Christine Walker

Campbell, CA

Astrological Sign: Cancer

# of children: 2

Ages: 2 & almost 4

Favorite Business Book: Think and Grow Rich~ Napolean Hill

Favorite Family Book: Goodnight Gorilla

Favorite Quote: “Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, the mind can achieve.” Napoleon Hill

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? The kid!

2. What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day? Doing a list on Sundays of the 3 main things I want to accomplish during the week, helps me stay focused on my daily projects.

3.  How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship? Some days I feel like I have it handled and some days I don’t feel like I am doing either of them very well at all! Any tips? One tip that a very smart women recommended to me, was to keep track of all the successes I experience during the day, whether they are big or small, because it helps us remember how much we are really doing!(It was Britt who turned me on to doing this, and it really helps).

4. What was the tipping point for you when you realized you were truly an entrepreneur? Really it just came pretty recently, when I started actually generating some real income, ok I should say, income at all! J

5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and your life? Fun!

6. Where do you find your greatest source of support for your goals in your family, business and life? I would say I find that my husband is my main source of support with my family, business and life.

7.  What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries? Exercising! Mostly jogging, and kick boxing.

8.  One thing you can’t live without: My husband would probably say my computer.

9. iPhone or Blackberry? Blackberry, but only until the iPhone comes to Verizon.

10. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

11.  PC or Mac? Mac~ fairly recently, and I absolutely love it. Just talked my husband into getting a Mac Book Pro.

12.  Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or Cook it yourself? Order in, but trying to be better about cooking at home.

13.  Who is your biggest supporter? My husband.

14.  Who is your greatest inspiration? My Mom, even though she passed away 10 years ago, she is still my biggest inspiration for my family and my business.

15.  What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? Hopefully more of the same that I am doing now, just with older kids, and a more evolved business.

Name of Business: Boutique Websites For Sale

URL: http://www.BoutiqueWebsitesForSale.com

Twitter Name: http://twitter.com/christinewalkr

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/csextonwalker

Alicia Dunams

San Francisco, CA
Astrological Sign: Sag
# of children: 1
Age: 8
Favorite Business Book: Whole New Mind – Dan Pink
Favorite Family Book: The City of Ember
Favorite Quote: Smooth waters does not a skillful sailor
make.

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? Kid
2. What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing
that helps you accomplish the most in your day?
Having a VA; team
3.  How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood
and entrepreneurship?  Any tips? Ask me this when
Izzy turns 18.
4. What was the tipping point for you when you
realized you were truly an entrepreneur? The tipping
point was knowing I needed to pay the mortgage, and
be a parent chaperone at my daughter’s school. I
needed to do both. Entrepreneurship was the answer.
5. What one word describes your purpose in your
family, your biz and your life? Happiness
6. Where do you find your greatest source of support
for your goals in your family, business and life? My
therapist
7.  What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries?
Crawl into the fetal position and sing Kum-Bi-Ya
8.  One thing you can’t live without: Travel
9. iPhone or Blackberry? iphone
10. Chocolate or Vanilla? Swirl
11.  PC or Mac? Mac
12.  Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or
Cook it yourself? Eat out
13.  Who is your biggest supporter? My mom
14.  Who is your greatest inspiration? Izzy
15.  What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? Sitting
on a beach in Costa Rica checking my PayPal account.
Name of Business/es: Alicia Dunams Intl. and See You On The Call
URL/s: http://aliciadunams.com  and  http://seeyouonthecall.com
Twitter Name @aliciadunams
Facebook Page facebook.com/aliciadunams

Sandy Grason

Boulder, CO

Astrological Sign: Virgo

# of children: 2 girls

Ages: 11 & 13

Favorite Business Book: Freakin’ Fabulous: How to Dress, Speak, Behave, Eat, Drink, Entertain, Decorate, and Generally Be Better than Everyone Else by Clinton Kelly

Favorite Family Book: I Love You More by Laura Duksta

Favorite Quote: “There is a vitality, a life force, a quickening that is translated through you into action, and there is only one of you in all time, this expression is unique, and if you block it, it will never exist through any other medium; and be lost. The world will not have it. It is not your business to determine how good it is, not how it compares with other expression. It is your business to keep it yours clearly and directly, to keep the channel open. You do not even have to believe in yourself or your work. You have to keep open and aware directly to the urges that motivate you. Keep the channel open.” Martha Graham

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? Kid- after giving birth in the bathtub, I was in awe of myself and thought, “Look what I just friggin’ did! I wonder what else I can do?” that’s when I started writing my first book.

