The Hidden Economy of Women Online
I recently attended a bluegrass show in the easy-going mountain town of Lyons, Colorado. As the band took the small stage, the fiddle player adjusted a small round gadget that had been placed on one of the amps. Suddenly the unmistakable sound of a wailing infant spread out over the venue. "Hear that screaming?" she said as she approached the microphone. "That's our newborn. Dad's going to go take care of 'im for a while." At that, the guitarist hurried off the stage to attend to his fatherly duties. Within a few beats the baby's cries were folded into the music of the remaining drummer, bassist, and fiddler/mom, and the show went on.
That's how things are done in Lyons. Business isn't about adjusting the world around you, it's about adjusting yourself to get the business done.
I've seen this model repeated in many other venues on and off line. While the economists worry and wring their hands, entrepreneurs, many of them mothers, keep the show going. You may be surprised, but even as the global marketplace quakes with recession and impending crisis, few people in my world are talking about "the economy."
Most of my days are spent talking (often on Twitter -- http://twitter.com/gwenbell) and working with women across the country. These ladies are seriously crafty. Many have shops on Etsy (which was funded for 27 million dollars in January 08) and some have created witty videos like this one, which shows how you can meet your ten dollar budget for Christmas gifts, for everyone on your list -- and have fun doing it.
Big budget marketers are spending millions attempting to reach these women, but the truth is that they are mainly talking amongst themselves. At heart, they're talking about how to support small businesses, but nobody really says the "b" word. They're talking about where to get hand-crafted baby blankets, how to buy locally, sharing cupcake recipes, the little things. Lots and lots of little things.
These are not techy bloggers or geeky startup types. When I spoke at BlogHer this July I saw a roomful of moms, many of them nursing newborns right on the spot. This new generation of "mompreneurs" sees no dichotomy between having a family and a successful business. But it's on their terms, often online, and built on a bottom up model.
For this group, business is done between swapping stories, taking care of sick kids, and running a family. These are busy, hardworking women. Often too busy to let something like a recession keep them from getting on with things. They don't talk about the economy because they've got their hands full building their own.
The bluegrass show in Lyons represents their technique of balancing the personal and the professional... one on each hip. Bringing a baby monitor on stage isn't an ideal situation but it's sometimes the only way to get your work done. Real entrepreneurs know that in tough situations, the only way through is through. Approach it creatively. It will, at the very least, add a little quirk to your show.
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See Jill Keto's Profile
Thanks for highlighting the clever resourcefulness of mompreneurs everywhere. I think mothers have a unique ability to adapt and charge through difficult times. By the way, this is also something I cover extensively in my book, "Don't Get Caught With Your Skirt Down: A Practical Girl's Recession Guide". There is indeed a silver lining to the U.S. dollar is collapsing - goods that are produced here in the USA will be cheaper to export. And small manufacturers, like the moms on Etsy, will have a distinct advantage manufacturing in the United States. Crafty moms are going to be able to benefit from the recession, not become imprisoned by it.
These women make up most of my clients as an Etsy-based freelance designer and while I'm not a mom yet, they are my role models for the future. I don't know how, but they do it all and seem to have a lot f fun doing it. I'm so glad you included littlebrownpen's video - Nichole is a prime example of one of these super women. Thanks for the great article!
Thanks for posting this. That's my culture. When I was first pregnant, I discovered La Leche League and became a leader. I was one of the women who took her kids everywhere and discretely breastfed them at meetings with other mothers. I wrote an article on breastfeeding for Ms., way back when. I went to the magazine's office in New York and saw that there were playpens set up for the editors who had brought their kids to work. Raising kids is very important and being able to integrate them into your working life is a great thing. My first born is now a partner in a major consulting company. She has three kids and has the funds to pay a daytime nanny while she is at work. But she swears by Etsy and talks online to mothers who have adopted children just as she has. So even though she has a high powered job, she also is part of the mother culture.
Gwen, you're a beautiful writer, so rare to see art in blogging these days. Thank you.
It's true, we just "make it work". I was touched by the story you told about the musician family...glad to see that i'm not so nuts for what I attempt to do daily. In fact, i'm going to be driving my 3 kids with me to do a speaking gig 4 hours away in January because i don't have a nanny or want to leave them for 2 days, it'll be an adventure and while i'm speaking they can hang with a friend who lives near by. We just do what we can as mom entrepreneurs to move things forward and in the end of it all, we hope that we can make a difference...somehow, someway...and if we can make money doing what we're passionate about, then that's all the better, right?
luv that video too. i'll definitely be linking to this post, Gwen. thanks!
Absolutely loved this post. If we are going into a Depression the resourcefulness of stay at home spouses (and the recently unemployed) to add new income streams and still get the family jobs done will be key. Hunkering down will not be enough. We will all also need to work harder and smarter.
Great Post!!
Hear, hear! I've been running a writing business for the past 4 years from my home, mostly working with other moms, and at this very moment I'm sitting with a nursing infant, dictating my response to this blog using hands-free speech software, and cooking my lunch. It's amazing what we moms can get done when we set the terms of the deal.
Great story Gwen. You bring up an important point - mom business owners are making their own rules, making a life that works for them.
Corporations and other businesses are majorly missing the boat here. They're not creating products, work environments, or marketing messages that reflect the new reality of being a mom and having a career/business.
I suspect it's because, as NWReader commented, these moms are not getting the respect they deserve. Why not is a whole other blog post.
But thank you for calling attention to this influential group and giving us a glimpse into what their lives are really like. I couldn't agree more with the phrase "Watch out for the moms!"
To Quote: This new generation of "mompreneurs" sees no dichotomy between having a family and a successful business. But it's on their terms, often online, and built on a bottom up model.
I've been an "ecommerce diva" since 1997. Eleven years!
I run several successful ecommerce businesses, an online forum committed to supporting online sellers, blogging my items, packing packages, answering customer emails, staying up on the latest merchant news AND all the while, managed to raised three beautiful children, volunteered at their schools, activities and in my community along with having my marriage succeed. (30 years as of this December 2008)
Support from my spouse and family comes easily as they can see how I earn my/our income.
I would want no other way of earning an income.
My ecommerce sales have enabled me to have the life I want as a mother, wife and businesswoman...it's heaven.
See Patricia Handschiegel's Profile
Awesome post!! I'm doing a series on women like this on my huff post blog right now. i want you to be on the subscription list!
Love it! I heard a podcast awhile back regarding graphic design. I don't remember what the actual topic was, or who the speaker was (sorry whoever you are), but I remember her saying something like: "watch out for the MOMS!"
. . .So TRUE!
Exactly.
I love what you said here... "Often too busy to let something like a recession keep them from getting on with things."
We are so busy, but we wouldn't trade it for anything. We are definitely starting a revolution.
Susan (5MinutesforMom.com)
Yes, lots of women are getting business done. Personally, though, I wish it would get the respect that the name BUSINESS garners, and not the cutsey, patronizing moniker "mompreneurs." If I'm earning a full time income, what does it matter what I produce? It's still a business, whether it's crocheting doilies or filing taxes.
Gwen your article articualted exactly how I feel about my life and the lives of many women I know. Thanks!
wow, Gwen! You really captured this concept perfectly in your post! Thank you for honoring & bringing more respect to the work we're all involved in. Sometimes I feel like it's a revolution; the face of business is changing. Reminds me of the "Soccer Mom Myth" theory. Great post, Gwen. xoxo
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