How A Mompreneur Differs from the Usual Entrepreneur

Does a mompreneur really differ from any other entrepreneur? The answer is YES.Our motivation, work style and ideas all stem from motherhood. Here are some of the ways we're different.

Where we find inspiration

Many women who never would have thought of themselves as entrepreneurs are startled by the ideas spurred by motherhood. We realize all kinds of needs that aren't being met and constantly think there must be a better way. But frequently, it's not a product that inspires mompreneurship--it's motherhood itself. For instance, the drive and desire to be home with our children motivates us, Moms, to create businesses that fit in with our family lives. You may start businesses that have nothing to do with motherhood, but that give them the opportunity to work from home or work non-traditional hours.


How we work

First off, there is no blanket generalization of mompreneurs. I know some who work a few hours a day and others who have worked diligently to create an empire. Most shy away from traditional 9-to-5 hours. They work during the fringe hours of the day so they can spend precious time with their kids. They work from wireless laptops while the kids are in school or while the baby is asleep. I've been a working mom before, you know... but to tell you the truth, it's the hardest I have ever worked in my life! But the good news is that I wouldn't trade it for the world! :-) Mompreneurs truly are working 24 hours a day. When I'm not managing the business, I'm thinking about ideas on how to further improve my business, or about new business ideas that I can start in the future. When I'm working, I'm thinking about being with their kids. It's a very full life, and each woman accomplishes it in her own way.

Where we work

Most mompreneurs like me, work from home (or at least start out that way). They spare themselves the commute to the office, and they don't have to leave the baby or the kids with the 'yaya'. Offices have gone virtual. You'll see mompreneurs working at Starbucks, at the mall and even on park benches. As long as they have cell phones, laptops and wi-fi, they're in business. New business ideas are emerging, giving moms an opportunity to work and take good care of their kids.

Why we work

There are many reasons why mompreneurs go into business. Some want to bring in a little extra money. Some want to have something stimulating and rewarding that they can do beyond motherhood. And others want to see a change in the world. While some mompreneurs do experience huge financial success, most don't go into business expecting it. That is very different from the mindset of most traditional entrepreneurs.

More and more moms are starting their own businesses. I love that more and more women are realizing they can fulfill their dreams and still be successful moms.

Creating An Infant Garments Manufacturing Business From Scratch

My husband and I have been toying about this idea of getting into the infant and children's garments business for roughly about 2 years now, but because he's working full time, and I'm pretty busy juggling the roles of homemaker and 'bazaarista', we haven't really done anything to get this business idea started... until now.

My husband is a Doctor-Nurse ('MD, RN' as they call it) by profession and he's teaching full time. But this summer semester, he was not given a full load, so we have a little extra time to brainstorm about our first steps...

The infant and children's market is quite a lucrative market to tap into. We, parents, love our kids so much that we sacrifice our own needs and wants in favor of theirs... Not just parents, but also grandparents, ninongs & ninangs, aunties & uncles, love to shower kids with gifts. But because of the current economic crunch, gifting toys and other trivial kiddie items have taken a back seat in favor of more important and useful items like CLOTHES.

We are already wholesale buyers of infant and children's clothes. These are our bread-and-butter products which we sell at bazaars and in our permanent shop in Tiendesitas. We get them pretty cheap because we buy in bulk, but our frustration is the limitation in the choice of designs and styles... and an acquaintance who's doing subcontracted work for clothing company 'Pink and Blue Soda' hinted that we can price our product cheaper if we manufacture them ourselves. The key is to know where to buy the fabrics used for children's apparel which usually are 100% cotton, interlock, terry cotton, linen, etc. We asked around and they gave us a few locations to go... but this is a trade secret so I won't publish it here. :-)

We want to start off with making infant garments like onesies, frogsuits or sleepers and infant sets. We ultimately want to expand later on to dresses, t-shirts, blouses and skirts. We will be subcontracting our sewing jobs for now, but when business takes off, we hope to buy our own machines and other sewing/finishing equipment.

We are starting this week in scouting for supplies and materials... I am definitely excited and full of great ideas!!! Yey, here we go! :-)