2.  What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day? Two things: 1. Connecting to my Inner Wisdom and asking “what one thing can I do today that will have the greatest impact on my life?” (then go do that thing) 2. using a timer, writing for 30 minutes, tweeting for 10 minutes, cleaning for 15 minutes (well, I never do that one) but Timers are Magical!

3.  How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship? Fairly well, but there are always times when I’m working on a deadline and I feel like I’m neglecting my family.  Any tips? I’m a big fan of rewards, so when I finish a project/task I ALWAYS celebrate, many times I include my family in these celebrations. Starbucks, Jamba Juice, a nice dinner (my celebrations seem to involve a lot of food) My girls remember the celebrations after a big project is completed.  We talk about my schedule if it’s going to be extra busy or I’m traveling a lot and we put fun things on the calendar to look forward to when it slows back down.

4. What was the tipping point for you when you realized you were truly an entrepreneur? I’m not sure? I still joke about quitting and going and getting a job at the bank.

5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and your life? I was going to say “fabulous” LOL! But I think it has to be “Celebration”, I like to have FUN.

6. Where do you find your greatest source of support for your goals in your family, business and life? My tribe.  I am amazed at the incredible people/relationships I’ve attracted into my life.  They inspire me and make me want to do better in my life every day.

7.  What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries? Alone time especially in nature, living in Colorado has connected me to Mother Nature in a whole new way.  Meditation or journaling helps me quiet the monkey mind too.

8.  One thing you can’t live without: Music

9. iPhone or Blackberry? iPhone

10. Chocolate or Vanilla? CHOCOLATE

11.  PC or Mac? Mac

12.  Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or Cook it yourself? Eat home-My husband & daughter are both AMAZING chefs, they should have their own tv show.  I am a very lucky girl.

13.  Who is your biggest supporter? My husband

14.  Who is your greatest inspiration? Madonna! lol I’m really inspired by Jason Reitman writer/director and Nancy Meyers filmmaker extraordinnaire

15.  What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? I really want to make a film.  I also want to design some shoes.  And I’d like to be a really good skiier.

Name of Business: Sandy Grason Unlimited

URL: http://SandyGrason.com

Twitter Name @sandygrason

Facebook Page http://facebook.com/sandygrason

Jill Starishevsky

New York, New York

# of children: 2

Ages: 5 and 3

Favorite Business Book: Donny Deutsch’s “The Big Idea, How to Make Your Entrepreneurial Dreams Come True From the Aha Moment to Your First Million”.  I am a little biased of course as he mentions HowsMyNanny.com in the section of the book titled “Why Didn’t I Think of That?”

Favorite Family Book: “My Body Belongs to Me” by Jill Starishevsky.  Again, a little biased here, but it truly is a book that can help keep children safe from child sexual abuse.

Favorite Quote: If you don’t shoot, you can’t score.

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? My children came first and were likely the catalyst for starting my businesses.  I created HowsMyNanny.com to enable parents to receive feedback on the care their children receive.  I wrote “My Body Belongs to Me” when I discovered a scarcity of tools to aid parents in discussing good touch/bad touch with children.

2. What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day? I have to create imaginary deadlines for myself because I work best under pressure.  Give me a month to do something and it will never get done.  Give me ten minutes and I’ll knock your socks off.

3.  How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?  Any tips? I like to think I am balancing them well.  My advice is to remind yourself that your children are priority one.  Always.  You don’t want to look back and say “If only..”

4. What was the tipping point for you when you realized you were truly an entrepreneur? After appearing on Good Morning America the day after we launched HowsMyNanny.com and soon after appearing on Donny Deutsch’s The Big Idea, I realized maybe I had something here.

5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and your life? Safety.  I created a publishing company called Safety Star Media that seeks to provide materials that empower the safety star in all children.  HowsMyNanny.com emanated from the desire to keep children safe when in the care of others.  Moreover, in my home I am constantly utilizing teachable moments to impart the importance of safety to my own children.

6. Where do you find your greatest source of support for your goals in your family, business and life? Within myself.  I have a true desire to succeed and nothing stops me.  I picture my business and my book being successful and my family being happy and work hard to make those things happen.

