Comments on: Why Mumpreneurs Should Make a Decent Profit http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/04/12/why-mumpreneurs-should-make-a-decent-profit/ Growing a business around a young family Mon, 06 Feb 2012 11:25:28 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: April Business Mums Carnival at Self Employed Mum | Self Employed Mum http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/04/12/why-mumpreneurs-should-make-a-decent-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-1917 April Business Mums Carnival at Self Employed Mum | Self Employed Mum Mon, 19 Apr 2010 11:11:13 +0000 http://businessplusbaby.com/?p=1372#comment-1917 [...] First up is Helen Lindop over at Business plus Baby. She has the thought provoking post Why Mumpreneurs Should Make a Decent Profit… [...] [...] First up is Helen Lindop over at Business plus Baby. She has the thought provoking post Why Mumpreneurs Should Make a Decent Profit… [...]

]]> By: Helen http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/04/12/why-mumpreneurs-should-make-a-decent-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-1810 Helen Mon, 12 Apr 2010 21:23:44 +0000 http://businessplusbaby.com/?p=1372#comment-1810 Wow, what a response! Thanks to everyone who has left a comment. Fiona, you said - "I think most mums start their own business because they need to find a source of income that fits around their child. We all know how difficult it is living off one wage!" This is one reason why I don't like the idea of mums running little hobby businesses. So many mums really do need the income that a good, profitable business would create. Christine, I know I'm probably being naive, but it really amazes me that, ten years into the 21st century, some women are being told by their partners "you're just a mum, you've got more important things to do". I feel very fortunate that I've got a supportive husband. Kayte, thanks for giving us your view of being a mum in business. I may be in touch for more in the future! Antonia, excellent points as ever, thanks for stopping by. "Profit is not a dirty word" might be a useful mantra to chant quietly to ourselves as we're just about to name our price! I know that I've touched on a much bigger issue here, what do you think the solution might be? More training and support for mums in business? Wow, what a response! Thanks to everyone who has left a comment.

Fiona, you said – “I think most mums start their own business because they need to find a source of income that fits around their child. We all know how difficult it is living off one wage!” This is one reason why I don’t like the idea of mums running little hobby businesses. So many mums really do need the income that a good, profitable business would create.

Christine, I know I’m probably being naive, but it really amazes me that, ten years into the 21st century, some women are being told by their partners “you’re just a mum, you’ve got more important things to do”. I feel very fortunate that I’ve got a supportive husband.

Kayte, thanks for giving us your view of being a mum in business. I may be in touch for more in the future!

Antonia, excellent points as ever, thanks for stopping by. “Profit is not a dirty word” might be a useful mantra to chant quietly to ourselves as we’re just about to name our price! I know that I’ve touched on a much bigger issue here, what do you think the solution might be? More training and support for mums in business?

]]> By: Antonia http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/04/12/why-mumpreneurs-should-make-a-decent-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-1809 Antonia Mon, 12 Apr 2010 20:00:22 +0000 http://businessplusbaby.com/?p=1372#comment-1809 I think this is a big issue and you've got some of the elements spot on. I agree that women (and men, but let's focus on mums here) need to change the way they think about money. Profit is not a dirty word. Everyone reading this article should take a moment to look at their own beliefs about money, and also their beliefs about their work. When I run courses the majority of women are in business to HELP in some way. You can only be truly effective as a helper if your business is strong, and making a profit will allow your business to grow and help more people. Secondly, think about how you feel when ASKING for money. Research has shown that women are less comfortable to 'name their price' than men, and women in 'helping' professions are less comfortable than, say, women working in IT. Say how much you want for your service out loud: are you comfortable saying this or do you feel a bit apologetic? I know I do. Finally, I just don't think the majority of mums who start businesses are equipped well enough with financial skills. There is a big need for courses (like the session at the Mumpreneur conference last year) to help people break down the costs they are incurring when running their business and factor them into their charges. Antonia I think this is a big issue and you’ve got some of the elements spot on. I agree that women (and men, but let’s focus on mums here) need to change the way they think about money. Profit is not a dirty word. Everyone reading this article should take a moment to look at their own beliefs about money, and also their beliefs about their work. When I run courses the majority of women are in business to HELP in some way. You can only be truly effective as a helper if your business is strong, and making a profit will allow your business to grow and help more people.
Secondly, think about how you feel when ASKING for money. Research has shown that women are less comfortable to ‘name their price’ than men, and women in ‘helping’ professions are less comfortable than, say, women working in IT. Say how much you want for your service out loud: are you comfortable saying this or do you feel a bit apologetic? I know I do.
Finally, I just don’t think the majority of mums who start businesses are equipped well enough with financial skills. There is a big need for courses (like the session at the Mumpreneur conference last year) to help people break down the costs they are incurring when running their business and factor them into their charges.
Antonia

