It’s that sense of community and connection that’s at the heart of The Enterprising Moms. For some time now, we’ve gotten requests to bring that sense of connection that’s created by our in-person gatherings into new communities, and this month we’re answering those calls.

Most of our events have taken place in Alexandria and Arlington, but November will see The Enterprising Moms venturing into Fairfax County, Washington and Montgomery County. Get the full event schedule and register online today!

While many of these events are free of charge, in lieu of a registration fee, we’re requesting donations to support two local organizations renowned for their work in addressing the needs of some of our most vulnerable citizens: The Carpenter’s Shelter and So That Others Might Eat.

You too can support these organizations by attending one of our events and contributing through TEM, or contribute directly via the sites above.

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Focusing on connecting kids to the outdoors and nature through fun, safe, hands on education Living Classroom is offering a special program for kids when schools close on November 11th, with three pick-up times to accommodate your schedule. This day-long program “All About Autumn,” puts kids in touch with nature where they will dig through leaf litter bins, meet creepy crawly critters, and even make a perfect pumpkin craft to bring home!

What: All About Autumn

When: November 11th

Where: Glen Echo Park (7300 MacArthur Boulevard, Glen Echo, MD)

Time: drop begins at 8am, ends at 9:30am

Early afternoon pick-up: 12-1pm
Early evening pick-up: 4:30-5:30pm
Evening pick-up: 5:30-6:30pm

Special Notes:

• If your child is staying past early afternoon pick up, you must provide your child with a lunch.
• If your child is staying past 5:30pm, you have the option of providing your child with a snack or dinner.
• Programs are for children three and above.
• All children must be toilet trained.
• Registration is required.

Prices:

Afternoon pick-up: $55
Early evening pick-up: $65
Evening pick-up: $75

Special TEM Offer: Contact us to find out how you can take advantage of The Enterprising Moms’ special discount

To register contact: syoung@livingclassroomsdc.org or 202-488-0627 ext 243.

Learn more about Living Classrooms and their programs.

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Fairfax County business-owner moms shared a morning full of great ideas for fostering the growth of a community of The Enterprising Moms in the area during our Meet & Greet last week. We did lots of brainstorming and sketched out a path for moving forward that will foster a sense of community and provide opportunities to share, learn and grow. Planning is now underway. If you’d like to stay in the loop as things develop, please get in touch.

And, save the date for our next gathering on Thursday, November 19th. Details and registration at The Enterprising Moms.

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Want to connect with other self-employed, business-owner and entrepreneurial moms in Fairfax County and surrounding areas? Then join us for this newly forming monthly gathering as we lay the groundwork for a future area chapter of The Enterprising Moms.

Business savvy moms from Fairfax, Loudon and Prince William counties and nearby areas are invited to come out and meet moms who are traveling similar paths. Connect and collaborate, share insights and strategies, and participate in the evolution of this growing community of business-owner moms. This ongoing monthly gathering will evolve into a more structured meeting format and setting with featured speakers and presenters (from both within The Enterprising Moms community and beyond) on timely topics of importance to Enterprising Moms.

So, if you’re in the area, plan to join us, and bring a friend or two. And, spread the word!

While the event is free, registration is required. Get details and register.

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Name:  Eryn Cadoff
Title:  Team Leader & Independent Wine Consultant
Business:  The Traveling Vineyard

Type of Business:  B2C and B2B
Industry:  Wine
Product/Service:  Free, fun & informative in-home wine tastings.  Online wine sales, wine of the month clubs.
Years in Business: 4.5 (business launch was January 2005)

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:  Anyone who loves wine and is over 21!  But to be more specific – my best potential hosts are people who love wine and like to entertain, and my best B2B customers would be anyone who needs to give client gifts (realtors; those in charge of corporate gifting for their company).

Personally speaking…

Home life:  My home life is crazy – just like everyone else who is an Enterprising Mom!  My husband, David, and I have 2 daughters.  Violet (age 5) is starting kindergarten, and Alana (age 3) is in preschool.

Childcare situation:  I stay home with the kids, and work my business around our family schedule.  I’m excited to have a little more time on my hands this fall with my oldest in kindergarten!  David works long hours, and usually isn’t home before 7pm, but is a very supportive spouse, so we have made our schedule work around his work and mine.

