Motivational Thursday: Interview with Jenáe Hester
Since we had some technical issues here over the past few days, Monday Motivation is a bit late. But that doesn´t make it any less enjoyable and inspiring. Today´s mompreneur is Jenáe Hester, who runs Mother Earth Greets, a very cool greeting card business. I think her idea is an excellent one and encourage you to check out her website and take a look at some of the beautiful cards she has there.
1. What is your business?
Mother Earth Greets offers a specialty line of eco-friendly, inspirational greeting cards designed to “Celebrate Moms Everyday,” not just Mothers’ Day and birthdays. These cards appeal to moms of all ages, stages and races; they deliberately don’t feature any person of a particular race, to the exclusion of others. Instead, the card covers showcase something most of us can appreciate…the beauty of nature. Just as nature is beautiful, so are moms of all shades and forms.
2. How did you get started?
Being a new mom, I already had a plethora of information from which to pull for the content and tone of my cards. I have plenty of friends who are also moms and through various conversations I realized sometimes the nurturer needs to be nurtured as well…that’s what these cards do. I began writing cards and giving/showing them to family and friends who rave about how they’re so beautiful and so accurately speak to what moms of all ages and stages feel. Since these cards were striking the right chord, I began showing them to buyers and boutique owners who now sell Mother Earth Greets cards in their stores.
3. What mistakes did you make when you were starting out? What did you learn from them?
I didn’t focus group enough of the major details of starting a business. It’s very important to focus group your company’s concept, name, logo, packaging, price, etc. Even if this isn’t done in its entirety on the front end, it’s not too late to do it now.
4. How long have you been working from home? (was this your first business or have you had others where you worked from home?)
This is my first time working from home and I started in September 2007.
5. What are your tricks for balancing work, kids and household chores?
No tricks, really; it’s a continuous effort. I do designate certain times and certain days for certain tasks. Organization is the best chance I have of striking a balance.
6. How many children do you have? How old are they?
I have one child, a 14 month old little girl named Deja.
7. When do you usually work?
After my daughter’s down for the night and my husband and I have eaten together (usually 9pm – my eyelids become too heavy). I’ll have work appts. during the day, too…to which I bring my daughter. Whether I’m meeting with a buyer or boutique owner, I’ll bring Deja since I’m a mom first. Mompreneur not Entrepreneur Mom.
8. What is the best part of being a mompreneur? And the worst?
The best: The passion and excitement I feel for creating something that originated with me, and building it into a successful venture that produces manifold benefits to my family. The worst: Feeling torn between all the hats we moms wear and being sleepy and/or tired so often.
9. What are your plans for the future of your business?
Mother Earth Greets will expand into various products with the same inspirational message and will not only be nationwide but global.
10. What advice would you give new work at home moms?
You’re not alone in your passions nor frustrations; seek out mom blogs and groups for comraderie and connections. Every day take steps towards your prize: a nurtured family, a nurtured business AND a nurtured you.
Genesis,
Thanks so much for this great interview and for writing about Mother Earth Greets. I’ll be sure to tell my other mom friends about your site.
Jenae