mompreneur interview: divine mama

Mompreneur: Quinn Curtis
Company: Divine Mama, LLC
Website: createdbymom.com

CreatedByMom.com is an online boutique that sells created by mom products. Our motto is “put your money where your mama is,” because consumers know that behind every product is a mom & her family. All our mom-vendors enjoy a 20% off inner-store discount, helping them support the other moms’ products at CreatedByMom.com.

What inspired you start your business?
We bought my Grandma’s home & all decided to remodel it to make her a main-level (no stairs) mother-in-law apartment to live in while giving us some room for our family to grow, also. The remodel turned out beautifully, but the contractor told us at the end (right after closing on a second mortgage to cover some of the debt) that our project had gone over $100,000 over budget & we were stuck with the bills left on our credit cards. Since I had recently given birth to our 3rd baby (3rd under 3 years old), I had to find some way to bring in money while staying at home to help get us out of our financial crisis. We’re still trying to work through our financial crisis to keep our home, which has gotten increasingly difficult as the whole nation is struggling financially also. However, our family is optimistic that things will turn around & we’ll be able to keep our house. Meanwhile, CreatedByMom.com may not only help our family is these trying times, but is also blessing all the other moms selling their products.

How long has your business been in business?
CreatedByMom.com went live mid-September

What did you do in your past work life?
I was a Medical Assistant for a Family Practice; Phlebotomist, Dental Assistant & sales associate for Express

What is your ideal workday like?
My kids are perfect angels & don’t fight or argue the entire morning. Then, all three kids sleep the entire 3 hour nap time & I’m able to do some serious working with no distractions. The kids wake up, we eat dinner, have a nice night together as a family & everyone’s to bed by 7:30pm & I’m able to get to work & have another productive 3-5 hours. And I get to bed at a reasonable hour!

What have been some of your major successes and challenges?
When CreatedByMom.com launched in September, I had 5 mom-vendors selling their products in the store. Now (just over two months later) I have over 30, with new requests daily coming in from more moms wanting to sell their products at CreatedByMom.com. The response has been phenomenal.

What have been some of your major challenges?
It’s been difficult creatively finding funding for CreatedByMom.com to grow while balancing our family’s financial strains.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
The thought of losing our home; my grandma’s home. It breaks my heart & I push on.

Do you have a motivational quote?
“Our greatest fear is not that we are inadequate, but that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness, that frightens us. We ask ourselves, who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, handsome, fabulous and talented? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won’t feel insecure around you. We were born to make manifest the glory of God within us. It is not just in some; it is in everyone. And, as we let our light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” - Marianne Williamson

If there was one piece of advice you could give to your children about running a successful business, what would it be?
Put your family first & everything else will work out in business. You can never get back the time you could have spent with your loved ones.

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
Our life is very scheduled & organized. All the basic household chores are planned: i.e. laundry is done on Mondays & Wednesdays. Fridays are the designated fun day for me to just play with the kids & not worry about any work while they’re awake. Also, I’ve started doing a lot of freezer cooking, making a bunch of meals at once & freezing them to pull out later.

Do you have a favorite business tool and/or resource?
the Startup Princess Organization - every success in my business is directly related to them (http://startupprincess.com)

What is next for your business?
We’re currently working to build & promote our “Ultimate Mom Business Directory” (http://www.createdbymom.com/Mom_Business_Mom_product_directory_Created_by_Mom_s/96.htm) & will be adding a lot of AWESOME gift baskets to the store, filled with created by mom goodies.

Your two cents sales pitch?
The CreatedByMom.com Chic Boutique is the hottest spot on the web to enjoy & support fabulous, unique products created by incredible moms.

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