I have always followed mine in personal and professional life.  So far I have no regrets.

The fact is, women are known for having their instincts lead them to the right direction.  Many books I have read on finance and investments, also recommend that women should invest by trusting their instincts and that they will win.

Do you follow your instinct or does excessive reasoning and measurements take over?  If you do follow your instinct, what decision has it helped you make, of which you are proud?

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On April 29th, 20 women business owners of Queens, gathered to discuss current events affecting entrepreneurs, their challenges and best practices. Such discussions lead to generating more business and connections.

Here we provide you with the summary of the discussion and welcome you to join us live next month and, or leave your comments below.

Current Events Affecting Entrepreneurs:

• “Guys Need To Learn From Girls,” The Toilet Paper Entrepreneur Newsletter. Finally an article that talks about how men need to learn from women instead of the vice versa.

• Career trends lead to entrepreneurship as discussed in Crains NY Business and Daily News article. As people are getting laid off and, or becoming uncertain about their day jobs, they are starting their own businesses.

• As a result, incubator programs now more popular as reported in Entrepreneur magazine in the May 2009 issue. If you are starting a business seek assistance through these incubator programs. If you are an established business, keep yourself visible in your community by getting involved in these programs or start one.

• Don’t underestimate the value of staying local. If traveling is consuming too much of your time and money, don’t be afraid

to focus on becoming a local icon. May Issue of Entrepreneur Magazine point out tips on making it big locally.
• To become a master networker, read the book, Never Eat Alone by Keith Ferrazzi.

Challenges Shared:

• How do I get funding as a start up?
• I am a business and career coach, should I start networking on facebook or start a blog?
• I conduct a reading program for children, how can I get more kids to join me?
• Taking my business to the next level, how can I make the time for it, I am so busy already?

Leave your comments by sharing your thoughts on the current events affecting entrepreneurs or answering the challenges shared. Leaving comments is an effective way to create more visibility and demonstrate your expertise. Your name links back to your website.

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I was recently contacted by mompreneur Eugenia Francis, creator and owner of www.TeaCHildMath.com. She took a challenge her child was facing in school and turned the solution into a business solution. Eugenia has a great story, and all it comes down to is her desire to help other children overcome their challenges in math.

What do you do and how did you end up in this career?

I was an English instructor at UC Irvine.  When my son was in the third grade, he resisted learning the math times-tables through rote memorization; I knew there had to be a better way!  I drew a grid for tables 1-10 and discovered amazing number patterns for all the tables.  Patterns provide structure, making the tables easy to learn. Patterns aid memory and my son was fascinated.  Years later, I decided to publish my method to help other families.

Once you realized that your idea can be a real business, what steps did you take?

I took 30 pages and turned it into a 160 page workbook. I made a simple prototype.  Then, I chose a circus theme to make the workbook child friendly and hired a graphic artist.  We designed on the cover and I did the lay-out of each page.  I published Teach Your Child the Multiplication Tables, Fast, Fun & Easy through POD publishing (publish on demand) which is not only economical but gave me complete control of my book.

How long did it take you to plan this business before you got it on the market?

It took me two years to design the book and get it on the market.

How did you start promoting?

The best method for me was to put the book directly into the hands of the consumer.  Through Yahoo home-school groups, I gave 500 free copies of my book to home-school families. I also gave 300 copies to military families.

I also include inserts featuring a review of my book in home-school conventions. I advertise in ADDitude and other magazines.

As a business owner, what are your long term and short-term goals?

My short-term goal is to introduce flash cards and a board game based on my method.  I also would like to find an angel investor or strategic partner for marketing and distribution. My long-term goal is to sell my workbook and other products internationally. I have obtained trademark registration in Mexico, Australia, Korea and the European Union.

How did you fund your idea?

Through savings and some credit card debt.

Did you have to deal with negativity, discouragement from outsiders?

Fortunately, those around me were VERY supportive.
How do you feel about being a mom in business?

To me, the idea is a mom in her own business.

Do you ever feel guilty or does that just make no sense to you?

It gives me great happiness to be able to help other families.

How do you feel about the term, “women can have it all?”

Men are the hunters and women the gatherers. In order for the species to survive, women developed the ability to multi-task and to think and plan strategically. Women cannot rely on brute strength like men; women have to rely on ingenuity. Women have always “thought out of the box.”

