Earlier this month, I had a great opportunity to be of service as I hosted my first live event and I wanted to share the positive results enjoyed by everyone who participated. My intention in creating this event was to educate local women about various work-at-home opportunities (specifically in direct sales) and help them sift through their options.

Knowing the financial stress many women are feeling in this challenging economy, combined with seemingly endless work-at-home options, as well as a fear of scams many are paralyzed about what to do next. I wanted to provide a reliable resource of information.

Since I have so many connections with women I quickly assembled a panel of six women who have successful careers in a variety of direct sales businesses across six different industries. On February 1st we got together and the panel shared information about various direct sales opportunities – how they work, how they’ve made it work as mothers and how to get started.

Throughout the process of publicizing the event, I kept focusing on my intention of providing great information and education to women who really needed it. I really feel like we accomplished our goal.

Participants listened to candid stories on how the panelists moved from corporate careers to home-based with success. There was great “transparency” and truth about their challenges. They expanded their breadth of knowledge and now have direct access to the panelists for future conversations.

Panelists had the opportunity to meet 30 new prospective clients and partners, as well as the connections forged with the other dynamic panelists. They also learned from other panelists what they’re doing successfully in their businesses that they might be able to apply.

As for myself, I benefited as well, in a very big way. I had the opportunity to generate great local publicity for Metromom as a resource that supports women and also position myself for a greater national platform. I connected some great women together – which is always fun for me -and can now see what comes of those relationships.

Since I love sharing I’m working on another great educational opportunity for entrepreneurial moms on a nationwide level that promises to be BIG. Stay tuned for the details in my free ezine.

Discover tips and advice on how to be successful – on your own terms – as a mom working from home, subscribe below to our FREE bi-weekly newsletter – Direct Connect.

As a gift you’ll receive a special report, “5 Surprising Secrets Every Mom Entrepreneur Must Know.”

These secrets are surprising because they challenge the status-quo on what it really takes to be successful as a mom AND an entrepreneur.

http://www.metromom.com/fivesecrets

I created this short video for all those women who kept asking me “What’s a Metromom?”

Discover tips and advice on how to be successful – on your own terms – as a mom working from home, subscribe below to our FREE bi-weekly newsletter – Direct Connect.

As a gift you’ll receive a special report, “5 Surprising Secrets Every Mom Entrepreneur Must Know.”

These secrets are surprising because they challenge the status-quo on what it really takes to be successful as a mom AND an entrepreneur.

http://www.metromom.com/fivesecrets

You don’t have to look far to notice the rise of women entrepreneurs. What inspires and drives these women? There are many reasons from a great idea, to a lack of fulfillment in their current job, to the excitement of taking a risk to the need to create a work/life balance.

What about you? Are you an entrepreneur or maybe considering it? Take a look at what might be motivating you:

* Economic necessity. Some women are working full-time and still can’t make ends meet. With the current strain on the economy having extra money coming in is not an option, it’s a necessity. Some women are laid-off so being self-employed becomes the best alternative.

* Solving problems and sharing solutions. For some women it’s not about the money it’s about solving a problem or sharing a solution. Inventors usually design new products to solve problems. Take for instance Julie Clark, founder of The Baby Einstein Company, she wanted to provide educational videos for her own babies and saw a lack in the marketplace. Women are often drawn to direct sales—like Avon, Melaleuca or Arbonne—because they’ve found products they enjoy and naturally want to share these solutions with others.

* Hitting the corporate glass ceiling. Some corporate women feel like they’ve taken their career as far as it will go. They’re dissatisfied by their options and want a career that will be more fulfilling. Entrepreneurship is often the answer for these driven women who enjoy being their own boss.

* Freedom and flexibility. These are the two big reasons for moms, especially moms with young children, to start their own business. They can work from home, choose their own hours and have the flexibility to juggle their work life with their family life.

Women need to have clarity about what drives them and what they want to accomplish with their business. Please post comments on what’s motivated you to start your own business.

Let’s face it, with the recent trends in the economy many of us need something to provide financial breathing room. For many moms direct sales is the way to go because it gives us the ability to meet our own financial goals – whether that’s a few hundred dollars a month or a more substantial income.

The problem is there are over 30 industries and hundreds of companies represented in direct sales, so how do you decide which one meets your needs and your personality? Where can you learn about your options?

Then there are women who’ve found a great direct sales company but they can’t seem to get their business off the ground. These women want to move beyond selling products to their sister or close friends and make it a truly profitable business.

Join me…I’m hosting a panel discussion in my local community here in Connecticut that will help women determine the best work-at-home option for them personally and how to be successful with it. This promises to be a fun networking event and an opportunity to hear from women who are working just a few hours a week to women who are working full-time in companies like Arbonne, Send Out Cards, Silpada, Hello World and CAbi.

This event will allow women to learn more about their options and find out what exactly is involved in establishing a successful home-based business. This event is scheduled for Sunday December 14th from 2:00 – 4:30 pm in Woodbridge, CT.  For more information or to register.

We’re in the news! Metromom.com has received some media coverage in my local paper, The New Haven Register. The reporter outlined the work at home mom resources Metromom has to offer. But what I really enjoyed was the input from our Metromom members on what our online community means to them. Here’s part of the article:

New member Sheila Longhi of Newtown has a direct sales jewelry business; she sells at parties and has others selling for her as well. After years in corporate and medical sales–and selling the jewelry on her own as a part-time gig–Longhi made direct sales her full-time career a year ago and has since had a child.

