The Evening Routine

Heather Ledeboer

As a wife, mom and business owner, my day can get filled up and stressful pretty fast.  In order to prevent it from swallowing me up, I have found that I need to be proactive about keeping things organized.  Surpassingly, what I do before I go to bed has some of the largest impact on how smoothly my day progresses.  Just as you have often heard that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day,” I believe that the morning hours are the most critical in setting the stage for how the rest of the day will unfold.  As such, the better I can plan for a smooth morning, the more productive and stress free it can be.

In the past it never occurred to me to write about the things I do at night before I go to bed because they have become natural to me and I often assume they are in turn natural to others as well. However, this routine has developed over time and as such perhaps some of you might enjoy a peek into what I do and in turn, have parts of your routine that you would be willing to share with me! Together we can become more organized and productive with our day. Sound good? (Envision us in a small football huddle with our arms out stretched toward the middle ready to cheer) ”Goooooo Team Mom!”

For the purpose of comparative info, Hunter is seven and Ashlyn just turned five. Hopefully this will help you gauge your own kids and how you might be able to adapt this to your own family. Ready?

Evening Routine:

I will start of by saying that putting the kids to bed is potentially the most stressful part of my day. I am not sure why. No one is standing over my shoulder asking if my kids will be in bed by ______? And I don’t have an appointment I need to get to once they are asleep. Perhaps it is the knowledge that once they are in bed “my time” begins and I feel selfish with this part of my day since it is so fleeting. On many nights I am blessed that my husband is an active part of putting the kids to bed which really helps to make it less stressful. I blogged about our typical bedtime about a year ago. A few things that I have found to help us with putting the kids to bed:

-I have recently moved up dinner time from 6:00 to between 5:00 and 5:30. We aim for a 7:00 bedtime with the kids and I found that in starting dinner at six, I was simply asking to feel “behind” before we even got started. The earlier dinnertime has really helped me feel more relaxed and less rushed in moving toward bedtime.

-After dinner I start the dishwasher (if needed) and unload (later, before I go to bed) so that in the morning it is “open for business” which prevents the sink from filling up with dirty dishes.

-When it is time to get ready for bed, I set a timer for Hunter as I found that he responds well to the forced focus of being held accountable to the clock. I give him 3-4 minutes to put on his PJ’s and 2 minutes to brush his teeth.

-Ashlyn does not do well with a timer, in fact it produces the opposite effect for her and she freezes up and can’t seem to do anything as she gets so upset and stressed out by it. For her, I find that giving her one task at a time and having her verbally repeat back to me what she is going to do works well.

“Ashlyn, go put your PJ’s on. Now say, ‘Mommy I am going to put my PJ’s on now.’”

Asking her to repeat back to me what she is going to do seems to help cement in her mind her next action which is helpful as she tends to be a bit “flighty” in her thinking otherwise and is easily distracted. Therefore I think it is best to feel out what works well for your child’s personality here.

-We take a few minutes each night for the kids to go check their room and make sure it is cleaned up. Making a point to straighten their rooms each evening for a few minutes helps prevent disasters from occurring.

-Hunter’s uniform (including socks and underwear) are set out at night so that in the morning he can quickly and easily get dressed without hunting for a missing shirt or sock or. . .

After the kids are in bed (yeah!):

Our bedtime goal for the kids is 7:00PM and I shoot for a personal bedtime of 10:00PM. So on an ideal night I would have three hours after the kids go to bed to accomplish the following and still have some remaining “down time.”

-I pack Hunter’s lunch and put it in the fridge. I include a short handwritten note. He seems to like these . From time to time I will also include a picture that Ashlyn has drawn for him. When he brings his lunch bag home after school and I unpack it, I store the notes in a little box in the cabinet. I think he might enjoy browsing through them some day in the future.

-I clean the kitchen and wipe down the counters and sink. After I clean the sink, I use the same wash rag to quickly wipe down the sink and counter top in the kid’s bathroom before putting it in the laundry. Then I do a general straightening of the house. If I wake up to a clean house, it sets the mood in a much more positive, productive tone and I don’t feel that I am already starting the day “behind”.

