Latest on the blog
Successful Mama, Coaching & Podcast
Industry: Education, Coaching, Podcast
Madison Mompreneur Member: Shannon Carothers
About Successful Mama, Coaching & Podcast: Shannon is a coach and a lover of habits. And washi tape. Also, yes, I know that loving habits is kind of weird. I help moms define what success means to them and utilize small changes to create an intentional life they love. Now I have the privilege of helping moms change their stories using some of the tools and systems I’ve learned since that day in the kitchen floor. I want to not only help you define it, but to figure out how the heck to start moving toward it when life feels so chaotic. I’ve spent the past five years studying habits, personal growth, psychology, leadership, and trying to understand how they all connect to motherhood.
August 26, 2024
Meagan Hubbard LLC, Life and Health Coaching
Industry: Education, Coaching
Madison Mompreneur Member: Meagan Hubbard
About Meagan Hubbard LLC, Life and Health Coaching: Meagan loves serving women who are caregivers and nurturers in their homes or at work and have discovered that their own well-being has fallen down to the bottom of their to-do list. They are ready to say “YES” to taking care of themselves, making powerful decisions where they put themselves first, and setting up their lives so that they can feel excitement and peace in their day to day. They know that they just need a guide and a blueprint on how to get there and stay there. They are ready for a positive change!
August 21, 2024
Stuffed Animal Clinic of Madison
Industry: Home Services,
Madison Mompreneur Member: Nicole Adams
About Stuffed Animal Clinic of Madison:
The Stuffed Animal Clinic of Madison offers a variety of repair services for cherished stuffed animals, dolls and remembering loved ones. Nicole gives each of her patients the best possible care while they’re visiting the clinic. She can perform general repairs, reconstruction, cleanings and much more. Every patient comes home with their own prescription for continued love and care.
August 21, 2024
I D’eclair Southern Kitchen & Confections
Industry: Bakery
Madison Mompreneur Member: Erin Elliott
About I D’eclair: A creative kitchen specializing in small batch, gourmet marshmallows. I D’eclair is often at markets around Northern Alabama with seasonal marshmallow flavors. Please check their facebook page for upcoming market dates.
August 20, 2024
PiperMâché Website Studio
Industry: Technology, Business Services
Madison Mompreneur Member: Juliana Piper
About PiperMache: PiperMâché is a custom website design and SEO studio specializing in Showit website designs. Located in Madison, AL.
Whether you need a website redesign or a new website design, I can help you craft a website that is uniquely yours, user-friendly, and conversion-driven. I’ve put together an easy plan that makes this process as easy as drawing a stick figure.
Your website needs to be alive, and it requires constant updates. Outsourcing Website maintenance service is a smart investment. I also offer blogging strategy services to help you drive traffic, and hourly services for website updates.
SEO optimization service enhances your website’s visibility on search engines like Google. Additionally, I offer website audits to evaluate your website’s performance and provide add-on pages to facilitate ongoing business growth online.
When I am not helping at Madison Mompreneur, I love working with local business and have a few added to my portfolio if you would like to take a peek.
Visit PiperMache at: they are just a click away.
You can read more about PiperMache at our Member Spotlight special blog post series
July 27, 2024
Hello Madison Mompreneurs! We are excited to bring you a special blog post today. We have the pleasure of collaborating with Heather Jones, a certified life coach for mompreneurs, who is launching a new chapter of the Association for Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE) in Huntsville. The chapter aims to create a supportive community for military spouse entrepreneurs, providing a space for sharing ideas, celebrating successes, and navigating the unique challenges of military life together.
AMSE Huntsville Chapter
The AMSE Huntsville chapter is more than just networking. It’s a place of belonging for military spouse entrepreneurs at any stage of their journey. Members will have access to mentorship, support, networking opportunities, skill development resources, and most importantly, a sense of belonging.
I’m incredibly excited to announce the launch of the Huntsville chapter of the Association for Military Spouse Entrepreneurs (AMSE)! I invite all military spouse entrepreneurs to join the AMSE Huntsville chapter. Let’s rise together!
Heather Jones
Heather is here to share her story, her vision for the AMSE Huntsville chapter, and why this community matters for all military spouse entrepreneurs.
From Career Climber to Stay-at-Home Mom: A Shift in Focus
Many of you reading this might already know the rollercoaster ride of being a military spouse and certainly the one of being a mompreneur. I certainly do. In my early twenties, fresh out of the military myself, I was on a fast track. My career was blossoming, and I was even enrolled in night school for baking and pastry arts – my dream of opening a bakery was taking shape. Then, life took an unexpected turn: my husband decided to reenlist. We discussed it thoroughly, and agreed to embark on this new chapter together. However, this also meant putting my career and business aspirations on hold.
