Mom Entrepreneur: Heather Ledeboer
Business: Mom 4 Life
Website: www.mom4life.com
Tell us about your Mom 4 Life
Mom4Life.com specializes in products that are 100% mom invented. I am passionate about helping moms succeed in business. I feature unique and useful mom invented products and focus on making the customer’s experience a great one. We offer free shipping, free gift wrapping, gift registry and a free gift with purchase. My goal is to make the shopping experience one you will want to tell your friends about.
What inspired you to start your business?
I was inspired to find something I could be passionate about for the long haul that would also be a helpful asset to our family.
How long have you been in business?
Mom 4 Life was started in 2003, right after the birth of our first child.
What did you do in your past work life?
I have a degree in Elementary Education and I taught for three years prior to having children.
Describe your ideal workday.
I love to get up, love on my kids, quickly catch up on my emails and then be with my kids until my husband is done working in the early afternoon. I then work for 1-2 hours and then have more time with the family after that. Once the kids go to bed at night I often do a bit more work before I go to bed. Thankfully I love being a mom and love Mom 4 Life so I enjoy my days very much.
What have been some of your major successes?
We have been honored to win the 2008 and 2009 Pregnancy & Newborn Readers Choice Award for “Best Online Baby Store” as well as the Mom’s Choice Award’s 2009 Business of the Year and being in the top 20 Leading Moms in Business by StartupNation.
What have been some of your major challenges?
In May of 2008 we lost a baby at 37 weeks. It was a big challenge to grieve the lost of our son while running a website full of baby things. Having just lost a baby I didn’t enjoy being around things that would remind me of our loss.e.
On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
My long term goals.
Do you have a motivational quote?
If you say you can’t, you are right. If you say you can, you are also right.
What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
Focus on one at a time fully–set “office hours” for yourself so that when you are working, you are focused on work and when you are not working, you are focused on family.
If there was one piece of advice you could give to your children about running a successful business, what would it be?
Find something you can be passionate about that also helps others and you will not find yourself in a job, but in an important role that you don’t want to give up.
Do you have a favorite business tool and/or resource?
I enjoy Seth Goden a lot, his blog and his books. I also enjoy Heather Allard’s website http://www.themogulmom.com/.
What is next for your business?
More great mom invented products, more growth.
Your two cents sales pitch?
I would love for you to visit www.mom4life.com and be amazed at the creative products that moms have invented. While you are there, enjoy reading the stories behind the products and if you find something you can’t live without, know that we ship for free with no minimum purchase!
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