-I decide what I will do for breakfast in the morning.  Some popular choices include:

cereal–when I don’t feel like doing anything “fancy” or time consuming.
crepes–these take some time to prepare but are great for making ahead at night and are super yummy!
pancakes or waffles–they can be made ahead and frozen and then simply put in the toaster in the morning. I like to mix up a large batch of my own pancake “bisquick” mix (see recipe at the bottom of this post) in order to use whole wheat.  Although I like my current recipe, I am going to try this soaked version next time and compare.
oatmeal–I chose to soak the oatmeal overnight.  Not only is it better for you (read the link) but it makes it QUICK and easy in the morning.  Below is my oatmeal soaking for tomorrow’s breakfast (I cover it overnight and then simply warm it up in the morning).

-I get the kitchen ready for morning by setting out their dishes, vitamins and a list of tasks that they need to complete before we leave the house for school.

-Ashlyn cannot read much yet but she still gets a list.  It is sort and mostly the same each morning (get dressed, make bed, eat breakfast and put away dishes and brush teeth).  I feel that the repetition of seeing this list helps her learn the words and feel “old enough” to be responsible for her one routine like her older brother.  Hunter’s list is set up to require him to be fully ready for school by the time he is finished and includes things like putting his lunch (from the fridge) into his backpack.

-As a side note: The “do homework” part of Hunters list that he does in the morning includes a daily timed reading list of words (it takes him 1-2 minutes) and writing out his spelling words once (this takes about 2-3 minutes).  Although he could do these things after school, I find that doing them before makes the after school time easier.

-If I have any clean laundry in the dryer (I try to start a load to wash in the morning giving me all day to get it finished and put away) I will fold it and put the piles of clean clothes in the kid’s rooms to be put away the next day (I have them put away their own laundry).

-I set out what I am going to wear in the morning and take a shower if needed.

-RELAX knowing my morning is ready  !

“Pancake (or waffle) Master Mix”
8 cups whole wheat pastry flour (this is soft white wheat for any of you who might grind your wheat)
2 cups unbleached white flour
1/2 cup wheat germ
1/3 cup baking powder (try to find a kind that doesn’t have aluminum in it)
1/4 cup packed brown sugar
1 Tablespoon salt
2 cups shortening that does not require refrigeration (you can use Crisco, but I have switched to using coconut oil because I believe it is much healthier. In the summer months however, I may have to keep my mix in the fridge or freezer though or else my oil will be liquid as coconut oil is a solid for me this time of year but melts at 76 degrees).

In a large bowl, combine flours, wheat germ, baking powder, brown sugar and salt.  Cut in shorting (or coconut oil) until the mixture resembles course crumbs (when using solid coconut oil I mix this all in my food processor and it does a great job).  Store in a large container for up to 6 weeks.  Makes 12 to 14 cups.

To use for pancakes or waffles:
-2 cups “master mix”
-2 eggs
-1 cup milk (or buttermilk)

Beat the eggs, add milk to desired consistency with this master mix, stirring until blended but still slightly lumpy.  Pour about 1/4 cup batter onto hot griddle or pan. Cook till golden, turning to cook other side.  Makes 8 pancakes.

I love using my coconut oil for frying too by the way.  Here is where I buy my coconut oil and so far this is the best price I have found for the quality (including the shipping cost which is fairly reasonable). I get the 7 pound bottle of extra virgin coconut oil which is $3.90 per pound).  7 pounds may seem like a lot, but because it is so versatile (you can use it in place of any kind of fat in recipes and it is even great as a skin moisturizer or make up remover) that after only 6 weeks I am ready to order another bottle!  In fact, I just realized that my good friend Selina just put up a new post about coconut oil so I will simply encourage you go click on over to her blog and read more if you are not yet using this stuff but are intrigued about why I think you should consider it!

Ideally, something about my routine sparked something in you that will help your evenings (and therefore your mornings) go more smoothly.  If you have any tips of your own, please share!  And if you have any questions, feel free to ask away!

