Mom-P-Inc. – Blog Love for The Organized Business Mom

Good morning. It’s Sunday and that usually means we kick into Mom Entrepreneur mode around here with guest columnists like Emma Payton of Payton Hughes Consulting.
Emma has offered up some fantastic business advice to OBE readers and now it’s time to return the love as she’s kicked off her own blogging project that is sure [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Emma Payton of Payton Hughes Consulting

Editor’s Note: Good afternoon! If you missed Robin’s morning post on the very cool, fun and interesting Capilano Suspension Bridge, you can read it HERE. Now we kick off another year of amazing women in business with a warm profile on mom entrepreneur Emma Payton.
We’ve got some fantastic profiles of mom entrepreneurs this year. But, [...]

Year In Review – Mom Entrepreneurs of 2009

Good Morning! It’s that time of year again when we start to take a look back at the last 365 days and reflect a bit on the goodness, the craziness, the lessons and the shifts of the last year. I thought we’d kick it all off with a look at the women who made up [...]

Monday Moms – Independent West Coast Fashion

Oh how I love clothes. Really, if there is one thing in life that I know will make a grim day bright it’s a soft, pretty sweater, or that great jacket that makes me feel super confident and collected.
I generally think of myself as a fairly practical woman – rarely extravagant. But, splurging on something [...]

Decadent, Wheat-Free & Vegan in One New Bakery – Bake Sale

A long time ago in a land far far away there lived a girl with a blog called Comox Valley Kids and her friend Christa Herrling who wrote a fantastic weekly food column.
This CVK woman knew from the beginning that Christa was a chef extraordinaire – particularly in the baked goods department. But, the CVK [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – “Funding” A Start-Up Through Bootstrapping

Editor’s Note: Happy Sunday. If you missed this morning’s post on the second part of the Sustainability Strategy tackling hard social issues such as homelessness and affordable housing, you can read it HERE. Right now, we have local small business consultant Emma Payton back on site discussing bootstrapping as an alternative way to fund start-up [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Do What You Love

“I write because when I was an adolescent I looked in the mirror and no one was there. Can you believe it? Complete nothingness. And then, beside me, “others” assumed great importance.”
– Rosario Castellanos
I actually remember feeling that way, looking in the mirror and having no clue what I saw. It scared me and [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Currently Cumberland’s Kathryn Chung

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – The Attributes of an Entrepreneur

Editor’s Note: Good morning. Today we have local small business consultant Emma Payton back with us and taking a look at some of the characteristics that make successful entrepreneurs. You can find her first article on the myths and realities of self-employment HERE. Here’s Emma:

In the previous article in this series we explored some of [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Kristi Walker of Eco-Centric

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 [...]

The Making of a Mom Entrepreneur – Letting Go

I have been hanging myself out to dry for a while, all because of an inability to let things go.
I work hard on not being petty, keeping things in perspective and maintaining some sense of order (or simply the need to pick up pieces properly) when my quick-fire reactions lead to a giant flaming blaze [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Keri Knierim-Brown

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 [...]

The Making of a Mom Entrepreneur – Relationships

A little slow out of the blocks this morning, I’ve been sitting here for a few minutes with my mandatory coffee, toast and jam thinking about family, relationships and the “office.”
First, I feel like I need to come clean. When I was 18 and making that mega decision of what I wanted to be when [...]

The Botanical Soap Shop

Happy B.C. Day! I so love long weekends that the family can actually take part in. We celebrated British Columbia with our own great Canadian backyard campout last night, pitching a tent, sleeping under the stars, realizing the the ground is very, very hard (oh, my ancient back). If it wasn’t for the raccoons hitting [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – The Value of Time

Editor’s Note: Ah, movie day. Come inside and cool off at the Courtenay Museum today when we show the last movie in the Chew On This Film Series, “The World According to Monsanto.”
This amazing film takes a frank look at bio-engineering and its effect on the global food system and I encourage you to [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Diane Kyle, Nearly New Books

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 [...]

Nurture Your Inner Diva at Flawless Beauty Bar

Good morning. I’d been ready for the last week or so to do a Monday Morning Mom’s poll about lipstick this morning. Then, lovely OBE mama Kindle left me a little bath-related surprise at the new Flawless Beauty Bar in downtown Courtenay.

Not knowing what to expect, I wandered in with the scent-loving 3.75-year-old and both [...]

Can’t-Miss Canadian Food Bloggers (giveaway)

I swear I’ll wrap my foodie thing up this week. Well, maybe not. I mean, check out this steak:

I’m still day dreaming about the bacon doughnut I ate last weekend.
Anyway, to wrap up the Toronto adventure, I wanted to plug you guys in today to some of the coolest Canadian food bloggers out there.
You’ve already [...]