What are some of your tips for those women that chose to do both, family and running a business?

Find a few hours in the evening when you can work on your business uninterrupted. Enlist your husband to help where he can. If children are older, involve them too; let them earn a little money helping you.  You are teaching your children entrepreneurship, a valuable lesson at any age!

What tips do you have for current and aspiring business owners?

Do you have a great idea? Test it on friends! Would they pay for this product or service? How much would they pay? Can you make a profit? If so, you’re on your way to launching your business.

Did you have to adapt any new strategies considering the current economy?

When I advertise in magazines, I include a coupon to test the response.   If magazine A brings in a better response than magazine B, I go with A.  I also came out with more products to increase sales.  So expanding my product line has helped me.

Check out www.TeaCHildMath.com to learn how your child can discover patterns in math to help them recall the information.

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I recently had the honor of getting to known Roxi Suger, designer and owner of ANGelRox. Roxi is living the dream she had at such a young age, and it is inspiring to see how she has accomplished it. Keep reading to learn more about Roxi and a special discount you can get from her website!

What do you do and how did you end up in this career?

I design a collection of women’s apparel called ANGeLRoX. ANGelRoX clothes are an eco friendly collection of versatile, inspiring and stylish signature designs, ideal for travel, work, yoga, wellness, home and play. They are made of fabrics that are natural, renewable and sumptuous, including bamboo and organic cottons, crafted with joy in Brooklyn, NY. My ANGeLRoX logo represents balance and my brand mantra is joy, designed for ladies of all ages in all stages including celebrities Sharon Stone & Bette Midler.

I focused on fashion from an early age, committed by 14. I later studied it in college on scholarship for apparel design, continued my studies at Parsons while working for various companies in the industry here in NY and had the itch early on to strike out on my own. I also always had the hope that by having my own business I could also start a family and not have to put my babies in daycare :)  My first line of junior apparel called Babydoll by Roxi had some wonderful early success but also the backing of the company I was designing for. Not being quite ready to handle business on my own I plugged away as a designer for Urban Outfitters, Sr. Designer for Le Chateau stores of Canada and head designer for Vivienne Tam before I became fully ready to launch ANGeLRoX.

Once you realized that your idea could be a real business, what steps did you take?

I was naïve when I started because of my experience working for larger companies and my first success with Babydoll by Roxi. I thought the business would take off right away with volume. Back then, it was much easier to walk into a retail store, introduce yourself and have them look at your wares, so this is how I opened my first accounts. I was blessed to be supported, by my previous employers at Le Chateau, for the first six months of my business, with free office space to use. After that I decided to fuse my living and working into a retail space in the Lower East Side. This year proved to connect ANGeLRoX with many great opportunities for public relations as I had the energy and no family at the time to devote myself fully into promotions, holding runway shows in my store during fashion week, connecting with a rep for stores in Japan and connecting with some lifelong customers and friends. However it still proved to be tough for the business to maintain enough sales to cover expenses so I left the space in 2001 just prior to 9/11. The results of all this were a severe tightening of business and overhead for the next couple of years.

In 2003 I was selected as a featured designer for a reality TV show filmed by BBC and aired on The Learning Channel, a connection that came about from one of those shows I had done. In preparation for this I created and ramped up my website and, although nothing like a windfall, it did yield some amazing connections that proved fruitful for the business and my personal life including trunk shows and new boutiques around the country. Over the next few years I kept the business at home and tried several different sales outlets including wholesale trade shows, like Designers & Agents, Premiere in Atlanta, etc. Although the return on investment was not stellar for these they did result in new business, but I later found their return starting to diminish in 2007. I also developed relationships with online boutiques, and I adapted to be able to handle drop-ship wholesale business, which has proved to be a good thing. Overall the best step I ever took and continue to have as our #1 marketing outlet is our website. I don’t think anyone should be advised to start a business these days without securing a URL and budgeting to develop their site. Another thing I’ve found that has helped support the cash flow and growth of ANGeLRoX are direct sales from shopping parties like Shecky’s & trunk shows to pop up booths at designer markets and street fairs.

