Ladies Who Launch

Mommy Millionaire Discusses "The Revolution"

More from Mommy Millionaire Kim Lavine:

The word “revolution” may be one of the most overused words of the last year. Watch TV for a half hour and you’re probably going to see it mentioned in at least one commercial. Everybody wants to deliver a revolutionary idea that is going to capture a huge segment of the population and drive them into some kind of suddenly self-conscious social group, so that marketers can market to them. But out of all the people claiming a revolution, this one is for real and it’s flying just under the radar of the nation’s consciousness, about to explode.

As I pointed out in my book MOMMY MILLIONAIRE, there are 11 million women entrepreneurs in this country. That’s 40% of all businesses. That number never fails to shock whatever media person I’m talking to. But what is perhaps more shocking, is that women are starting businesses today at two times the rate of men. The US Census Bureau predicts that by 2025, 55% of all businesses in the US will be owned by women.

It’s not just that these numbers are revolutionary. It’s the social conditions behind them that are driving this sea change where the real revolution lies. According to a recent poll by Oprah, out of 38 million women with children in the US, two- thirds of the working moms who responded said they would quit work and stay home with their kids if they could. Among the stay-at-home moms, more than one-third wished they worked outside the home. The truth is, the technology of the 21st century is changing our daily lives in new and revolutionary ways, radically transforming the 9 to 5 workday and family world. Fed up with the corporate world, women are taking their own destinies into their hands and following their dreams in record numbers. Never before has it been so distinctly possible for women to have it all!

But this isn’t a women’s revolution. It’s a family revolution.

It’s not a political revolution. It’s an economic revolution.

It’s not a technological revolution. It’s a communication revolution.

Many of my “Daddy Millionaires” have written to me lately to remind me how they’re part of this revolution too. One of them is Dan Gosling at http://www.chopsaver.com . Visit Dan’s site and you’ll realize how he deftly he’s used this new communication revolution to launch a grass roots campaign that has taken his product into distribution across the world. To hear more about my definition of the “New Grass Roots” and how to launch your own successful campaign, tune into The Good Life Radio Show with Jesse Dylan on September 26th at 2:45 when I will be interviewed.

http://www.tglshow.com

As we lead this revolution across the world, let’s make sure we focus on substance, not image, on detailed resource, not the promise of information, on inspiration and support, and not an impossibly-high standard that only a few gifted with exclusive educations and career choices can attain. Let’s make sure to support each other with hope, honesty and faith. There’s enough for everyone to go around.

To join the revolution, log on to

http://www.mommymillionaire.com, where you can now join our brand new Message Board, featuring a new topic: Kim, Help Me Get On TV! For everyone who signs up, you will receive a beautiful Green Daisy FREE inspirational note card to download and print however many times you want, to send to your other friends in the revolution.

Kim is the President and Founder of Green Daisy, Inc—a lifestyle brand focused on balancing life with love ™--and the best selling author of Mommy Millionaire. Kim has appeared on The Today Show, Rachel Ray, NBC & ABC news, CNN, CNBC's "The Big Idea" with Donny Deutsch, LifetimeTV.com, and has been featured in USA Today, Country Living, Guideposts, Women's World, American Baby and on NPR and Oprah & Friends Radio Network. Kim is on a mission to encourage women to follow their dreams, inspiring them with hope, honesty and faith.

"Everything begins with a search for something better--a dream, an idea, the courage to face a challenge, and the passion to get it done.

You can do it.

Believe in yourself.

Change the rules.

Join the revolution."

Crocs Patent--The Stuff Legends Are Made Of

From Mommy Millionaire, Kim Lavine:

Just what exactly is a patent worth? How Crocs shoes anticipated competition and created a strategy to head it off, is the stuff that legends are made of! I explain how in response to a question today from one of my readers Michelle, who asks: 

“Many companies like Crocs Shoes come up with an idea and put it on the market like you did, well what about the Crocs knockoffs? My question is how can a company that does the Crocs knockoffs get away with it? Do they have to pay the founding company? I would be one of those people who would be afraid of being sued. I could go on and on comparing items that we use everyday and that can be a long list.” 

