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Feb 14, 2008 7:53 pm US/Central
Stay-At-Home Moms Building Their Own Empires
DALLAS (CBS 11 / TXA 21) ―
Baby Einstein DVDs were created by one. So was a Dallas-based make-up giant. Stay-at-home moms are proving they can do more than raise children.
Those who've done it say all you need is a good idea, great support and a little faith. Then you'll be well on your way to becoming a "mompreneur."
Nicole Burfield of Mckinney said she loves being a stay at home mom with her 10-month-old daughter Bailey. She went to college, but said she always knew she wanted to be a stay at home mom. But while Bailey sleeps, Burfield changes from mom to driven business owner. When Bailey was 2-months-old, Burfield had an idea for a new invention.
"She had these cute little socks that were my favorite that I wanted her to wear all the time," Burfield said. "So I created something for them to say on."
She developed a sock strap prototype and began showing her friends. After receiving rave reviews from friends, her husband suggested they open a Web site and start selling the product. That's when Baby Socks Appeal was born.
Burfield joins a growing number of women who are building their own empires while staying home with their kids.
"I do what I can, when I can," she said. "And that's usually at night when she's sleeping."
Mompreneurs are beginning to flood the marketplace with new products and services. Patricia Cobe, coauthor of the book "Mompreneuers Online," estimates there are more than 10-million in the U.S.
Shellye Williams of Dallas is one too. She's now made it her job to help others get started.
"If you have a dream, find out what it takes to reach that dream," Williams said.
Her organization, The Women Executives Network, directs others to resources that can help them get going.
"What I'm trying to do with our women's group and through my own company, is to help women find out that it doesn't cost that much to get started," Williams explained.
She helps women focus in on what they're good at, harness their talents to create their business, and put together a plan to get their business going. But most of al, she helps push her clients to know they can succeed.
"Don't be scared," she advises. "Don't let any negative or any adversities keep you from living your dream and doing what it is you want to do."
Eight months after she got her business going, Burfield says she's receiving orders from all over the country.
"Of course, I hoped it would be big and booming, but I'm still working on it, doing it day by day," she said.
Williams also advises that women wanting to start their own business should keep up with technology. Burfield recommends doing a lot of research and to have a plan ready before you actually spend your money.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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