Moms take “Detours & OnRamps”
I had the pleasure of joining a team of mompreneurs, editors and bloggers at last week’s Detours & OnRamps Conference, created by Meghan McCartan to help moms in career transition. It was the second such forum, following a successful launch event in New Jersey last fall. According to the US Bureau of Labor, more than 70 percent of women with children under 18 work outside of the home. That’s approximately 24 million moms trying to balance family needs with the responsibility of working part- or full-time.
HybridMom Publisher Meryl Otis Kessler moderated the “entrepreneur” panel I participated in, and I got to meet Christine Koh, founder of Boston Mamas and Posh Peacock, a gorgeous new line of stationery and invitations. Christine has more degrees than anyone I’ve met in Boston and in this university town, that’s saying something. She’s an accomplished musician and, of course, a proud mother. Amid all this, she finds time to post twice daily about resources and events for families living in and around Boston. She talked about the importance of finding a niche when starting a business - in her case focusing on Boston happenings rather than trying to be all things to all families everywhere. She said the strategy has helped her attract advertisers.
Other panelists included Linda Kagan, an attorney who created Forms4Parents, Roberta O’Neill of tatutina, and Edee Simon Israel of The Worth Collection. Earlier in the day, Care.com Founder and CEO Sheila Marcelo gave the conference keynote address. Marcelo, who had her first child while in college and went on to earn dual graduate degrees from Harvard B-School and Law School, likened life to a marathon, with “moments that feel like a runner’s high and moments when you cramp up.”
While many in the audience came seeking advice on how to balance career and family, speaker after speaker talked about 12+ hour days and routinely checking email at 2 a.m. Ugh. Success apparently has its price - sleep!
There were several other really terrific speakers and companies at the conference. A few to check out, whether you’re a mom looking for career support or a company looking to reach moms, are:
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