Heather Ledeboer, Mom4Life, Heather Ledeboer is passionate about helping other moms succeed in business. Her passion is directed at finding fantastically fresh mom invented products and offering them on her website, http://www.mom4life.com with free shipping to all US locations. She also enjoys writing on the topic of business and has a particular pet peeve about providing excellent customer service. Twitter @mom4lifecom

Meet Lisa Karen Cohen, Owner of Creative Parties for Kids

Meet the incredibly talented, persistent and spunky Lisa Karen Cohen. Read Lisa’s candid interview below and draw some inspiration from this amazing lady. Enjoy!

Hometown:Denver, CO

Current Residence: Santa Ana, CA

Education:BA in Theatre and Dance University of Colorado, Completed Coursework Masters in Educational Administration. Studied at American Conservatory Theatre

Professional Background: Have worked as a teacher performer and arts educational specialist for 30 years throughout Los Angleles, Orange County CA and Denver Colorado. I have owned and operated my own business since 1987.

What you wanted to be when you grew up: An Actress and to have my own children’s television show! (which I do – hurray!)

What you are: I am currently a very devoted mother, a business owner, and actress, an arts education specialist, The StoryLady, and I run my company. “CreativePartiesForKids.com” which provides entertainment for children and family oriented events.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: I started my company in 1987 with $12. I created an after-school arts program called”Dance-On-Wheels”. The concept was to bring the arts into the schools so the children of busy parents could have an exposure to the arts. It took off and after 3 years we had 43 schools and I employed 19 teachers.

Creative Parties for Kids now focuses on family entertainment at parties, school functions, community events. I also have a children’s storytime television show called ,”The StoryLady’s Magic Book.” I have also written and produced a children’s Jewish Musical called, “Hershele, Hannah and The Magic of Chanukah.”

Company Website: http://www.CreativePartiesForKids.com

What inspired you? I love children and the arts.  I was inspired equally by Shari Lewis and Meryl Streep, and of course my Mother and Grandmother. The arts have incredible healing and creative powers and I have always been inspired by seeing a child pretending. If they can pretend to be a butterfly at 4, they can find the power within themselves to manifest their dreams when they grow up!

How long have you been in business? I have been in business since 1987.

How did you fund it? With a lot determination, and around $12. That was the cost of my first Kinko’s flyer.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Are you kidding, I am my own Fairy Godmother. I guess the main thing I have learned in this life is I have known some amazing strong women along the way.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? I do, there is a group called “Ladies First” that I try to attend. I also try to connect to MOM’s CLUBS and offer to volunteer as The StoryLady so I can make personal connections with the members.

Current Business Challenge? I have two major challenges. The first is financing, I have done it all with no capital, no credit and a lot of determination!

What are you doing about it? I have been attending seminars and counseling sessions at our local Small Business Development Center. It has been so informative and helpful!

Favorite motivational quote: “Be so strong that nothing can disturb your peace of mind. Talk health, happiness, and prosperity to every person you meet. Make all your friends feel that there is something special in them. Look at the sunny side of everything. Think only of the best, work only for the best, and expect only the best. Be as enthusiastic about the success of others as you are about your own. Forget the mistakes of the past, and press on to the greater achievements of the future. Give everyone a smile. Spend so much time improving yourself that you have no time left over to criticize others. Be too big for worry and too noble for anger.” By Christian D Larsen

“GIRLS ARE STRONG, SMART and BEAUTIFUL”-My girlfriend Lenore kept telling me that when I was going through my divorce. I kept saying it to myself and even wrote that in a song in the musical I wrote in 2005.

Family? Yes, there is a family. I have a daughter, who works with me in the business. She is a princess….now that I am the Queen…she is going to college soon. I have an aging, spunky and amazing Mom, who often needs me to help her. It is balancing act, trying to be a good mom, a good daughter. I have an ex-husband, a wonderful boyfriend who works in the solar business.

I am the main bread-winner, get very little or no child support and my Mother is worried about her finances. I have a lot of pressure on me.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I do my best to try to balance it all! I set priorities. I always put my daughter first, and as she has grown up I have more time for my own Mother.

