Meet This Savvy Mompreneur Blogger
Sometimes, I meet someone and I just know right away I want to collaborate.
I may have no idea what we’ll collaborate on, but I trust that we’ll figure it out.
Despite my law background, and my preference for evidence-based science, the truth is the vast majority of my decisions are based on instinct.
And my instinct never steers me wrong.
So a few months back, when I met Michelle Olson-Rogers, the woman behind the 4-month old site “Modern Boca Mom” – I knew she was someone to hold close.
In fact, I had been seeing posts from the Modern Boca Mom on Instagram and Facebook for several weeks, and had checked out her site.
Very professionally done; very impressive.
When we met, I was speaking at a dinner for the National Assoc. of Women Business Owners, and she had seen the flyer in my “South Florida Mompreneurs” online group and decided to come.
I was immediately impressed by her.
We took this photo together that night.
Stacy with Michelle Olson-Rogers at Stacy’s presentation on Attracting Ideal Clients to the Ft. Lauderdale Chapter of the National Association of Women Business Owners
Michelle Olson-Rogers is a force to be reckoned with.
She wasn’t afraid to step out, go where she knew no one, and even approach the speaker (me) and introduce herself (yes, believe it or not, sometimes people are too shy to say hi to me when I speak – which is too bad b/c I LOVE meeting people when I speak).
And at every turn, she does what she says she’s going to do.
Since our first meeting, she’s been one of our most regular attendees at the Connection Events I organize, and she’s been building her brand as a very strong connector, with equally strong follow-through.
I’m thrilled to have Michelle’s voice on our panel for CRA LIVE discussing the power of connection – how to meet the right people to propel you forward, establish authentic relationships, and leverage those relationships to to grow your platform – with grace and integrity.
Using these skills and talents, Michelle has enjoyed tremendous and fast success with Modern Boca Mom, finding innovative ways to monetize the platform so she can best be of service to the community she serves.
So today I want to share my interview with Michelle – I really think you’ll relate, and find some inspiration in her very real and honest answers.
Q: What’s your business?
Modern Florida Mom, a lifestyle network of blog sites dedicated to the stylish & modern Florida Mommy. Current websites include ModernBocaMom.com in South Florida and ModernSt.AugMom.com in North Florida…with hopefully many more in the state of Florida (and beyond) to come!
Q: Tell me about your kids – how many? Ages?
My daughter, Avery, is 18 months old. I just have the one currently…with people asking me daily whether or not I plan to have a second.
Q: How did you come up with the idea to launch this business?
My family and I moved down from NYC to Boca Raton in fall 2013 and between juggling a full time job, a 5-month-old baby and major house renovations, I had very little time to find activities to do with my daughter around town.
I scoured the internet for a website that would tell me where to take her for music class, what cool fitness options were around for me, what city-type shops there were available or where I could meet other moms. There was nothing!
It was so frustrating, so I decided to fill the gap in the local online marketplace and ModernBocaMom.com, my first website, was born.
Q: What do you know now about launching and running your business that you wish you
had known when you first launched?
How personally you can start to take things since your business is your (other) baby!
If my web traffic is low one day, it’s really easy for me to go to this dark place and start questioning “Why didn’t my readers like that blog post?” “Do they not like Modern Boca Mom anymore?” “Should I be doing this?”
Sometimes, people are just busy or they don’t get to read my blog until the kids are asleep and a week later that particular post will have a thousand views.
I also knew going in that I was going to need to dedicate a lot of time to building my business, but I had no idea how difficult it would be to schedule creative and work hours around my daughter.
I’m still learning to juggle.
Q: How much time lapsed between first having your business idea and actually launching?
8 months.
Q: Looking back, what could you have done differently in order to launch your business
sooner, or more effectively?
Connecting with an experienced mentor.
Starting out in any business, you always have a ton of questions. Blogging is no different.
Looking back, there would have been real value in me picking the brain of an experienced, business-savvy mommy blogger.
Luckily, I have met many along the way and now I have a fantastic network in place that I’ve lovingly nicknamed the “South Florida Blog Mafia.” You know who you are.
Q: What was the biggest obstacle standing in your way when you first launched?
I’m sure this is pretty typical, but money and fear.
I was the primary breadwinner for my family before I launched Modern Florida Mom and I feared that if I didn’t make six figures in the first six months after launch, my family and friends would look at me as a failure.
Luckily, that was in my head and although I probably won’t earn my former “New York City PR Professional” salary for some time, I’m much happier and feel like I’m contributing to my family and local mommy community in a really valuable way.
Plus, I get to take my daughter to work with me every day!
Q: What strategies do you use to make sure you are honoring your values and priorities in
both your business life and your personal life, particularly as a mother?
As a somewhat new Mompreneur, it’s important to me that we do our part in supporting fellow Mompreneurs on Modern Florida Mom sites. A “Mompreneur Movement” if you will!
We have a weekly feature called Mompreneur Monday that highlights a Florida mommy-owned or female-founded business. The post tells their story and touches on their business challenges and little victories. I love using blog publicity for good!
Q: Yes! Thank you for the fabulous feature you did on me!
Of course! As I said in the feature, I can’t think of anyone who is a more natural fit for Mompreneur Monday, considering you’re THE Mompreneur Mentor!
As for other things I do to honor my values and priorities as a mom, I make a huge effort to combine quality time with Avery with business activities.
I know that probably sounds strange considering I absolutely value one-on-one time with my little girl, but without that mentality I never would have found out that hosting and organizing Modern Boca Mom-branded events could become a lucrative part of my business!
I’m not saying it’s a perfect experience 100% of the time, but that’s when grandma steps in to help save the day…
Q: What is your best piece of advice for other moms out there that are considering turning
their own business idea into reality?
Get inspired. Get informed. And take action. [CLICK TO TWEET]
Amen, my friend. It’s all about the ACTION. So happy you said that.
And don’t give up! Businesses take time to grow and flourish.
Work hard, have faith and believe in what you’re doing…and surround yourself with people who are like-minded.
Together, we can start a Mompreneur Movement!
See why I wanted to introduce you to Michelle?
What ACTION can you take to move forward turning your own business idea into reality?
Leave a Comment below and share what first step you’re committing to.
And wanna know how you can get started creating the business and life you want?
You don’t have to spend thousands of dollars on private coaches, online courses and retreats, or go off to get your MBA.
You can start with a 1-day action-packed event where you’ll meet amazing people also on the path to create the life they want, and leave with practical tools and strategies you can implement in your life right away to gain momentum and turn your vision into your reality.
That’s what Connect Relate Activate LIVE! is all about.
It’s happening January 30, 2015 in Fort Lauderdale, FL.
If you feel called to join us, you have a few days left to register at the Earlybird Savings right (ends 11/21).
All the details are HERE.