Motherhood at its Best
Stay-at-home mums who run home-based businesses or work for meaningful causes have their hands full and they love it
(This article was written by Grace Ma on 3 mothers aged 36, 26 and 40 - I am only writing whats about Bebebows.com)Feel free to grab a copy today at all newstands.
For Bebebows.com owner Mrs Leza Parker, 26, being your own boss while taking care of a young family means sacrificing sleep or working on sick days.
Mrs Parker registered Bebebows.com in October 2009. Her $100 start up, which sells hand-made baby bows and other accessories, is expected to generate an estimated $400,000 this year. Its products are shipped to retailers, online stores and department stores in nine countries including Australia, the United States, Indonesia and China.
Mrs Parker now shares her success with other SAHMs. There are five of them in her employment and she pays them between $1,000 and $3,000 each month to make bows. She also conducts training for charity organisations and low-income mothers.
"I hope I can help these mothers discover their skills and expertise and turn into business that generates profits," says Mrs Parker, who has two children, Daniel, four and Desarae 20 months. Her third child is due this October.
Mrs Parker also runs two tuition and cosmetics businesses with her Australian husband, Paul a contract school teacher. When her son goes to school in the day, Mrs Parker runs errands with her daughter. She conducts tuition in her home from 5pm till 9pm, when her husband takes care of the children. Her parents help to babysit when both of them are teaching at the same time. Business matters are attended to only when the family is asleep and a domestic helper takes care of household chores.
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They credit their families, especially their spouses, for being able to juggle between family and work commitments.
Mrs Parker says, " Besides giving encouragement, my husband has been my lead advisor on how to handle money, keeping a positive cash flow and investing in proper channels."
