Stay-at-Home Mompreneurs: Tips to run a business while raising a family

I am often asked how and why I started my business, Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc. Quite honestly, it started by accident. I had left my teaching job to stay at home with my two young children. I was looking for ways to supplement my income without jeopardizing my time with them. My mom visited a small pop-up consignment event in Texas and told me about it – suggesting it might be a way to earn a little extra cash. So I asked a friend from church, JBF co-founder Daven Tackett, to help me out. We recruited a handful of consignors and set up shop in my home. The rest – as the saying goes – is history. The idea caught on and grew literally through word of mouth. Remember this was 1997 – waaaaay before social media. The moms who participated told their friends and they told their friends and so on. Our event grew very quickly in Tulsa and we formed a franchise in 2003. Today, co-founder Daven Tackett runs the original Tulsa sale and I run the franchise system, with 150+ franchises in 29 states and Canada. Many of these sales are run by moms who craved that same flexibility that I wanted. For me, it is one of the most satisfying parts of JBF and what we offer: that we have been able to help moms and dads supplement their income and be with their kids. So when Casey Smith, a business writer from our local paper, The Tulsa World, asked me to share my advice and experiences on being a stay-at-home mom who grew a business. I was thrilled. Here are a few of my key takeaways:

• Know your why: I advise other entrepreneurs to be very clear about why you are starting this business. It will sustain you through the tough times. I can almost guarantee it
• Focus on your strengths: And surround yourself with other talented people: Building a business is a lot like raising a child. It really does “take a village”.
• Insist on balance: I believe this is so important. Schedule in your family time, fun time and “me” time. Put it on your calendar like any other appointment.

Click here to read the entire article from Tulsa World, which features other successful and inspirational mompreneurs. And for more information on Just Between Friends and what our franchise has to offer moms and dads, click here.

• Shannon

Shannon Wilburn is the CEO & Co-founder of Just Between Friends Franchise Systems, Inc. (JBF), North America’s leading children’s & maternity consignment event. JBF has 150 franchises in 28 states and Canada. JBF is actively seeking franchisees throughout North America. Click here to learn more about owning a franchise.