Comments on: The Advantages Of Being A Mom Entrepreneur http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/ Wed, 23 May 2012 13:57:00 +0000 hourly 1 By: Lisa http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-43590 Lisa Fri, 11 May 2012 17:24:00 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-43590  Hi Mike, I am writing a post in my blog on the subject  "5 Outlandish Ideas To Get More Work."   I assert in the post that women do possess some innate abilities that they should use to their advantage when they are selling.  I think what you said above is a good example of that.  By the way, thanks for writing such informative articles and sharing your knowledge with all of the mom entrepreneurs out there.  Hi Mike, I am writing a post in my blog on the subject  “5 Outlandish Ideas To Get More Work.”   I assert in the post that women do possess some innate abilities that they should use to their advantage when they are selling.  I think what you said above is a good example of that.  By the way, thanks for writing such informative articles and sharing your knowledge with all of the mom entrepreneurs out there.

]]> By: Mike Michalowicz http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4489 Mike Michalowicz Wed, 24 Feb 2010 18:27:32 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4489 I've got to go with Mark on this one. When it comes to business, and in particular face to face transactions, I think women are more confident in other women (just my feeling). But I also feel the same way... if I buy something from someone I don't know, I feel a bias toward buying from a woman... I feel that they are more trustworthy. I know I am stereotyping here, and perhaps it is result of growing up with mom at home and dad at work (aka as a kid I saw mom more than dad)... but I wonder how many other consumers feel the same way. I’ve got to go with Mark on this one. When it comes to business, and in particular face to face transactions, I think women are more confident in other women (just my feeling). But I also feel the same way… if I buy something from someone I don’t know, I feel a bias toward buying from a woman… I feel that they are more trustworthy. I know I am stereotyping here, and perhaps it is result of growing up with mom at home and dad at work (aka as a kid I saw mom more than dad)… but I wonder how many other consumers feel the same way.

]]> By: Darline http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4488 Darline Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:43:10 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4488 My husband & I have this discussion all the time! When he asks me what I did & I say, I met a mom @ the playground & we did business he is astonished. Between lunch & watching kids play we get a lot done. The multitasking comes in handy. It may seem chaotic but we moms know how to get it all done. My husband & I have this discussion all the time! When he asks me what I did & I say, I met a mom @ the playground & we did business he is astonished. Between lunch & watching kids play we get a lot done. The multitasking comes in handy. It may seem chaotic but we moms know how to get it all done.

]]> By: Mark Brimm http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4487 Mark Brimm Wed, 17 Feb 2010 23:25:34 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4487 Personally, I've got a well-branded image in MY mind that women entrepreneurs are, like in grade school, quicker to develop smarts and networking skills that pay off in building trust in business. While I don't always have a magic connection with Mompreneurs, I normally expect it to be a better relationship than with Mantrepreneurs. Us guys are often just not social enough, or humble enough, or emotionally smart enough to reinforce a trust from the get go. Guys interject useless self-identifications that often don't further our own interests. Then when we perceive a wall, we recoil a little and pause to formulate a response. Women, and especially moms running a home business, understand the value of avoiding focusing on self to closely in their interactions and being socialable. This is always going to be the image I have in my mind after comparing the two sexes in small business matters, and about 99% of the time this image is reinforced with my own partners and clients. While female businesses may indeed end up owned by men (as per another poster's suggestion--I have no idea personally), the fact is that if I'm dealing with a Mompreneur, I automatically feel more confident that the relationship will go smoothly and things will get done, communication will happen, and that there will be a balancing affect on whatever I'm not on top of--by her ability to see flaws and sociably frame them in a nonthreatening way. I know that I appreciate that a great deal. The dynamic isn't the same once you step out into the grealm of lawers and PR, but with Mompreneurs, I always feel...safe. I'd suggest that ist an advantage to be both celebrated and exploited. Personally, I’ve got a well-branded image in MY mind that women entrepreneurs are, like in grade school, quicker to develop smarts and networking skills that pay off in building trust in business. While I don’t always have a magic connection with Mompreneurs, I normally expect it to be a better relationship than with Mantrepreneurs. Us guys are often just not social enough, or humble enough, or emotionally smart enough to reinforce a trust from the get go.