Favorite book? I loved “The Friday Night Knitting Club”. I share it with my daughter!

What do you do to relax? I love working out and going to Yoga. I also get some quiet time cleaning the bunny cages and feeding the bunnies!

What do you want to change most about your world? I would love to be able to actually stop seeing so many homeless people. I give them what I can, but it is a tiny band aid. I would also love to have a retirement plan, and not worry about being homeless when I get older. I have had to work very hard to support my daughter alone and I have not been able to plan.

What are you most proud of? I am very proud of my daughter Leah. I am also very proud of writing a children’s musical in 2005, “Hannah, Hershele and the Magic of Chanukah. I wrote this with my dear friend James Post. I am very proud of this past year. I was able to provide for my family and actually have a little more peace of mind- and of course my business…I love my business!

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Find something you love, that makes you feel magical. Focus on one thing and do it well. I was very fragmented for many years and I am feeling so much more centered and successful, doing one thing and doing it well. A lot of stress comes from unrealistic expectations for ourselves that we can’t meet. If you do one thing, and do it well, you still have time to take care of yourself.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? BALANCE BETWEEN CREATIVITY AND STRUCTURE! I think my favorite magic wand is lists and routines. When you have your own business it is very easy to spin in circles and get very excited, but not get anything done. Make a list that has blocks of business to do sections. One of making money today – things to bring in cash flow…for me is always and has to be first. And then the rest after that. If you make one day the day to work on marketing, the other day to focus on training and hiring, the other day on business maintenance, then things get done!

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Diamonds for being tough…because princesses have to be very strong. I would also use aquamarines for dreaming, and rubies for grounding!

National Events for Women Entrepreneurs You Should Know About

Live events get you pumped up and excited for executing your dreams. They connect you with powerful influencers and help you take the next step. Here’s some powerful events to consider:

Plan: The Four Letter Word

Plan.  For some of us it’s a four letter word.  Though some parts of my business, I’ll admit,  are a little fly by the seat of my pants, I’m pretty serious about my yearly planning.

Here’s how I do it (This is how I plan for my businesses, in another post I’ll talk about how I handle my personal annual planning through an exercise I like to call New Years Roles & Goals):

I start with a look at financials and see if I’ve met my money goals.  I dig deeper and then look at how many new customers I acquired in 2010 and look especially at the percent of repeat customers.  I look at customers that have been previous customers but didn’t order at all in 2010.  This provides me a whole lot to look at and spend most of my review time here.

Next, I look at where I spent my marketing dollars and track my return on investment for each of my ads, events, networking groups, etc, individually.  (If you don’t currently track your return on investment for your marketing dollars I suggest you make this a priority this year.  It’s very enlightening.)  When I was studying marketing back in college, I learned that your marketing efforts over time should yield a four times return on your initial marketing investment.  In today’s marketing, you should be excited if you can get a two times return on your investment.  That’s why it’s so critical to see if your marketing dollars are, in fact, turning into qualified leads and customers.

Then, I review my processes and see what can be streamlined, outsourced or delegated.  This is my favorite part.  I get serious about what I want to focus on and what I can have someone else do.  This is where I get empowered in my personal goals and what I want to spend time on in the coming year.

Finally, I set some goals.  I make a vision board, and I post both where I can see them everyday.

This quarter, I’m rewriting my business plan from start to finish.  When I started Doodads 11 years ago the internet wasn’t nearly as beneficial as it is now.  The internet has completely changed how I interact with suppliers, place orders and involve employees (who work from home!).  So, I’m starting with a clean slate to see what I come up with.  I’m excited and scared at the same time.   Send chocolate.

If you haven’t done so already, you’re probably saying, “This is too much work!”  Planning isn’t meant to be daunting, but it’s meant to be thorough.   And it’s meant to provide you a clear view of the past so you can move forward with confidence.   In time, your planning will become something you crave instead of something you curse.

I believe in the adage (that some credit to Benjamin Franklin, though the internet wasn’t clear on final credits) “If you fail to plan, you plan to fail.”  So my charge to you: it’s not too late.  If you haven’t already done your annual review, make plans to do it now.

