| THE TERM Momtrepeneur may have been coined | | | | breastfeeding products, baby hammocks, as well |
| by our sisters across the Atlantic, but the reality | | | | as acting as a resource for parents. "I started |
| is there is a growing base of successful career | | | | using cloth nappies with my second son, as he |
| women around the globe, who also happen to be | | | | was allergic to disposable. But I discovered I |
| stay-at-home-Mums. From web design to making | | | | couldn't find that sort of thing in Ireland and had |
| gourmet dog biscuits and massage therapy, | | | | to buy from the US," Feller explained. |
| modern mothers are carving a successful niche as | | | | Having spent a year mulling over the idea the |
| entrepreneurs while choosing a lifestyle that | | | | Cork woman decided to embark on a business |
| blends well with having a family. | | | | that would reflect her own beliefs. "There are a |
| "Working from home is a very viable option. | | | | lot of parenting styles that I believe in, that |
| People choose this lifestyle for many different | | | | weren't big in Ireland and I wanted to show |
| reasons and they deserve recognition," said Ms | | | | parents that there are other systems out there," |
| Darina Loakman, founder of website | | | | she said. |
| The first of its kind in Ireland and the UK, the | | | | Four-and-a-half years later The has grown |
| website was launched last September, and has | | | | significantly, with a part-time worker recently |
| attracted great attention from Momtrepreneurs in | | | | joining the team. The business, which is run from |
| both countries. A former IT worker with ECDL | | | | a converted garage, allows its founder to enjoy |
| Ireland, Ms Loakman opted for becoming a | | | | her family, while at the same time enjoying a |
| WAHM (work at home mother) after experiencing | | | | fulfilling career. |
| the benefits of telecommuting. | | | | Mornings are spent doing invoices and checking |
| However she soon realised there was a gap in | | | | email, before completing the post office run on |
| the online Momtrepreneur market. "There are a | | | | the way to pick up the children from school. "I try |
| lot parenting sites but the jobs are US-based. I | | | | not to work too many evenings and keep |
| soon realised that none were relevant to here. I | | | | weekends free," she declared. |
| kept waiting for something to happen and then | | | | However, she warns potential Momtrepreneurs of |
| one day I thought I might as well give it a go | | | | various pitfalls. "I learnt the hard way as I wanted |
| myself," she recalled. | | | | to do something close to my heart, but soon |
| The resulting site is described as an online | | | | realised I had to treat it like a business," she said, |
| resource for mothers who want to work from | | | | advising others of the need for a good business |
| home, but don't know how to go about it, as well | | | | plan when embarking down the entrepreneurial |
| as acting as a support for mums already working | | | | route. |
| from home. | | | | Loakman also warns wannabe Momtrepreneurs to |
| "What amazed me was the number and quality of | | | | be aware of the challenges and also of the pitfalls |
| businesses being run from home by successful | | | | that exist. "There are many scams out there. You |
| women. It's been great for me to see what has | | | | should never have to pay to work at home," she |
| and could be achieved," Loakman said. | | | | said, warning of the many advertisements that |
| One such example is Momtrepeneur, Carol Feller | | | | 'guarantee' to make you rich. The mother of |
| who is busy juggling a thriving online business and | | | | three is also quick to dispel the myth, that |
| three sons, with another baby due in April. The | | | | working from home is 'easy'. |
| former software engineer turned her back on | | | | "Yes, it is easier than commuting perhaps, but you |
| contract work when a conflict arose with familial | | | | work hard and face numerous challenges. If you |
| life. The mother-of-three now spends her days | | | | take five minutes out to put on the washing |
| running The from its base in Inishannon, Co Cork. | | | | machine you make up that time elsewhere- plus |
| "I wanted to find something that would bring the | | | | some," she added. She also advises would-be |
| two parts of my life, my family and career, | | | | entrepreneurs to avail of the free 7-day e-course, |
| together," Feller (32) explained. "Now if the phone | | | | which allows the participant to work out what is |
| rings I no longer have to make excuses for | | | | the best direction to take. "Working at home is a |
| strange noises in the background. Before I would | | | | very viable option. But you need to stand back |
| have to pretend there wasn't a child behind me, | | | | and assess what your goals are and what you |
| whereas this is very child-centred." | | | | want from your career before you make any |
| The business sells such items as cloth nappies, | | | | choices," she advised. |