7.  What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries? I laugh with my children.  Sometimes when the work I deal with becomes too heavy to bear, I seek solace in the poems I write for baby showers and bridal showers.  I get to share in the joy of those happy occasions and I turned it into a business called The Poem Lady.  It is the perfect outlet for my creative side.

8.  One thing you can’t live without: My date/life book.  It keeps me organized and on track.  With so much on my plate, it helps to have step-by-step instructions sometimes.

9. iPhone or Blackberry? Blackberry

10. Chocolate or Vanilla? I am swirl girl.

11.  PC or Mac? Mac

12.  Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or Cook it yourself? Cook it myself.

13.  Who is your biggest supporter? My husband and my family without a doubt.  They are behind me 100% and cheer me on along the way.  With support like that, one can move mountains.

14.  Who is your greatest inspiration? My greatest inspiration is Oprah Winfrey.  Not only is she an example of grace under pressure, but she is someone who can take an important message and not just have it reach millions, but have it touch them in a way that changes them forever.  To this I aspire.

15.  What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?

Perhaps taking over for Chris Hansen on “To Catch a Predator” or hosting a television show of my own where I can work to keep children safe.  In 2011, there will be some rather large shoes looking to be filled.  Mine are a size 10 so I could be a contender.

Name of Business/es: Safety Star Media, HowsMyNanny.com and The Poem Lady

URL/s: http://www.MyBodyBelongstoMe.com, http://www.HowsMyNanny.com, http://www.thepoemlady.com

Twitter Name @SafetyStar

Facebook Fanpage: http://www.facebook.com/search/?q=my+body+belongs+to+me&init=quick#/page
s/My-Body-Belongs-to-Me/121318191793?ref=search&sid=1477283506.373957798
..1

Pattie Fitzgerald

Santa Monica, California
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
# of children: 1
Age: 11

Favorite Business Book: The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People by Steven Covey
Favorite Family Book: The Four Agreements by Don Miguel Ruiz (my husband turned me on to this one and is now introducing to our daughter.
Favorite Quote: “God Bless The Child”

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? My child came first.
2. What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day? Sometimes beds don’t get made, and floors don’t get swept… and it’s okay ‘cuz nobody’s going to drop dead because of it!
3. How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship? Depends on the day! Sometimes the balance is working, other times it needs to be readjusted. Any tips? My biggest tip is that I block out a certain chunk of time for my daughter and focus on her needs, be it homework, or talking time, or just sitting together watching our favorite tv show. The “daughter-mom” time is for us… I don’t answer the phone, check emails, or do other work related duties.
4. What was the tipping point for you when you realized you were truly an entrepreneur? Probably when other professionals in my field reached out to me to ask advice, network with me, etc. A few years ago I was sought out and interviewed on several national news programs. At that point, I thought “hmmm… maybe I’ve got something here!”
5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and your life? Passionate! Which is how I feel about every aspect… my life, my family and my work.
6. Where do you find your greatest source of support for your goals in your family, business and life? My daughter and my husband. No matter what, they are always behind me, encouraging me, supporting me, and understanding when things get hectic. Without their support, I couldn’t do any of this.
7. What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries? Because I live near the ocean, often that’s the place I go to just chill out and meditate. When you look at the vastness of the Pacific Ocean, everything else is put in perspective. There are also times when I will just go to Church and just sit still in the quiet. While I am not what you would consider “super religious”, there are times when just going into the building on a weekday morning when no one else is there, can be very calming and very moving for me. I think it touches upon some part of my childhood.
8. One thing you can’t live without: A really great cheeseburger with my daughter!
9. iPhone or Blackberry? iPhone for sure!
10. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate (but really I want both!!!)
11. PC or Mac? PC (though my husband is constantly on me to switch over to MAC!)
12. Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or Cook it yourself? I order in about 60% of the time, not because I’m too busy, but because I really hate to cook! Thank goodness for Whole Foods and their ready-made foods. We eat great because it’s just up the street from our house.
13. Who is your biggest supporter? My daughter. She tells me she’s proud of her mom for protecting kids.
14. Who is your greatest inspiration? My mother inspires me more than anyone. From her I have learned how to be a mother, how to be a friend, how to keep going when things are really tough, and how to laugh. She has a silly sense of humor that she always shared with us as kids.
15. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? I’d like to take Safely Ever After, Inc. national to train others in how to teach my brand of prevention education. I’d like to license my curriculum to schools throughout the United States. Whenever I am teaching a parenting class or a children’s workshop, I always have people comment afterwards, saying how much they loved my practical approach to child safety, and that the language and concepts I bring are unlike anything else they’ve ever heard. I’d like to be able to train others to do the same so that the positive message gets out there that we can protect our kids without being “scaredy-cats!”

