Mom Entrepreneur: Lesley Pyle
Business: HireMyMom.com and Home-Based Working Moms
Website: www.HireMyMom.com / www.HBWM.com
HireMyMom.com connects talented at-home mom professionals with businesses looking to outsource temporary and permanent projects and jobs. HireMyMom.com enables professional women to market their skills, experience and education to these businesses needing reliable, motivated, cost-friendly help.
Home Based Working Moms is a professional association and online community of parents who work at home and those who would like to. With free and upgraded premium memberships available, HBWM.com provides a variety of opportunities and resources to help moms network, learn and grow in their role as a home-based working mom, including public relations opportunities, networking, and freelance opportunities. The website features interactive profiles allowing members to post their profile and business information for free. In addition, they can learn from other moms what has worked and what has not in regards to types of businesses, marketing approaches, even parenting challenges and more.
What inspired you to start your business?
I had just had my first child and was determined to work from home to maximize my time with her. I started HBWM after starting my own home business in public relations and seeing the need for networking and support for home-based working moms. I talked to many other moms who were very interested in working from home, but weren’t sure how to start or what to do. I felt there was a need for an association to help parents share information, network and support one another. With this knowledge and my past association experience, I launched Home-Based Working Moms in 1995.
How long have you been in business?
I started HBWM in 1995 and HireMyMom.com in 2007.
What did you do in your past work life?
I was a PR Tour Coordinator for an Austin Golf School.
Describe your ideal workday.
My ideal work day is to cross off all of my to-dos and know that I’ve made a positive impact in at least one mom’s life.
What have been some of your major successes?
I believe my major successes are the stories of moms who HBWM and HireMyMom.com have truly helped. Knowing how desperately I wanted to be at home with my children gives me such a desire and such joy knowing I’m helping other moms do the same.
What have been some of your major challenges?
I had limited time and money to get a business started so I had to manage my time and money closely. I started by doing everything myself and slowly hired help as needed.
On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
One word: prayer. I’m only one person and sorely inadequate to do it all. I am sustained and given strength by my God.
Do you have a motivational quote?
Delight yourself in the Lord and He will give you the desires of your heart. Psalms 37:4.
What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
Plan, schedule, create to-dos, and prioritze. I try to periodically review how I am spending my time making sure each aspect of my life is getting the attention it needs — that includes: taking good care of myself, my health, my faith, spouse, children, my business, home, hobbies, etc. I believe it is important not to continually sacrifice time with your spouse or your children to work on your business. If you are constantly over-extended or over-worked, it’s time to hire help.
If there was one piece of advice you could give to your children about running a successful business, what would it be?
Put God first and seek Him daily, family second and your business third. Keep your priorities in order.
Do you have a favorite business tool and/or resource?
I love my laptop and blackberry that allows me to work from anywhere! I also love my Go Mom planner (www.gomominc.com) which was developed by a fellow HBWM Member and helps keep me organized. I also find SnapPages.com (www.SnapPages.com) a wonderful tool for small / home business owners giving anyone the ability to create a top-notch, professional website without any prior design knowledge.
What is next for your business?
I’m looking for ways to improve my websites and create more ways to help moms.
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