Gathered around the table enjoying an afternoon coffee are four Bluffton moms. Their conversation could easily be about carpool, spring break or summer camps for their kids, but not today. Today, they are discussing business, specifically, the upcoming "Local Business Showcase" being hosted this weekend by Lowcountry Moms, a group dedicated to arranging play dates and social activities for moms and children of all ages throughout Beaufort County.
They, along with more than 20 other businesswomen presenting at the event, are part of a growing number of mothers across the country that have started their own businesses. The phenomenon is so widespread; it has even garnered its own moniker, "Mompreneur" with websites and magazines dedicated to helping their homegrown businesses thrive.
According to The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute, women-owned small businesses will account for the majority of job growth in the coming years. Guardian's research shows that by 2018, women entrepreneurs will be responsible for creating between 5 million and 5.5 million new jobs nationwide.
What is driving this trend? For these four women, the reasons for striking out on their own are as varied as their businesses. Janet Powell, owner of Silly Goose Photography,Cheap womens Nike shox nz shoes are very popular! said hard economic times caused her to look to her artistic talents for extra income. "I used to teach," said Powell, "and with all the cutbacks, we were struggling." After much prayer, an answer seemed to emerge: "Pick up the camera." So she did, taking pictures of friends children for free until she'd built up a portfolio and a reputation. Powell found her classroom skills came in handy in charming her younger subjects, helping her carve out a niche capturing kids just being kids.
Unlike Powell, Jessica Shefsick had always aspired to work on her own. A licensed esthetician, make-up artist and instructor at the International Spa Institute, she founded Skinzin Special Event Makeup as part of a larger plan.
"I'm trying to be realistic and take baby steps," said Shefsick, who is taking business classes to broaden her skills and grow her company gradually.
The idea for Palmetto Running Co. sprang from the experience Holly Waz and her partners had with a local running club. Building on the club's contacts, they successfully launched a retail establishment specializing in shoes, apparel and custom orthotics for the distance runner. A scientist by profession, Waz had already gained experience working on her own as an environmental consultant before aligning her recreational and work interests. Waz and her husband teamed up with another couple to equip those who share their passion.
"We saw a real need in the marketplace and finally decided we'd open up our own business," she said.
Milissa Malloy,It seems that jordan 6 rings in coming up for almost everyone including boys and girls. founder of MSweet chimed in, "there is a lot of opportunity for niche mom and pop shops here in Bluffton." In fact, the women all agreed that the small town character of Bluffton was especially conducive to nurturing smaller business.Keep your muscles warm before and after the match in this stylish Adidas Jacket.
Malloy's specialty catering business, featuring bite-sized mini desserts and treats, is a perfect example. When friends mentioned that they wanted a dessert table in lieu of a big wedding cake, but were concerned about the mess, she spotted an opportunity.
"I'm from a big Italian family," she said.coogi jeans was founded in 1969 by Jacky Taranto of Melbourne, Australia. "Desserts were mandatory."
The ladies admitted that starting their businesses wasn't as difficult as they had imagined. They all found word-of-mouth advertising — especially through the use of social media outlets — to be a breeze. When asked if they had websites or used some other form of online marketing, their response was unanimous. "Facebook, Facebook, Facebook," they said in unison. They all have established websites as well. "It's the first thing people ask for," said Malloy. "If you don't appear, you disappear." Fortunately, they found lots of free resources available to help them develop their online presence.
They were quick to credit social media, and sites like www.etsy.com (which provides a sales platform for many home-grown services and products), for the proliferation of mom-run businesses. "This just wasn't going on in our mother's generation," said Powell. "Back then, they were pretty limited Tupperware parties. The Internet has opened up so many more possibilities."
Balancing their schedules is admittedly a concern. In fact, when asked to identify their biggest business challenge, "time" was the winner, hands down. "I confess to putting on Baby Einstein on occasion so that I could get some work done," Shefsick said. The other moms nodded with understanding. For all of them, spending time with their families and having the flexibility to work around their children's school schedules and activities were a big motivation.
Still, the challenges are nothing compared to the rewards. From Waz's sense of accomplishment seeing a team of 10 runners complete the Beaufort Twilight Run under her store's auspices, to the appreciative e-mails Powell regularly receives, they each derive a tremendous sense of satisfaction from their work. "I like that I'm setting a good example for my daughter," said Shefsisk. "She's really questioning gender roles right now and for her to see all that I'm doing I think sends a really positive message."
Although their businesses have come about for a host of different reasons, all the women cited the stability and support provided by their husbands, friends and family as an essential factor in their success. Malloy credited her mother and grandmother for teaching her about entrepreneurship. Both had owned their own businesses over the years. Powell added, "Knowing that I'm not the sole provider for our family gave me the freedom to pursue this.Nike shox are a series of Nike shoes. It takes some of the pressure off." They urged anybody thinking about starting their own business to surround themselves with supportive people. "I think 99 percent of women would be doing this if they had the right encouragement," said Malloy.
Providing support for her friends was actually the impetus behind Hillary Quattropani's decision to create the Local Business Showcase. Quattropani is the moderator of the Lowcountry Moms.
