She talked about how she came up with the idea for maternity clothes, the negativity she faced and ignored, the money she raised, stores she opened and how she got her name licensed for Target.  The most surprising element of her speech was that she still does not have a business plan.  The most important element of her life was not mentioned in her speech, (in my opinion).  So I made it a point to stand on a very long line to ask her.  I asked how she manages motherhood and business at the same time.  She gave a very good and practical advice.  Keep reading.

Liz started designing maternity clothes after seeing how ugly the pregnancy clothes were in the early 90‘s.  She was not pregnant at the time.  After seeing what her pregnant friends were wearing, she decided to make stylish and chick maternity wear that embrace the belly.  The negativity was that, maternity clothes are not important because they are only for a temporary period of time.  She followed her gut feeling.  She felt that she was on to something.

She started with a 50k loan, opened her first store and after long lines had two people invest 1 million dollars, that helped her open two more stores in Beverly Hills.

After 9/11, she decided to license her brand and have her clothing line sold at Target.  Apparently her fashion show was scheduled in NYC at Bryant Park on the morning of 9/11.  This disaster, encouraged her to strike a business deal with Target to be able to weather any storm.
She faced negativity at that time as well.  But she believed in her gut feeling and went forward.
Today, she is very pleased with the result of her work.

Liz Lange also believes that writing a business plan is a waste of time.  She says that the research and the facts that a business plan requires can serve as a discouragement and stop one from moving forward.  She says, “open doors, and hope they come.”

Another two very important advice from her are, reach out to celebrities with your products and services.  And always stay connected to your customers.

She mentioned in her speech that she has two kids.  That’s when I wondered, how does she do all this with young children.  I stood on a 50 people line waiting for an answer.  I got my turn and explained that my website is women can have it all.com.  While standing about 6 feet tall and slightly bowed down so she could hear me, she immediately raised her head, and her right hand, looked at me and said, “can or can’t?”  “CAN” I answered.  OK, she smiled and continued listening.  “How do you manage both?” I asked.  “Ignore the standards of the society.  What is balance, balls are falling all the time.  It’s messy.  Get help.”  I loved her answer, because that is what I am telling my friends all the time.  Why are we expecting ourselves to be perfect?  Let’s embrace the messiness that comes with working and mothering and keep moving forward.

Thank you Liz Lange for your advice and inspiration.

Working from home is stressful and requires self-discipline and adjustments.

Allow me to clear up some of the myths and offer you facts with solutions.

Myth #1: you don’t need childcare. You can be with your children all the time.
Fact: if you are serious about delivering results for your work, you need childcare. If you working on freelance projects and need to deliver results, you need to work without being distracted every ten minutes. If you are staring a home based business, you need to network and deliver results to your clients. Full time childcare is necessary.
Solution: Hire childcare and think of it as an investment not an expense. By paying someone to watch the kids you are taking the time to invest in yourself, because you are growing professionally. It is also better if your child goes to a daycare so there are less distractions at home.

Myth #2: Flexible schedule, do whatever you want, whenever you want. No 9-5 restrictions.
Fact: Flexible schedule can seriously affect your health and your relationship with your family because you will find yourself working all the time.
Solution: While you don’t have restrictions set on you by a boss, you must set a schedule for yourself to accomplish results, save yourself and your family. You need to be self disciplined to stick to a schedule and avoid the easy distractions such as TV and phone calls. Get out your planner/calendar and set a schedule for your work. Example: Tuesday morning, manage and set a business budget, Wednesday afternoon, follow up with current clients and prospects.

Myth #3: Saving time and money on commuting, always being available for my family will make me happy.
Fact: If you are serious about working from home, get ready for some stress, and adjustments.
Solution: Family and friends will translate your working from home as you not working. You will have to explain that you have goals and a schedule and request that they respect that. You will have to make personal adjustments. You will have to learn to say no to yourself and be very strict with yourself. It’s like there will be that other voice that will be disciplining you at all times. Say no to distractions. Commit to your goals and your schedule.

Feel free to share your thoughts, ideas about working from home. Does it work for you? How did you adjust?

Holistic health counselor Inna Shapkina, explains that, “canned foods have no nutritional value due to processing, contain huge amount of salt, and chemicals that are aligning the can. Fresh foods offer the most nutrition, while frozen have a lot less. Good food is your great investment. What matters if you are not healthy?”

