SacMomsClub.com

There’s a new term out in the world these days; Momtrepeneur. It’s a fast growing movement of mothers who –gasp- want it all. To be there for their kids and contribute to the family coffers at the same time. We women were born to multi-task!

I have been a momtrepeneur since my son was born. Back in those days I made “Mommy & Me” nursing bibs. They were long, breathable, beautiful pieces of fabric with a velcro strap that would go around mom’s neck. They even had pockets for holding pacifiers and other necessities. If there’s one thing mom’s need, it’s extra hands. This allowed moms to comfortably nurse their child away from public eyes no matter where they were. I made and packaged them at home and sold them to other moms in my parent group.

I then went on to do calligraphy for people. Invitations and cards. From there I decided to get back into painting (and my son was in school by then), so I opened Creatress Designs, the home mural business. I had a blast doing custom creation murals in peoples homes. My first client was my son’s Kindgarten teacher! My business was going very well when we decided to move back to the Sacramento area and bought a home in Davis. I quickly got a client in Woodland who wanted me to paint every room in his house. It was bliss. Just as I was finishing up however, I had a bad accident where my ACL (the muscle that keeps your knee on) tore and my knee ripped to the back of my leg. After that, it was no more ladders for me. Luckily I have some very creative friends, so a girlfriend did the ladder work, while I did the low work. That was the last mural I did.

After that I turned my attention to teaching. I love giving back to my community and art. After enrolling my son in some local art classes for children and finding them to be shockingly lacking (either taught by good teachers, but bad artists. Or good artists, but terrible teachers). I decided to “throw my hat into the ring” and give teaching art a try. Turns out, I really enjoyed it.

After two years of coming up with my own curriculum and repeatedly teaching the same cartooning class over and over for the city, I was feeling a little burnt out. So, I decided foolishly that my son was old enough now and I needed to “get my head out of the clouds” and get a “real job.” I hid out in the corporate world for a year and a half. It was a year and a half too long. I left the corporate world battered and bruised and questioning my next move (but knowing I was finished with “office” work).

Luckily for me I have a very understanding husband who always supports me no matter what. He was very understanding during this time.

Let me side-line here by saying that I am a jewelry FREAK. I don’t like jewelry, I LOVE jewelry. Love it! My love for jewelry rivals Elizabeth Taylor herself. I have been making jewelry since I was a little girl. I loved giving my creations as gifts. Friends and family would rave and tell me they get compliments all the time on my pieces.

During this very stressful time, I started making some jewelry. More for a hobby than with any business thoughts. The more I made however, the more I liked it and could see myself doing this full-time. I had very much enjoyed my muraling business and working for myself. I also love the freedom and flexibility that working for myself gives me. I’m also somewhat controlling and… well… when it’s your own business, that’s not a problem!

I really didn’t know how to start. I made about 25 pieces and then took them around to shops in Davis, talking to the store buyers. Even the best shop will want to do a split with you. Usually 30% them and 70% you. That’s the best deal you can expect to get. Since the cost of my original pieces were so high to make (and took a long time), I wasn’t happy with the deal. I tried other various ways to sell my jewelry, but nothing was working for me. It was at this time that I decided to get some advice. I needed to find other people in the same situation as myself and band together. A quick search on MySpace uncovered a local group of women art and craft based business owners called the Sacramento Craft Mafia. The Craft Mafia I learned is a national organization for women business owners whose specialty is hand-made items. I was thrilled to learn that the Sacramento chapter had just started and was open to new members (it has since frozen new membership till the end of January due to such high membership numbers). I attended my first meeting and was welcomed with open arms. I learned so much that night and every day since. I have done a craft show in Downtown Sacramento every month since joining, most with other ladies from the group, and am loving the adventure of being a momtrepeneur.

I learned about Etsy (my Etsy shop)from my group and how to open up my own shop. I learned about pricing, inventory, what shops were looking for people and what to make. I switched my line from beading (which a ton of people do) to vintage resin casting. I found a good nitch and am making good money at it. My supply cost is low, my time is valuable and they are fast to make. The demand is high and I’m doing well at craft shows.

So, if you are thinking of becoming a momtrepeneur, I have some advice for you. Don’t do it alone. Make some friends, get involved in a group (or start your own). Meet with other business owners (especially those who do similar work to what you want to do) and listen to their advice. It takes a village to raise a momtrepeneur!

(I also love to give advice and am happy to dish it out here anytime. NEXT BLOG: My meeting with a local budding momterepeneur!)