Mandy is a Freelance Writer, Internet Marketer, Health and Wellness Entrepreneur. Raised in Arizona, she has also lived in NYC, San Francisco, Las Vegas, Chicago and Sydney. She has an MFA in Creative Writing as well as a background in theater and sports. Her husband of three years works in the financial services industry and they have a 22-month old daughter.

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

I run my own freelance writing business. In addition, I lead a team both online and locally in the fast-growing field of genetically customized nutrition- Genemoms.


2. What made you decide to work from home?  

I've always resisted the traditional approach to life. When my daughter was born, I knew flexibility and freedom were priorities.  Also, I have insulin-dependent diabetes, which requires a ridiculous amount of health checkups, so working from home allows me to make time for frequent trips to the endocrinologist, dentist, opthamologist, etc.


3. What kind of support have you gotten from your community?
 
Because I do almost all of my business online, I consider "community" to mean online community. With the rise of social networking, the support I've gotten seems endless. People now wear their hearts on their blogs, and I love it. Whenever I feel stuck, frustrated or alone, I've reached out to others for advice and friendship. Everyone reading this is a potential friend, and that just floats my imaginary boat!


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?

Being self-employed gives me the freedom to spend lots of time with my daughter. We go to the puppy store or the playground or the zoo on a regular basis. If I'm working on a project but I feel like procrastinating, I'll just go downstairs and cook or bake something fun! Also, I get to listen to loud (or soft) music whenever I want.


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

My daughter is too young yet to really see me as an entrepreneur, but as she grows up I hope she learns the importance of self-discipline, continuing education and enjoying the process as much as the result.


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

The most difficult aspect of being a self-employed parent is that there's always more work to be done! It's not like I come home at the end of the day and there's a clear line between work and home. That line is very fluid. Having a self-cleaning house would make my life easier... hello, Jetsons!


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

I would like consumers to realize how powerful and empowering it is to get a genetic assessment. We offer an affordable test that will tell whether you are weak, average or strong in twelve key areas like cardiovascular health, bone/eye health, cholesterol, blood pressure markers and more. If you know your own or your children's weaknesses, you can use diet and supplements to live the healthiest life possible!


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

As a parent, I am most proud of how my husband and I communicate. We both prioritize being honest and forthcoming with our thoughts and feelings, good bad or ugly. There is always love and respect present in our dialogue, and I am proud to welcome our daughter into a microcosm that nurtures her and encourages her to express herself freely.


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

Exercise or do some form of stress management on a regular basis...


10. What was your favorite childhood toy?  

My favorite childhood toy was a crappy old typewriter I bought at a garage sale for $1.00. I started my own little gossip rag and spread terrible lies about my brother. Luckily I could usually run faster than him in a pinch.