I am a wife and a mother of two kids 5 and 1.  I have a BA from Queens College and worked as a claims adjuster for 5 years only to realize that I don't belong in a negative world of claims that is always looking out for the worst case scenario.  I belong in the positive, upbeat, optimistic world of entrepreneurs, where all mistakes and failures are seen as opportunities for the better.
 
1. What businesses do you and/or your family run?

I run Women Can Have it all, a professional development center for mom entrepreneurs in Queens NY.  We organize events, seminars, and workshops for mompreneurs.  If you are in Queens area, please join us.

2. What made you decide to work from home? 

I hated working for someone.  I dreamed about being my own boss and now started a business and testing it out while running it through home.  Eventually I am planning to open up a center.

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

Thus far, I have been running workshops at the library and local colleges, the continuing education programs and the response has been great.

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 allows me to be there for my children without having to worry about answering to someone.  I do have to answer to my clients, but because I cater to mom entrepreneurs, we understand each other.  I can do personal things or child matter things during the day which saves me loads of time.  For example, I can take my daughter to the doctor in the morning vs the evening and the waiting time is an hour difference.

5. How do you feel your children see you as an entrepreneur? 

What things are they learning by watching you work?  My kids are still young.  My five year old son does ask a lot of questions so he tries to understand what I do, but doesn’t really comment.  I think eventually they will be proud and I will encourage them to also start their own company.

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

The difficulty is money, it can fluctuate month to month.

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

I do what I am passionate about and I give my business my all.

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

I am proud to have beautiful, smart and healthy children who make me laugh and cry at the same time.

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

Get your family on board and that means, getting your partner to understand you and support you, get the money situation figured out, and get your kids on board.  Support from your family is what is going to make you or break you.

10. what was your favorite childhood toy? 

Dress up dolls.