Here are my healthy holiday tips that save you money in the long run:

Tip One: Thanksgiving is a family holiday which may be worth your investment of time and money. Cook using fresh foods. Food TV is full of tips and easy recipes for holiday cooking. Also, it’s fun to watch. Also getting together with family around good food is nice and relaxing.

Tip Two: Don’t do everything yourself. Ask for help from family members. Have them come over and cook with you or have them bring a dish.

Tip Three: Search for bargains on fresh healthy foods offered through online grocery stores and local stores. The online grocery stores I like are www.freshdirect.com or www.peapod.com. Check the circulars for your local stores, when they are delivered to your house/apartment building.

Tip Four: Plan your menu and your grocery list in advance. Then go to the store and shop by yourself or with a frugal and health conscious friend/family member. Don’t take the kids or those that like to buy junk food. (I like shopping with my mother. She will steer me in the right direction by helping me save money while still staying healthy).

What are other healthy tips do you recommend? Or do you disagree with my healthy and long term savings plan for the Holiday? Share your thoughts in the comments section. Look forward to “chatting” with you.

Have Happy and Healthy Thanksgiving!

Here are some opportunity tips for you:

1. Think about the skills you have gained through your work and hobbies, its value and how you can deliver it to the rest of us. My friend has been able to plan beautiful weddings on a tight budget for himself and his friends. He is now starting consulting services for couples to help them plan a wedding of their dreams on a budget.

2. What’s that idea that has been floating around in your head? What problem do you wish you could solve for the rest of us? Liz Lange hated the labels and the looks of the pregnancy clothes. So she created stylish and chick maternity wear that embraces rather then hides the belly. Get started on working to make that idea a viable business. Take classes, join a network of positive people, and talk to seasoned entrepreneurs. If you are in NYC area, join my meet up group and visit us here. We are offering resources for entrepreneur moms in the Queens, NY community.

3. Learn about smart money management and investment strategies. You can start learning about, real estate, stock market, mutual funds, bonds, etc. and slowly start building a portfolio. There are many resources available for you.

• Subscribe to the Wall Street Journal. The book, Young Entrepreneurs Guide to Starting and Running a Business by Steve Mariotti has a chapter on how to read the Wall Street Journal.
• You can take classes offered through the local continuing education programs or libraries. Watch television shows about money and investment, (check out MSNBC).
• Read books, (check out the dummies series).
• Talk to current investors in your community.
• I am putting together a resource page on money and investment on my website, stay tuned for that.

Don’t be bogged down with all the reports about today’s economy. Seek for opportunities and you will be happier and healthier. Please share your thoughts and your stories in the comments. You can also contact me for any additional questions or concerns.

“NO,” I said. 
“OK, just so I know because some like it and others don’t.” 

I was curious to know more opinions about this term.  So I asked around. 

Natalie Sulimani, an intellectual property attorney and a mom of a 15 month old boy and expecting, said, “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.”

Nancy Zucker, founder of Nancy Zucker Associates, and a mother of two adult children, says, “As a consumer I don’t necessarily need to know or want to use someone because they are a mom starting a business….that may diminish the amount of business the person can attract.  I just worry it will take away from rather than add.”

My personal feelings about this term were that being called mompreneur diminished my abilities as an entrepreneur.  It made me feel less capable. 

But after careful thought and consideration, there are also terms such as webpreneur, netpreneur, solopreneur and parentpreneur.  Why must I think that adding mom to entrepreneur is demeaning? 

Perhaps, with everything available to moms today and dads becoming more involved in their family then ever before, that is changing.  Perhaps today, mompreneurs are demonstrating the wonderful abilities of a woman to be a “super-mom.”  Or, fully capable of achieving her dreams of a family and entrepreneurship. 

What do you think?  May I call you mompreneur now, or do you still not like it?

First, let me back up. 

I decided that in order for me to monentize my grand idea, I need to reach out to the successful solopreneurs, entrepreneurs and organizations that can help me out.  While I connected well, the ending was not always favorable to me. 

Now moving forward to the details: (no names will be mentioned).

