Competition

Yes, this is a more of a business blog, and understandably in a capitalistic society business is defined by competition. I guess for me it goes back to the woman thing. I hate seeing women being competitive with each other. So much of our history has been spent trying to break the glass ceiling, and I am of the mentality that women should help other women. It takes nothing away from providing the best possible customer service, etc. to male-owned businesses...it's just that I love seeing women-owned businesses succeed. Women have so many pressures with children and family and freedoms to be themselves. When I see a woman trying to create a successful business as a way to balance the juggling act that is their lives on their own terms it's exciting. So, when I had a woman deny me an invitation to a large event for businesses I was floored. Not that I'll go into rampant detail, but she's with a media giant. Backed by millions of dollars. After the phone call resulting in her telling me (with our brand-spanking NEW, little website) that we were in direct competition and I was not welcome, I got off the phone thinking what a wonderful thing it was that she even had heard of us. Moving forward, it just seems to me as though there is plenty of playing field for everyone and I continue to stand behind my hope to help other women in business. The day I become that catty, competitive mogul..just shoot me.

Bloggy Carnival is Here

Fine, I'm late..but so excited the bloggy carnival is here!! Be sure to click the link on the right to check out all the great prizes being offered. So much great stuff and only one week to get them all in. Our contest is sooooo easy! All you have to do is be a crazy friend and you're in. Sign up to follow this blog and leave a comment in the comment section. A winner will be picked at random on November 1st from all the new followers. Here's what you win: with the holidays coming, there's always lots of parties to attend...yeah, cocktails! To look your best, we are giving away a dramatic eye kit from ELF (Eyes Lips Face). Everything you need is included, even an instruction sheet on how to make smokey eyes for those of us who are make-up application challenged. Smokey Eyes contains Drama Eye Shadow, Black Earth & Water Mascara, Eye Liner in Black, Smudge Brush and Eye Lash Curler. Good Luck!

It's Over (as she breathes a sigh of relief)

Thankfully the airshow is over! Do you have any idea how stressful it is to come up with a craft for 500 children on a budget in 2 days? Yes, the original low cost craft decided not to work on me right before the main event and I had to completely switch gears. Up at 5:30, still cutting out black circles, sitting in line to get in (in the fog, no less with an escort) I finally pulled up to the booth. I knew promotion would be difficult given our location 'inside' the kids corner. What I did not expect, however was not to have appropriate sponsor recognition and have our materials shoved in a corner so they would completely be unnoticed by parents. How do you go to an event with 25,000 people and only get 23 people to enter a contest? Floors me. Then at the end..."we can count on you for next year, right?" What were they thinking..that I do this for my health? Chalk it up to learning experience and know that the bigger events are not always the better ones.

I am an island

Do you ever feel like you're an island? I certainly do. I guess, by definition most of us starting new businesses are. Especially as moms. Especially as moms that stay home. We are not usually the ones out starting General Electric. It's usually something we can start with little overhead, behind our computers with little, if any help. But that monkey on our backs of marketing, advertising, learning what we're supposed to be doing and all the other trials of business ownership can be overwhelming. That need for help, but not being able to pay anybody yet. It's hard. Trying to balance the need to put in countless hours to the business while still being active with kids is difficult. So we keep moving forward, making mistakes, but trying to get to that place where it's manageable. Does it ever get manageable? Don't know yet. But for those of you that do..let me know when it happens!

A Little More About This Blog

OK, so now that I've calmed down from the ranting on my last post enough, I can tell a little more about me and why I started this blog. My goal is to document the process of starting a business. There are so many women-owned businesses today, it's always nice to get together and compare notes..the good, bad and the ugly! Yes, this is a little late...we've been up and running for almost 2 months and to try and play catch up would be difficult, so I'll just move forward from here. Being a business owner is hard enough, as many of you know and being able to share the trials of what we go through as moms and business owners is important. It lets you know you're not alone or crazy...well sometimes, maybe, but also to share the difficulties in balancing work and family. Many moms who work from home know the adventure of trying to take that important call when kids are screaming and you have to hide in the closet for quiet. Or, being on the computer with the milk still drying on your shirt from having it thrown on you 'by accident' and not having time to change. It's just the life of a WAHM. But we continue to move forward, trying to reach those goals. Whether it's making enough to send your child to camp, or enough to cover the mortgage...it's all in the pursuit of flexibility. After staying home for many years with them, to give up 'Special Person's Morning' at school or miss volunteering in the classroom would be painful. As the typical type A, I kill myself every other available hour making my business successful, so that I have the freedom to spend time with my kids. Sound familiar? Join me in sharing your successes as well as trying moments in a forum where we are free to vent and celebrate together!

Here we go...

OK..so the site's been up for a while now, but it's so crazy busy that I haven't had time to post anything yet. I kept trying to wait for some really good topics to start with, but I suppose there's nothing better than spit and vinegar to make you start! A little background..I started Orange County Parent as a way to give back to the community and provide a free resource for all families. A one-stop-shop so to speak. I was forwarded an invitation to attend a great event by a colleague to which I RSVP'd for earlier today. I was sent back an email in no uncertain terms that I was not welcome at their event! Now fine, I'm new..we are NEW and trying to make our way through this insane business of starting a company. Not to mention that it's in 'the OC' with tons of money and VERY established companies all getting a piece of the pie. We are a tiny little upstart with completely great intentions..not in it for the money..want to be a great service..want to help non-profits, mom-and-pops, etc. She said that we are 'direct competitors' and therefore I was not welcome. I suppose my way of turning a frown upside down...she very obviously knew about us. And for a MEDIA GIANT to be threatened by a tiny little site not even 2 months old is the biggest compliment you can get. We have arrived, baby!!!