I remember when I was just starting out, perhaps the scariest moments for me involved putting my ideas out there in the marketplace, worrying about somebody knocking them off. Since then I’ve learned that the idea is only 5% of a product’s success—and this may include the patent! The other 95% is sales and marketing. You can find a whole section in my book MOMMY MILLIONAIRE on patents, and I would suggest everyone read it to find out the absolute basics for going forward, including when to pay and attorney, and when not to.

When it comes to patents, some of the best advice I’ve ever been given was that “Martha Stewart doesn’t own the patent on sheets and towels,” which is evidence that trademarks and brands, in my experience, can be more valuable than patents. In theory, a patent is only as valuable as your capacity to defend it in the marketplace, which usually means a lot of money spent paying lawyers. Unfortunately, you don’t usually have the revenues to support paying an attorney to defend your patent when you’re starting out, so it’s always been my advice to take your idea to the marketplace as hard and as fast as possible, so you can generate the revenues necessary to defend your patent. The United States Patent and Trademark Office anticipated this problem, allowing inventors to sue patent infringers for triple damages, which goes a long way to keep people from wanting to steal your idea, if they have to pay three times the money they make off of it to you in damages.

http://www.USPTO.gov. Despite this, patents typically defend a narrow technical parameter, which a lot of competitors usually manage to find a way to get around. 

Crocs journey began in 2002 in a Canadian plastics company, when a Crocs founder discovered a version of the funny-looking shoes being used in day spas. In 2003, the founders of Crocs, after seeing initial success selling their unique and admittedly ugly shoes at boat shows—and after being rejected by venture capitalists in their attempts to raise start-up capital to take their idea big time—raised $5.2 million dollars from friends to fund their company! The first thing they did with that money was to buy up its suppliers and manufacturers of the unique resin that Croc shoes are made of, called Croslite. This same supplier also owned the design patent on the resin. Crocs began selling first to small shoe stores, then went into national distribution at Nordstrom and Dillards. To meet the need, Crocs founders employed contract manufacturers in China, Italy and Romania. In 2006, Crocs expanded overseas from Singapore to Austria. 

The people who founded Crocs had serious business backgrounds, including a President at a national branding company, an exec at a national sandwich chain, a hardware sales executive and a President of an electronics manufacturer. With a motto of “Think Huge,” and after selling only 1,000’s of pairs in 2002, they pooled extraordinary management talents to write a business plan that raised them $5 million for launch from friends and business associates alone. In Feb of 2006, Crocs raised an additional $239 million in the largest footwear IPO (Initial Public Offering) ever, valuing their market share at $1.09 billion. Yes, there are competitors nipping on their heals now, no doubt with some slightly different resin formulation for their shoes on which their patent is based, but they are the innovators with all of the market share and they have the resources to keep their competitors at a permanent disadvantage. 

There are a couple of lessons here:

Why aren’t women’s companies getting this kind of money to fund start ups?

Why do only a tiny percentage of women-owned companies generate revenues of a million dollars or more annually?

Why, though there is $20 Billion in Angel Capital every year for start-up businesses, does only 4% of it go to women-owned businesses, when 40% of all businesses in the US are owned by women? 

Is it just a lack of confidence that keeps us from formulating five million dollar business plans? Is it because there is still a attitude of male chauvinism in the business world that won’t see beyond our sexuality? Or is it that we haven’t given ourselves the permission to dream this big, and the tools to go after it? As a very inspiring woman I met this week told me, Molly McDonald of The Pink Fund, http://www.thepinkfund.org which provides financial aid to those suffering with breast cancer: “We don’t need brass balls, we need brass boobs.”

How to Unleash your Inner Sexpot

Would you like to unleash your inner Sexpot?
Pole dancing is the latest trend in workouts it is true. It is Audacious. It is bold.

And fun.

It makes me feel juicy, bodacious and empowered. It trims my waistline and causes me to think differently about who I am being in the world. All that from 2 hours in a very intense and pleasurable workout?

Yes.

So consider this.
If all matter is energy and the Law of Attraction says that like
energy attracts like energy, then imagine the kind of gorgeous
energy you can create by giving the pole a whirl?