“It’s great to be around other successful women who are passionate about what they’re doing,” said Longhi, referring to the networking portion of Metromom. “It’s a constant reminder that your success comes from your drive.”

Abby Silbert of Bethany, who sells cosmetics and beauty products by Arbonne International, said Metromom has benefitted her already.

“It’s really important when you’re a mom (to stay connected with others), you have to keep your head above water and it’s difficult,” said Silbert, mother of two. “I feel it’s going to be tremendously valuable … I’ve already made contacts.”

Celeste Romagnoli, who said she makes great money selling AuraStella silver jewelry, said she hopes to do a lot of networking because direct sales people can be quite helpful to one another.

“The name Metromoms makes you sound like you’re more than a stay at home mom doing laundry,” Romagnoli said.

I’ve just added a “Metromom in the News” section soon so you can stay up-to-date on all our media coverage.  If you’d like to make yourself available to reporters looking to interview metromoms please let me know .

There is a lot of conversation right now by business consulting and marketing experts about mindset. In fact, two of my Metromom teleclasses last month were entirely focused on this subject.

In a direct sales business, we’re all somehow involved with a product. We’re either selling a product or introducing a product.

To truly be successful in a home-based direct sales business, however, it’s not only about the activities that you’re doing. It’s very much about who you are being, and the quality of your mindset. Are you being someone who’s attractive that others will want to follow? That really is the key thing  and one of the key reasons I’m so fascinated with direct sales. Your business and its growth is completely a reflection of your personal growth and development.

I found a great quote from Thomas Jefferson and doctored it up for the purpose of our community. I took some liberty and changed the gender in this quote. “Nothing can stop an entrepreneurial woman with the right mental attitude from achieving her goal. However, nothing on earth can help the woman with the wrong mental attitude.” That really just touched me. If your head is not in the right place, really nothing is going to shift.

I fully expect to see Metromom members go on to be Famous Women Entrepreneurs. Even if you don’t want to be famous, you can achieve your own definition of success. If you grow personally, let go of some of the issues that have held you back, take your personal development classes and do all the things that you can do to be the best woman/mother/person you can be you will achieve your goals.

Please feel free to post comments on how your mindset has helped you achieve your goals.

I believe that’s true. So, who are you spending time with? Is it with other women that truly support and inspire you? Is it with women that bring out the best in you? Your success depends on association with other entrepreneurial moms and women who have great ideas, a broader perspective and who are already achieving the kind of lifestyle you visualize for yourself.

You’re also a reflection of the messages that you let into your thoughts. What do you read and listen to daily? To manage your attitude on a daily basis, read only positive, motivational material.

This might require a more proactive approach then you’re used to taking. But remember, you can control who you associate with and what you read or listen to. Take a step in the right direction today. Find someone in the Metromom Search & Connect that you would like to get to know. Show genuine interest and start building a meaningful relationship. Make sure you listen to our next Metromom Power Call for the motivational tips you need. Find the success you’re looking for all around you.

Direct sales appeals to women of all ages, backgrounds and personalities. Why? We love how direct sales give us the ability to balance our career with our personal and family life. So what do Metromoms want to achieve with their direct sales business?

1. 1. The majority of us want to make additional income on a part-time basis. Many of us want to work around the schedule of our school-aged children. Others are already working full-time but want to supplement their income.
2. One of the biggest attractions of course is the freedom to work from home. We want to be available for our children. We want to manage our own time without the stress of worrying whether we’ve used up all our sick days.
3. Many of us are looking for something to provide financial breathing room. Wages aren’t keeping up with the high cost of living…grocery bills, gas prices, high interest all contribute to mounting pressure on the average family. We are looking for ways to get our head above water and help our families live debt-free.
4. For some women it’s all about the perks. Not only do they enjoy their company products they like the extras-cars, trips, jewelry-that come with being successful.
5. One of the things I personally like best, is the opportunity direct sales gives you to grow personally. It’s a natural fit for women who like to be helpful, like to mentor and want to develop as a leader.

No matter what goals you personally want to achieve, you’re sure to connect with like-minded women as part of the Metromom community. What has motivated and inspired you to succeed in your direct sales business? Share your comments here.

I’m sure you can remember a time when you’ve had a less than ideal customer. It’s that person who drains you; that person you have to “keep selling;” that person you’re literally dragging and pulling along. Yes, it’s the customer who leaves you feeling bad after every interaction.

I’ve been there more times than I can count, and there’s nothing fun about it. Why did I put up with these less than ideal situations? Honestly, at the time, I was either feeling desperate financially, and would work with anyone who had a pulse, or I was feeling obligated to them for some crazy reason. Fact is, whenever I’ve have too many of these people in my life, I hate what I’m doing.

About a year ago, I shifted my mindset and decided that I do have a choice about who I work with. My ideal customer is a Metromom. She’s self-motivated, dynamic, fun, and she wants a lot of richness in her life. “The Metromom” became the filter through which I began to meet people, to prospect and to surround myself.

Since I made that choice great women have been flocking into my life. My relationships with these women are rich, meaningful and supportive and our energy is contagious, leading to more relationships, continuing the cycle.

So who do you want as customers? Who’s that ideal person you want to grow a business with, support, and speak with multiple times a day? You do have a choice on who you allow into your life. I designed this website to help you meet the right kind of women-women that will support and encourage you in business and in life. Make sure you fill out a profile so you can start connecting with each other!