NWEM Mamapreneur of the Month:
Rachel Addison

About your business:

Circletime Kids is a website that provides parents and teachers materials that they can use to introduce their children to the cultures and languages of the world. The site contains traditional songs, crafts, recipes, coloring books and more- all for free.

We earn revenue through advertising on the site and also through sales from our online store that carries multicultural children's toys and gifts from around the world.

We are launching in conjunction with the NWEM event in November, where we will be sponsoring a craft table.

Why did you start your business?

I was inspired by the desire to preserve my own family's cultural traditions for my kids; I wanted to be able to pass down the Latvian songs my mom used to sing to me, and there was no resource available online. I realized that my story is far from unique, that every parent in this country has an interesting cultural heritage that they may want to preserve. After researching the market further it became clear to me that my idea of providing a free multicultural online resource for parents had the potential of becoming a viable business- lucky for me I already possessed the skill sets required to produce such a resource on my own, which was the key to starting up since I had no funds.

What is the best things about being a mamapreneur?

Having full creative control of my business and the flexibility that being independent provides me in terms of spending time with my family.

What are your personal goals for your business?

To grow to the point that I can start sending film teams abroad to document children's cultural traditions in their native countries.

Advice for moms who are in business or are looking to start a business:

1. Know your audience/customer! Conduct market research. It is amazing how much you will learn by assembling even a small focus group and listening to what they have to say.

2. Don't be afraid to ask for help! This is the time to do it. Family and friends want to help you, take advantage of them for once.

3. Set realistic goals and follow through with them. Checking even a small goal off your list will keep you motivated when the to-do pile seems insurmountable.

4. Clone yourself.

NWEM: Building a business community for MOMS

by Heather Correa
 

When Kelly asked if I would write a few paragraphs about how I feel about the Northwest Enterprising Moms organization I gladly accepted. I will take any reason to scream from the highest mountain top about how amazing NWEM's is becoming for its members. Then I realized that Kelly wasn't asking me to sell everyone on all the amazing reasons to be a member; she was asking me to write to you all from a personal place about what it means to me to be part of an organization of brilliant mothers all working to accomplish a similar goal- to grow a business and family.

As you all know motherhood is busy, with or without a "job" added on. So why do we (we being all of us NWEM) take on something as challenging as starting a business in addition to raising our families? Why do we add the extra chaos to our lives intentionally? Does this scene resemble any part of your life- you have an important client on the phone (finally) while you are holding a screaming two year old and your 5 year old is asking the same question 16 billion times that they already know the answer to? Now, even though this is a scene directly out of my life, chances are you can relate to some of these challenges no matter what your business is, how many children you have, or their ages.

This is why I am thrilled to be part of NWEM. Not only does crazy enjoy company, but as mothers working our way into the business community we have experiences to share with each other that could make our lives easier. I started Woobee less than two years ago while my husband was in school full time and I was waiting tables 4 nights a week allowing me to be with my two daughters during the day. I worked on the company during naps, at night, and after work. I never know what busy was until then. If it was not for the help and direction of other business mothers I would not be enjoying the success I am today.

I believe we all have knowledge that in some way can help another mom in business and by doing so helping ourselves. Building the best environment to share that knowledge is the next important step. Just imagine what a wonderful community we will all build within NWEM.