There is much to be said for my pole dancing classes and I have
noticed a change in how I approach everything in my life.

As Sheila Kelly, the founder of SFactor has said, "Soak in the
pure, unadulterated flow of your life. Breathe it in and exhale
everything in your mind until your entire being is just bliss. Let
your body float with soft, languid moves that are simply organic to
your being. When you step outside into your day you will notice
something has shifted."

I think I am (finally!) becoming the exquisite creature I was meant to be.
When you uncover your inner sexpot you also uncover your creative
center, which helps you to think of great new ideas for your
business and gives you the lift-off to actually complete what you
start!

Imagine that?

One of my coaches, Andrea J. Lee of Vancouver, British Columbia often speaks about doing activities that open you to your most sensual and creative self. For me it comes from movement and there is nothing like gathering the courage to dance with a pole...and do it gracefully. And also not be afraid to flop on the floor and try again.

If you are looking for a way to shape up your body, mind and spirit
then the Sfactor may just be the thing for you. They have intro
classes and studios are opening all over the place.

Even Oprah loves it.
You will too.
It's Pure Audacious power.

Go on check it out. You know you want to.

http://www.sfactor.com

Nancy Mindes, Chief Audaciousness Officer
Audacious Ladies Coaching Company
http://www.NancyMindes.com

Relief is just a thought away

Dear Audacious Ladies who Launch

Consider this.
Your thoughts and fears are like outdated computer programs that jam up the works
and cause your machine to crash.

But you can always upgrade by getting into action.
Affirmations are a great way to do it.

Try this:
Before you jump out of bed and race off to start your day
take 5 minutes to just close your eyes again and breathe.

First take a moment to say "thank you" for having this wonderful day stretched out before you.
(even if you have a crazy one coming at you, be grateful anyway the universe will notice)
then
Take long slow deep breaths and notice your thoughts;
Avoid making lists or plans just follow the breath and watch your thoughts roll by and let them go.
They will keep coming, keep allowing them to come and go like waves on the shore.

Notice what comes up for you.
What would you like to create for the day?

Now to create a new program to replace your outdated software, create an affirmation that  you can repeat
throughout the day.

Affirmations enable us to let go of negative programming and make space for that which propels you forward.
Here's one to get you started from Louise Hay, from her bestseller, You Can Heal Your Life.

For self criticizing: "I am willing to release the need to be unworthy. I  am worthy of the very best in life, and I now lovingly allow myself to accept it."
Keep it with you.
Post it somewhere and everywhere.
Say it often. SAY IT LOUD.
Step into your Audacious Intention with GUSTO.

A BIG audacious hug to you,
Nancy

Nancy Mindes, coach
Chief Audaciousness Officer
Audacious Ladies get your Success In Style.
How audacious do you want to be?
516.705.8823

Go here to join my Audacious E-Zine http://www.NancyMindes.com

"Boldness has genius, power and magic in it." `Goethe

Launching Moms: Freya Williams

Dot
Originally uploaded by Ladies Who Launch.

Freya Williams is a member of the New York Incubator, a freelance writer and
author of the blog littlegreendot.

I’m making a bid to be the newest ‘mompreneur’ on the LWL blog. I started my
business four days ago when my daughter, Dot (who you may remember from the voting blog two weeks ago), was a mere nine weeks old. Do I win?!

OK, so I know it isn’t a competition, but for me it is kind of a race. I’m ten weeks in to a sixteen-week maternity leave and I already know with absolute certainty that I’d far rather work from home on my own business and have time with Dot than return to my corporate job in a major ad agency in six weeks’ time (that’s the current plan. But I know I’d be constantly torn
and barely see her). So I’ve made a start and I’m going to give it my best shot.

My ‘business’ is littlegreendot. At the moment it’s a blog that’s charting our progress, mine and Dot’s, as we attempt to become greener human beings. As Beth from LWL knows only too well, I’ve been looking for an idea to launch for several years. I knew I wanted to write full time (I already
write freelance for magazines on the side) but I didn’t have a topic I was passionate about. Separately, I’d become increasingly keen to do more to help the environment - even more so once I’d put a little person out there - but again, I wasn’t sure how. Somehow, I didn’t put two and two together.

