Guest Blogger: Lessons from a Mommy-prenuer
Two years ago I took the plunge. I left corporate life to launch Bebe Paluzza. It was a leap of faith, and I was not going to allow myself to fail. I had a three-year-old at home with big brown eyes that stare up at me expectantly. I was his source of new food, shelter and Transformer toys. The latter being the most important, of course!
Being a parent prepares us all to be mommy-prenuers. It’s the skill of being able to juggle multiple tasks, stay organized, problem solving, and know that sleeping eight hours a night is well in the past. I knew that I would have to work hard. I knew there would be many long days. What I had to learn was that balancing work-life and my son was going to be challenge – but one think was certain, my family would always come first. There have been times when I have had a day full of meetings, multiple production deadlines, and a hoard of phone calls and emails coming in and I get the call. My son is sick and needs to be picked up from daycare. The rest of my day is spent juggling between caring for my son and rescheduling meetings. I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
As a mommy-preneur, I have learned not to take anything for granted. It’s all the little things that we need to be thankful for, that continue to build on our successes. I’ve been fortunate to have many friends, family members, customers and past colleagues, refer me to potential clients. For each, I have been sure to show my gratitude through a personal phone call or email to say thank you. Those people are the building blocks of my business.
My purse has gotten a bit heavier over the past two years. The wet wipes and bandaids are now sharing space with hundreds of business cards which I hand out or leave stacks of everywhere I go. Having a son makes that easier since he tends to want to frequent places that hit my target market – Chucky Cheese, McDonalds, the playground, the restroom at the Zoo…you never know where you might catch someone’s attention!
I knew that success would not happen overnight. I’ve learned that’s true – success doesn’t happen overnight, in fact – it takes multiple overnight “catch up sessions” to be a success. But it is those late nights that I am thankful for being busy, thankful for long days, relishing on the sound of my son’s laughter from a tickle-fest we got into earlier in the day.
For those who are considering life as a mommy-preneur, I have this to say – it’s tough and exhausting, but it’s very rewarding! If you have a dream, don’t let it pass you by. You deserve to give yourself a chance – dream big and shoot bigger.
Jenn Kampmeier
Founder, Bebe Paluzza Productions
Mom Since 2005
jkampmeier@indybabyexpo.com
"Everything From Bellies to Tots"
www.bebepaluzza.com
Shows: Atlanta, Chicago, Denver, Des Moines, Houston and Indianapolis
Myspace Account: www.myspace.com/indybabyexpo
Twitter: indybabyexpo
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=116897355402