Motivation for starting your business(es):  Wine!  I had been in a direct sales/party plan business prior to joining The Traveling Vineyard.  When I heard there was a company with that same business structure but for wine – I had to start right away.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:  Adding to the family income while doing something I absolutely love.  It just doesn’t get better than that!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:  I think the most exciting thing that has happened in my business recently is the fire that has been lit under some of my team members.  It’s really exciting to be working with people who are embracing their own opportunity with The Traveling Vineyard and wanting to grow their owns teams!

On your nightstand:  Bottle of water, a book about wine, and a mindless magazine (usually OK or Cosmo).

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:  My laptop!

Last purchase for self:  I splurged recently and got a really fantastic red dress at a local boutique here in Gainesville.  The store owner makes everything herself!  I love supporting local business…especially when I’m getting something of higher quality than I could elsewhere.

Favorite way to unwind:  Glass of red wine, piece of dark chocolate, and something on HBO (current addiction is True Blood)

Best advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):  It’s the simplest advice I’ve ever gotten, but still the best, as it can apply to your personal or professional life.  “Just Ask!”  It’s impossible to find new hosts, new team members, new business without ever asking for it – nobody can read your mind.  It’s impossible for anyone to know what you want if you never ask for it.  Sometimes the answer will be no, but you’ll never know if it’s a yes unless you ask.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:  The best thing about being an Enterprising Mom is the same thing I love about direct sales/party plan businesses.  We’re all in business for ourselves, but by supporting each other, we don’t have to be in business by ourselves.  Most of us are solopreneurs, independent contractors, etc., and having a group that you can ask questions of, bounce ideas off of, etc., is great for all of us.

Connect and learn more:
Web Site |  Linkedin |  Facebook |   Twitter

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Name:  Marilyn Nowalk
Title: President
Business: Intelligent by Design, LLC

Type of Business:  (B2B, B2C, B2G): B2B, B2G

Product/Service:   “Special Projects,” Strategic Reengineering, Project Management, Application Development, Reporting and Analysis

Years in Business: November will be 4

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
CEO, COO, CIO, CFO, Directors of Finance, Sales, Ops, IT – basically anyone who has a project they’d like to get off the ground, but don’t have the time, man power, or skills in house to run it successfully from requirements to post-live hand-off.

Personally speaking…

Home life:
Married to Steve for 17 years.  Twin boys, Alex and Brendan, age 6 and in kindergarten.

Childcare situation:
We have and love our au pair, who has been with us about 10 months, and has just agreed to extend for a second year.
Previously we had a full-time nanny, and prior to that my husband was a SAHD for 13 months.

Motivation for starting your business:
In the Spring of 2005, I had a pair of two-yr olds at home and was working for a regional consulting company.  While I was not working the horrid hours I had before they were born, I was traveling a fair amount, and did not have the flexibility of schedule that I didn’t even realize I needed.  So in May I resigned, and took the summer off.  I knew I wanted to do something else, but wasn’t exactly sure what!  By November I had figured it out, and starting working on the logistics of setting up a new business.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
For sure the flexibility.  I set my schedule so that when I am not traveling (which is about once/week), I am available for school drop-off, and either I pick up the boys from school myself or I am at home to greet them when they arrive with their au pair.  When I need to take them to the doctors (or last month’s ER visit!), I don’t have to explain myself to a boss, and I just make up the hours after the kids go to bed.  As a night person, I get very productive after 9 PM.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
Ha!  I took a vacation and really relaxed.  While this sounds like a strange accomplishment, as a workaholic I have always had a hard time really separating for vacations, and this was even more exaggerated once I started my own business.  Earlier this year I made a concerted effort to train my staff to operate in my absence, and finally in August really allowed myself to let them fly on their own.

On your nightstand:
I always have five books or more in some level of engagement – but I am pretty heads down into “Leap of Faith, Memoirs of an Unexpected Life” by Queen Noor (of Jordan).

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My Blackberry.

Last purchase for self:
Nothing recent, but I am starting to research new laptops – I need something much smaller and lighter.

Favorite way to unwind:
Either snuggling in bed with my kids, or when I need a break from them, with a good book in a comfortable chair.

