A few years ago the word “mompreneur” wasn’t even in the vocabulary. But, now, not only is it part of the lexicon, but more and more moms are on their own quest to build businesses and income around their families.
But it’s not new. Women in business creating businesses around their families and homes for thousand–maybe millions–of years. Often times because it was a necessity. That doesn’t mean that it’s the right thing for all women. Yeah, who wouldn’t want be the next Pioneer Woman Ree Drummond… or Martha Stewart before her. Or even blogger Ruth Soukup from LivingWellSpendingLess.com. Here’s the thing, though. Not every woman is cut out to be a mompreneur, nor does she want to be.
Entrepreneur.com says entrepreneurs, and includes moms, are cut from the same cloth. They might come from different backgrounds and education level, but they all seem to share similar traits.
Do you think you have the necessary traits to become a success mompreneur? Find out by answering these 10 easy “yes” or “no” questions.
1. Do You Love Learning?
Mompreneurs are learning all the time. Some through traditional school-base course and programs, but more often than not, they are learning on their own. It’s a continuing process for them and they keep up on what’s going on in their markets and niches.
2. Are You Imaginative?
I don’t mean in the Georgia O’Keefe, let’s paint a picture way. But are you inspired by looking at ideas and then thinking of other possibilities? Debi Fields of Mrs. Fields cookie frame got an idea that people would pay for her cookies even though there were shelves full of treats at grocery stores, not mention straight from mom ovens in many homes. But she had an idea!
3. Are You a Risk Taker?
Successful mompreneurs usually want to accomplish something and are willing to go places they’ve never been. Kind of scary? Sure, but that’s the thing about mompreneurs. It isn’t that they aren’t afraid, but they tend to manage it and keep it at bay while they forge ahead. Even with everyone else tells them they should stop.
4. Do You Understand That Failure Is Part of Success?
If you don’t let setbacks get you down, then you might have the mompreneur spirit. Failure is part of the learn process. Now, if you keep doing the same thing over and over, and not learning for your failure, that’s a whole other story. (I think Einstein called that the definition of crazy.)
5. Are You a Planner?
Are you the type of mom who plans everything out, from budgets to the kids’ homework schedules. If you can like having plans in place to reach goals, you should also have the ability to map your business goals the and what it will take to reach them.
6. Are You Single-minded?
Once you’ve got your plans, then you have to be committed and determined to reach them. Sustaining a business involves taking on a heavy workload, and the buck stops with the mompreneur. Are you self-disciplined enough to the course when things get rough?
7. Does Passion Drive You?
Passion is the fuel that drives commitment and determination necessary to succeed on the entrepreneurial journey. As a mompreneur, you’ll need to love what you’re doing. It’s what will get you past the long hours, little payment and stress.
8. Can You Adapt to Change?
Thanks change. Often. And fast. Do you have the adaptability to respond quickly when it does? Being flexible helps you to make decisions that navigate you out of oncoming trouble. It also helps you to thrive in certain environments that would sink your business.
9. Are You Good at Selling Yourself?
It’s not that introverts can’t be good mompreneurs, but the most successful ones are able to pitch their ideas to anyone, anytime. It might take some practice to get that skill up to speed, so the bigger question is: are you up for it?
10. Can You Manage Your Fear?
There are so many fears out there, too. From the fear of failure, humiliation, running out of cash, missing payroll, and a thousand and one things more. Fear can make you crumble into pieces for work hard. Which one of those will it be for you?
So How Did You Do?
There are no right or wrong answers for this quiz, but the more “yes” answers mean you possess an entrepreneurial spirit. You might want to look at those no answers. You can either work on turning them into a yes, or re-think your future business. It just might be taken in a different direction.
If you’ve checked more no answers, don’t be discourage. It just might be you need to find the right work from home job. One that doesn’t stress you and still allows you to earn money and enjoy being a mom.
And that’s the ultimate goal, isn’t it? To find something we can enjoy? And make money.
Take care and I hope you come back soon,
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