My first daughter, Sadie, was born in September 2001. I was the ripe old age of 24, recently married, and new to Florida. Being a diligent professional, I was trying to get my teacher’s license transferred so I could work once Sadie was a bit older. Unbeknownst to me, I had to get hired on full-time first before I could apply. Nursing and confused, I had no idea how that could be possible. I had a newborn after all. Did they not understand that?
So I gave up the idea of going back to teaching and ended up staying home for the next eight years, and added two more girls to the brood. I was the president of the local MOMS club, volunteered for the Relay for Life, and hosted playgroups regularly, but always felt that something ‘adult’ was missing. I didn’t feel intellectually challenged and didn’t know how I could fill that need without sacrificing time with my girls. The world of home-business ownership eluded me.
Today, years later, I have coached women to succeed in three different types of home-based business models. All of them offer flexibility and the potential to earn money without sacrificing your ability to be home with your kids. Here are brief descriptions of these models of business and some examples of moms in Southwest Florida who have already chosen to start their own business. If they can do it, you can too!
1. Starting a Business from Scratch
Whether you are a skilled photographer, a former teacher who wants to tutor on Making Extra Income from Home the side, or a crafty entrepreneur who prefers producing products, the opportunities to start your own business are endless.
Elizabeth Valdez and her husband JC founded Driven Transportation, an executive transportation service, in 2009. With two young children, they can work their business around their schedule. “What I love most about driving is the flexibility,” said Elizabeth. “Staying on top of marketing can be challenging, but we’re hoping to grow 25-30% in 2018. Working with my husband has brought us closer together. It’s worth it.”
While Elizabeth provides a service, Sabrina Hall, mother of two and owner of Rainbow Frog Textiles, weaves beautiful baby wraps made of hand-dyed yarn and works after her children are in bed, with hopes to someday quit her job as a nurse. Starting a business from scratch has its challenges. “In the start, I was only breaking even,” Hall said. “But after two years, I am making a profit. It’s growing right now and, honestly, I don’t see a stop.” She sells both commissioned and ready-to-buy pieces through her Facebook ‘chatter groups’ and her website, www.therainbowfrog.com.
While starting a business from scratch can seem overwhelming, it is an excellent option for those who want to do their own thing without any restrictions from a larger entity. You can make it as simple or complex as you want, and you can provide a service or a product. You can sell online or personto-person. Anything goes in this business.
2. Starting a Traditional Franchise
Most of us think of traditional franchises as large-scale operations that carry a considerable overhead and have a location, but that is not always the case. There are plenty of traditional franchises that can be run from home or on site. Tina Benett, mom of three, wasn’t looking to run a franchise when she discovered Zumbini, an early childhood development music and movement class for children ages 0-4 and their caregivers.
“I fell in love with this program while watching Zumbini Time with my three-month-old son on BabyFirst TV channel,” Benett said. “I wanted to sign up for a class because he loved the music and songs, but the closest class was in Miami, so I brought it to Naples.” She became a certified Zumbini instructor and believes the support of the program sets the teachers up for success.
“The best part of being a Zumbini instructor is seeing the developmental growth these children have that takes place in a session and knowing I had a hand in it.”
She encourages any mom who wants to build a business and loves working with children and adults to take a look at the Zumbini opportunity.
3. Starting a Virtual Franchise
Danielle Russo-Slugh and her husband Marc moved from New York City to Naples three years ago. Former traders on the New York Stock Exchange, they wanted a less-stressful business with a lower overhead that would give them the opportunity to make a lucrative income and help people, too.
After Marc survived Stage 4 cancer, nothing was more important to them than health, so they decided to pair their passion for a healthy, holistic lifestyle with a virtual franchise business model called Isagenix.
“We feel so fortunate to have been able to partner with some amazing people in the U.S. and recently started developing a team in the U.K. Growing our business online has been amazing. Marc and I get to work together, and we just bought our dream house near Seagate Beach. Our vision for 2018 is to grow our business tenfold and help even more people,” said Danielle.
Starting an online business is not for everyone. The learning curve of developing skills on social media, getting comfortable with sales conversations, and navigating technology can feel overwhelming, but for anyone who would prefer to earn while they learn, this can be a great option.
“Many moms you know, and probably see on social media, have chosen this model. It has a low start-up cost, and all the training, mentorship, and website support is included,” Danielle said.
If you find a company and product line that you believe in, do your own research. Look for someone who is successful and ask them to be your mentor and virtual franchising could be your path to profitability.
I have found entrepreneurship to be a fantastic path for moms. We’re smart. We are capable of juggling a lot of roles. We thrive on a challenge. And, most importantly, we want to work from our strengths and help others in the process.
While there is not one right path for every mom, I believe that home business ownership can be an excellent way to bring additional money into your household while giving you a chance to develop your professional skills, meet new people, and, most importantly, have fun.
APRIL O’LEARY is a certified life coach and home business mentor. Visit apriloleary.com for more information.