Motherhood as Launching Pad

Nichole Hirsch

MyHealthyBeginning.com

I have wanted babies since I can remember and somewhere along the way I decided I would give birth at home and raise them the good old fashioned way.  Well, I did have my daughter at home three years ago and I want to stay home with her and have found a way to do it at first full time, then part time, and now about 90% of the time she's in my care.  It's taken me three years to grow the idea that was brewing while pregnant with her to what it is now.  MyHealthyBeginning.com is really a result of many hours of compiling information and meeting with those in my treasure chest of a network all the while sitting at my desk during her nap attached to 1) the breastpump for milk while I was at school, 2) the phone and 3) the keyboard.  Did I mention that was all at once?  I don't recommend making yourself crazy over becoming an enterpreneur, but man, it kind of takes over.  I started to thrive on both the growing bond between Sunny and I and the momentum of this idea that began to take on a mind of its own.  I mean, be careful what you throw out into the universe!  My website grew into a publication for women, infants and children in the Twin Cities with ideas of moving to a national level with a couple of book writing ideas swirling around in my head.  I had it fairly low risk, starting from home, using my current network, sharing what I knew and before I recognized what was happening, I had tripled my distribution in four issues.

Sunny is a constant inspiration to me.  Of course I want her to have what I didn't, but not in a lavish way.  I want the time and stress free life of travel and seeing the world.  I want the time to do things a little more traditionally with her; good food, slow pace of life, siblings.  Every time I'm ready to throw in the towel on finishing my undergraduate degree (seven months to go!) or get frustrated because I owe my printer or graphic designer money and there's nothing coming in, I just look at the picture of her in her lifejacket on the dock holding a (by that time) dead sunfish (ever heard of loving things to death?) with her white sunglasses on and her blonde hair shining in the sun, I just get positive that what I am doing is good and right and will serve us and the community well.

Motherhood is amazing and stressful and I can't wait to have more kids and watch them grow as my publication continues to grow and my path in life continues to broaden.

Launching Moms: Lindy Bartell

Lindy Bartell is a member of the Portland Incubator and her business is SmartyParents.com

As a late-bloomer mom (my first son was born when I was 36), my whole identity changed when my son was born.  I literally left my corporate job after taking a severance package and had a baby the next morning.  I went from working 10 hours a day as the director of ommunications for a technology company to nursing and diapering 12 times a day. 

Despite all the changes in my life, my creative problem-solving crept in. I had my first idea as a mom-inventor within the first three months of my son being born. My boys are absolutely my inspiration.  Just before my second son was born, the elder moved from the high-chair to the table andproceeded to get sticky oatmeal all over our nice wood table -- I needed a bib for the table and all the other placemats wouldn't do.

One sleepless night in between nursing the new baby led to brainstorming with my husband and much of what is is now reality with the Piggy Platter placemat and the other Perry & Penny branded products.

Launching Moms: A WannaBe "Mompreneur"

Katie of Katie James launched her accessories label in May of 2006 and is the creator of the quirky fashion blog, FashionMista.
Katie James, FashionMista

I grew up knowing I wanted and needed my own business while I raised children, which is why I borrowed the "mompreneur" term from MIchelle Rubin of Willow Creek Baby. I had no visions of a wedding dress or a huge diamond. Just me working somewhere, doing something I loved. My mother raised us directly (with the help of our dad) while carrying out different jobs, like selling children’s educational toys (that was a fun one), selling Sunbeam things, and for the past 15 years has been a rep for lines of clothing, most recently Doncaster and Elana.

So I grew up with her always doing something, and being there for us at the same time (even if that meant picking us up late from basketball practice!). I also loved money - counting money, saving money for a bike or Cabbage Patch Kid - and was taught that if I wanted the money, I had to work for the money. I also didn't want to depend on a man or a marriage to have that money, just in case he wouldn't be there the whole time, which brings us to today. I'm a 29 year old mother of a super smart German Shepherd/Chow named Gerdy (that a former fiance of mine abandoned due to our breakup! so glad to get that out of the way!), a regal cat named Dinah, and now a new kitten named Oliver the Terrible who just had to run in front of me as I walked home from the subway the other night. They are true inspirations to me, and two products so far have been developed for them - the Chow Chow dog treat bag and the FashionMista (a fashion mouse for cats).

