Last year, one of my best friends, Lisa Vitale, nominated me for a “momprenuer” award through Bag Lady Promotions. I didn’t stand a chance of winning. I was up against amazing heavy hitters like Dayna Landry, founder of CityMommy.com, and Jen Levinson, founder of Jen’s List, Jennifer Berenson, owner of Jeneration PR, and Alycia Denham, founder of YogaHitch. These girls have lists, big email lists. Fresh Brothers does too, more than 8,000 people, but it wouldn’t have been appropriate for me to use that list to campaign for myself. I got a lot of support on Facebook; and honestly, it was just super cool to be nominated.
I did attend the conference hosted by BagLady Productions last September. It was an incredible day. I met people like:
Ann Evanston, who has become my social media mentor.
Justin Krane, a financial planning genius.
Louise Eddington, a blogger and great lady.
I learned a lot that day. I collected a lot of business cards. I made new friends. I stretched my wings a little further than usual and I liked it.
I recently had someone ask me this: Do you really want to call yourself a “mompreneur?” I was a little thrown off by the question. I wondered if “mompreneur” somehow has a negative connotation. I don’t walk around calling myself a “mompreneur.” This person also attended the BLP event in September. She was someone who could have picked up a lot of clients at that event; but somehow the word “mompreneur” turned her off and she felt that she didn’t connect with the group. Her loss.
About the word “momprenuer”…I like it! I used to be a tv producer. I was really good at my job. Really good. I loved everything about my job, except the fact that I had to exist in a world where tv production was perceived to be as important as brain surgery. It just isn’t. I survived (and mostly thrived) working for one of the craziest (albeit brilliant) executives EVER. After being laid off from the company that I had worked with for 8 years when I was pregnant with my twins, I knew I needed to do something better with my life. And then the twins arrived…and every category that I ever put myself into – tv producer, writer, etc. disappeared. I was mom. I was Adam’s wife. I am, still, both of those things – wife, mom. And frankly, marrying Adam and creating our little family was the best thing I’ve ever done in my life. They are my cake. Everything else is icing.
Icing: I was honored when Baglady’s Laura asked me to be on the BLP for 2011. I accepted, and have joined great company on the board: Stacy Butler,
Ann Evanston, Kim Tracy Prince, Alexandra J. Rembac, Dayna Landry, Lisa Vitale, Devon Leigh Smith, Andrea McKinnon, Andrea Fellman, Renata Abraham, Carmen Linder, Cynthia Miller & Kara Frans.
I hope you’ll check out BLP’s website. If you own a business in LA, you need to be a part of this club!
There are so many people pissed off at Devon Leigh Smith she is a thief and a pathological liar. So owes so many people so much money; if I were her I would be afraid to show my face any where
Hi Danielle – I hardly know Devon. I’m sorry that you are going through something difficult, but your comments seem like a threat and that concerns me. I would urge you to use the proper channels of the legal system to manage the situation.
Debbie
I LOVE the term momprenuer ~ it just resonates so well with me.
Yvonne Hall
http://www.facebook.com/wildforwildtree
I love your enthusiasm in this piece. I can feel your excitement and happiness.
I am a mompreneur and like to think of myself as one.
Looking forward to networking with you soon – Rachel
What a lovely post! How amazing it is how small the world really is. Sounds like you found a perfect place. Cant wait to come to LA to meet you, and of course try some pizza!
Jennifer Duchene
Home Makeover Mixtress
http://home-decorating-makeovers.com/
Couldn’t agree more about the tv/brain surgery analogy! Best things I’ve ever done are leave tv, marry David and have Skylar! So glad I’m not the only one who “saw the light”!! :0)
I’m glad we both have the cake, Heather!! Thank you for commenting!
I love the power of networking. the world is SO big, and SO small when you network. Everything comes together when you are willing to step up and out and have a voice! I am honored to know you Debbie, you are an amazing woman!
Ann Evanston
Discover Your REAL Edge
Warrior-preneur.com
Ann – I was going to call this post “Six Degrees” because it seems that so many of us connected in ways that we don’t even realize. Facebook makes that easy to see with the “shared” friends list. I’m honored to have you in my life, Ann! I’m a lucky woman, indeed!
I’m so honored to get the shout out! I have started to move away from mompreneur to entrepreneur as my kids are getting older but I wouldn’t let the title put me off receiving an award or going to the BLP events. Her loss as you say! I’m so glad I flew to LA that day, I went to meet Ann Evanston and hear her speak but ended up making so many lovely new friends along the way. Bonus!
Louise Edington
Facing Fears For Freedom
http://louiseedington.com
Louise! So glad we’ve connected because of BLP. And now we’re working together via Ann Evanston! Too cool!
- Debbie
First of all, I think Momprenuer is an excellent term, one to be proud of, and one that our society is quickly starting to use and respect. So wear it well my friend!
Great post, I agree, all that were mentioned are amazing people, and my life is literally changing due to that conference – pretty hefty stuff. I too am excited to be part of the BLP Advisory Board, it’s going to be a very special year.
Lisa Vitale
http://lisawifemom.wordpress.com
Yes, it’s going to be a special year, my friend. I’m glad we get to take this ride together!!
Debbie