Guys interject useless self-identifications that often don’t further our own interests. Then when we perceive a wall, we recoil a little and pause to formulate a response. Women, and especially moms running a home business, understand the value of avoiding focusing on self to closely in their interactions and being socialable. This is always going to be the image I have in my mind after comparing the two sexes in small business matters, and about 99% of the time this image is reinforced with my own partners and clients.

While female businesses may indeed end up owned by men (as per another poster’s suggestion–I have no idea personally), the fact is that if I’m dealing with a Mompreneur, I automatically feel more confident that the relationship will go smoothly and things will get done, communication will happen, and that there will be a balancing affect on whatever I’m not on top of–by her ability to see flaws and sociably frame them in a nonthreatening way. I know that I appreciate that a great deal.

The dynamic isn’t the same once you step out into the grealm of lawers and PR, but with Mompreneurs, I always feel…safe. I’d suggest that ist an advantage to be both celebrated and exploited.

]]> By: Kathleen Fasanella http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4486 Kathleen Fasanella Wed, 17 Feb 2010 17:03:41 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4486 I work in an industry that is dominated by women start ups. Over time tho, most of these companies that survive are owned by men. Why is that? I shouldn't ask, that's a rhetorical question because <a href="http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/nurture_people_not_products/" rel="nofollow">I think I know</a>. It is just my opinion but I think there's a lot of downsides to self identifying as a "mompreneur". Women have been working from home for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Trumpeting the matter now is somewhat akin to denying our mothers did it too but without a lot of fanfare. I think there lies a danger in defining one's self in <a href="http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/naming_a_product_line_pt69/" rel="nofollow">such limited terms</a>. It's faddish (I steer clear of fads), not given to longevity. What will they call themselves as they age? Grampreneurs? One's core identity should not be so transitory. Then, there's a backlash mostly owing to what seems to be common in many, that of entitlement. Too many expect special treatment, that <a href="http://www.fashion-incubator.com/archive/how-to-move-up-to-another-level/" rel="nofollow">the rules shouldn't apply to them</a>. This can rankle a bit. Many of us who are now in a position of mentoring the new crop of mompreneurs were/are also moms who started working from home. I'm definitely not saying moms of today should have to suffer like we did but many do seem to think they shouldn't have to meet standards of the marketplace. I was a single mom with a disabled child with no health insurance or child support but my overwhelming drive was to compete with existing enterprises on the same terms. My drive was to meet standards and expectations of the marketplace. It was never a consideration that customers should cut me some slack because I was disadvantaged and starting way back in the pack as a mom. To be sure, it is a complex matter. Perhaps you'll consider writing about the downsides too. Otherwise, it becomes more self congratulatory talk bantered about in mom social media circles, happy they got more props. I think an echo chamber isn't useful in the long term. I work in an industry that is dominated by women start ups. Over time tho, most of these companies that survive are owned by men. Why is that? I shouldn’t ask, that’s a rhetorical question because I think I know. It is just my opinion but I think there’s a lot of downsides to self identifying as a “mompreneur”. Women have been working from home for hundreds, if not thousands of years. Trumpeting the matter now is somewhat akin to denying our mothers did it too but without a lot of fanfare. I think there lies a danger in defining one’s self in such limited terms. It’s faddish (I steer clear of fads), not given to longevity. What will they call themselves as they age? Grampreneurs? One’s core identity should not be so transitory.

Then, there’s a backlash mostly owing to what seems to be common in many, that of entitlement. Too many expect special treatment, that the rules shouldn’t apply to them. This can rankle a bit. Many of us who are now in a position of mentoring the new crop of mompreneurs were/are also moms who started working from home. I’m definitely not saying moms of today should have to suffer like we did but many do seem to think they shouldn’t have to meet standards of the marketplace. I was a single mom with a disabled child with no health insurance or child support but my overwhelming drive was to compete with existing enterprises on the same terms. My drive was to meet standards and expectations of the marketplace. It was never a consideration that customers should cut me some slack because I was disadvantaged and starting way back in the pack as a mom.