I only know how to do what I love and what makes me happy. It took a little while to figure out what that was, but I'm learning the combination and it's filling me with joy. At my mom's encouragement, I took a class in fashion design at FIT which turned into an accessories business called Katie James, which is expanding into website design, and then there's the FashionMista blog which has its own plans of a redesign and boutique of unique designs.

So my 'plan' is falling into place, which is to have a business set up so that when I have children (if I'm so blessed), a system will be set up for me to work in. For my 9-5 day job, I manage the website of a nonprofit specializing in educating women and health professionals about the best maternity care, so I'm set. I've also recognized, as was testimony from so many of these launching moms, that being a mompreneur makes you plan your time and actually get things done instead of procrastinating...something I always suspected. I also suspect, though, then when I become a mom, all of these plans will fly out the window and a new situation will present itself. So I eagerly look forward to the day when I am balancing both and gaining new inspirations.

A Mom's Legacy: Sheilah Griggs

Sheilah Griggs is Vice President of Point 3 Media - Producing commercials and branding campaigns for advertisers across the country.

My mother has a Master’s degree in Home Economics. She was teaching college at a very young age, and then chose to set aside her career and stay at home to raise my brother and me.  So I grew up believing that was what was required to be a “good mother”...to sacrifice your own desires and career goals; to stay home and raise “good children”.

So when I found out I was pregnant, I felt like my life had just ended. I remember sobbing and my husband looking at me like I had lost my mind because he was so happy! To me, a child meant I was going to be stuck at home and not see my dreams fulfilled; that I would never go anywhere or do anything exceptional. I couldn’t have been more wrong.

When my daughter Cameron was born, I discovered--surprisingly--that being a mommy came naturally to me.... I just “did it”. I didn’t think about the “how to”, I just looked into those little eyes and “did”. My instinct to meet her needs became stronger than any fears that I could not. So I embraced the full time mommy challenge for a season, not yet realizing that those years I spent just being “mommy” were truly preparing me for my future.

However, eventually it became clear I needed an outlet, so I began  to work freelance on projects where I controlled my time. I became my own boss so I could still be mommy, too. And yes, Cameron did get dragged into meetings sometimes, and yes, I did have to “shush” her when I was on the phone. And yes, I felt completely and utterly guilty for doing so, and beat myself up good for that.

Launching Moms: Michelle Rubin

Michelle Rubin is a member of the Harrisburg, PA and the owner of Willow Creek Baby.

I am a launching mom, and I believe 100% that being a mother is conductive to entrepreneurship. I would have never had the courage or the inspiration to launch my own company if it was not for the birth of my son.  Before he was born, I spent years dreaming about the business I wanted to launch. It wasn’t until I became a mother that I got up the courage to follow my dreams.   I guess after you experience the miracle of birth you realize anything is possible.  I wanted it all.  I wanted to be a mom and an entrepreneur.  I wanted to be a mompreneur.  I knew that if I stayed in my 9-5 job, I would not have been able to be successful at both parenting and working.  By launching my company and becoming my own boss, I had control over everything and I loved it!  I was able to be home with my son while I launched the business of my dreams.   It was not always easy. but having a supportive husband helped a lot.   

My company, Willow Creek Baby , continues to grow as I am inspired by my son.  My number one selling product, the memory blanket, is a result of a sentimental moment I had while packing up my son’s outgrown clothing. While sorting through the pile, I started reminiscing over each piece of clothing.  There was the outfit he wore home from the hospital, the striped PJ’s that made him look so cute and the red sweater he wore his first Christmas.  When I realized that he was growing up so fast and would never wear these special items again, my eyes filled up with tears.  I immediately knew what I had to do.  Right there, on his bedroom floor, I took his clothing and cut them into squares to create my first memory blanket.  So yes, being a mother has inspired my entrepreneurship and I am sure it will continue to do so.