To help support the business from 2003 on, I’ve also taught classes as an adjunct professor, first at Katherine Gibbs in their fashion program, and then from 2005, at Parsons School of Design. It’s an honor to teach and a good thing to have a little extra income coming from somewhere other than the business.

In 2005 I married and in 2007 we were blessed with our first child: a son who is now 18 months old. An absolute joy and a real challenge to getting work done on some days, but I’m so happy to have him with me even when he is fussing at me to pick him up while I try to type out an email. I’ve jumped up at least 6 times already in writing these answers and expect it may take a day or two to get through them all. Gone are those nice early days when he napped a lot and couldn’t make all kinds of messes, but enjoying every second of it, as I know so quickly he’ll grow up. Hoping to hustle enough to have the business survive this age, and this tough economy, and then I can devote myself more heartily to promotion and marketing when he enters school (or a few years later if we’re blessed with two

How long did it take you to plan this business before you got it on the market?

It took at least six months of initial planning and preparation and then another 3-6 months before I started producing and getting a few things out to stores.

How did you start promoting? What are some of your strategies?

At first I focused on wholesale and produced a sleek (and far too expensive of an outlay in hindsight) look-book to distribute to potential buyers, press and customers. I had no fear of going door to door here in Manhattan, and anywhere my travels took me to introduce myself, my collection, and when receptive show my designs to buyers. This was very effective in the early days, but seemingly almost impossible now as boutiques and buyers are so overwhelmed with the amount of product and designers to choose from, and they are very wary when approached. Better to let them find you first through online searches and trade shows than banging heads on their doors and walls.

For promotions, I launched the line with a runway show in Soho and did a number of full-blown runway shows in my early days. After getting that excitement out of my system and realizing the time, money and effort that go into runway shows rarely yields quantifiable results I turned to alternate promotions like our website and an increased focus on print outlets and magazines. Press is a wonderful thing, but it too needs to be approached with some moderation, as it won’t alone build your business. I’ve had credits in Lucky magazine that yielded nothing, and tiny blurbs buried in others that produced orders.

Our PR focus these days is online more than ever, but we are always open to participating in runway shows when they are for charity and or include an opportunity for immediate sales. We will be participating in one coming up this April in Philadelphia, called Green with Fashion, and one of our favorites has been Red Ribbon Runway. We were blessed when Sharon Stone purchased two of our blazers through a pop up boutique in Sundance that gave all proceeds back to charity, held in conjunction with eConsciousMarket.com. Promotions ripple out from different attempts often with financial risks. We will participate in the Nimli pop up store in April in the Lower East Side and an eco-oriented sample sale April 2-5 (eco)mpassion located on Great Jones just off Broadway.

We’re getting a lot of interest now from bloggers (especially mom bloggers) for product reviews. We’re not in the position to do a lot with this as we are small and can’t afford to give away product but we are testing the waters with a small item here or there, a baby onesie or a brief to analyze potential return and establish what our policy will be in regards to blogs and product reviews going forward.

Our current strategies are to increase our commitment to eco friendly product and practices and to more specifically target the wellness, spa and cruise markets, as our season-less timeless cozy designs are perfect for it; so many of our customers love their wing tunics for yoga and the comfy-fit of our brief is incredible for active busy lives. We are testing the waters with a regional rep, although drumming up wholesale business of any kind now, is tough indeed. We hope to widen our net online and offer ANGeLRoX through more online boutiques. We are, also, joining with other local independent designers to try sample sales and other joint marketing efforts in the next few months, and we will continue to explore and work all avenues for direct sales to the customer.

As a business owner, what are your long term and short-term goals?

My short term goal this year, and as a mom with a toddler, is to survive. When our baby was born we had to move the business out of the home, which nearly doubled our overhead and expenses. Making enough to cover this overhead and any critical expenses, with a little spending change for momma, is the goal in these tough economic times. Once the economy improves, and my son is a little older and starts school, I will get more aggressive with wholesale marketing again and retest the trade show and showroom waters. Long term, I would love to see ANGeLRoX grow to the point that it could fully support our family and with luck a few others. I’ve always held in my heart that it has the potential to be much more than that but have found extreme peace with wherever it goes or however small it might stay. The luxury of doing what I love and having a few angels that appreciate it along the way is success and reward.

How did you fund your idea?