When our first child arrived, the decision to stay at home felt heavy and at the same time comforting. Motherhood brought a joy I never knew existed, a fierce love that filled my days. But amidst the snuggles and bedtimes, a quiet emptiness started to grow. I realized I wasn’t pursuing anything that truly sparked my passion outside of being a wife and mom.
Lost Purpose and the Envy Monster
The truth is, I began to feel like my contributions paled in comparison to my husband’s service. Here he was, making a real difference in the world, while I felt like my role was simply to create a cozy home. Envy started to creep in and I was just not feeling settled where I was in life.
This internal struggle pushed me to explore ways to contribute and find purpose again, all while being present for my growing family. I experimented with various work-from-home options, searching for that perfect fit.
Life Coaching: Filling My Cup and Finding My Niche
It was during this period of exploration that I found life coaching. The process of becoming a life coach itself became a journey of self-discovery, helping me define my coaching style and identify my ideal client: military spouses yearning to achieve a fulfilling work-life balance while raising a family.
Life coaching wasn’t just about a career change; it became a source of personal fulfillment. As I attended to my own passions and goals, it fueled my happiness and empowered me to show up fully for others. It was like filling my own cup first, allowing me to then pour into the lives of others from a place of knowing.
Why Community Matters: You’re Not Alone
Looking around and then back at my own experience, I realize I wasn’t alone in that feeling of being “lost.” Countless military spouses put their dreams on hold, sacrificing their individuality in the process. But what if we could have both – fulfilling careers and a thriving family life – right now, not someday?
That’s the core principle behind the AMSE Huntsville chapter.
Building a Network of Support: Together We Rise
This chapter is about creating a supportive community. Imagine a space where you’re surrounded by women who “get it” – the unique challenges and triumphs of being a military spouse entrepreneur. A space to share ideas, find encouragement, celebrate successes, and navigate the ever-changing military life together.
More Than Just Networking: Where You Belong
Maybe you’re a seasoned entrepreneur ready to take your business to the next level. Perhaps you’re just starting out, filled with dreams AND questions. The AMSE Huntsville chapter welcomes military spouse entrepreneurs at at any stage of your journey.
By joining our community, you’ll gain access to:
- Mentorship and Support: Connect with experienced military spouse entrepreneurs and learn from their expertise. Find a network of women on a similar path who can offer encouragement and celebrate your victories.
- Networking Opportunities: Expand your professional circle, collaborate with other military spouse entrepreneurs, and find potential referral partners.
- Skill Development: Participate in workshops and access resources designed to help you grow your business.
- A Sense of Belonging: Find a network of women who understand the unique challenges you face and celebrate your victories.
Madison Mompreneurs is proud to support this endeavor and we encourage all our military spouse entrepreneurs to consider joining the AMSE Huntsville chapter. It’s communities like these that empower us all to achieve more, together. To join, visit AMSE Huntsville chapter.
Grab your AMSE membership today!
We are so glad to have Heather as part of Madison Mompreneur community, and we are so proud of her. Learn more about what other Madison Mompreneurs are up to at our Member Highlight Blog Series.
May 27, 2024
Madison Mompreneur’s Calendar: A Tool to Align Your Summer with Madison City Schools’ Schedule
Introducing our Madison City Schools’ based Summer Calendar. This tool has been crafted to coincide with the Madison City Schools’ schedule, aiming to assist all you dedicated moms in organizing your summer more efficiently.
I have been using this Summer calendar for the past 3 years, and I love having everything in one page. My kids will refer to it all Summer long to know what camps or play-dates are coming up next. I start using it in March, around Spring Break time which is when most summer camps open their registrations. You can check a list of Northern Alabama Summer camps at Rocket City Moms, they always have updated information.
With multiple kids’ schedule to coordinate, this calendar makes my life so much easier. Whether it’s coordinating business conferences or scheduling playdates, our Madison City Schools’ based Summer Calendar can help you stay ahead. This user-friendly tool provides a visual layout of the summer months, enabling you to handle your time and tasks effectively.
Harness the Madison City Schools’ Based Summer Calendar for Better Productivity
Our Summer Calendar can be utilized in countless ways. I like to use it to visualize all the Summer trips that are coming up, it makes it easier to balance camps, trips and lazy times at home. Even when we are staying around Madison, we still like to take easy day trips to get out of the house for a bit.
