Littlemummy.Com

In chapter two of ‘Work for Yourself and Reap the Rewards’ the author asks several questions of your character, enthusiasm, drive and capabilities. It’s an extensive ‘test’ to see whether you have the appropriate skills and characteristics to succesfully run a business.

The chapter seems to be justified by the idea that starting your own business is a major financial risk. This may be the case for a conventional ’shop-front’ business but with todays technology you can have a website up in a day. The cost of running such a venture? A mere £10 or so, this is for your domain name and hosting. Hardly your life-savings…you don’t even have to give up your job or if you’re a mum you can do it while still looking after the kids.

Introducing my first case study then – Helen Broadhead.

Helen runs her own business ‘Helen Broadhead’s Designs’ at www.helenbroadhead.co.uk, where she designs and paints childrens furniture. Here I have asked her some questions about her business in the hope that we can all gain a better idea of what it’s like to run your own business.

How did you come up with the idea for your business?

A friend asked me if I could paint a toy box for them in a design to match their childs bedroom, I was only 16 at the time, but gave it a go and it worked fantastic. Nothing more came of this at the time. I continued to study at school and then went onto study at college and university. After leaving university I was at a loss of what to do. I tried many jobs, managerial and other and it wasn’t for me. This was when I decided I would own my own business and its just gone from there. I created my own website at first, but soon discovered this wasn’t ample for my business and had one designed for me. I’ve never looked back since, my business has gone from strength to strength.

What was your main motivation for starting your own business?

I was at a loss with jobs, I knew I didnt like working for other people and then got pregnant. These all combined were enough to push me into doing this. I had no knowledge of running my own business, but I knew this was right for me. I didn’t want to have to return to work after I had my baby and to have to rely on childcare, this wasnt an option for us.

Did you need to raise any finance to start your business?

I didn’t raise any finance, I started with absolutely nothing. It was very hard at first as very penny I earned went back into the business, also my partners income was funding it too. Slowly as things progressed it became a little easier. My business is proof it can be done with no money to begin with!

How many hours a week do you spend running (creating for) your business?

Most of my time is taken up with running the business. I work extremely long hours and it is hard work, however it is very rewarding and I feel worth it in the end. I have no spare time with looking after a baby and running the business, but its something I love.

What strengths do you think it takes to run a successful business?

I believe you have to be very commited and it takes an awful lot of strength and willpower. You need to be commited as, in effect it will take over your life to begin with, it is a constant battle to become established and this takes time. You have to be strong to fight through all the negativity and knock backs to begin with. If you can fight through this, your business will grow and grow.

Have you done any courses or learning programmes with regard to your
business?

Apart from studying art and design at university I have had no formal training or qualifications. There are lots of accounts and business courses out there, business link is a good place to start, but I decided to start from scratch knowing nothing and learn as I progressed. I basically taught myself!

What does your typical day consist of?

A typical day consists of making sure the children are ready to begin with, I then check my emails as these easily build up and become overpowering. I then do some painting in between playing and looking after my son. After tea is when I really begin to work. I will then paint and work until at least midnight to catch up on the time lost during the day. At busier periods I will be up early too - before the children to catch up on work. At weekends I spend a full days working as my partner is home to look after the children.

Do you have any advice for mums or dads considering starting their own business?

Be strong, if things look bleek to begin with, fight through this and continue, things will become brighter and you will see the light as you continue to work at your business. Its always harder to start with - maybe the first year or so.

You can visit Helen at www.helenbroadhead.co.uk

This is an example of Helen’s work. You can purchase the clock which is on sale at the moment at the reduced price of £22.50

Workshop 2 - From Here to Autonomy

Do you have any tips for turning your blog into a full-time career? Are you interested in “blogging for a living?”

Yes I am interested in blogging for a living, but no, unfortunately I don’t have any tips. This is something I am trying to work out at the moment. If I succeed I will be sure to tell all

How can you use a blog to drive traffic to another website or business venture?

If the blog is compelling enough, targeting the correct audience and has the appropriate links, this should happen naturally.

*Just wanted to say thanks to Shannon for hosting BlogHer in Spirit 2006, where do we sign for next year?!

Workshop 1 - Identity and Obligation

How do you decide what aspects of your identity you will reveal in your blog: culture, sexual orientation, political ideology, religion?

