Sandra Beck left her job in Corporate America after 13 years, and formed Motherhood Incorporated shortly after. Sandra wanted to assist skilled mothers in supplementing or creating their income so they too could work from home and be near their children. Read about how this self-employed parent does it all!

www.motherhoodincorporated.com

 
1. What businesses do you and/or your family run?

Together we run two businesses from home.  www.motherhoodincorporated.com - a company that employs stay at home moms in jobs where they use their professional skills learned prior to staying at home, and www.entertainmentmax.net - a company that serves the military, colleges, casinos and corporations for all their entertainment needs.

2. What made you decide to work from home?

Both my husband and I  decided after the birth of our second son that we wanted to be able to watch our children grow up, not just see them at dinner and on weekends. That works for a lot of people, but it didn't work for us. The kids come into our offices all day long and see us working and we always have time for hugs even though that makes it difficult to concentrate sometimes.

3. What kind of support have you gotten from your community?

Mixed reviews.  Some think I sold out of Corporate America after 15 years as an executive. Some think its cool and want to know more. Some think you just can't run a successful business from home which is just their own fear and ignorance speaking.

4. What sort of things does being self-employed allow you to do, for example, being involved in your child's life, school projects...etc?
 
I certainly have an appreciation of all that it takes to run a household with kids along with working from home. I have help because there is no way one person could do everything. I have been a full time working mom, a part-time working mom, a stay at home mom, and now a work at home mom. None of it is any easier - though the extra money does give me more freedom. On a personal level,  I have a deeper appreciation of my sons' development. My first son I missed a lot because I was working out of the home. Watching my second son grow and develop is amazing - and my older son really appreciates the extra time I have with him and not us driving on the freeway! He was my carpool buddy for over two years!

5. How do you feel your children see you as an entrepreneur?  What things are they learning by watching you work?
 
They are definitely learning a strong work ethic which I love to see - especially in this day and age.  My four year old has his job - to write his letters and do his computer and reading time. Many times he does this in my office where we work together. Even my two year old knows he needs to put his toys away.  We really identify that as a family we all have jobs that need to be done. My older son has a clear understanding of work - he thinks I yell at people on the phone and then money comes in the FEDEX truck. He's only 4, but still he gets that we work -- we don't just disappear to this mysterious place called work and come home at dinner time.

6. How is being a self-employed parent difficult?  What sort of things (if any) would make your job easier?

There is a lot of pressure - especially at the beginning. You don't feel like you can take time off to just relax or take a vacation. In the beginning, if you don't work you don't get paid. It's that simple. Then in gets easier and you feel like you work either in your business or on your business.  Once I got over the hurdle that I could make more money by hiring a staff, I was able to relax more. At first I was doing every job myself. Even though there was money going out for assistants, I was able to get more done in the same amount of time and make more money. I was actually happier and could close my door at 6 pretty much every night.

7. What would you most like for consumers to know about you and the businesses that you run?
 
That companies, large and small, can be run with respect to people's personal lives and families.  Many of the moms that work for me fought with their companies to see their kids play soccer or to attend a dance recital for their daughter. We need to be there for our children -- as parents and for their self concept.  There are some jobs at work that have to be done at certain times, but most of it can be done around a schedule that works for both the parent and the company.  Sometimes it's a little bit of a scheduling nightmare, but the end result is I get people who work for me and want to work for me for years -- through new babies, the passing of parents, divorce and remarriage -- that's life these days -- and the savvy owner is going to have to respect the family life of the employee as long as they do a good job and get the job done -- its the only way to retain people over the long run.

8. What are you most proud of as a parent?
 
That my kids are well-liked, well-mannered and can think for themselves. I am so proud of both of my kids and their wild imaginations, independent natures and sense of humor.

9. Do you have any advice for other parents who are running their own businesses or want to?
 
Yes, remember that Rome -- or your company -- wasn't built in a day. It takes time. You need to work in your business - getting things done, but you also need to work on your business -- helping it grow.  You will have good months and bad months, but if you keep focused and keep working, you will have a successful business that serves you in the end -- not the other way around.

 
10. What was your favorite childhood toy?
 
Anything by Fisher Price in their little people collection...I just loved to make towns... with a farm, a home, a garage, an airport, and an amusement park.  I was thrilled when they made the little people bigger -- my sister a nurse used to call them Trachea blockers and they were just that size! Now they are too big to swallow - and for good reason.  Now my sons and I combine them with the Thomas the Train Tracks and we make a whole city -- which is really fun! To share my favorite toys with my boys is just a great gift from the toy manufacturers.