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
The only dumb question is the one you were afraid to ask.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
I love that beyond the professional satisfaction I get from a job well-done, I am teaching my children that the gender stereotypes of the past are passé. Women can run the business, men can (help) run the house, companies can be successful even if their staff is allowed to have a life.  We may not be the largest or the most powerful consulting firm in DC, but I believe our employees and clients are among the happiest and most fulfilled.

Connect and learn more:
Web Site: Intelligent by Design
LinkedIn: Marilyn Nowalk

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Name: Tammy Goddard

Title: Owner and Artist

Business: Bead On Through

Type of Business: (B2B, B2C, B2G): B2C mostly, but have recently started doing some B2B

Industry: Retail, Jewelry

Product/Service:
Handmade jewelry. I have over 200 pieces I make regularly to sell, which isn’t reflected on my website – yet, and I take custom orders all the time. I often sit down with a customer and help them design a piece, including brides. Usually it is because they want a piece to match an outfit, complete a set (for example, they want a pair of earrings to match a favorite necklace), or find something in a magazine that they want reproduced. I work primarily with beads – from gemstones to Swarovski crystals to everything in between. I also make personalized jewelry with names and birthstones.

Years in Business:
Hung my shingle in 2005. That was the year “Bead on Through” was born, but I had been making jewelry as gifts for a few years prior to this.

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Most of my work comes directly from referrals. I often hear from customers by saying “someone stopped me at a party the other day and asked me where I got my necklace!” The customers love that (who doesn’t love compliments?) And then it is also a huge compliment to me.

Personally speaking…

Home life:
I live in Leesburg, VA with my husband of 10 years (next week!), Josh and my two children. Josh and I have been friends since we were 15 years old, but never dated until our mid-20’s. Our kids are: Ever Grace who is 5 and Trent Adam who is 4. We also have a rescued dog, a Golden named Finn and a little fluffball of a dog named Toto. We feel thrilled to be here and grateful when we all snuggle down together at night. Having had my 4th heart surgery last summer, and now both of my kids having uncertain cardiac futures, every single day is a gift for us.

Childcare situation:
My husband is a cop and has an amazing schedule. He works the day shift. So he is home during the week a few days and even on work days he is home at 5:30 pm. I work from home and schedule appointments when Josh is home, so one of us has always been fortunate enough to stay at home with the kids.

Motivation for starting your business(es):
I have always loved making things. From homemade jam to knitted scarves, I am a terror at places like Joann Fabrics or Michaels. A friend of mine introduced me to jewelry making and I was hooked from that day forward. Once I realized I could make money from selling my jewelry, it became a longterm goal to eventually retire from real estate and just do Bead On Through. By the way, Bead on Through was named after my favorite group, The Doors. Break on Through was one of my favorite songs, so Bead on Through was born! I feel a thrill like no other when I am creating things. It’s not simply something I want to do, its something I have to do.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
Making it exactly what I want. Let’s say I decide I don’t like something I have been making anymore. Well, I just stop making it! Complete freedom.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
For the first time in BOT’s history – my jewelry is going to be carried in a Hallmark store in Virginia Beach!! I haven’t figured out how to celebrate it yet, I am still so speechless that this is even happening! And also – I have been hired as the Jewelry Instructor at Joann fabrics in Leesburg – this is going to be so fun!

On your nightstand:
Glass of water, whatever book I am reading now (currently obsessed with Young Adult fiction, the Twilight series- my guilty pleasure), medicine and mini Nilla wafers (to wash down the medicine – haha)!

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My Blackberry. I have one item on my blackberry “memopad” which I use constantly – anytime I have an idea or a brainstorm, I put it in my memopad. I have been using it a lot lately when I think of an idea for my blog. Another item on blackberry – “maps”, like my own handheld GPS, it helps me find places all the time.

Last purchase for self:
A book – Eclipse (by Stephenie Meyer) just came out in paperback this week, and my hardback copy is falling apart so I had to get the paperback.

Favorite way to unwind:
Making jewelry.

Best advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
“Fake it ’til you make it.” I used to hate when my mother would say that to me. But I have learned, especially with my own business, that you have to appear confident even if you don’t always feel like it. It’s important to be (or appear to be) very self-possessed in running your own business.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
The fellowship! I love connecting other people. I get such a thrill out of reading an inquiry, and then thinking of a way I can help connect that person. I mean, what are we doing this for if not to help each other out? And a perfect example is this – I am getting all this support from you all for my bookstore to help raise money for the Americanheart.org for my kids. Its just wonderful!