To keep you motivated, we’ll be posting a few other planning articles in the next few weeks.

I know that this isn’t the only way to plan.  How do you do it?  If you’d like to share how you do it personally or professionally, we may feature you in one of our upcoming articles.  Send your name, company name, website, and a little blurb about how you plan to michelle@startupprincess.com.   We’ll post your planning advice and a link back to your site!

Until then, happy planning!

Michelle McCullough, Doodads Promotional, Michelle is the Startup Princess Business Development Director.  She has spent the last 12 years working in marketing and advertising. She’s worked in all aspects of the industry from production to creative and sales to management. On top of her full-time jobs, Michelle has cultivated her love for entrepreneurship by running a successful side business, Doodads, a promotional products company.

Why the 24 Hour Rule Rocks…

By Cindy W. Morrison

I don’t know about you… but I have a hard time saying “no”. I’m not sure whether it’s because I’m a people pleaser or I’m just so darn happy someone is paying attention to me. I’m sure certain psychologists out there could have a field day either way with that one, but the fact is… my inability to say “no” isn’t just MY inability. Women tell me all the time they also say “yes” to too many things and end up exhausting themselves.

I brought this “issue” up in Boston while I was at a conference. A bunch of us were sitting around the table.. talking about “over scheduling” our schedules. I admitted I often push things over to my assistant to “make a decision”. It’s not all about her being the bad cop and me being the good cop (although that’s part of it), but it’s more about the fact that she really thinks something out before saying “yes”. She has the ability to keep her eye on the prize (her commission) so she weighs whether the event helps our immediate or future bottom line and based upon that she decides if it’s a good fit, something that will make me (us) happy and is there time in the schedule for it. (What a concept?!!) On the other hand, my decision-making is not so “thoughtful”. Remember, I was in TV for 20 years where snap decisions (especially during breaking news) were rewarded. And as a news anchor,  so my main focus was on being “liked”, not whether I had time in my schedule for every dog and pony show. (This summer I double booked three events before Mandi took away my scheduling privledges. Lol!)

That’s why I love it when Girlfriends sit around and problem solve! While some of us had the same issue, others had great solutions. Meredith Liepelt hit the nail on the head for me. She said she always uses the 24 Hour Rule. When she gets in a business offer or deal, she ALWAYS says, “I’ll get back with you on that in 24 hours.” Not only does this keep her from saying yes to something she shouldn’t, it also gives her some much needed time to figure out strategically to what she SHOULD say yes (personally or professionally). BRILLIANT!

So I came back to Tulsa fully prepared to say, “I’ll get back with you on that in 24 hours.” My first big hurdle came within days. I was walking my dog when a customer called to say they could only pay half of our agreed upon price for an event already signed, sealed and delivered. WHAT?! I was blindsided and mumbled something inaudible before Meredith’s advice came back to me: 24 HOURS. That’s what I needed! The old me would have been grateful for any amount of money. The new me realized I didn’t need to make a snap decision when I wasn’t in work mode and felt blindsided. After much thought, we passed on the reduced offer and ended up booking something  else that turned out to be a better opportunity with more money. It could have turned out differently, but I felt confident in our 24 hour decision because we’d reach it with thought, planning and the big picture in mind.

So, when your feeling overwhelmed and asked to do something or you’re cornered by someone… just stop and say, “I’ll get back with you on that in 24 hours.” Are deals going to be made or broken in that period of time? Doubtful. But chances are… with some time and thought YOU will make the best decision for YOU.

Good luck!!

Cindy W Morrison is the Emmy award winning TV Broadcaster who has successfully reinvented herself after the economy lead to corporate downsizing. Leaving a 20 year news career behind, Cindy wrote a book called, “Girlfriends 2.0”  hit the speaking circuit and created her own consulting business. She now teaches people how to reboot, upgrade and reinvent through networking, social media and branding so they can make more money and live a better life. As a consultant, Cindy’s clients range from TV stations to major universities to heavy hitting corporations. Twitter @CindyWMorrison

Increase Your Exposure and Your business…Volunteer

By  Joan Koerber-Walker

Often when I am speaking with an audience or mentoring women entrepreneurs, I hear a question that starts like this: “How did you get people to give you a chance to …”

Aside from here on Startup Princess, there are not many fairy godmothers out there who can wave a magic wand and make an opportunity materialize before our very eyes.  But there is something that every reader of Startup Princess can do that works like magic and makes you feel great too.  One simple word.  Volunteer.

