Tiffani Lawton of Pampered Pregger & Beyond is a registered nurse and doula who offers education and support to mom and family in all stages surrounding the birth of their little loves.

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

www.PamperedPreggerandBeyond.com
I support my husband with www.EJLContracting.com



2. What made you decide to work from home?

When my third son turned 3 months and it was time to turn him over to a sitter so I can return working on my business and educational contracts I had in place, I just could not leave him…so I canceled the contracts and have found creative ways to bring in revenue while working from home.

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

The online networking community has been my greatest support along with the birthing community.  I love the people that I have met and networked with.  The ones I most connect with are the ones with the tried and true, “I’ll scratch your back if you’ll scratch mine” mentality.

 
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?

Flexibility!  I can adjust my schedule to best suit my family’s ever changing needs.  With four boys from 2 to 17, flexibility is my greatest asset.  I can go to the soccer games, the theatre performances, bake cookies for bake sales, attend school events held during the day, and so on.  After being a single mom for 10 years before remarrying, I more than value watching my children grow.  I want to be able to slow time a bit and appreciate every second I can, because before you know it, they are driving and heading off to college!


5. How do you feel your children see you as an entrepreneur?  What things are they learning by watching you work? 

The babies only know that they want to be on moms lap when she is working on the computer.  The teens see my tenacity…never give up on your dream.  Your dream may change and require tweaking as you move along, but never give up. 


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

More time!  And a volunteer or three to delegate to! Although I love the flexibility, it can be frustrating when I have a deadline and have to drop everything I am doing.  I find myself triaging everything that comes to me and put out the fires first..often backburnering less urgent matters.

 
7. What would you most like for consumers to know about you and the businesses that you run?

I am a consumer friendly person.  I want my services and products to meet the needs of the consumer.  For example, I have been asked to offer my workshops online, so I am in the process of building online educational workshops for the consumer and continuing education for doulas.  In addition we will be offering certification training for antepartum & postpartum doulas and lactation educators. We offer many free services and support.  We offer numerous free online support groups in many different forums.  We proudly boast, The Swap Spot, which is growing in leaps and bounds because it allows you to post items that your little love has outgrown, and search for items he can grow into, all for the cost of a few stamps.  The Swap Spot is very mother earth friendly by reducing, re-using and recycling.  Join The Swap Spot today http://theswapspot.ning.com
We run several blogs to education women about perinatal mood disorders, cesarean awareness and another one that covers everything pregnancy, labor and postpartum.
 
http://buoyforperinatalblues.blogspot.com
http://icanofcapeatlantic.blogspot.com
http://ppandb.blogspot.com


8. What are you most proud of as a parent?

My children and their individuality!  I am proud of my oldest who is in the National Honor Society and is seeking med school.  I am proud of my second son and his incredible talent on the stage.  I am proud of the ever so happy preschooler who says hi to everyone with a big smile on his face…what an example! And I am proud of my quiet little tot, who has survived and overcame so much adversity in his short little life.  Each and every one of them is so very different and unique from the other and I just love their individuality!


9. Do you have any advice for other parents who are running their own businesses or want to?

Be prepared for change.  Versatility is a must.  Tenacity is imperative.  If something is not working, change it.  Change it again and again, all the while striving to best meet the needs of your consumers. Allow your creativity shine through in your marketing.  You do not have to break the bank on expensive advertising but you do need to constantly market!


10. What was your favorite childhood toy?

A big old weeping willow tree!  I was such a tom boy!  I was always outside with the boys.  I loved that tree.  We would climb to the top, swing down on the vines until the owner would yell at us to leave.