Contestant's Case to Win
This is based on the number of votes received.Sign4Baby offers a variety of programs to help parents engage in early communication with their little ones. Teaching was always in my heart and when I became a mom and saw the incredible communication ability of my signing baby, I wanted to share it with other moms and show them how to incorporate signing in their everyday lives. There are plenty of books out there on the subject, but I felt that books don't give the same coaching that interactive classes provide. Aside from teaching my own 3 children to sign, I learned to sign as an infant (before this concept had really caught on) and having a deaf mother has given me the added bonus of providing lifelong experience into signing with babies and the deaf culture. Finally, I am doing something that I am proud of, that helps other people... it took awhile to hone in on bringing together my personal skills and doing something I absolutely love. Worth the wait to figure out what I was called to do!
With the encouragement of clients, I am now looking into writing my first book on the topic of parenting and signing.
Supporting other mommy businesses is something I have a knack for, I have always found it to be a great offering to clients that I'm a super resource for all things parenting simply by being a big momprenuer supporter.
I've reached that point in my business where people are reaching out to me for the services I offer instead of me trying to attract clients... what a wonderful turning point for ANY business. I attribute this to a number of things: One - Social Media - connecting with people is important when you're in business for yourself and social media allows you to connect with WAY more people than I could otherwise. It is truly the modern day networking, especially for moms! Two - Blogging - This sort of gave me the platform to brush up on my writing, and now I've had several articles published in a variety of forums (a goal I have is to be the expert baby sign language columnist for one of the parenting magazines or online resources that reaches more families. Three - Holding onto my dream! I almost shut down the business in Dec 2009 with the tough economy and with the urging of friends hiked up my boots and focused my attention on how to succeed rather than how I was flaundering. Four - Small Business Coaching - usually entrepenuers have a passion for what they do, but don't know what they need to succeed, and I now recommend to all momprenuers who are serious about making a difference to seek a business coach, what you offer is valuable and don't discount your worth.
As a mom of 3 ages 6, 4 and 2 I really do feel it is a blessing to be a momprenuer and make a difference in the lives of families who want an early communication bond with their chldren.
30 Reasons I'm a Leading Mom in Business:
30. Each year I take on a new challenge to do something for myself that is a stretch. When a mom, especially one who owns her own business, can remember to nurture herself, her family will benefit and her clients.
29. I've collaborated with Kid Ventures to raise money and awareness for child abuse prevention through a local nonprofit organization, Promises2Kids. Supporting charitable efforts is good for the community... if more small businesses had the mindset that they could give of their time and resources we would all be better off.
28. In 2011 I doubled my business over the previous year and plan to double my business in 2012. I set BIG goals and really go after them.
27. I've learned that even when business is flourishing, never let up on marketing. AND not to believe that marketing is a bad word. Letting people know what I do and the difference I make and not being shy about it is how I've gotten to where I am.
26. I network like crazy, attending events, communicating online, if people see who you are they want to be more connected to you then that creates both referral opportunities and business alliances.
25. 2 local news stations have reached out to me within just weeks of each other having an organic interest in what I offer, inviting me to participate in news segments. This usually happens when you've done your hard work in getting the word out about what you do utilizing all channels.
24. I was one of the sponsors for the 2012 Your Natural Baby Fair - this is about knowing your target market and making a strong presence where you can connect with those who will have an interest in what you do.
23. I've learned how to use those daily deal sites to build my business rather than lose money. Building strategy takes trial and error.
22. Some of my tips are shared in a popular local publication this year, The Moms Guide to San Diego. I happily help in distributing that publication.
21. Many local bloggers have enjoyed my classes, written about their experience and this has stimulated interest in my programs.
20. Each year I gift spots in my Sign, Play & Learn classes to at least 10 military families.
19. I coordinate a playgroup that provides service after the sale – builds community offline
18. We’re hosting a Signing Time Foundation Concert this September.
17. I make learning baby sign language accessible with YouTube videos.
16. My tips and techniques are proven to bring successful results. I'm continuously changing and adding things to offer the best and latest info in my classes and workshops.
15. I believe in supporting mom owned businesses whenever possible.
14. 15 FREE monthly Signing Story Times all over San Diego County.
13. I bring traffic to the businesses I partner with as sponsors or teaching locations.
12. I coordinate a monthly San Diego Zoo trip for our playgroup. This is a great way to bring Graduates of my program, current students, and prospective students together.
11. I make it a practice to shop small business for my business.
10. I host regular networking tweetups to support other momprenuers and bloggers.
9. As my clients needs expand, so has my business. Birthday parties added, Workshops made a comeback, Potty Time workshops coming soon, and soon to bring on an instructor for Preschool Sign Language classes.
8. I stay connected to my clients through social media, and I go about it as an authentic person, not just a business highlighting my services all the time.
7. The babies and toddlers in my classes LOVE me - I'm a true baby person - figuring out your area of expertise and love will show up in your chosen field.
6. My work has been spotlighted on Dr. Greene’s website sharing tips on baby sign language. Oct 2011 5 articles and again March 2012 5 articles. A couple of those posts were picked up by Stroller Strides. Identifying a good opportunity for your demographic to highlight your expertise is helpful. Writing free content that doesn't reach the right market is a big waste of your time. In both timeframes when I was invited to write I was up against some other time constraints, but knew the connection was valuable and pulled it off.
5. I presented to my peers at the Signing Time Academy on Social Media to expand their business. July 2011.
4. I was awarded Instructor of the Month via Signing Time Academy (June 2011).
3. Clients value me as a resource for parenting/business/activities and more.
2. I'll share business suggestions, I'm working on the mindset of operating from abundance.
1. I was named one of 20 Women to Watch in 2012 by Mommy Perks.
