The Momtrepreneur

Momtrepreneur

We grew up on the 14th; top floor of a skyscraper with 10 apartments on each floor in a neighbor of 10 copycat buildings titled Farragut (Get the book). Growing up, our mom spent an enormous amount of time in her kitchen perfecting her recipes for baking pies, cakes, cookies, and donuts. Many women are skilled entrepreneurs, multitasking chores while planning events to earn extra cash. Being a mother requires various skill sets like family health coordinator, family chef, hairstylist, interior designer, family fashion consultant or chauffer. Our mom was a prime example of a momtrepreneur. While dad worked a steady job from 9 to 5, our mom was networking the neighborhood. Ruby’s mouth-watering delicious 2 layer cakes sold door-to-door, at schoolhouse PTA meetings, field trips, church fundraisers, board of election coffee breaks and neighborhood block parties.

She had an idea that I dress like “Little Debbie” to take orders. No way! No way my school friends were going to see me like that. I refused. Saturday was my funday. Saturday was a school break, friend’s day, do what you like day. Maybe a break from chores day. Can you visualize waking up Saturday morning? First, you stop in the kitchen for a snack. You head to the living room to watch your favorite cartoons, only to discover your school teachers sitting eating cake. They were all laughing, scarfing down cake, blocking your cartoons, and collaborating on your 10-year-old life. Are all these teachers here to discuss the quality of my education? All I can say is, the shame of being poor got real. Especially, holding a sandwich and koolaid.

The advertising environment is continuously changing. It’s not a pay-to-win model anymore. Advertisers can’t just simply throw money for TV ad placements and expect it to be a success. You may be recognizable, but you can’t build a relationship that way. User-generated content, or UGC for short, is content created and shared by consumers. LIFEstyle Resource Magazine knows as long as we continue to provide you with value, you’ll tell a friend. Everyone wins! A successful word-of-mouth marketing campaign focuses on the long term. It takes time to build awareness, communicate brand values, shape the way your customers feel about you, and build deeper connections.

The Mother load

Brand your identity to assure you show up as yourself with your brand story. The difference between McDonald’s and Burger King customers is they are so uniquely different selling the same thing (burgers). If you prefer flame broiled, you are obviously a Burger King consumer. People may like surgeons because they drive a Maserati or Ferrari, and it looks good. However, the core value is mainly in their ability to save lives uniquely, in ways no one else can.

Are you someone who posts beautiful photos? Are you in “show business”? i.e. modeling, actor, photography, dancer, rapper/singer… How have you helped? What problem can you solve? Now that you have your audience’s attention, what’s next? Many marketing managers ask brand awareness questions. Although advertising environments are forever changing, you can and should as well. It’s the nature of the beast. All the while, keeping to your core values. It’s essential to take on new challenges, learn new skills as obstacles present themselves. We consider this innovation. Find a mentor you respect and get among those of like-mindedness and solicit help when needed.

Paint a clear mental picture in your mind’s eye of already received or achieved your goal. What does it look like for you? Ideas without action are only a wish. There will be failures involved, disappointments too. Because being a leader is hard work and takes courage. You may standalone without support for a while as you perfect your entity. Manifesting an idea in order to bring it into the light of the real world is always hard work. Everything is in your capable, winning hands.

Repetition is the mother of invention

Mothers invented entrepreneurship from the days of 10¢ lemonade stands, porch hair braiding, red light- green light- 123, and the Girl Scout of America cookie sales created in 1912, or possibly older.

Repetitive, accumulation or compilation lead to an outcome and form a habit. For this reason, everyone is doing exactly what they choose to do, whether they admit it. Having good study habits is key to repetitive habit forming. For example, rereading pages of books, meditating on words or phrases, memorizing until the knowledge becomes a part of you. “Mind over matter” may require 1 person or many, as seen in teams. Therefore, study what you’re passionate about. “Good habits aren’t easily formed” ~Earl Nightingale. (How to books.)

Start with small steps each day. Increase visibility and over-time, you will notice changes because of consistency and self-motivation toward your goal. Typically, it’s difficult in the beginning. All goals take time to manifest. Stay the course and act on faith. You will develop a routine.

Decide how high you want to climb “your success ladder”. Begin taking action on things that do NOT scale, such as providing top-of-the-line customer service, building a one-of-a-kind product, or crafting an unforgettable user experience for each person at a time. As a result, brands accomplishing this have built incredible lasting brand equity and loyalty. They provide much more than material value—WOM builds emotional value, trust, loyalty and stronger foundations ( About us ).

Ruby M. Penamon lost her battle with cancer before I graduated high school in New York City’s; Brooklyn Hospital. Her funeral attendance exceeded to standing room only @ Robert Cranford’s Funeral Home. Until this day, former teachers, family members, former neighbors, haters, and friends remember our mom’s beautiful, tasty, moist 2 layer cakes.

Because of privacy laws on identity theft, I excluded her maiden name. Thanks for understanding. And special thanks to past funeral attendees, friends and continued Supporters of LIFEstyle Resource Magazine.

Perks: A Quick Guide

Network communication wherever you travel and promote your product or service. Online or offline to the new people you meet. Ask questions!
Partnership with like-minded for new challenges, stronger alliances, and increased revenue.
Follow the breadcrumbs until you learn. i.e. people you admire, your mom.
Read and study your plans step by step. Do simple research first and plan your strategy.
Give back to your business, make a financial budget and giveback to those who helped. Never underestimate the free marketing giveaways. i.e. customer samples, coupons…