The ABCs of Becoming a Mompreneur” – Part 1

The idea of having extra money, a fun business with a schedule that works around your family life, and the personal fulfillment of financially contributing to the family and using your talents, appeals to many moms.

Diving into mompreneurism doesn’t have to be complicated, but you do need reflect and educate yourself before taking the plunge.

When God genetically implants you with entrepreneurial DNA, even motherhood can’t flush it out.  But not having a clue where to start frustrates many moms burning with the mom biz itch.

Prudently pressing forward while listening and following sound, Godly guidance prevents your journey to mom-biz ownership from being a bumpy one.   Here is the first of two parts of the ABCs on how to become a mompreneur:

A – Acknowledge What You Want

Are you looking for financial wiggle room, just want to break even, or to be a bigger financial contributor to the family?  Do you want a flexible, family-friendly schedule? How critical is having a profession that resonates with your deeper life mission for you?  Or is it deeper personal fulfillment you desire, that despite loving being a mom, you sense God’s call to have a greater impact on the world through entrepreneurship?

When you can be honest about what you want, it helps you find the best fit among the various mom biz options.  Don’t worry whether how your answer sounds to others.  You have to be gut honest here to lay out the best path for your business and family life.

B – Be Honest About Your “Why”

The “why” precedes “what.”  For example, I “want” financial wiggle room with my mom biz to afford the activities for my kids that I believe will help prepare them for life and fully integrating in the world without being of the world.

Or, I “want” a flexible family schedule because I’m concerned the about the  culture’s direction and I want to be able to supervise and guide my children even as they get older to ensure  they continue to walk with God despite all the temptations while collaborating with my spouse to meet the family budgetary needs.

The clearer you are about your “why” and the bigger it is, the more strength you will have to successfully overcome the challenges of implementing your vision.

C – Count Your Talents

Past jobs, volunteer work, personal interests—these will all give you insight into your unique gifts.  Knowing yourself and selecting a mom biz that augments your talents will make the visibility and work, much, much easier. Being exactly who you are rather than forcing something else, gives you energy rather than drains you of it; energy you will need for the work in your business.

D –Do Your Research

With some self-analysis under your belt and a little bit of mompreneur exploration, you are ready to

• explore opportunities,
• what is already being done,
• different options for running a business,
• who is already doing what you are considering doing.

You can talk to people, read, check out the Internet, and take classes to start getting ideas. But eventually you will need an advisor you trust.  If you don’t seek or vet a guide, you’ll end up piecing together conflicting recommendations and wasting time applying strategies that don’t take into account your unique needs and situation.

Acting on feedback from mentors not well-suited to your beliefs and goals steers you in the wrong direction that won’t feel right or jive with your lifestyle.  At this point, I recommend you investigate and eventually hire a professional mentor or coach.

It’s often a frightening proposition for a fledging mompreneur to invest in a coach with no revenue yet coming in from their business.  But seasoned and successful entrepreneurs consistently advocate that investment in a good coach should be on the top of your spending priority lists for a new and beginning business owner.

Your confidence in taking this leap separates the wheat from the chaff.  A good mompreneur coach can guide you on family-friendly ways to help you generate income for the initial start-up of your business.  But it’s ultimately up to you to take than initial jump of faith of the investment in yourself and your business as God’s plan unfolds for you.

Tune in next week for the rest of the ABCs of Becoming a Mompreneur.

The Catholic Mompreneur’s Guide to Biz and Life Tip:  The difference between reaching your dream and just dreaming about it is following the path of inspired action.  Ask the Holy Spirit what your next step is and to give you the courage to take it.

Copyright 2014, Christina M. Weber, MS