mompreneur

I am so excited to introduce you to my new friend, Tracy! Tracy is founder of Mama-press, a site which offers free “press” to mompreneurs with small home businesses. She provides marketing tips to business owners, offers them an online catalog to showcase their products, and also provides mom-worthy tips and information to small business owners and their customers alike. Connect with her on Facebook and Twitter.

Are You Yearning for Something More?

by Tracy Czech

I have been a stay-at-home mom for 5 years. Prior to that, I held a managerial position in a billion dollar company. The environment was very challenging, very energizing, and very stressful. I chose to resign when my first child was born. At the time, I felt I would stay home with my kids for 5 years, then return to work. When my 5 year self-imposed “deadline” approached, I was definitely getting antsy, but I also knew 5 years home was personally not enough. I casually looked for positions in my former field, I looked into finishing my MBA (which was put on hold mid-stream to start a family), and I looked into getting my masters in a different field altogether. My indecision was somewhat crippling…all I knew was that I wanted and needed to start using my mind for other intelligent and productive things….other than being a wife and mom.

I believe there are two types of stay-at-home moms. One type admittedly has no desire to return to the workforce. She is perfectly content with the traditional definition of a stay-at-home mom and carries on happily forever. The other type more actively seeks personal growth and self-improvement. There are a variety of ways to do this: volunteering and performing community service, pursuing worthwhile hobbies, or returning to school or the workforce. I personally knew I was this type. I knew I would return to the workforce at some point…not out of financial necessity, but out of pure desire. Desire to expand my mind, grow professionally and personally, feel productive, accomplish goals, and be recognized for those accomplishments.

The day came that I had an idea that could potentially be the start of a future home business. It was very exciting to realize that I could build something out of nothing. Yes, me. Although my personal creation is very much in its infancy, it’s extremely fulfilling to be doing something outside of my daily mom activities. I realized I do not need to immediately return to the workforce full time, or hastily decide in which field to get a masters degree. Instead, I can try pursuing a personal dream of owning my own business.

I am a proponent of “if you build it, they will come.” I also believe that professional and intellectual fulfillment doesn’t only come via an outside source, as in a company or university. It can come from an inner idea slowly created over time, in the “back of the mind” of a stay-at-home mom, slowly churning and growing while she is changing diapers, nursing, cleaning, and cooking. Do you have any such ideas? Do you have dreams that you are afraid of pursuing? If so, understand that you can do it…or you can at least try. Seek out and gain support from like-minded others. This will give you a good solid footing…and these communities can give you a wealth of information. Even if things don’t work out to the degree you would like, you will be stronger for trying, and you will be smarter for what you learn along the way.