Connect and learn more:
Web Sites: Bead on Through and Online Bookstore
Blog: Mama Tazz Says …
Facebook: no fan page yet, but I would love to friend you at Tammy McIntyre Goddard
Twitter: tazzygod

Logo: Don’t have one – but my slogan is “Making Chicks Happy Since 2005″

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Name: Rene Hackney, PhD.

Title: Founder

Business: Parenting Playgroups

Industry: Parent Education, Psychology, Children’s Play

Product/Service: Parent and Teacher Workshops, Preschool Play, Social Skills Groups

Years in Business: Six

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals: Parents of children birth to ten years old

Personally speaking …

Home life: Married 17 years with two daughters: Alicen 11, Claire 8

Childcare situation: They are home with a sitter summer mornings.  They are with me after school and with dad when I lecture.

Motivation for starting your business: I wanted to work for myself, make decisions as I go.  I enjoy teaching preschool and wanted to marry that with my education.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:  Can take my children with me as needed.

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:  We opened our second office.  No celebration yet, too early.

On your nightstand: Why Gender Matters, The Friendship Factor, The E Myth

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without: A toy – Facebook – love being in touch with so many friends.

Last purchase for self: Old Navy Flip Flops

Favorite way to unwind: Hot bath

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz): If there is trouble, speak directly.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:  Meeting others who overlap efforts.  I need to reach out more!

Connect and learn more:
Web Site: Parenting Playgroups
Blog: Working on this
LinkedIn: Rene Hackney
Facebook: Rene Giese Hackney but we are starting a page for work
Twitter: working on this too

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Name:  April Toman
Title:  District Manager, Independent Consultant
Business:  Arbonne Interenational

Type of Business (B2B, B2C, B2G):  B2C
Industry:  Health Wellness/Network Marketing
Product/Service:  Botanically-based, health, wellness, skin care products for everyone….women, men, children.
Years in Business:  3

Ideal Customers/Best Referrals:
Everyone is ideal really for the products, but especially people interested in botannically-based products that get results!  For the business, an ideal business partner is someone who loves the products and wants to earn an additional income by sharing the products with others.

Personally speaking…

Home life:
Married to Pete Toman.  Two beautiful children, Claire (almost 7) and Will (4).  I’m proud to be part of Team Toman (our nickname, if you will, for our family)!

Childcare situation:
Nothing routine except school.  I get sitters as needed and use preschool aftercare for my youngest 1 or 2 days/week.

Motivation for starting your business:
To have an income that would allow me a flexible schedule.

Greatest benefit of running your own business:
The flexibility!

Greatest success you had in the past month (personal or biz) and how you celebrated it:
Gaining a new client that I’ve also developed more of a friendship with…..another great benefit of my business is the personal connections I make while working!

On your nightstand:
Lamp, radio/alarm clock, skin conditioning oil (one of the Arbonne products….love it on my nails!).

The one tool, resource, or toy you just can’t do without:
My calendar….which is now exclusively paper.

Last purchase for self:
This is unusual, but I just went to Target for some new shorts.  My regular purchases for myself are more Arbonne products! 

Favorite way to unwind:
Going to the very QUIET and STILL library.

Be advise or tip you ever received (personal or biz):
Hmm….that’s a tough one since I’ve heard so many.  But, I guess I’d have to go with “be as kind to yourself as you are with others.”  I believe that came from a great friend and coach, Carolyn Semedo-Strauss.  I tend to have very high expectations for myself and can be not so forgiving…..I remember this on the especially tough days when I, for example, don’t complete my list of 100 things to do and feel like I’ve done nothing.  I also try to focus on what I have done to prevent that feeling of “incomplete”.

Best thing about being an Enterprising Mom:
The friendships made with so many AMAZING WOMEN!!!!  I always get nuggets out of every event, encounter, email from this group.

Connect and learn more:
Web Site:  http://apriltoman.myarbonne.com
Blog:  Not there yet!
LinkedIn:  Yes, but don’t do anything with it really.
Facebook:  Yes
Twitter: Overload!!

[Photo by fellow Enterprising Mom Rebecca Weiner of Rebecca S. Weiner Photography]

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