I don’t really consider it too much. I go with the flow and write what I want. Most of my posts tend not to be personal in nature - but then my blog isn’t my life story either. I do, however, believe that you need to give a bit of yourself to your blog or it may seem impersonal.

How do you feel about using your name? Your childrens’ name?

Again, I don’t really consider it too much. I use all our real names but I don’t post anything that would be detrimental ie anything acutely embarrassing or anything about jobs etc.. Plus of course my readership isn’t massive, if it were maybe I would feel differently.

If you blog about race, religion etc… or even a personally difficult time of your life - do you feel it opens you (and your family) up to attack and/or do you feel it is a wonderful way to promote acceptance and diversity?

I expect everything that is said on the blog to stay on the blog, so, no I don’t think it opens my family up to attack. I may receive a few scathing comments and nasty links but hey, that’s blogging you have to take the rough with the smooth. Thankfully I haven’t come under attack yet - probably not controversial enough

Workshop 2

Do you use any ad networks or affiliate programs to make money from your blog?

Yes. I use a number of programs predominantly in the directory. Adsense, Cafepress, Amazon, Affiliate Future. And no, as yet, I haven’t exactly made my fortune. It’s early days though

How about traffic-swapping ads? Are they worth the real estate on your blog?

I did it on my blogspot blog but I don’t do it now. I think there are better ways to drive up traffic, like good content, regular posting, and commenting on other blogs.

Share what you know about ad placement. What’s the best spot?

Well if you believe the experts the best spot is the banner above the first post and within the posts themselves. As you can see I don’t utilise either of these other than affiliates at the bottom of posts.

Have you made money writing for other blogs?

No. I did consider applying for BloggingBaby but I decided to concentrate my efforts here

Any other ideas for making money from your blog?

Sell (your) blog branded stuff through cafepress.

Write an ebook and sell it.

Make products and handicrafts to sell.

Sell the content (www.scoopt.com)

For those of you who don’t know BlogHer is a huge conference in California for all female bloggers. Unfortunately due to lack of funds I am not there, and I’m not alone. Phat Mommy has launched ‘BlogHer in Spirit’ which gives everyone a chance to take part in the discussion workshops that are at BlogHer.

Workshop 1 - Audience Building

What service/software do you use to track your site’s traffic?

I use Blogbeat which was recommended to me by my webmaster (Dave). It’s easy to use and gives all the stats you need. Feedburner have acquired Blogbeat just recently, which they plan to integrate into their own stats service so hopefully it remains as helpful as it is now. If only I could stop checking so often I might get a few more posts together!

What’s been your most successful tool in generating more traffic to your blog?

Commenting on other blogs, networking and entering carnivals.

What do you know about syndication and subscriptions?

Well I have an account with feedburner and anyone can subscribe for updates by email. Does that count?

Reader Tip

Keep little ones entertained by filling juice bottles with water, stick a number on them and play skittles. (thanks, Lisa)

(Also teach them to count by numbering the bottles 1-10 and making these their points value ie knock over a one, a three , and a nine and get 13 points. First to 100 wins! - Little Mummy)

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Can’t afford to go on holiday? Struggling to keep the kids busy and out of mischief?

Then live like a tourist. You could make your ‘holiday’ a week, ten days, or even two weeks! Here’s how…

First step, grab a coffee (or any beverage you drink on holiday..cocktails aloha!)

Step two, grab a pen and notebook (I prefer notebooks…but a piece of paper will do!)

Ok, start closest to your home and think of things you could do that you would usually do on holiday.

Set a budget, either daily or for the duration of your ‘holiday’.

Here are some ideas to get you started;

Swap sunbathing at the pool >>>> to sunbathing in the back garden

Photo by Flickr user ndrwfgg

Swap swimming in the hotel pool > >>> for the paddling pool (or leisure centre if raining)

Photo by Flickr user timmenzies

Swap walking/exploring for >>>> a nature trail or farmers market

Photo by Flickr user djrue

Swap sightseeing for >>>> a visit to the local castle, museum or art gallery

Photo by Flickr user PhillipC

Swap the beach >>>> for the seaside or your local docks

Photo by Flickr user AlexPears

Swap Disney >>>> for Alton Towers, Legoland, Chessington or your local…
alternatively go to the zoo or fairground!

Prefer adventure holidays?

Try horse-riding, ski-ing, quad-biking, ice-skating, canoe-ing or paintballing.

Mix it Up

Let the kids choose the itinerary…..put them in a hat….or be guided by your budget.