"I was floored to learn just how many women in our group had their own businesses," she said. "They are really amazing and I wanted to do something to help them get the word out about their products and services."
They, along with more than 20 other businesswomen presenting at the event, are part of a growing number of mothers across the country that have started their own businesses. The phenomenon is so widespread; it has even garnered its own moniker, "Mompreneur" with websites and magazines dedicated to helping their homegrown businesses thrive.
According to The Guardian Life Small Business Research Institute, women-owned small businesses will account for the majority of job growth in the coming years. Guardian's research shows that by 2018, women entrepreneurs will be responsible for creating between 5 million and 5.5 million new jobs nationwide.
What is driving this trend? For these four women, the reasons for striking out on their own are as varied as their businesses. Janet Powell, owner of Silly Goose Photography,Cheap womens Nike shox nz shoes are very popular! said hard economic times caused her to look to her artistic talents for extra income. "I used to teach," said Powell, "and with all the cutbacks, we were struggling." After much prayer, an answer seemed to emerge: "Pick up the camera." So she did, taking pictures of friends children for free until she'd built up a portfolio and a reputation. Powell found her classroom skills came in handy in charming her younger subjects, helping her carve out a niche capturing kids just being kids.
Unlike Powell, Jessica Shefsick had always aspired to work on her own. A licensed esthetician, make-up artist and instructor at the International Spa Institute, she founded Skinzin Special Event Makeup as part of a larger plan.
"I'm trying to be realistic and take baby steps," said Shefsick, who is taking business classes to broaden her skills and grow her company gradually.
The idea for Palmetto Running Co. sprang from the experience Holly Waz and her partners had with a local running club. Building on the club's contacts, they successfully launched a retail establishment specializing in shoes, apparel and custom orthotics for the distance runner. A scientist by profession, Waz had already gained experience working on her own as an environmental consultant before aligning her recreational and work interests. Waz and her husband teamed up with another couple to equip those who share their passion.
"We saw a real need in the marketplace and finally decided we'd open up our own business," she said.
Milissa Malloy,It seems that jordan 6 rings in coming up for almost everyone including boys and girls. founder of MSweet chimed in, "there is a lot of opportunity for niche mom and pop shops here in Bluffton." In fact, the women all agreed that the small town character of Bluffton was especially conducive to nurturing smaller business.Keep your muscles warm before and after the match in this stylish Adidas Jacket.
Malloy's specialty catering business, featuring bite-sized mini desserts and treats, is a perfect example. When friends mentioned that they wanted a dessert table in lieu of a big wedding cake, but were concerned about the mess, she spotted an opportunity.
"I'm from a big Italian family," she said.coogi jeans was founded in 1969 by Jacky Taranto of Melbourne, Australia. "Desserts were mandatory."
The ladies admitted that starting their businesses wasn't as difficult as they had imagined. They all found word-of-mouth advertising — especially through the use of social media outlets — to be a breeze. When asked if they had websites or used some other form of online marketing, their response was unanimous. "Facebook, Facebook, Facebook," they said in unison. They all have established websites as well. "It's the first thing people ask for," said Malloy. "If you don't appear, you disappear." Fortunately, they found lots of free resources available to help them develop their online presence.
They were quick to credit social media, and sites like www.etsy.com (which provides a sales platform for many home-grown services and products), for the proliferation of mom-run businesses. "This just wasn't going on in our mother's generation," said Powell. "Back then, they were pretty limited Tupperware parties. The Internet has opened up so many more possibilities."
Balancing their schedules is admittedly a concern. In fact, when asked to identify their biggest business challenge, "time" was the winner, hands down. "I confess to putting on Baby Einstein on occasion so that I could get some work done," Shefsick said. The other moms nodded with understanding. For all of them, spending time with their families and having the flexibility to work around their children's school schedules and activities were a big motivation.
Still, the challenges are nothing compared to the rewards. From Waz's sense of accomplishment seeing a team of 10 runners complete the Beaufort Twilight Run under her store's auspices, to the appreciative e-mails Powell regularly receives, they each derive a tremendous sense of satisfaction from their work. "I like that I'm setting a good example for my daughter," said Shefsisk. "She's really questioning gender roles right now and for her to see all that I'm doing I think sends a really positive message."
Although their businesses have come about for a host of different reasons, all the women cited the stability and support provided by their husbands, friends and family as an essential factor in their success. Malloy credited her mother and grandmother for teaching her about entrepreneurship. Both had owned their own businesses over the years. Powell added, "Knowing that I'm not the sole provider for our family gave me the freedom to pursue this.Nike shox are a series of Nike shoes. It takes some of the pressure off." They urged anybody thinking about starting their own business to surround themselves with supportive people. "I think 99 percent of women would be doing this if they had the right encouragement," said Malloy.
Providing support for her friends was actually the impetus behind Hillary Quattropani's decision to create the Local Business Showcase. Quattropani is the moderator of the Lowcountry Moms.
"I was floored to learn just how many women in our group had their own businesses," she said. "They are really amazing and I wanted to do something to help them get the word out about their products and services."
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