Name of Business: Safely Ever After, Inc., Pattie Fitzgerald founder
URL: www.safelyeverafter.com
Facebook Page: Pattie Fitzgerald

Allison Babb

Kennesaw, Georgia
Astrological Sign: Leo
# of children: 2
Ages: 15 and 7
Favorite Business Book: Think & Grow Rich
Favorite Family Book: Creative Correction
Favorite Quote: What the mind of a man can conceive and believe, it can achieve.

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? Kids.

2. What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day?
Blocking out 1-2 hours every single day where I take a no-excuses approach to completing income-generating tasks and projects

3.  How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?  Any tips?
Some days, not as as well as I’d like but I always keep balance in mind as a mompreneur.  Tips would be to set an end time to the day.  When you work from home and you love what you do, it’s easy to just keep going back into the office.  Create something that forces an end-time like dinner or games with the family.

4. What was the tipping point for you when you realized you were truly an entrepreneur?
A life coach opened my eyes to my core gift (coaching) and I realized I could turn it into a business.

5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and your life?
Family purpose:  to give my kids the tools they need to live fulfilling lives and to create great memories they can laugh about when they grow up.
Biz purpose:  To rescue as many struggling entrepreneurs as I can and teach them exactly how to create success in their businesses.
Life: Create a foundation for single moms where they can learn both family and business skills for living successful lives.

6. Where do you find your greatest source of support for your goals in your family, business and life?
God first, then mentors.  I’m a firm believer in mentorship and coaching.  It moves you forward much faster than trying to do things on your own.

7.  What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries?
Music for sure.  Or just sit at the lake in the back of my house and do nothing but stare at the ducks.  Quiet time is also key – for prayer and recharging my spirit.

8. iPhone or Blackberry? Neither – I don’t want 24×7 connection to emails and the internet.  I have a plain old cell phone with no internet access.

9. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla

10.  PC or Mac? PC

11.  Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or Cook it yourself?
Definitely cook myself – love to cook big meals.

12.  Who is your biggest supporter?
I’d say the man in my life.  Definitely gives me 100% support and encouragement.

13.  Who is your greatest inspiration?
Different mentors at different times.  God for the most part.

14.  What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
Continuing public speaking, teaching, inspiring success in other solopreneurs like myself.

Name of Business:  Allison Babb International LLC
URL: www.GreatSmallBusinessAdvice.com
Twitter Name: @AllisonBabb
Facebook Page: www.AllisononFacebook.com

Angelique L. Rewers

Baltimore, Maryland
Astrological Sign: Capricorn
# of children: Two
Ages: 12 weeks old (twin boys)

Favorite Business Book: Outliers: The Story of Success
Favorite Family Book: The Bible
Favorite Quote: “The suspense is terrible. I hope it will last.” – Oscar Wilde

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid?
The biz. Thank goodness. Fortunately I was up and running for a few years before the kids came.

2. What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day?
It’s not one thing; it’s the whole system working together. Several years ago I hired a productivity consultant, Leslie Shreve (www.productiveday.com). Honestly, since I was already a really organized person, I didn’t know if I’d get anything out of it, but I thought “what the heck.” Turns out it was the best investment I made in my business. I know where everything is and I know exactly what I need to do each day. Most importantly, because the systems work, I’m able to easily reprioritize as needed when new things inevitably pop up.

3.  How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship?  Any tips?
It’s definitely a challenge. I went back to work when my sons were about three-weeks old. Some people gave me grief, but I’ve put a lot of time into building my business, and clients will only wait so long.
The best advice I can give to others is to have a team. Delegate whatever you can. We hired a nanny to work Monday to Friday, so instead of spending time running the boys back and forth to daycare, I have someone who also pitches in with laundry, dishes, straightening, vacuuming, and more. Plus, I’m able to enjoy more time with my sons when my schedule is light.  I also hired a housekeeper, my neighbor’s son to cut the grass, and a virtual assistant to help handle my administrative tasks. I use a grocery delivery service. And if there’s anything else I can offload, I will.