$10,000 in savings and an immaculate credit history that I proceeded to destroy in the first two years of business with my naivety on how quickly I thought the business would grow. I now operate on a cash basis and have for many years. My fabric suppliers offer me Net 30 terms, which I try to pay sooner, and I pay my sewers as they complete the work. I took a few months of a hiatus, at one point in 2002, to work for someone else and get a little money back in the coffers, and as mentioned before, I’ve taught on the side, as well as working for others on a freelance capacity whenever possible, to bring in additional funds for personal needs and the business.

Did you have to deal with negativity, discouragement from outsiders?

My Mom at first was absolutely livid, and for good reason, as her concern was that I have a roof over my head, heat and health insurance.  She’s relaxed about it over the years, and done her part to help me have shelter in the very lean times. Every time I meet a potential sales rep he asks me if I can change my logo, which is a firm NO! My logo came before the name, and has been one of the strongest elements of my brand. My husband has wished many times over the last few years that I had a regular job and income both from the perspective of our savings toward a home someday, and the countless weekend days he has to give up to help me schlep merchandise around and set up for direct sales. Mostly though, people like to see others “go for it” and take the risks.

How do you feel about being a mom in business?

It’s amazing that my dream of being able to have my own business and be a mom has come true. I bring my son to the office with me and he is amazingly patient, most of the time. Of course some days and moments it is the hardest thing I’ve ever experienced. Sometimes, it seems like I can get nothing done, but I’m learning well how to balance it all and jump up and leave my work for a while to go tend to his needs and play with him for a bit, or read him a book. He’s already interested in helping me all he can, and, as he gets a little bigger, I’m sure will truly be a big help for his momma As mentioned above, I sometimes miss my son’s early days when he napped a lot and couldn’t run around making messes, but all too soon he’ll be doing his own thing so I’m happy and feel blessed every day, even when I’m so tired and stressed from not being productive that all I can do is cry.

Do you ever feel guilty or does that just make no sense to you?

Absolutely, there are moments when I feel guilty! Like encouraging him to start liking Sesame Street and Noggin so I can try to be on top of my emails early in the morning. Or, not being more proactive on meeting other moms and making play dates (granted we make sure he gets out to a few and he has lots of interaction with other tots). Or, when he’s standing next to me holding up his arms because he wants to be held and snuggled and I say “just a minute more sweet baby, let momma finish this one thing….”. Or, when we have to stroll on by the park cause we’re trying to make it to the post office in time. Or, like just now, when I looked up and he’s on the dining room table, and has toppled over the vase of daisies Yes, I feel guilty some times but we get a lot of time together, and a lot of it quality time at that, and I have a little something extra to identify myself with beyond my most important job now, which is being a momma!

As a mom and a wife, has your relationship been negatively/positively affected ever since you started your business?

I actually have my business to thank for meeting and marrying my husband so it has been a positive on that side. Of course one of the things he loved when we met was how forceful I was with promotions, working my tail off and getting myself out there. He sometimes now curses the fact that I have a business, as its worries and problems are his too. I am trying harder not to fill him in on every little detail, business deal and worry I might have, but as the only adult point of reference, he is bound to be involved and have to listen to me and give his opinion. As aforementioned, he also sacrifices too many weekend days for the sake of me, working to make cash flow for the business via direct sales. WE try to make this as fun and family oriented as possible, setting up in spots that might not always be the most lucrative, but that allow us to be together while I do it. Although, he can’t fully invest himself now in time and efforts I think (or like to anyway) that he does believe in the potential of ANGeLRoX to support both of us someday.

I’ve found myself to be much more effective in business as a wife and mother because you learn to put other ahead of yourself. Someone (a client along the way) once said to me that if you want to get something done, give it to a Mom. I would have to agree at this point, as it is amazing how moms can juggle and multitask. Much better than most single folks or at least as I was single.

What advise do you have for your fellow entrepreneur moms?

Research the market well, take things nice and slow and keep initial expense and overhead to an absolute minimum. Set up your website first and limit expensive printed marketing materials that might later become dated. Be patient, kind to yourself and persevere! Never let go of your dreams!

Do you like the term mompreneur? Why or why not?

ABSOLUTELY LOVE IT! And, I think it would be a great site for you to develop, as a sister to Women Can Have It All! It’s fresh, appropriate, relevant, and says it all for the new host of business mavericks entering the arena.