Over the years, through a number of volunteer activities,  I have had the opportunity to share ideas on network television, land radio interviews, be profiled in newspapers and magazines and connect with key decision makers, customers and partners who I might otherwise have never met. It all came about because of volunteer work done in my community.  If it can work for me, it can work for you.  Just follow these two simple steps.

Establish yourself as a leader.

A leader is someone who stands out above the rest.  We all have talents that we can share that help us to stand out.  Perhaps your talent is organization, networking, writing, or simply listening.  Maybe your gift is mentoring, speaking, or art. Think of ways that sharing these talents and gifts can help a nonprofit organization that you believe in.  Step up, stand out and lead in whatever role you are given.

Roll up your sleeves and show ’em what you can do.

In today’s economy, nonprofit budgets are stretched to the limit.  There is almost nothing they do not need.  Does your business have great consumer products or services?  Donate them to gift baskets, silent auctions or raffles.  Do you provide business services? Donate them to the nonprofit itself to help in reducing overhead costs. In each case you are getting yourself and your products or services in front of others who may want to work with  you in the future.  Often this is the supporters, board members, donors, or sponsors of the organization.  The nonprofit may not have the resources to pay for your donations and services, but these people do.  When you do a great job or deliver a great product, people notice and even better… they tell their friends.

Here comes the magic…

The more you give, the more you get.

While you are sharing what you have of value, you are getting value too.

·         New skills you learn while working with others in your community.

·         Connections to other leaders who share the same passions and values that you do

·         Recognition for your efforts and the value you contribute to the cause.

·         Visibility for yourself and your business, the opportunity to represent the organization in your community or perhaps even a              chance to step and lead at an even higher level.

That’s the great thing about magic.  It makes anything possible.

Joan Koerber-Walker is a two time Stevie Award National Finalist and Chairman of the Board of CorePurpose, Inc, and the Opportunity Through Entrepreneurship Foundation.  She also serves as Executive in Residence for Callaman Ventures and on the boards of for profit and nonprofit organizations.  As the former CEO of the Arizona Small Business Association and a past member of the Board of Trustees of the National Small Business Association she has worked with hundreds of small businesses and on behalf of thousands.  Chat with her on Twitter as @joankw, @JKWgrowth, @JKWinnovation, @JKWleadership and@CorePurpose or at her blog at www.JoanKoerber-Walker.com.

Is Your Business Killing You?

I believe that we all are Superwomen, but the question is, do you want to be an exhausted Superwoman or a Well-Balanced Superwoman? Your to-do list is extremely long and your business is pulling on each gray hair that you have, along with responsibilities of being a mom, wife, girlfriend, errand runner and all the other roles you play! How do you find balance, peace and joy from it all? How do you empower your team (at home and at work) to work together and be more productive? The solution is to bring you B.A.C to center.

If you’ve ever taken a cruise you know that the middle of the ship is the less rockiest place on the entire ship. That’s similar to your center where most of your power and peace can be found. When you come from your center, choose from your center, and speak from your center, you often will appreciate the results. Unlike when you are operating away from your center, which will result in chaos, overwhelm, over commitment, people pleasing, back tracking, not asking for help, and most of all, not utilizing your powerful center. Here are three quick tips that can help you get B.A.C. to your amazing, powerful and fabulous center: B.A.C stands for Boundaries, Accountability and Consciousness.

1) Set clear, specific boundaries in every area of your life, especially in your business (or it will consume you).

2) Be accountable for your choices, relationships and habits. Only keep the ones that are working and dump the rest. My favorite saying is: ‘do it, delegate it or dump it’.

