This post lists some of my favourite sites for mom entrepreneurs who are interested in connecting with other women in running a business. Scroll down and add any sites you think I’ve missed!
Go Go Mama Go’s first blog post was just over three months ago. When I look at the contents of that post, I can’t believe how much my purpose has changed in such a short amount of time and know that my direction to move towards a theme of “women mentoring women” is the right one. Not only has my recent shift in the content produced such astounding responses and feedback, but my site’s visitors has doubled in just one month’s time, articles are receiving more and more comments, and I regularly receive Follow Friday mentions from the lovely network of Twitter friends I have made – all of which is social proof that I’m on the right track.
I love the personal sense of accomplishment that comes from helping entrepreneurial women read about the joys and struggles of other mom entrepreneurs, told in their own words. I love that the people in my blog are from all places and stages in their business ventures – from women who have a boutique in Etsy to CEOs of up-and-coming sites to inventors of fabulous baby products. Go Go Mama Go has in its brief existence profiled women like Jennifer Thornton who are starting out to someone like Stacey Smith are further along in their journey.
Barbara Schantz of Baby Dipper, featured last week on 5 Questions, recommends that when completing background research, entrepreneurs seek out mentors “to make sure that you’ve clarified what some realistic goals are for your business idea.” A few weeks ago, Gretchen Penny of Easy Expression talked about how the mom entrepreneur community has opened itself to her. Referring to her business connections as a “sisterhood”, Gretchen has made great friends over the years through her business network and enjoys watching their businesses grow.
Other Sites That Have Women Mentoring Women
I recently blogged about mentors and what an entrepreneur should look for in a mentor. There is something to be said about finding a person who “gets” what you’re going through. Last week, I asked my Twitter followers to tell me about some of their favourite online mentoring / networking sites for women. Here are some that they mentioned:
Ladies Who Launch
My husband was actually the first person who introduced me to Ladies Who Launch after meeting with the Toronto leader. I plan on joining the Vancouver community when I move since the workshops and events look so great. Founded by Victoria Colligan, Ladies Who Launch provides women entrepreneurs with timely and relevant resources (i.e., Business, Financing, Legal, Health insurance, Education, and more), avenues and inspiration. In addition to regular networking events and workshops, the organization’s web site also includes Marketing directories and classifieds, Lifestyle features, and helpful Webinars at great prices. Check out whether there is a local community near you.
Savor The Success
Aimee LaLiberte of Style For Grace recommended that check out the Savor the Success, which at the time had a PR board available to non-premium members. While anyone can still post on the PR section, you’ll need to be a member to actually see the opportunities. Savor the Success offers a premium community among entrepreneurial women for inspiration and motivation. Co-founded by Angela Jia Kim, a concert pianist by profession turned owner of a business spa and skincare company, the Savor the Success web site features blogs, events and online discussion “cafes” on relevant topics like social media, organizing, and selling without being “sleazy”.
Mompreneurs Online
Mompreneurs Online was the first community I joined when I started my blog and business. The sites is geared towards mothers who juggle home-based work with family needs and aims to provide entrepreneurial moms or work-at-home mothers with practical business advice. Authors and founders Patricia Code and Ellen H. Parlapiano are the originators and trade-mark owners of “mompreneurs. Mompreneurs Online serves as a community to all home-based working mothers with highlights to community, blogs, articles, books, among others. Post something on its forums – you will most certainly get an response.
BlogHer
If you weren’t at BlogHer this past July (I wasn’t), then you certainly reading everyone’s tweets from those who were. In addition to being a very popular conference, BlogHer is a hub of women bloggers who post on a wide range of topics, such business and career, health and wellness, mothering and family, money and personal finances, and more. In addition, the site also features BlogHerAds, an ad network that reaches millions each month through its publishing network of more than 2,500 editorially-vetted blogs and the BlogHer.com community hub.
Mompreneur Café
I joined the Mompreneur Café community shortly after I started my business. A new but growing community of savvy entrepreneurial mothers and those who desire to be one. Run on a Ning framework, this web site allows each member to post blogs, photos, and videos. Members can also chat real-time to one another. The site also regularly produces a profile of a mom entrepreneur, as well as features an active forum community.
Hybrid Mom
Stacey Smith, founder and CEO of Hybrid Mom, was recently featured on Go Go Mama Go. Her plan was to “change the world” when she started on her journey – and she’s well on her way. The Hybrid Mom is a three-in-one web site designed for both working mothers and stay-at-home moms. As a web site, Hybrid Mom offers site users with amazing and relevant features, such as blogs, consulting, events, and marketplace. As a magazine, Hybrid Mom highlights interesting and up-to-date featured articles wherein considerable information and experience of mothering can be gathered. As a community, Hybrid Mom provides a perfect avenue among mothers (working and stay-at-home) to connect with one another.
Moms United In Business
I found this community on Technorati and joined early on in my business venture. Also on the Ning platform, Moms United In Business or MUIB is a free membership community that offers blogs and media sharing, event listings, and business directories. There are also some chat and forum features that promote network or connection among active members.
The Mom Entrepreneur
Olivia Omega Logan, co-leader of the Denver chapter of Ladies Who Launch, suggested that I check out Traci Bisson and her site The Mom Entrepreneur. In addition to running her consulting company, Traci seems to also be a blogger extraordinaire who writes four blogs and is syndicated on three others. I have also just applied for membership to her Online Support Group, which promises to offer moderated discussions, access to the member database, opportunities to discuss issues in a secure setting, discounted sponsorship opportunities and more. Membership is free. Cross your fingers that I’ll be accepted!
Entrepreneurial Moms International
Founded by current CEO Christie Schultz, Entrepreneurial Moms International is a caters to local moms in Canada who are simultaneously running their own business or perhaps at an early stage of venturing new ones. The web site provides information and resources on various subjects, such as business efforts, advertising, advertising and social support, as well as professional and business networks.
Can you think of any sites that I’ve missed? Post your favourites in the comments below!
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{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
Great list Christine – and thanks for giving a nod to Entrepreneurial Moms International (just joined their board). As a mompreneur success coach, I know just how important it is for mompreneurs to build strong community networks to support their business and life. Looking forward to checking out a few of the sites I hadn’t heard of. Thanks!
Hi Christine – Great list of fantastic women. Maybe you’ll give a nod my way next time.
My website http://www.aMomEntrepreneur.com theme is Women Helping Women.
Perhaps we could collaborate in some way?
Keep up the good work!
Tammy
What a great list! I love The Mom Entrepreneur and Ladies Who Launch, they always have awesome information for mom entrepreneurs! I’ll have to check out Entrepreneurial Moms International and Savor the Success, as well as Tammy’s site, A Mom Entrepreneur.
I would like to recommend Women for Hire and HBWM (Home-Based Working Moms).
Christine, don’t forget GoGoMamaGo – your site rocks too!