4. What was the tipping point for you when you realized you were truly an entrepreneur?
It was about three months into starting my business when I realized being an expert at just the communications and marketing piece wasn’t going to cut it.  A client needed me to go on a last-minute, extended business trip, but I didn’t have a business credit card, nor did I have a personal card with enough of a credit line to support a trip of that magnitude.  Fortunately, I’m married to a CPA and he helps keep me in line.

5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and your life? Happiness.

6. Where do you find your greatest source of support for your goals in your family, business and life?
When it comes to family, my greatest source of support is my husband.  For business it comes from other successful women. I’m a big fan of both Ali Brown and Heather Dominick and look to them for ideas, inspiration and guidance. And of course, I don’t know what I would do without my remarkable business partner, Toni Cascio.  In life, it’s both my friends and my spirituality.

7.  What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries?
Every year, my mom and I take a trip to a holistic spa in Ft. Lauderdale. I look forward to it all year long.

8.  One thing you can’t live without:
Can I have two? My Laura Mercier illuminating tinted moisturizer. Even if I don’t have time for make up, this makes me look great. And my iced decaf grande soy lattes. God bless Starbucks.

9. iPhone or Blackberry? iPhone… hands down

10. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate… is it even a contest!?

11.  PC or Mac? Mac… I converted a few years ago and haven’t looked back since.

12.  Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or Cook it yourself?
Order in. The local delivery guys are practically members of the family.

13.  Who is your biggest supporter?
My husband might not like me saying this, but it’s my best friend, Jenn. She tells me all the time that I can do anything. And she means it. (Although she might deny it if you ask her outright.) And, unlike my husband, she doesn’t have to worry about whether or not my next business idea will impede our ability to pay the mortgage.

14.  Who is your greatest inspiration?
I’m inspired by anyone who sees something they want and goes after it. It drives me crazy to hear someone say they want something and then do nothing to achieve it.

15.  What do you see yourself doing in 5 years?
My business is going through an incredible transformation right now. I’m moving from working with corporate clients to instead supporting other women entrepreneurs in building and growing their businesses. This was something I didn’t know I had a talent for or desire to do until my work with several women entrepreneurs quickly evolved from providing marketing copy into helping them strategize and grow their businesses. The things many entrepreneurs are struggling with come naturally to me. Five years from now, I see myself working with amazing women who are doing amazing things.

Name of Business/es: I have two…
Richer. Smarter. Happier.
Bon Mot Communications LLC

URL/s:
http://www.richersmarterhappier.com/blog
http://www.thecorporatecommunicator.net

Twitter Name: @arewers

Facebook Page: http://www.facebook.com/angelique.rewers?ref=name

It is my pleasure to place the spotlight on one of my favorite mompreneurs (who also happens to be my biz coach and friend) Alexis Martin Neely!

When I first met Alexis, she had just finished her book Wear Clean Underwear: A Fast, Fun and Friendly Legal Planning Guide for Busy Parents and was handing out fliers for her book at Baby Celebration LA where I was emceeing a child safety panel discussion. We quickly bonded and she was very generous with her business tips and advice. I ate up every second of it and strongly sensed that this woman knew exactly what she was talking about!

About 18 months later, Alexis has built her business into a multi-million dollar empire and appears regularly on shows like Larry King, Nancy Grace, The Today Show and many other media outlets helping parents to name guardians with the Personal Family Lawyer Program. Her message of protecting your family is well needed and well received.

Fast forward to a few weeks ago when I was fortunate enough to attend the Dave and Alexis Triple X Factor Bootcamp where business owners learned how to take their brand to a higher level of excellence. Wow, I cannot tell you how not only impressed I was, but how proud I felt to have personally witnessed Alexis’ beautiful transformation. Not without a few bumps in the road, Alexis has hit her stride and serves as a powerful role model for what moms can accomplish while raising their kids. (Alexis is even homeschooling her kids now, on top of her business growth!) This woman continues to amaze me!

