What does it take to be a successful Mompreneur?

I have to be honest – I hate the word mompreneur. It takes my identity as a designer and small business owner, which in my mind is separate from my identity as an exhausted mother of three, and squishes them together. I’d rather be known as a good designer/entrepreneur without the need for additional qualifiers. But.

The truth is, mothers running businesses do have an awful lot in common. We’re all tired, for starters. We share many of the same conflicts and challenges. And we’re very, very good at learning from each other.

A new book was released this week that I can’t wait to read. It’s called Mom Inc. and it was written by two very savvy mompreneurs, Amy Ballon and Danielle Botterell, partners in a successful business. Amy and Danielle have helped mentor me since the birth of Red Thread, and both are very smart and pragmatic. I’m glad they’re finally sharing their wisdom more widely, and I know they’ll help a lot of people get started on this crazy path armed with solid advice and a wealth of knowledge.

So what does it take to be a successful mompreneur? I am fortunate to know several, and I think the unifying factor is a combination of intense creativity and tenacity. It helps to be a great problem-solver, resourceful, and calm under pressure, the same skills that make great parents. For me, one of the things that has contributed the most to the growth of Red Thread has been the support of my family, friends, and customers. The funny thing about doing it on your own, is that you rarely are truly on your own. In this proud mompreneur’s humble opinion, surrounding yourself with a circle of support, and paying all that good karma forward, may be the smartest thing a budding mompreneur can do.