Meet the Mom Behind "Divapreneur!"
Who and what is Divapreneur™? Where are you located?
We are a virtual community full of resources, experts and support for any female entrepreneur who is growing her business online.
How did you come up with your site's name?
Actually, Kimberly Flynn, from Chroniquecouture.com came up the name. We wanted it to encompass every woman, without discriminating against age, race or any defining life event, like being a mom. Divapreneur™ is paradigm to any woman who is confident and pursues her passion, but also has time to cultivate her relationships with friends and freely give advice to others without fear of competition. We are a rare breed of women and finally there is a place for all of us.
When and why did you decide to start your site/ online network community of women?
Around February or March of 2007, I spoke to two friends of mine, Kimberly Flynn and Paulette Kinney, regarding giving away a website to someone who needed it and perhaps creating a yearly "scholarship" to give a website away every year to a deserving recipient. Divapreneur was born out of our desire to give back to an online community. Divapreneur has become a supportive, caring place to grow businesses, make meaningful connections and find the right resources to help members succeed.
How did you get started?
By trade I am a graphic designer and have worked on and off in the field for the past 15 years. I love web design but most of all I love to draw. My business was called HIP N CHIC DESIGNS when I started. I currently have 3 sites besides Divapreneur, Elainebiss.com, elainebissdesigns.com and houseofluxe.com, my own blog and personal mark in the world of design. I also have a newsletter, and I use it to showcase my work as well as some of my favorite indie designers, like houseofraquel.com and beadsofhope.com. I do extensive research on trends and how they affect different fields, like how fashion may have an effect on web design.
What motivates you to keep your site going?
As cliche as it may be, the love for what I do. I love my work and to have others love it as much as I do it`s amazing. Divapreneur has become a very supportive place and hang out of any diva who is conquering the entrepreneurial world.
What do you think brings your members back to your site on a regular basis?
Interactivity and resources. To be able to ask a question and be answered by a professional for free makes us unique. Not to mention the cute graphics. ;)
How do you advertise your site? Which methods proved successful/effective?
Word of mouth is the most powerful method we use. Nothing beats it and above all, it`s free.
How do you juggle family and work at home?
Delegation of responsibilities among the members of my family, as well as counting on the support of my husband has truly become a blessing to me. Although I am sure I could do this own my own, it is easier with a support system. Many moms feel guilty asking for help or hiring help, because their own mothers seemed to handle it all when they were growing up, myself included. I no longer feel that way. As much as I love my mom, my mother did not manage 2 corporations, wrote articles on a weekly basis, took care of 5 kids, 3 dogs and a husband. Cooking by itself is a daunting task. My mother was and will always be the best role model I had of a woman who could handle responsibilities and create a warm home, yet conserve her femininity and create her own fashion statements. My mother was never frumpy! (She studied fashion design.) That I will always admire. Divapreneur has also become an extension of that system and I can count on the divas for support.
What advice would you give to moms seeking to become a WAHM?
Love what you do passionately, Find time for family and never be afraid of asking for help. There is always someone who wants to help you!
Any special features that you are promoting at Divapreneur?:
Divapreneur is a free community full of benefits to its members, such as access to experts in different fields, video tutorials and audio clips that help you with your business. We also have a directory called the The Diva Insider, which houses a directory to all of the businesses in Divapreneur and articles by the divas in the community.
Anything else you'd like to add about Divapreneur or about being a WAHM in general?
Everyone is invited! We are here to help you.
Visit Divapreneur at: www.divapreneur.org
Also visit Elaine Biss' other places on the web: www.Elainebiss.com, www.Elainebissdesigns.com and www.houseofluxe.com
(Note: All images courtesy of Divapreneur. Please respect their work and do not copy and/or alter their images. Thank you! )
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