Have fun….and HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!

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An entrepreneur is a person who is able to recognise a business opportunity, raise the necessary finance, minimise the risk and turn the plan into a profitable business venture”
Brian Isaacs

A mumpreneur is a mum who is able to recognise a business opportunity, raise the necessary finance, minimise the risk and turn the plan into a profitable business venture – whilst simultaneously providing childcare for one or more of their offspring.
Erica Douglas (aka Little Mummy)

In this series I will be considering different aspects of starting and running a business, whilst still being the main child carer.

I will (hopefully) do some case studies with mums that have started their own businesses and investigate the resources available.

I am currently reading ‘Work for yourself….and reap the rewards’ by Brian Isaacs so there will be some discussions based on the content of that and how it relates to being a mumpreneur.

If you are a mum already running your own business please get in contact, so that we can all benefit from your wisdom and insights.

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Imagine your life as an onion.

Photo by Flickr user James Jin

You are at the core with several layers around you. The first few layers are jucy and tasty (fulfilling), however, the further out you get the thinner the layers become, the less tasty they are until eventually you come to the final layers and they aren’t tasty at all. You get rid of those layers.

That is pretty much your life (I’ve only had one tia maria honest!)

You are the centre of the onion. The first few layers represent food, shelter and clothing. The next layers are your car, phone, internet, annual holiday. The final layers are the take-aways, boozy nights out, excessive amounts of cds, dvds, jewellery, the third (or fourth!) television, the starbucks coffee every morning (that old chestnut eh?)

The first layers are life’s necessities and thus should be paid for and provided before everything else. So that is ;

Food

Mortgage/Rent

Clothes (basics only)

Second layer items are luxuries, although nowadays they are often seen as necessities. Examples are;

A (yep, that’s just one) Car

Annual holiday

Phone and Internet connection (not necessarily a mobile)

You should only have these if you can afford them (ie if you have met the necessities above and saved the desirable amount – more on that later).

The final layer represents the extravagances. Take-aways, alcohol, designer stuff, entertainment. These should be seen largely as treats. Often, however, these are the reasons people justify working long hours.

This (very) simple chart represents a sensible way to apportion your earnings to each ‘layer’. The larger lilac section is the necessity section (food, shelter, clothing & savings). The indigo or dark purple section is the car, holiday, phone, internet bit. And the smaller blue slice is the luxuries budget. If you stick to this kind of income divider no matter what you earn you can live comfortably and retire on time (or early!) – as the more you earn the more you will be saving and investing too.

You can read more on budgeting and investing here in a ’simple’ 3-step plan to growing rich slowly.

If you cut down on extravagances you can simplify your life.

Less extravagance > Less money > Less work > More FREEDOM

More time to spend doing what you love. The same principles apply to time. Cut down on tv and other wasteful time-users, you could free up the time for what you really want to do. Read my post on finding that 25th hour for strategies on how to release more time for hobbies, family time, exercising, blogging or starting a new business (stay tuned for my next series!).

Not really sure if you want to simplify your life, try it for 30 days and see what impact it has on your life……You can always go back

That concludes the ‘Authentic Series’.

Part 1 - Introducing Authentic Living
Part 2 - Authentic Choice
Part 3 - The Happy Formula
Part 4 - Authentic - A Religion?
Part 5 - Authentic Education
Part 6 - Finding Your Purpose
Part 7 - Simplify Your Life

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Good Morning all!

I hope everyone had a nice weekend (what did you do?).

I had a good one, Erin stayed over her granny and grandad’s while Alex and I went to an all day (and night) BBQ. Very nice it was too….what we can remember of it. I have crohn’s and have to watch my alcohol intake but I definitely drank more on Saturday than I have for a long time, Alex also packed away quite a bit. Nice to let your hair down though and Erin had a great time on her ‘24hr holiday’

Erin also had her first haircut

She looks very grown up now, photo’s coming soon (click the flickr photo box in the right hand column if you are interested).

News

Littlemummy.com has been featured in the carnival of family life which is basically a list of the best ‘family’ type posts from blogs all over the internet and….all over the world. Go and check them out.

And lastly, but not leastly…Happy Birthday to you….if you are reading

Well that’s the monday morning news sorted…plenty coming up this week, the end of one series and the start of another so stay tuned for that.

* Don’t forget if you can’t check in every day you can have updates sent to you by email - just put your email address into the box on the right hand side.