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Introducing Tamara Mickelson, Founder and CEO of Nannies Galore

January 21, 2010

We are pleased to feature Tamara Mickelson for this week’s interview. Founder and CEO of Nannies Galore, she has a vision and knows what it takes to “make it happen.” Characterized by perseverance, faith and a love for her 4-year-old daughter, Tamara is set to impact the childcare world by making it that much easier to find good nannies. Thank you Tamara!

Hometown: Rancho Cordova, CA

Current Residence: Rocklin, CA

Education: Bachelors in Business Management and Masters in Marriage, Family and Child Counseling (MFT)

What you wanted to be when you grew up: I wanted to become a Veterinarian.

What you are: I am the founder and CEO of Nannies Galore, a single mother of one daughter, and a deputy sheriff for a local sheriff’s department – currently working in the Crime Scene Investigations Unit.

Brief Summary of your Start Up:  I researched my business for one full year before I officially started it. Once I decided on the company for my website design, it all fell into place.

Company Website? Nannies Galore at www.nanniesgalore.com

What inspired you? I am a single mother raising my daughter alone and I have been hiring live-in nannies for three years. In late 2008, I developed a strong desire to begin my own nanny website to help families find quality live-in and live-out childcare.

How long have you been in business? I officially started in August of 2009 and the website has been live since November of 2009.

How did you fund it? I made monthly payments to pay for the development of the site.

Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? My faith in God and trust in him has kept me sane and on track in my website business as well as being a single parent.

Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? I am a member of the National Association for Moms in Business. I am also active on Twitter Moms, Twitter, and Facebook.

Current Business Challenge? Advertising is my main challenge as it is very expensive to advertise nationally.

What are you doing about it? I recently began to concentrate on local advertising since I live here and landed an article in the January issue of Sacramento Magazine.  I am actively networking with other mommy websites and mommy blogs to gain free advertising in exchange of advertising their business.  

Favorite motivational quote: “You cannot discover new oceans unless you have the courage to lose sight of the shore”.

Family? I have a 4 year old daughter who attends preschool.

If so, how do you balance family and business? I work full time away from home so my daughter attends preschool which doubles as a daycare after the curriculum is complete for the day.  When we are home together, we spend quality time with each other.

Favorite book? I really do not have a favorite book.  I read everything from romance novels to self help books.  I am currently writing my own book which will be a quick and easy read for busy mothers.

What do you do to relax? My favorite thing to do on my day off (when my daughter is in school) is go see a movie.  With popcorn and soda in hand, it is my chance to escape from the world for 2 hours.  It is very relaxing to me. I am currently looking for a great yoga class.

What do you want to change most about your world? (I read this two ways….THE world and MY world).  What I would like to change most about MY world is my money situation.  It can be very stressful at times making ends meet when I have to pay for preschool and daycare.

What are you most proud of? I am proud to be the only one in my family to have served in the military.  I joined the Air Force at age 17.  I am also very proud of attaining my bachelors and masters degrees.

What I am most proud of is my daughter: I tried having children for years and after four miscarriages, I adopted a beautiful baby girl from Kazakhstan.  Due to unfortunate circumstances, I have been raising her alone since she was one year old.  She is truly amazing and has changed my life.

What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Before you begin your business, research it for a long time and research everything there is to know about it.  Begin only when you are comfortable doing so and have the energy for it. It will take a lot of your time!

Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? The internet (of course).  What would I do without it?  I can find anything I need on the internet! If it exists, it is on the internet!

If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? I would use pure diamonds and my birthstone, the beautiful blue sapphire.

Written by Crystal · Filed Under Interviews 

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