Screw up 1) A successful solopreneur, asked me to endorse her and promised to return the favor.  Well of course, when I got that request, I got all excited and jittery, because someone who achieved what I wish to accomplish is asking ME for a favor.  Wow!  I did what she asked right away.  I, on the other hand, am still waiting for that favor to be returned to me.  It’s been over a month. 

Lesson Learned:  If someone asks you to endorse them, do it only if you feel they are worthy.  That is it.  The favor may be returned to you through other means. 

Screw up 2) I also reached out to an organization and asked if we could work together on some projects.  I got all excited when they agreed.  Wow, an organization this popular and big agreed to work with ME?!.  I was thrilled.  We both put a lot of effort into “our project” which turned out to be successful.  At the end of the day, due to my inexperience or stupidity, I got left with nothing.  Nothing.  The organization reaped all the benefits. 

Lesson Learned:  Discuss your goals of the project.  Be frank about what you are looking for and make plans to get it.  Do not rely on anyone to be nice. 

Example: My goal for working with you on this project, is to generate more customers and revenue for my business.  How can we do that, so it is fair to both of us?

Another solopreneur, with whom I had a good relationship for many months, was not frank with me about the services she provides.  While I was looking for X, her specialty is Y.  She pretended to know a few things about X and I continued to work with her.  That was a waste of my time and money. 

Lesson learned: Identify what you are looking for and ask if the person specializes in that.  If not, ask for a recommendation.  Do your best to be clear and specific about your goals. 

Example: I need to create a business model, is that something you can help me with?  Or, I am trying to get publicity for my biz, do you have any experience in that area? 

Remember, when you tell people what you need you will get it.

Feel free to share your “screw up” story.

1. What is the value of your organization?  (Translate the services/products you offer into value.)
2. Who are you and what do you do?  (This may include a personal story of what inspired you to start a business).
3. How does who you are and what you do make money? 
4. What is your mission statement?  Mission statement should answer the questions, what, how and for who?  For more information and sample mission statements go to, http://nonprofit.about.com/od/nonprofitbasics/a/mission.htm
5.  What is the business problem you solve?  Identify the problem and the solution you are offering. 
6. Who are your customers?
7. How do you differentiate yourself?  (Analyze the competition and explain what makes you different and better).

The answers to these questions may include short personal stories.  Avoid being vague and general.  Identify the service/product you provide and its value. 

You should also read about the various business models on Wikipedia and see which can apply to your biz?

If you are an entrepreneur who turned an idea into a real business what else would you recommend? 

If you are trying to turn your idea into a real biz, which of these questions is difficult for you to answer?

I right away made a call to the doctor for an emergency visit.  While driving to the doctor, I got a voice mail message.  As I continued driving, I checked the message.  It’s a call I’ve been waiting for.  The time is 3:30pm and the caller requested a call back by 4:30pm.  So I decided to make the call after the doctor’s visit.  Once in the office, the receptionist said that I would have to wait at least 30 minutes. 

Ok, I need to make that call before the doctor’s visit. 

I went back to my car to get the number.  My car was locked and the keys inside.  Ok, lucky for me the number I have to call was visible through the window.  I made the call, while holding my daughter in my arm, (the carriage is in the car).  Luckily, my daughter was quiet.  I made the deal.  I was happy.  Then I went back to the office for the appointment. 

While still waiting in the office, I called roadside assistance.  They promised to come in an hour.  Then my daughter got cranky, she was hungry.  She saw another mother pulling out a banana for her child, she pointed to it.  I felt horrible.  I didn’t have any food.  That mother understood my daughter and offered food in a very pleasant, non-judgmental manner.  My daughter was happily eating and quiet again.  I was grateful. 

As I was about to complete the visit, I got a call from roadside assistance telling me to be by the car.  I explained that I am at my doctor’s with my sick child and asked for a few minutes.  Did they care?  No.  They got a job to do.  “You got five minutes, because I have to be at other places,” he said.  Ok, I took the prescriptions and ran out of the office. 

As I walked out, something was missing on my arm.  The purse!  I ran back inside, grabbed my purse and went back outside.  I made it out in three minutes.  The guy opened the door, I got in my car and drove to pick up my son from school, the time was already 5:30pm.  Thank god, for my husband the pharmacist, I didn’t have to make the trip to the pharmacy. 