To be sure, it is a complex matter. Perhaps you’ll consider writing about the downsides too. Otherwise, it becomes more self congratulatory talk bantered about in mom social media circles, happy they got more props. I think an echo chamber isn’t useful in the long term.

]]> By: Mike Michalowicz http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4485 Mike Michalowicz Wed, 17 Feb 2010 14:52:43 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4485 @Grace - How come I am almost daily trying to remember "early insights" when it comes to my teen? I guess I should write a Dad article about that one. @Grace – How come I am almost daily trying to remember “early insights” when it comes to my teen? I guess I should write a Dad article about that one.

]]> By: Grace http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4484 Grace Tue, 16 Feb 2010 07:43:22 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4484 I loved this article because it helped me value qualities in myself that I tend to take for granted and/or undervalue. (and when I get frustrated with my teenager I'll try to remember the value of "early insights"!!) I also would add to the list the turbo-charge power of role modeling. My daughter has watched me pull myself up by the bootstraps as an entrepreneur to support the two of us, and her witnessing me is a huge motivator. Also I agree about defining work relationships based on deep integrity and caring - my clients tell me often how rare that is, but seems normal to me to have professional communication be as heart centered as family communication. Hello! Duh! I loved this article because it helped me value qualities in myself that I tend to take for granted and/or undervalue. (and when I get frustrated with my teenager I’ll try to remember the value of “early insights”!!) I also would add to the list the turbo-charge power of role modeling. My daughter has watched me pull myself up by the bootstraps as an entrepreneur to support the two of us, and her witnessing me is a huge motivator. Also I agree about defining work relationships based on deep integrity and caring – my clients tell me often how rare that is, but seems normal to me to have professional communication be as heart centered as family communication. Hello! Duh!

]]> By: shaina http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4483 shaina Tue, 16 Feb 2010 00:19:11 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4483 I love how you say we collaborate, it's so true! We all work together and help each other out...sharing customers, not stealing :) Maybe mom's have a better understanding of this concept since it's one we reinforce with our kids all the time. I think we also have an advantage because our family comes first so we build our business around them, they are our inspiration, and that makes us successful in business and in life. I love how you say we collaborate, it’s so true! We all work together and help each other out…sharing customers, not stealing :) Maybe mom’s have a better understanding of this concept since it’s one we reinforce with our kids all the time. I think we also have an advantage because our family comes first so we build our business around them, they are our inspiration, and that makes us successful in business and in life.

]]> By: Kay Green http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4482 Kay Green Mon, 15 Feb 2010 23:08:22 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4482 Thanks for recognizing what many of us Mom Entrepreneur have discovered as well. When I started nearly 9 years ago with 1 product I never expected to build an online business with local retail store front and employees. Thanks Mike! Thanks for recognizing what many of us Mom Entrepreneur have discovered as well. When I started nearly 9 years ago with 1 product I never expected to build an online business with local retail store front and employees. Thanks Mike!

]]> By: Margaret http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/the-kick-in-the-ass/the-advantage-of-being-a-mom-entrepreneur/#comment-4481 Margaret Mon, 15 Feb 2010 19:27:51 +0000 http://www.toiletpaperentrepreneur.com/blog/?p=5354b2565e8e08114b380a8a54e8e4b3f59236d4884b4a4c146fdfd4b53c289ae63a4b5cd28dddd334b6634fbc59244b6f60102ed214b7826f9acaf3#comment-4481 Me too, Tracy. I wanted the same flexibility with my three children, and could only find it in entrepreneurship. I am grateful to be a business owner and a mom. Me too, Tracy. I wanted the same flexibility with my three children, and could only find it in entrepreneurship. I am grateful to be a business owner and a mom.

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