Celest Benn, Free Birthday Stuff
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Name: Celest Benn
Hometown: San Jose, California
Current Residence (City, State): West Hartford, CT
Education: Ph.D. Psychology
Professional Background (brief, please): I was a simultaneous interpreter (Spanish, French & Portuguese) with the DOD & NASA and then a Sports Psychologist, now I am a stay at home mom and started up www.freebirthdaystuff.com I was tired of all the doom and gloom in the world.
What you wanted to be when you grew up: a simultaneous interpreter I achieved this by the time I was 21 years old.
What you are: A mom, wife and a website founder
Brief Summary of your Start Up:
Company Website? www.freebirthdaystuff.com
What inspired you? Too many glasses of wine at my daughters 4th birthday party. Please go to the site and on the right side 1st drop down you can read the story of how it all began.
How long have you been in business? 9 months as a beta site and up and running officially as of February 2007. (my birthday is Valentine’s day so about 14 months all together.
How did you fund it? By savings and putting money away from paychecks and clipping coupons
Do you have a Fairy Godmother (or Mentor)? No, I wish I did. Are you taken?
Do you belong to any Business Organization or Networking Groups? No not at this time
Current Business Challenge? I need more members, I need more companies on the site, I need to make money…this is currently free to members and vendors (companies)
What are you doing about it? Well contacting people like yourself and using any and all criticism to my best advantage
Favorite motivational quote: Anything about being positive and not listening to those who will tell you it can’t be done. I have a collection of them.
Family? Husband, son 16 and an 8 yr old daughter. Living life in both ends of the spectrum.
If so, how do you balance family and business? My husband travels from Sunday night to Friday night. I work 9am to 2 pm while the kids are in school. Hockey and figure skating and volunteering in school once a week. Little one in bed by 8pm and son does homework till 11pm. I have a bubble bath and a glass of wine. Sometimes I have time to read a book…oh yes and Tivo when I can I get to watch some fun dribble programs.
Favorite book? Beach Music by Pat Convoy
What do you do to relax? Bath, wine, read, garden, paint
What do you want to change most about your world? Well, maybe the answer to that is I would like to change other people’s worlds more than mine part of the reason Freebirthdaystuff is so important to me. Spread a little sunshine around. I am pretty happy and content. I guess as long as you keep having a birthday you shouldn’t complain. The alternative is pretty permanent.
What are you most proud of? My children, my husband (married 29 years) I am 49 so that more than half my life. I’m a positive person and try to find good in others.
What advice would you like to offer other Start Up Princesses? Keep you eyes straight ahead, don’t give up and don’t listen to all the doom Sayers. Also, a piece of the pie is better than no pie.
Favorite Magic Wand (tool/resource)? My ability to communicate on the phone with anyone. I can contact any head of state or president of any corporation I have no fear.
If you could design a tiara, what precious stones would you use? Doesn’t matter any would work for me.
Would you be interested in being a Fairy Godmother to another woman entrepreneur? (I am working on a secure system to do this, any ideas?) Sure, as long as I know what I’m doing.
What business subjects would you feel comfortable mentoring in? I think my strength would lie in being positive. Keeping the mental edge.
Would you be interested in going to lunch with other women entrepreneurs for a “networking tea party� Yes, when and where?
If you are out of Utah County, would you be willing to be a facilitator of such an event? Sure, just let me know how.
