Celebrate Survival of the Mompreneur

July 08, 2009

By Toyi Ward
MaxiMOM

It's been just about a year now and I'm still at it...this whole running my own company thing. Toyi Ward Communications, LLC will be a year old next week and I must admit I’m grateful that 'm still here. The statistics on the failure rate of new businesses in the first year range from the sensationalized 90% to a more reasonable 26%. Though this economy has made my income stream unpredictable from month to month and I've pretty much exhausted my threshold of pro-bono work, I'm still here. That's to be celebrated.

There were days when I looked at my Prada bag and tiffany bracelet and thought about the money I made in Corporate America. I reviewed my stellar resume and fielded calls from recruiters who said "Companies are thirsting for your level of talent". I've run into people from my old company who tell me I'm welcome back with just a word. The pressure to give up my flexible schedule and autonomy for the 80-hour work week was knocking at my door. But like all entrepreneurs, the love of what I do drives my tenacity. I formed my company to develop positive content showcasing women in the media. It's a job that I love and believe in. While running the company, I'm promoting my novel, visiting book clubs, and shouting to anyone who will listen "buy my book!", "hire me!"

Being an entrepreneur takes a lot of skill but none more important than a tenacious faith in what we do. Business owners are afraid to quit because they know that the next sale could be the contract of a lifetime. AOL or CNN could call me any day. I can't quit now. So the money isn't just lounging in my account waiting on my spend it. It is there when I need it and that's what's most important. So what? I can’t forecast my cash flow out 6-months. I can pay my bills monthly and on time. With all the economic doom and gloom around us, it's easy to fall back into the safety net of regular paychecks and paid vacation. So, I surround myself with other women business owners who are struggling with family and work demands and meeting the challenge. I ensure that I interact with women who are determined to have healthy families and successful businesses. They say "misery" loves company. This is true, but so does "hope". Celebrate your survival, today!

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Rosemary O'Brien
October 23, 2009
I'm still here! It's funny because I had to miss my mom's weekly "Roni Night" due to a backed-up schedule. She called later and asked if I enjoyed the dinner she sent home with my family, but she also asked a question that added up to, "Is it worth it?" She asked if I was making enough money from my business. I'm going to blog about it in my momblog, but thought I would share.

Nancy Amaral
July 23, 2009
Congratulations, it is refreshing to see women succeeding in entrepreneurial *** that are normally dominated by men! :)

Helen Jonsen
July 09, 2009
Women entrepreneurs are a backbone of our economy even in the worst of times! Nafe celebrates women executives and entrepreneurs everyday. Hope you are networking with all the great members there. (nafe.com)

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