3) Make conscience choices which means that you must know the core values of your business and yourself then never do anything that would go against them. Everyday you have the choice to be an exhausted Superwoman or a Well-Balanced Superwoman and each day is a new beginning.

Be unstoppable.

Dena Patton is an award-winning entrepreneur, Life/Business Coach, and Speaker. She is also the founder ofwww.ChatChewandChocolate.com.  Info on her retreats and coaching visit, www.TheBoundariesCoach.com. Find her on Twitter@chatchew. Find her most recent article, Is Your Business Killing You on Entrepreneur.com

Introducing Robyn Pellei, CEO of ViveVita

When sending off our interview questions to Robyn Pellei, we should have asked her, ‘Is there anything that you can’t do?’ Wife, mother of 9 (10 years old and under!) home school teacher, certified Family Nurse Practitioner, former missionary volunteer to Africa, oh and also the CEO of her very own business ViveVita; we have to believe Robyn when she says, “My faith is very strong, honestly – it is only by staying close to my Creator that I am able to be or do anything that I am today.” 

Robyn, our hats go off to you and to the many women entrepreneurs who are juggling so many roles. We wish you all the very BEST! ~Startup Princess Crew

Hometown: Gloucester, VA (birthplace of Pocahontas)

Current Residence:  Charlotte, NC

Education: MSN – Masters Nursing (Family Nurse Practitioner)

Professional Background: Emergency Room nurse, nursing in Africa, completed FNP(see above) degree, just prior to becoming a professional Mom!

What you wanted to be when you grew up: Missionary to Africa

What you are: Missionary to my own tribe of 9 children in Charlotte!  Mompreneur – CEO of ViveVita, creating pretty and cute solutions for other moms and families.

Brief Summary of your Start Up: Having many little ones around for an extended period of time provides great motivation for anything that will make life easier and more enjoyable (aka – fun, cute or pretty!).  I started developing products when I had only four children and wanted to make our everyday life easier.  We all know that “Necessity is the mother of invention” and that was how my Start Up began.  My first product, Gripsterz Stayalong, was developed in order to keep all of my kids close-by when we went out and about doing fun stuff.  I needed an easy way to keep them close and I wanted it to be fun for them.  How much cuter could a monkey on a vine be?  My second product was developed out of a desperate need for cup control in our home!  There were unclaimed and unidentifiable cups being left all over the place, leading to huge amounts of wasted drinks and the dreaded germ spread from shared cups.  Bandette cup labels totally solved that issue and, of course, they are fun and cute!  And from there – a product development company has blossomed!  As of the end of this year, we will have 8 fabulous products that make everyday life easier and cuter for families.

Company Website? www.vivevita.com

What inspired you? My kids and other moms that have created great products.

How long have you been in business? 2-5 years

How did you fund it? Diverting personal funds to grow a dream

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? Does the Laundry Fairy count?  I can’t say that I have had a business Fairy Godmother, but I sure wish that I had done a little more research in the beginning and looked for one!

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? The Mom Entrepreneur, Muses (local Charlotte group)

Current Business Challenge? Customer product awareness

What are you doing about it? Reaching out to Mommy bloggers, product reviewers, advertising in parenting type magazines, and creating raving fans via legendary customer service.

Favorite motivational quote: Drink more coffee; you can sleep when you are dead.

Family? Supportive and dynamic husband.  Nine colorful, fun, and whimsical children (ages 1-10).

If so, how do you balance family and business? Tenuously!  I feel strongly that life is all about balance and perspective and I try to keep both of them at the point that I am most comfortable with.  Maintaining a balance and perspective that enable me to stay happy and moving forward is a daily challenge that I work really hard at.  I do not want to sacrifice too much for either venue and I want to enjoy this life that I live.  Each decision that I make is based on these two qualifiers and therefore helps me be a good mom and a good CEO.

Favorite book? Bible

What do you do to relax? Play with the kids, fold the laundry while hiding in the laundry room, read a book, and most recently – go on a long overdue second honeymoon with my husband.

What do you want to change most about your world? Ultimately, I would really like to reach out to women/moms across the world and empower them with basic business principles that work for any culture and any type of business.  I have a great plan for this and am patiently waiting for the day when my company is more self functioning and I can devote more time to this goal.