Once we were home, thanks to the frozen fish sticks and easy mashed potatoes recipe, dinner was on the table in minutes. 

Right now it’s 9pm and my son is out to the movies with his uncle.  The good thing is that there is no school tomorrow.  My daughter is sleeping.  I am writing to entertain you.

Please share the multitasking segment of your day.

Obstalce #1:
I am extremely shy!!!!!

Suggestion:
I took a business class about a year ago and the instructor said, “Shyness stops after you start a business.”  Well, it certainly should but it is not something that is going to happen right away.  You need to work on that. 

Here are some tips. 

1. Answer the following questions:
 Why did you start a business?
 Who is your target audience?
 What are you selling or offering that makes it so wonderful?  Give statistical data to prove the need for what you do. 
 Why should your target audience experience your service or product?  What makes it special?  Give statistical data again.

2. Now that you answered these questions, you can present your business with more confidence and less shyness.  When you talk about your biz think about why people should experience your product/service.  What makes it so special?  What inspired you?  What is so great about it, that people should know more about what you do?  (Present statistical data).  Thinking about this takes the focus away from you and your shyness.  The focus is on what you are selling and why it is great. 

Obstacle #2:
Balancing my time to network and still work full time

Suggestion:
That is a very common dilemma.  You need to set goals for your business and for your full time job.  What are you trying to get out of your biz?  What are you trying to get out of your full time job?  What is more important for you in the long run/in the short run? 

Set realistic goals and make a plan.  Do not just attend every networking event.  Attend those that have your perfect client.  You now need to identify your perfect client.  Who buys your services/product?  Where are those people?  Go where those people are.  Commit to attending one event a week and then make adjustments accordingly.  If you can do business virtually, think about how online social networking can help you. 

Obstacle #3:
Getting New Customers:

Suggestion:
Answer the following questions:
1. identify your customer
2. where is this customer located?
3. where and how can you meet them?

• If you can do business virtually, strongly consider joining social networking websites to promote your business.  What social networking sites is your customer using?  How can you contribute to those sites for your personal benefit? 
• Define what makes your business better and describe your biz in one sentence.  Explain why others should come to you. 
• Partner-up with other business owners in an effort to help each other grow.
• Contribute your product or service as a giveaway at networking events or other well-known organizations that are looking for free stuff to give their customers. 
• Consider participating as a sponsor at community or other events that your customers are attending. 

Obstacle #4
1. Keeping a schedule for my business and 2. Marketing my business locally, creating brand awareness.

Suggestion:
Keeping a schedule for your business requires self-discipline.  You have to put together a schedule and commit to it. 

To market locally and create brand awareness, carefully analyze how the Breast Cancer Research Foundations create awareness.  Think about what they do and why everyone talks about it. 

1. They provide statistical data (number of people die from cancer, get diagnosed with cancer)
2. They point out the urgency (how early intervention and awareness can prevent deaths, severe illnesses, etc.) 
3. They point out the right people to speak for them (cancer survivors) 
4. They sponsor and organize events

Now think about how you can apply their tactics grow your business locally. 

Thank you for submitting your questions.  Please continue to do so.  I am here to help.

I get emotional as I write this because I am too an ambitious, daring individual with big dreams.  I do not just dream.  I put much effort in making things happen. 

I am about to make a statement that got Michelle Obama in trouble.  Ok, here it is.  For the first time, I am proud of our country more then I have ever been before. 

I immigrated to USA in 1993 and I have always been proud.  However, this year I am proud more then I have ever been.  Thanks to the daring Hillary and Obama, ceilings have been shattered and more doors then ever have been opened to the minority.  This country is about making hopes and dreams come true for everyone.  This year’s election proved just that. 

I don’t support Obama, I am not sure what kind of change he will bring.  But I support him for the fact that he ran for president and worked tirelessly.  I support Hillary for going as far as no other woman did before.

Once again a standing ovation to Obama and Hillary.  I am shouting out to you, THANK YOU FOR DOING WHAT YOU DID.  THANK YOU FOR GIVING ME HOPE.  THANK YOU FOR REAFFIRMING THAT WITH HARD WORK AND PERSEVERANCE DREAMS DO COME TRUE.