The Rise of the Mompreneur

A new type of entrepreneur is shaking up the small business sector today. They are called mompreneurs and they are taking the small business scene by storm with innovative business ideas. What exactly is a mompreneur, you ask? Entrepreneur.com defines a mompreneur as "a female business owner who is actively balancing the role of mom and the role of entrepreneur."

Mompreneurs have seemingly mastered the juggle of starting their own business while raising a family. Within the past 10 years, these women have been on the rise by creating businesses mostly from their homes while continuing to care for their children. Mompreneurs tend to have the creativity gene and the virtue of patience to make their company thrive while raising kids.

Several of the companies started by mompreneurs are inspired by the children they have. Moms will often see a need when raising the little ones and then try to create a solution to the need.

Ever heard of Baby Einstein? Have you wondered where that concept came from? You guessed it- a mom named Julie Aigner-Clark wanted videos that were more interactive than Barney to show to her little girls. She started recording picture video books in her basement in 1997. Just 4 years later, she sold her company to the Walt Disney Corporation for $20 million. Not bad for a first-time business owner.

Other business ventures started by mompreneurs include Time to Play Baby, Human Body Detectives, Bilingual Fun, Trampoline Inc., and PicPocket Books.

Another well-known product produced by a mompreneur is an organic cloth diaper called Swaddlebees While her newborn slept, Margarita McClure devised and started creating the first hypoallergenic diaper in her house. After making her first sale on eBay, her new business took off. It has been years since her baby has been in diapers, but her business is still flourishing more than ever.

Mompreneurs give the notion of "stay at home moms" a whole new meaning. A good mompreneur will have both personal and professional success. With the flexibility that entrepreneurs have, being a mompreneur may just be the thing for you. Make no mistake, these women work hard and get little sleep but the end result proves that it was well worth it.