]]> By: Kayte Judge http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/04/12/why-mumpreneurs-should-make-a-decent-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-1806 Kayte Judge Mon, 12 Apr 2010 11:04:55 +0000 http://businessplusbaby.com/?p=1372#comment-1806 I started my business when my son was two months old and the biggest difference for me over the last two years has been the shift in my attitude towards time and money. My work permeates my life in a way that is not as clear cut and distinct as it was when I worked full time. A business, especially in the early days, requires much unpaid work (I'm talking about accounts, writing for your website, networking, thinking! etc) so the effort to pay ratio was, in my experience, pretty poor in the first year. It is certainly changing now, but I still may be better off in a full time job than in part time business (in terms of added benefits of employment - paid holiday, sick pay etc). However, in terms of my personal development I am transformed. The big monetary rewards may come later, and will be hard won! I started my business when my son was two months old and the biggest difference for me over the last two years has been the shift in my attitude towards time and money. My work permeates my life in a way that is not as clear cut and distinct as it was when I worked full time. A business, especially in the early days, requires much unpaid work (I’m talking about accounts, writing for your website, networking, thinking! etc) so the effort to pay ratio was, in my experience, pretty poor in the first year. It is certainly changing now, but I still may be better off in a full time job than in part time business (in terms of added benefits of employment – paid holiday, sick pay etc). However, in terms of my personal development I am transformed. The big monetary rewards may come later, and will be hard won!

]]> By: Christine http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/04/12/why-mumpreneurs-should-make-a-decent-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-1805 Christine Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:58:50 +0000 http://businessplusbaby.com/?p=1372#comment-1805 Unsupportive Husbands / partners is indeed the curse of many a budding entrepreneurially inclined mum. I have heard many mums describe the way their business idea(s) had been flippantly dismissed... 'your just a mum, you have no time and no money' besides, you should be getting on with more important tasks. Comments like this are enough to make your blood boil - grrrr. On a lighter note, of course there are also plenty of women who have 'tuned in' partners who find it very exciting that they have ideas to start a home businesses and who will and / or do support them fully. Unsupportive Husbands / partners is indeed the curse of many a budding entrepreneurially inclined mum. I have heard many mums describe the way their business idea(s) had been flippantly dismissed… ‘your just a mum, you have no time and no money’ besides, you should be getting on with more important tasks. Comments like this are enough to make your blood boil – grrrr.
On a lighter note, of course there are also plenty of women who have ‘tuned in’ partners who find it very exciting that they have ideas to start a home businesses and who will and / or do support them fully.

]]> By: Fiona http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/04/12/why-mumpreneurs-should-make-a-decent-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-1804 Fiona Mon, 12 Apr 2010 10:44:56 +0000 http://businessplusbaby.com/?p=1372#comment-1804 I agree, the primary aim of a business must be to make money otherwise as you say it's a hobby. Obviously it's great if you enjoy what you do, but if it's done purely for pleasure with no regard to profit then it is a hobby. I think most mums start their own business because they need to find a source of income that fits around their child. We all know how difficult it is living off one wage! I agree, the primary aim of a business must be to make money otherwise as you say it’s a hobby. Obviously it’s great if you enjoy what you do, but if it’s done purely for pleasure with no regard to profit then it is a hobby.

I think most mums start their own business because they need to find a source of income that fits around their child. We all know how difficult it is living off one wage!

]]> By: Tweets that mention Business Plus Baby » Blog Archive » Why Mumpreneurs Should Make a Decent Profit -- Topsy.com http://businessplusbaby.com/2010/04/12/why-mumpreneurs-should-make-a-decent-profit/comment-page-1/#comment-1802 Tweets that mention Business Plus Baby » Blog Archive » Why Mumpreneurs Should Make a Decent Profit -- Topsy.com Mon, 12 Apr 2010 08:47:15 +0000 http://businessplusbaby.com/?p=1372#comment-1802 [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Helen Lindop. Helen Lindop said: Why mumpreneurs should make a decent profit - New blog post: http://bit.ly/cP99qD [...] [...] This post was mentioned on Twitter by Helen Lindop. Helen Lindop said: Why mumpreneurs should make a decent profit – New blog post: http://bit.ly/cP99qD [...]

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