Visit Roxi’s website and use the discount code

“sweetjoy” for 20% off purchases on their site.

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Couple of months ago I had the pleasure of meeting Natalie Sulimani, principal of Sulimani Law Firm, Intellectual Property Attorneys.  She is focused on having it all, a family and a career.  Keep reading to learn more.

Where did you go to law school? What was your motivation for being an attorney?

Manchester University in Israel.  I had always wanted to be an attorney.  I’m not sure if it was LA Law or the fact that my uncle is an attorney, but 4 year old me announced to the world that I want to be a lawyer and here I am!

Did you work for a law firm before starting your own business?  If yes, did you like it or hate it?

I did work for a law firm before I started my business and I learned a lot.  I wouldn’t rule out working for a firm again, but I knew that for the kind of law I wanted to practice, I would have to do it on my own.

At what point did you decide to run your own practice?

After working in-house for a jewelry company, I decided that I wanted to start my own practice.  I loved 50 percent of what I was doing for the company and wanted to do that 100 percent of the time.  Very compromising, I know…

How do you promote yourself?  (what are some of your strategies?)

I promote myself by staying current and making sure my face is seen in a lot of places.  I belong to communities both online and off and believe that people will think of you when you’re around.  I organize forums at the New York County Bar, I write articles online and for journals, I attend networking events both in my field and in my client’s field and now I am in the process of organizing seminars for my target client.

As a business owner, what are your long term and short term goals?

My short term goal is to get more clients which is always a goal.  My long term goal is to expand my practice.  I would love to partner with a litigator in my field.  I also envision a technologically equipped office although I love the flexibility of a virtual office.  As long as I have my laptop and a ‘follow me’ phone number, I can service my clients wherever and whenever.  Yes, I am too accessible.

How long did it take you to plan this business before your opened doors?
This plan has been 4 years in the making.  I had to make a lot of mistakes until I adopted a plan that worked for me.  Happily, I am on track.

How did you start selling/promoting your services?
I started by creating a website.

How did you fund your idea?
My idea is/was funded by loans and personal money.  Never underestimate the value of people who believe in you.

Did you have to deal with negativity, discouragement from outsiders?  If yes, how did you deal with it?
Yes!  Lots and lots of negativity.  Stop me if you’ve heard this one…  “Why can’t you get a real job?”  I stopped fighting the comments.  I either ignore the naysayers or avoid them altogether.  Although, sometimes, listening to their concerns you can learn something but never let it sway you.  You just have to understand where it’s coming from.  My actions will speak for my accomplishments and that’s enough for me.

How do you feel about being a mom in business?  Do you ever feel guilty or does that just make no sense to you?
When my business is doing well I feel very good about being a mom in business.  I especially think it’s a positive role model for my children.  It also gives me the flexibility to spend more time with them.  I feel guilty when my time with them is not 100 percent.  If I need to get work done on a beautiful day and they should be in the park.

As a mom and a wife, has your relatioship been negatively/positively affected ever since you started your business?  (I ask this, because a lot of people say that to be successful in business you got to be single).
In the beginning, my husband was not fully on the bandwagon.  Now, he is my number 1 supporter and that is key.  A lot of my marketing sessions are with him and it’s very helpful to have that team.  I think there are challenges for both being in a relationship or being single, but I do think that your partner needs to be on board.  It’s enough to have the external challenges, you don’t need to come home to it.

What advise do you have for your fellow entrepreneur moms?
The advice I have to give is I hope you’re good at organizing your schedule!  Lol.  Stay focused, believe in what you’re doing and it’s okay to be either a mommy or a business woman.  What keeps me sane is understanding that not everything has to get done at once.  Sometimes you just have your mommy hat on and sometimes you have your entrepreneur hat on.  Devote the time you have and don’t stress about the time you don’t.

Do you like the term mompreneur?  Why or why not?
I like the term.  I can’t deny that being a mom is part of who I am.  I have responsibilities to both my family and my clients and I have to juggle both.  Being an entrepreneur is challenging enough, add the facet of juggling playdates and sick days and that’s pretty darn amazing!  Plus, as moms, we can understand the plight of other moms and that’s especially helpful when that’s your target audience.

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