnessing.
  • Your business puts you in places you wouldn’t otherwise be. Let God work through your excellence and being the Holy Spirit’s instrument.
  • Consider eternity when networking.  The more people you interact with and the deeper personal holiness investment, the greater impact you’ll have on their lives.

3. Master the Dance of Work and Play – Proverbs 31 Woman (Proverbs 31:  10-31)

This “ideal wife” was industrious, while making time for relaxation and laughter. Her dedication to work and trust in God attracted others to her kind counsel.

LESSONS IN ACTION:

  • Be proficient in juggling between family and work.
  • Be clear about what  you need to do.
  • Do your home and work “ footwork” while trusting the outcome to God.
  • Combine practical tasks with prayer and regularly surrendering to God’s will.

4. Become a Sage and Speedy Decision Maker  – Deborah (Judges 4-5)

As a judge Deborah rose to the esteem of her contemporaries  for her skill in discerning good and evil, trusting her intuitions, and quick decision-making.

LESSONS IN ACTION:

  • Update your business and marketing plans regularly to avoid committing random decisions.
  • Set aside time to create results-getting, time-saving  systems.

Whether your business is outside the home or you are in the “business” of running a home, take cues from these mom biz pioneers to activate your feminine genius for great results.

Catholic Mompreneur Biz and Life Tip:  Select a Biblical mompreneur who resonates with you, ask for her intercession, and work on the virtue that helped her mom-biz become a success.

Copyright 2013 Christina M. Weber