Portland Mamas Inc.
Life as a mama entrepreneur is a little hectic, super insane, and absolutely 110% the best thing I have ever chosen to do (oh, besides the getting married and having a child part of my life :).
When I quit my FT++ office job at the end of last July, I had four goals: launch Event Bliss (check), launch SchotlandPR (check), start the Moms for Hillary 2008 campaign with help from friends at the DNC in DC (scratched this - I've now decided to vote for my dog in '08 because there are no viable candidates in any party. But I digress...), and start a networking/resource organization for mom entrepreneurs. Enter Portland Mamas Inc.
Portland Mamas Inc. is a place where mom entrepreneurs can share resources, ideas, and ask questions that will be answered by other mom entrepreneurs with expertise in various fields. We'll touch on topics from funding (I didn't forget our conversation Karen!) to marketing/pr/advertising, from the elusive work/life balance to legal issues, from product packaging to logo design. Portland Mamas Inc. will roll out first as a blogging community later this spring/summer. Monthly meetings with targeted topics will hopefully follow shortly thereafter, followed by a bi-monthly newsletter. Non-profit status will hopefully be attained sometime next year.
I know there are a ton of mom entrepreneurs out there, and many of you thinking about making the big leap. My own businesses are thriving in large part because of the knowledge, the support and the assistance so graciously given to me by other mama entrepreneurs. This is one small way I want to give back: to bring this community with our unique needs closer together, so we can help each other succeed in every aspect of our lives.
Please feel free to visit www.portlandmamasinc.org and send me an email if you are interested in contributing, being on the mailing list, etc. So far we've snagged Robyn from Portland at Play/Folklore Media and Kathi O'Neil from Portland Picks and Westover Media as contributing bloggers. I just designed the logo and did the temp home page this afternoon so the site is sparse now. Please send me your ideas for topics & speakers, your thoughts on how to make it work, what you would like to get out of this organization, and anything else you have on your mind.
Cheers!
-Marlynn
Hi Marlynn,
I can't say I'm a good writer for any of those topics, but I'll certainly be a participant. I'm a new mama who's been self-employed for many years. And my best friend is a mama of 2 grown boys who recently re-did her life and opened two lingerie shops in Portland (called Oh Baby). So she will be someone I'll involve too, in meetings and in using the website. (She is currently networking with wedding industry; is this something I should talk with you about separately?)
Thanks!
Larissa
Posted by: larissa | February 27, 2006 at 11:53 AM
Marlynn, what a great idea. Congrats on the launch and I can't wait to hear more.
Posted by: Blair | February 27, 2006 at 05:16 PM
Hi there: I saw your site. I am going to be at the BabyFest March 11th & 12th and thought some of your moms would like to come and hang out with me. I could get them passes to get in and if they could wear my Baby Bundler around they could keep it if they like. I'm looking for maybe 4 to 6 moms or more if there is an interest. The Babyfest will be at the convention Center---There should be around 8-10,000 people with lots to do and see. I could use your help if anyone can. Call or e-mail shelley at babybundlers@comcast.net. My phone is 503 704-7240. thanks
Posted by: shelly | February 27, 2006 at 07:15 PM