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Charlotte Mompreneurs - A Guide to Women-Owned Businesses

 

Working moms want it all. Climbing the corporate ladder doesn't always work with little ones at home and many business women struggle to maintain a happy work/life balance. In response to this dilemma, resourceful women everywhere are doing it themselves and becoming "mompreneurs." We've got helpful tips to get you started, heartfelt stories to inspire and useful resources to help make your business a success. Each month we'll feature a new "mompreneur" who shares her secrets to success.

Read Charlotte Parent blogs from mompreneur "Diva Mom" Kelly Yale, who manages a freelance career with a busy family.

Networking is a great way to expand your business. Look for your opportunity at the 2010 Moms@Work Luncheon. See photos from the past year's event on our Moms @t Work page.


Charlotte Entrepreneurs and Working Moms

    
Business Resources for Moms
charlotte women business owners entrepreneur

North Carolina Moms! Find resources to help you start your own business!

Did you know there are many Charlotte area and North Carolina organizations and groups ready to help you start your business? From testimonials and tips to networks and clubs, check out these helpful sites and begin the journey to becoming a mompreneur.

The National Association of Women Business Owners-Charlotte

The Charlotte Business Women's Networking Meetup

CPCC Institute for Entrepreneurship

SCORE counseling

UNCC Small Business & Technology Development Center

Charlotte Chamber of Commerce

Bizwomen

Search for NC Corporation by Name

Mompreneur Blogs and Web sites
Charlotte women business owners entreprenuers Websites and Blogs from Mompreneurs!
Looking for someone to provide you with business how-to or personal inspiration? Check out these sites.

Websites Blogs
TheMomEntrepreneur.com
SmartMamma.com
Working moms against guilt
Work from home Association
Business week working moms
Momsrefuge.com
Payscale for working moms
   


Work/Life Balance Articles
Charlotte women business owners entrepreneur

Read how other mompreneurs balance work and life. From finding leisure time, to shutting off the computer at home, working moms share ideas on how to achieve this balance. Check out these articles by Mompreneurs.

Work + Life = Weisure For most working parents, hardly a day goes by when work and family don’t overlap. You’re at work hurrying to meet a deadline, and your kids call after school to ask where the peanut butter is. Or you’re getting everyone ready for bed at night, and a colleague calls to make sure you’ll be there for the meeting in the morning.

Now there’s a new term to describe a parent’s constant sense of being on call for both work and family: weisure, the combination of work and leisure. While it isn’t a term that applies only to parents, it seems to be appropriate for those working parents who are struggling to find balance in their lives.

Read More...

The Ever-Evolving Life of a Working Mom In 2005, Wendy Sachs was the mother of a toddler and an infant. Having worked as a public relations executive, congressional press secretary and television producer, she cherished motherhood but also relished the excitement of her career in the media. As she struggled to find a balance between being a mom and a working professional, she wondered if it was possible to really have it all — happy, well-adjusted children and a fulfilling career.

Her quest led her to interview more than 100 women, and as a result, write “How She Really Does It: Secrets of Successful Stay-At-Work Moms” (De Capo Press 2005). Charlotte Parent recently caught up with Sachs.

Read More...

Managing the E-Mail Overload The ever-available Internet is addicting, and it has many people checking work e-mails 24/7.
You’ve probably found yourself saying “I’m just going to check this real quick,” and then emerge from your home office an hour later to find your kids still sitting in front of the television and nothing accomplished. Whether you’re constantly distracted by the little beep of an e-mail alert or just spending hours out of your week weeding through spam, there are ways to manage your inbox to keep from feeling overwhelmed.

Read More...










Charlotte Mompreneur Profile

Momprenuer-Nicole

Names:  Nicole Sinclair

Family: Clayton III (husband), Clayton IV (8 yrs), Winget and Howie (cats)

 Business: Style Sanctum, LLC (a fashion art studio)

 
 
How long in business? I have been in business for 6 years as a stylist, and 1 year as the Executive Creative Director of the fashion art studio.

What inspired you to go into business for yourself? A passion for helping others. People have always asked for my help with wardrobing. When we moved to Charlotte, my realtor asked if I would help her and my personal styling business was born. The same thing happened with the art studio. My clients who were mothers and Career Placement Directors at various schools asked if I would help young girls who were interested in fashion. They wanted me to help them find the their own path, enlighten them about my Parson’s experience and provide them with an introduction to the world of fashion. So, we opened the fashion art studio in order to expand this work beyond my immediate contacts.  

 
 Who is your mentor? 

My husband. We compliment each other in many ways and the differences of opinion and expertise allow both of us to stretch and grow. He has an MBA from the Wharton School, which is the only thing that makes me listen to his advice.   


Advantages of being a business owner: Being able to use my point of view and voice to help others find themselves through the medium of clothes. Seeing the bright spark when a client looks in the mirror and smiles after we bring clarity to her wardrobe or when she walks into the studio to tell me how the change in her wardrobe has changed her life. HUGE advantage. Also, seeing our students dream up and then create a piece of fashion is fulfilling beyond words.


What's most important when starting your own business? To block out the words of others and listen to yourself. People will always have business advice that applies to their business or business opportunities that will help their business or mission, but you have to be sure that whatever you are considering meshes with your business philosophy and mission. Always stay clear about your mission; doing this allows you to maintain your brand identity. We all have individual purposes and this translates into our individual branding, which of course, is the heart of any great business brand. 

Advice for women starting a business: Be strong. Never be afraid to say “no” to opportunities that don’t feel right. Have courage. If you feel the business concept in your heart, go for it and be sure to listen to cues for the right steps along the way. Take time to think. Never rush into anything. Never be afraid to be by yourself, and to take time for yourself. Listen to your heart. Be kind to others and surround yourself with authentic and kind hearted people. You will need the love and support as you grow your business.

Other Charlotte Mompreneur Profiles

Beautorium - Ann Francke

Karma Kidz - Basmatie Littles

Ella Elise Stationery - Bridget Dixon

Lily's Loving Arms

BabyLuxe and D'Luxe Press

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