Lifetime Moms

The hardest part of owning a business is actually STARTING the business. There are thousands of people sitting in their cubicle right now wishing they were working for themselves, but many don’t go any further than the dream. Why? Maybe it’s fear. Maybe it is inexperience. Or maybe they just have no idea where to begin. When I launched my boutique I had no idea what I was doing, the only thing that kept me going was the drive to be my own boss, that and the trickling layoffs where I was currently employed. I was just tired of the possibility of getting laid off again. And layoffs are common place in my industry so I pushed onward towards a path of entrepreneurship. I made a ton of mistakes and most of my decisions were based on "educated" guesses. 

Sure I could have read books and blogs on how to launch and run a business but being a mother of two little ones I just didn’t have the time. Did I mention I was still working full-time?

Luckily there is help for busy moms trying to break out of the rat race - Start Your Own Company flash cards developed by Elizabeth Cogswell Baskin.

Elizabeth is the CEO and Creative Director of Tribe, Inc., a $5 million branding company working with both national and global clients. She launched Tribe in 2002 as a one-woman shop in a converted screen porch from her kitchen.  She is also the author of "How To Run Your Business Like a Girl: Successful Strategies from Entrepreneurial Women Who Made It Happen" and "Hell Yes! Two Little Words for a Simpler, Happier Life."

And you guessed it, she is also a mother.

The Start Your Own Company flash cards are designed to help guide you through the launch of your business. Not every step will apply for every business or owner. For example if you are running a business online you don’t need to worry about finding business property.

The Starter Cards are broken into four categories, vision, launch, follow through and milestones. Under vision you will create lists and conduct research. Completing tasks like, list the reasons you want to start your own company or study the competition. The next set of cards, follow through, will include things like create your public relations plan or review your financials. During the launch cards you will be reminded to call everyone you know and choose a CPA. The last set of cards is the Milestones where you will find markers for celebrating your first year and hiring an employee.

The Start Your Own Company cards do not include EVERY step you need to know when launching a business but the 3x5 cards are a great start and can be the motivation you need to get started plus they are designed by a mom who’s been in that cubicle. You can get more information on the business index cards at www.startercards.com.