What I've learned in the last year
Wednesday, February 18, 2009 at 9:09PM 
I learned that if you're super passionate about your idea and have fierce determination to make it come alive - you can do it! Within a year, I built and launched My Inspiration Lounge and gave birth to my second daughter, Molly, who is now 7-months old. It's hard to believe My Inspiration Lounge launched less than five-months ago. The five words that best describe my journey so far: fulfilling, emotional, inspiring, hard, and fun. I get so inspired by the little gifts in my inbox, your kind emails, that arrive at the most opportune time! Thank you! Here's a few things I jotted down when reflecting on what I've learned about me and becoming a mompreneur...
- I was missing something really important in my life for a long time...a network of friends I could trust. This has been the sweetest and unexpected gift so far. I've met the most inspiring, supportive and talented women. We hold each other up, exchange ideas, laugh, cry, drink wine, be silly and remind each other of the important things in life. For too long, I was caught up in the false sense of security and friendships the corporate world gives one.
- I've learned patience (sort of) and to celebrate small successes.
- Choose vendors and partners who believe in your project, share similar values and passion.
- Pursuing a dream, doing what you love and helping others is very rewarding. It makes all of the hard work so worth it.
- I love my blog and newsletter, InspireMail! They were the two things that scared me the most at the beginning.
- I've learned what I'm not. I'm not a baker. Last week, I tried to make cookie dough from scratch while making a cake at the same time. The cookies turned out horrible and my big revelation - baking and being in the kitchen for a long time stresses me out. Pre-made cookies will have to do. Ava, my 4-year old daughter, says I'm still special :)
- I ask people for help all the time. This was new for me. It can't hurt to ask and the worst they can say is no. Besides, what you think is impossible, others make possible.
- Always listen to your gut or intuition. A rule I've lived by all my life and proves itself true all the time.
- I'm starting to see the power and influence My Inspiration Lounge will have to support women and special causes. It's exciting and the possibilities are endless!
- There are successful online women entrepreneur's who don't support the new women entrepreneurs on the scene. It's unfortunate but not surprising. My priority is to support women now and support them even further when I'm big!
- Life is tough. Don't tackle it alone. My reminder to make #1 above your priority :)
- I now have my soul essences, the values that are me at the core and keep me grounded. I am fun, inspiration, freedom, adventure, strength, courage, and discovery! Woo hoo!
- I thought I could never love another child as much as I love my first one. Molly proved me wrong. She is the sweetest and most scrumptious thing ever:)
I'm sure I forgot something! Thank you so much for your support and inspiration!
Be Inspired. Get Informed. Embrace Life.
Reader Comments (7)
That was such a great article. I find so much of what you say true. I have had a very similar experience with CityMommy.com
Along the lines of #10....I have tried to be as promoting of other mom entrepreneurs as I possibly can, even if I get the feeling they are not reciprocating...Ieven if I don't get any type of compensation, I fully believe in mommy karma...and so far mostly everyone I have encounter has mostly been very nurturing and kind! I think there is plenty of room out there for all of us to prosper on the internet...and I think moms really know the value of backing each other up! I really think you have nothing to lose! Go for it...if it doesn't succeed...try your next idea!! To the non-flexible workplace...watch out for entrepreneurial moms at home with time and a home office!
Hi Misty
thanks for sharing your learnings. i became an entrepreneur first and then within a short span of time - a mom. and a lot of what you share i connect with. The most important one for me is the first point that you have put. In the recent past i have been fortunate to have a strong circle of women at my back and from them i get a lot of strength and joy! Also personally waiting for Lesson #13 to happen in my life. My four year old daughter Nia makes me feel so complete and i wonder.....
I discovered your site quite by accident a month back and then have been visiting it very often (here's my recommendation for your site on my blog http://purplepitara.blogspot.com/2009/01/must-visit-site-for-women.html) A lot of your links seem more applicable to people who live in the US. i live in India - and your site makes me wish if i could create a similar lounge for Asian women :) maybe sometime in the future.
So thank you Misty for following your dream and sharing your world with me :)
love
vijji
And thank you Misty for your insights almost every day!
Great article. Every entrepreneur should do a What I Learned inventory every year...and share it with others coming along the same path. I also think one of the best kept secrets about self-employment is that it is an invitation to lifelong learning. Thanks for sharing your new insights.
I enjoyed this post very much :)
I get your Inspire Mail in my inbox--and when I see it's there, it's the first email I open! Thanks for such a valuable gift.
thank you ladies for your inspiring comments!
@julie: I like your philosophy of helping women out even if they don't reciprocate. I share the same thinking. I am a big believer in karma...:)
@Christopher: thank you for being a loyal follower! If I am inspiring men along the way, then all the better! I just started to track the demographics of the site..so I might find I have more men that visit then I realize :)
@barbara: you are so right and this is one point I forgot to make - I thought I knew a lot when embarking on launching a website, especially with my online background, but found there is SO MUCH I didn't know. The key is being resourceful and not being afraid to learn new things, even about yourself :)
@lea: thank you! :)
@donna: your comment made me cry! that's the emotional part of My Inspiration Lounge! I really appreciate your kind words. I put a lot of thought into InspireMail and actually think of it as a special gift I am sending out to my inspiring ladies! Hugs! Misty