Motherhood, it changes you.

While there’s a whole list that involves sagging and wrinkled, exhausted and emotional that can be wrapped in there, for many women becoming a Mom takes life to a whole other level.

It brings out our genuine loves, forces them into places creatively and personally that reveal talents and ingenuity unrealized until that point.

It inspires.

Moms see a need and create the solution.

So, this May we celebrate the genius of Comox Valley women who turn the lessons of parenthood into a resource for the community.

We celebrate local mom entrepreneurs.

Name: Jennifer Barth
Age: 34
Business: Be Clothing on 6th Street in downtown Courtenay (across from Atlas Cafe)
Town: Courtenay

Tell us a bit about your work: Jen owns a small boutique with a focus on active wear and gorgeous locally made products.

I definitely have an entrepreneurial spirit. My husband and I ran a successful consulting business in his line of work and, when he merged with a large engineering firm, I found myself looking for other alternatives.

A little seed of a thought grew into Be.

What made it possible? Mostly – confidence and determination.

Why the Comox Valley? We love the Comox Valley – this is home to all of us and after living in a lot of “small town BC” communities we think that Courtenay & Comox has one of the most vibrant and healthy economies for small business owners.

When I first opened the doors, I had expected to put in long full days and that my kids would be hanging out here after school – it was really important to me that they be a part of this.

I had been home for 12 years with them, we homeschooled for three of those years – we’re pretty connected.

I had this fear that after all these years together they might feel a little lost or disbanded with me going off to work. It’s worked out far better than I could have imagined – I have two wonderful helpers at the store – Keltie and Di.

I am able to pick the kids up from school and enjoy the afternoons with them just as we had done before knowing that the store is being well run and the customers are being taken care of. Now, trying to find a time to work out… that’s been a little trickier!!!

Hmmmm. I’ve never really pondered that before – I’m a very social person. I guess I would enjoy a few more moments to myself to work out!

Word of mouth.

We can run ads and pump ourselves up but when others are speaking for us - it means they are satisfied and happy with our offerings and our service – that is huge. As well, the women that are wearing our clothes to their pilates & yoga workouts – they are beautiful, flattering clothes and when people see them “in action” it creates a bit of a buzz.

I expect also that our new website will be a great form of advertising.

Toughest lesson – you can never have enough mediums!!! We bring them in and they disappear before we can get them out of the box it seems!

Our biggest success – when people come back in and tell us how much they love our store and our products.

Well, I’m kind of bull headed and when I decide to do something – I get busy and do it.

I did need to consult with a lawyer regarding contracts and he spent most of our time telling me I was a fool and that if I wanted to work in retail I should just get a job as a greeter at Wal Mart. That was a little disheartening and it happened to be the first day back to school for the kids and our oldest daughter went off to middle school for the first time – I was a bit of a mess after that encounter!!

The next day though, I found my reserve and decided that when I could prove my success I would take that lawyer out for a fat juicy expensive steak – just because!!

My husband has been my biggest source of help and encouragement – one amazing man.

My family is my top priority – I know that and they know that too and so it just works. Even though I’m a business woman – my focus isn’t all about the business. I think it’s important to note here that I’m not alone in making a living for our family – my husband is our major income earner.

Be, everywhere.

Being self-employed can offer huge benefits for moms – namely, you’re the boss and you can choose your hours.

That said, there is also a substantial degree of risk involved and financial commitment. Weigh the odds – what would be more stressful for your family? Will being self employed right now cause financial strain?

If you dream of opening a shop but, fiscally, it wouldn’t be the wisest endeavor right now, then just wait a bit. You can never get back these young tender years with your kids – so enjoy them to the fullest. There’s lots of time to be a business owner when the kids are a bit older.

Well, a little more sunshine and warmth would have been helpful this spring!

We have friends and family all over the globe, so I do love Facebook for keeping connected and I really enjoy my scrabbulous games! I’m a geek. The news, scrabble and Simply Accounting – that’s what consumes my time when I’m not helping customers. I like surfing MLS.ca too!