And now I would like to introduce you to this fantastic business woman and a beautiful person…

Alexis Martin Neely

Hermosa Beach, CA
Astrological Sign: Scorpio
Number of children: 2
Ages: 9 & 6
Favorite Business Book: Any Dan Kennedy book
and Four Seasons by Isadore Sharp
Favorite Family Book: The Little Soul & The Sun
by Neale Donald Walsch

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? The Kid. I was pregnant the year I graduated from law school and truly got started in my business.
2. What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day? Being able to focus on what I’m doing despite enormous distractions.
3. How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship? Any tips? Build a really great community of support in your business and personal life.
4. What was the tipping point for you when you realized you were truly an entrepreneur? When I started her own law firm.
5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and your life? Truth
6. Where do you find your greatest source of support for your goals in your family, business and life? God
7. What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries? Agape in Los Angeles.
8. One thing you can’t live without: My computer
9. iPhone or Blackberry? Iphone
10. Chocolate or Vanilla? Green Juice
11. PC or Mac? PC
12. Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or Cook it yourself? Eat in or order, never cook it myself.
13. Who is your biggest supporter? Too many to list just one!
14. Who is your greatest inspiration? God
15. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? 5 year plan is currently underwraps only available to my inner circle at the moment!

To find out more about Alexis Martin Neely, visit:
Blog: http://TheIntrepridMompreneur.com
Biz: http://PersonalFamilyLawyer.com
http://FamilyWealthMatters.com
Coaching Program: http://DaveandAlexis.com

Twitter: http://twitter.com/AlexisNeely
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/alexisneely

Melani Ward

Boulder, CO
Astrological Sign: Taurus
# of children: 1
Age: 3

Favorite Business Book: The Journey from the Center to the Page (not technically a business book but I have learned more from that than most.)
Favorite Family Book: Deceptively Delicious – Love the recipes!
Favorite Quote: “Life is not meant to be a journey to the grave with the intention of arriving safely in an attractive, well preserved body but rather to skid in sideways, thoroughly used up, worn out, chocolate in one hand, and a martini in the other screaming “WOOOHOOO what a ride!!”

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? They kind of came at the same time. I had been dabbling as an entrepreneur for a while but when I got pregnant I went all in. I had been working part time in a job I hated and that felt so meaningless to me and one day when I was riding my bike to work I had this vision of me there as a mom and I nearly lost my breath. I literally got off my bike and started crying. It was an overwhelming feeling of dread coupled with a feeling of excitement. I knew in that moment that something was going to change. I quit and jumped into my business with everything I had so that I could give my daughter the chance to experience someone living passionately every day.

2. What is your biggest productivity secret- the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day? Do the big things first and always stay in action. On days when I keep resisting a big project I’ll go clean a room or go for a run – something to get my body moving. That inevitably sparks ideas for me and lack of ideas on how to do something is usually what prevents me from digging into the work in the first place. So, if I am able to move the ideas begin to flow. I am a very kinesthetic person and physical movement is what allows me to tap into my creativity.

3. How well do you feel you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship? Any tips? I think I’m doing pretty well. There are certainly some weeks that are crazier than others but I try to limit the madness to work hours. The best tip I have is to establish very clear boundaries when it comes to your kids and family. When my daughter was just beginning to talk I was working on my computer one day and she wanted it to be play time. She said, very forcefully, “Mommy – no more push the buttons!” That stopped me and drove home the fact that she isn’t missing much. So, I do my very best to work when I’m working and play when I’m playing and to teach her that there are beginning and end points.

4. What was the tipping point for you when you realized you were truly an entrepreneur? Good question. I don’t know that I have reached that point yet. But then again, I have been a mom for over 3 years and sometimes I can’t even identify with that.☺ If I had to pick a point it was the year I made enough money to be able to support my family on my income alone…if I needed to. It took a while to get there for sure – for a long time my business just looked like a passionate hobby with no visible source of income – what I refer to as an imaginary business. So, when my revenue far exceeded my expenses I felt confident calling myself an entrepreneur.

5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and your life? I can’t pick one☺ I’m a teacher and a seer.

6. Where do you find your greatest source of support for your goals in your family, business and life?
My husband, parents, family and friends. I feel so blessed to have such amazingly supportive and encouraging people in my life. I have often felt very isolated working alone all day so my relationships feed my soul on so many levels.

7. What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries? Move. Whether it’s running, hiking, practicing yoga or just walking my dog, movement outside in nature is what helps me recharge. There is nothing like spending an afternoon in the mountains to put everything into perspective.