Making of A Mom Entrepreneur – Life’s Work

Karen and I have had a running joke for the last couple of weeks that – when I didn’t show up at the Today Party yesterday (hope you all had the best time ever!) – that we’d tell everyone that I’d opted for a nap. But, we figured no one would believe us.:)

I am, actually, [...]

Green-e-ology – Green Your Kid’s Birthday Party

Editor’s Note: Today Suzanne Corrin, owner of Green Planet Parties in Port Moody has dropped by to give us some seriously great tips on how to green our kids birthday parties.
I have to say that I personally love the Suzanne’s (both owners are named Suzanne) and their products. After searching high and low for [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Aline Wittwer of Benino Gelato

Editor’s Note: Happy Mother’s Day!!!
I could wax on for days about motherhood. But, this year – I have to say – is the year of inspired motherhood for me. The women in my life – so many of them mothers even if they do not have their own children – are remarkable.
They have guided [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – The Value of Success Circles

Editor’s Note: Good Morning! Today we have small business consultant Karae White, owner of Morgan Ebbett Career Services, here to talk to us about how developing a tight-knight circle of business associates can be a valuable tool that helps you resolve business issues, flesh out ideas and even stretch your marketing dollars.
But, first, a quick [...]

Mom Review – Woodland Rogue

Editor’s Note: In honor of Earth Day (April 22) and all of the exciting OBE events going on like the CVRD Earth Day celebrations and ribbon cutting on the new Family Community Gardens this Saturday, we’ll be focusing the next couple of weeks on ways that you can think green and live gently on the [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Keli Carpenter of Warriors Realm & Raw Realm

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Boundaries vs. Balance

Editor’s Note: Karen McKinnon is dropping by today to offer up her insight into life as a mom in business for herself.
If anyone can lend a hand in working the kinks out, it would be Karen. With her busy house, growing business and warm sensibility, she’s mastering the art of learning how to say [...]

Product Review – Daisychain Maternity Support Belts

Good morning. I’m still feeling mighty sluggish and a bit dazed after a weekend across the (tiny) pond battling hordes of Spring Breakers at Science World while trying to cram in some relax time and catch up with pals.
Getting over to Vancouver is totally fantastic. But, I always feel like we never get the chance [...]

The Making of a Mom Entrepreneur – Voice

I had NO IDEA what I was doing when I first started Comox Valley Kids.
That’s not entirely true. I’d been writing professionally for about 17 years – a serious bonus. But, really, it wasn’t about the writing for me. The trick came with figuring out what “I” sounded like. It seems a little silly, since [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Wendy Johnstone of Solutions for Seniors Eldercare Planning

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 [...]

Mom’s Office – Must-Have Organizational Tools!

Editor’s note: Good Morning! As part of our ongoing commitment to fostering the entrepreneurial spirit of moms everywhere, we are launching our Mom-P-Inc Small Business Consultation column on OBE this morning.
This is a space where moms with ideas brewing, new businesses on the launch, a position in a larger company or solid businesses in [...]

Making of a Mom Entrepreneur – How OBE Began

NOTE: Robin will be writing about the evolution of Our Big Earth – offering insight on how everyday moms can create the life’s work they envision – every month here on OBE. Check back in for tools, tips, tricks, ideas and inspiration. Plus, take a peek inside the Our Big Earth machine and get a [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Rhonda Parker of Well-Balanced Fitness & Bodywork

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Karen McKinnon of McKinnon Photography

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Pam Watson of Planet Kids

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Jan Peavoy of Dark Side Chocolates

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Teneille Higgins & Chelsea Kennedy of Firefly: New Beginnings

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Tina Willard-Stepan of Seeds Natural Market

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Sarah Stromquist of Kasa Bags

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Sherry Turnbull & Kristina Jespersen of Podlings (formerly Little Me)

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Kyla and Marussia Nesling

Motherhood, it changes you.
For four weeks now, we’ve been taking a look at moms across the Comox Valley who have taken the ingenuity thrust upon them by parenthood and turned it into businesses.
Today, we get to know two local mamas who took their passion for health, the environment and family and worked together to build [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Louisa McClellan of Ashberry Farm & Usborne Books

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Jennifer Barth of Be on Sixth

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Julie Catania of Organic Family Natural Home

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 [...]

Mom-P-Inc. – Carol Anne Parkinson of Kindermusik

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 [...]