What are you most proud of? Being a mom is my greatest achievement!  Being a mom that follows her goals and passes this passion on to her children – that really makes me proud.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Do not be afraid to do something that you really want to do – just make sure that the something that you Start Up fits well with who you are and who you want to be.  Do not waste your precious time working on something that doesn’t fulfill you.

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? Ifreelance.com

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Emeralds and diamonds.  And the smiling faces of my kids!

Video Advice from The Next Big Zing

Dhana Cohen of The Next Big Zing shares her expertise in how to create a quality video for your small business.

20 Simple Ways You Can Be Happy, Healthy & Wealthy in 2011

Fairy Godmother Heather Allard of The Mogul Mom shares the following tips and advice:

The new year is here and each of us has a fresh start, a clean slate…a chance to be and do better.

But sometimes being a mom and an entrepreneur can make it tough to take advantage of the gorgeous white space of opportunity that lies ahead of us each January 1st, so I made a list of 20 simple ways you can be happy, healthy & wealthy in 2011.

1. Look ahead

Every year, my friend Laura Roeder buys a big ol’ Year At A Glance calendar and maps out the year ahead for her business – promotions, marketing, launches, everything. My friend Alexis Neely takes it a step further and creates a 12-month “life and marketing plan” so she can achieve the success that she wants without her business and her family life colliding.

2. More kettlebell

Christopher Walken might need more cowbell, but I need more kettlebell. Because my butt is no where it used to be ten years ago. Somehow I’ve gone from J. Lo to Spongebob and it’s time I got my booty back. I’m doing the “Perfect Posterior” workout from Tim Ferriss’s new book The 4-Hour Body because it’s quick & effective, uses only a kettlebell (mine’s 35 pounds) and takes just 30 minutes per week. Bonus: this workout firms way more than your butt – it tightens & tones your stomach, legs, shoulders & back too.

3. Become a sixer

Save time, save money and for Pete’s sake, stop staring into your closet each morning wondering what to wear. Simplify your life by taking part in the Six Items or Less experiment. If you’ve known me for a bit, you know this won’t be a big stretch for me, but I’m really looking forward to the chance to streamline my wardrobe even further.

4. Avoid the Benjamin Blindside

Download Daily Worth’s 2011 Money Planner so you have a realistic – and predictable – budget plan for the entire year. While you’re there, sign up for their daily email and become financially savvier this year.

5. Be in the (tech) know

You know that drawer full of shiny new gadgets you just had to have but have no idea how to actually use? Well pull ‘em out and head over to Digitwirl, the weekly web show that makes tech work for you. Get on the list to receive their weekly 3-minute (who doesn’t have 3 minutes?!) video that shows you how to use technology to make your life better.

6. Business or hobby? Pick one.

While watching the awesome “How To Failproof Your Business” video series by Naomi Dunford and Dave Navarro, they cracked wise about something I’ve been talking about for years - the difference between a business and a hobby. If you answer one question this year, let it be this –do you have a business or a hobby? Your answer will dictate everything else you do over the next 12 months.

7. Just because you can doesn’t mean you should…

Stop trying to be a one mom band. Instead, outsource your weaknesses & time sucks so you can focus on your strengths. Whether it’s accounting, laundry, grocery shopping or shipping, if it slows you down, get it off your plate. Earn extra points for outsourcing to a mom.

Read all 20 Simple Ways You Can Be Happy, Healthy & Wealthy in 2011 by clicking here

Heather Allard, The Mogul Mom, Heather Allard is a mother of three and a “Renaissance mom entrepreneur” who has developed products, offered a service and built a blog since 2001. She blogs at http://www.TheMogulMom.com and offers email coaching for mom entrepreneurs. Heather’s products have been seen on Access Hollywood & Pregnancy Magazine and are a best-seller in One Step Ahead. She’s been featured in Working Mother, Entrepreneur and The Well-Fed Writer: Back for Seconds. Contact her via Twitter: @themogulmom or through her site.

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