8. One thing you can’t live without: laughter
9. iPhone or Blackberry? Neither
10. Chocolate or Vanilla? Vanilla
11. PC or Mac? Both
12. Which do you do most often: Eat out, Order In or Cook it yourself? Cook myself. Does cereal count as cooking?
13. Who is your biggest supporter? My family for sure.
14. Who is your greatest inspiration? My parents and brother for sure as they are amazing people who know what’s really important in this world. In the professional realm, Byron Katie.
15. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? I see this very clearly: I’m hosting more live retreats, writing an advice column for a major newspaper, publishing more books (that actually get read) and continuing to have a blast with my family.

Name of Business: Melani Ward International
URL/s: http://www.MojoRetreat.com and http://www.MelaniWard.com
Twitter Name @melaniward
Facebook Page http://www.Facebook.com/melaniward

Julie Zarchi of Super Momz

Julie Zarchi

Los Angeles, CA
Ast. Sign: Taurus
# Children: 2
Ages: Son 7 and Daughter 4

Favorite Business Book: The Starbucks Experience – 5 Principles for Turning Ordinary into Extraordinary.
Favorite Family Book: Siblings Without Rivalry!! (We’re working hard at this)
Favorite Quote: “There is nothing like a dream to create the future.”
 -Victor Hugo

1. Which came first: the biz or the kid? The kids came first, although I had known for several years that it was time to break free from my corporate life

2. What is your biggest productivity secret – the thing that helps you accomplish the most in your day? I’m a big fan of Simpleology and the 5 Laws of Simpleology. When I get sidetracked I think of Law number 1 – The Law of Straight Lines. It reminds me that the quickest way to get from point A to point B is a straight line without any of those tempting side steps.

3. How well do you think you are balancing motherhood and entrepreneurship? Any Tips? During the week I do a pretty good job of balancing everything! Like most work at home moms, my work gets done while the kids are at school. I try to dedicate the hours after school until bedtime to the children but I am sometimes guilty of reading emails when I should be listening to a story or helping with homework. As soon as they are asleep I rush back to the computer. Having a good schedule for your dedicated work hours is really necessary. I plan my day the night before and try to allocate the amount of time each task on my list will take. This helps keep me on track and helps me figure out if I’m going to get everything competed or not.

4. What was the tipping point for you: I was the Director of Revenue Management for a local hotel. When the weekly reports showed that my revenue management efforts had increased the hotel’s revenue that week by more than my ANNUAL salary – I knew that it was time to move on!

5. What one word describes your purpose in your family, your biz and
your life? I’m the motivator!

6. Where do you find your greatest source of support: My husband has to be my greatest source of support. Whether it was my decision to leave my hotel career or to take our kids and spend the summer with my family – he was always there to support and help me.

7. What do you do to recharge your spiritual batteries? We’re a mixed faith family, so we are able to find strength and support from both faiths. Being an avid cyclist, I like nothing better that taking a solo ride over the local hills and mountains. The control you have over the bicycle always reminds me that I am the one in control of my life! The scenery and tranquility of the local mountains clears my head and does wonders for those spiritual batteries.

8. One thing you can’t live without: Strong coffee.

9. iPhone or Blackberry? Blackberry

10. Chocolate or Vanilla? Chocolate

11. PC or Mac? PC

12. Which do you do most often, dine out, grab take out or cook it yourself? I usually cook it myself! I love to cook and I’m a vegan so eating out is always difficult.

13. Who is your biggest supporter? My family are my biggest supporters.

14. Who is your greatest inspiration? I don’t think I can choose just one! My Mom inspired me by teaching me to live life to the fullest and by always believing in me. My Grandfather inspired me by living life his way and on his terms. He taught me to do the same.

15. What do you see yourself doing in 5 years? 5 years seems like such a long way off, but I know it will be here quicker than I can imagine. I plan to continue to grow the products and services offered by SuperMomz while streamlining the operation to free up some of my time. I’ve recently taken on the role of Sales and Marketing for my husbands company, which we plan to grow and develop along with creating a sister business to support other related businesses.

Name of Business/es: SuperMomz & American Event Productions
URL’s: http://www.SuperMomz.com http://www.aevideography.com
Twitter @SuperMomz and @terryzvideo
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/SuperMomz/7106802330 AND http://www.facebook.com/home.php?#/pages/SuperMomz/7106802330