Mark critical school dates, lay out your work agenda, or even slot in some well-deserved ‘me time’. By visualizing your schedule in one page it will be easier to coordinate multiple people and projects at once.
Stay Coordinated and Balanced with the Madison City Schools’ Based Summer Calendar
Our Summer Calendar isn’t solely about organization; it’s about balance. It serves as a reminder that while work is crucial, so is family time and self-care.
We only get a few Summers with our kids, and making time for creating memories with them, is so important to us moms. Let’s not forget about ourselves. I don’t know about you, but Summer time is so much about my kids and family that I am not always intentional about making time to see my friends or for self-care. So go ahead and book that well deserved massage for one day this Summer, do it right now, and you are more likely to commit to it. You will thank me later.
Use the calendar to deliberately plan relaxation time, guaranteeing you’re not neglecting self-care amid your business hustle.
A Resource for Every Mompreneur
Always remember, a well-organized summer results in a productive summer. Our Calendar is more than just a tool; it’s a strategy designed to help you excel in your business and personal life. While Madison Mompreneur does not host any coworking event during the Summer, we hope you utilize this Calendar to make this summer a triumphant one. We’re here to back you on this journey!
Make sure to tag on social media if this calendar is helpful to plan your summer, and you can always check our calendar for our upcoming Fall coworking session and events.
March 16, 2024
Madison Mompreneur Member Highlight Series: Featuring Michelle Thao of Momtastic Fitness
Today we are excited to share a Member Spotlight on another Madison Mompreneur! The Member Highlight Series is designed to help you get to know the members of Madison Mompreneur as we ask them questions about their personal and professional life as moms who own businesses in the Madison, Alabama area.
We are continuing this series by shinning a spotlight on Michelle Thao, owner of Momtastic Fitness.
Introduce yourself!
I’m Michelle and I am the owner of Momtastic Fitness where I specifically work with pre/postnatal moms.
How does your business help people?
I help my clients by providing and executing safe and effective workouts for pregnant and postpartum moms. Making sure they are comfortable and knowledgeable about exercising also.
How long have you lived in Madison County?
I lived in Madison about a year but city hopped over Huntsville/ Madison area. Currently live in Meridianville.
What inspired you to start your business?
What inspired to start my business all started when I was pregnant with my daughter 6 years ago. Being in the fitness industry and lacking resources for the pre/postnatal demographic was discouraging. Moms should be able to feel seen and heard not just athletes.
What sets your business apart from others in the industry?
I’m a mom who loves fitness! Not only that but I actually work with pre/postnatal moms specifically. I mean, that’s pretty niched down! Not a lot of people actually heard of pre/postnatal trainers when they schedule a consultation with me.
What do you consider to be your biggest success so far?
My biggest success is having the desire to see change in people whether small or big, I celebrate them all. Seeing people getting results is already the big success.
How does your business contribute to the local community?
My business can contribute to local communities by providing resources about safe and effective exercising to the hospitals, pelvic floor therapists, doulas/midwives, etc. I think exercising during pregnancy especially can be really beneficial to these communities and physicians because not a lot of people know fitness trainers that works with moms.
How do you see your business evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I see it evolving into great, bigger things than what I expect! In the next 5 years or less I hope to have my own fitness studio instead of renting one.
Who are your typical customers, and how do they find you?
Typical customers are mainly moms. They find me honestly through word of mouth
What do you enjoy most about running your business?
The part I enjoy the most is putting my expertise and knowledge into action.
How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and changes?
Continuing education! In addition to continually learning from physicians and physical therapists.
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a business in your industry?
I would say, things take time and consistency. Don’t rush into anything that doesn’t make you feel at peace when making decisions.
Any product/service you would like to highlight at this time?
I offer FREE consultations. In late Spring, I will be starting small group training sessions.
Michelle offers training year round, so make sure to check out her website for the latest programs.
Do you involve your kids in your business? If yes, how so?
No, I don’t. Not really but whenever I have clients, and they bring their kids with them, I help assist the mom with their kids.
What do you find is the most difficult part of balancing motherhood and business life?
Oh my goodness, scheduling and keeping up with things will probably be the most challenging thing!
What business in the Madison area is your favorite?
Mine is The Exercise Coach and YMCA!
Who is your business bestie?
Yes, Shelby Simon and Kaelie Harris.
Anything else you want us to highlight?
I also offer in home training in addition to my small group classes. I would love for all pre/postnatal moms to join me.
Where can people find you?
Send me a message on my website or text me.
We love that Michelle offers specialized support for pre/postnatal moms, as moms often give so much of themselves during that season of life. If Michelle’s experience as mom and business owner resonates with you, we want to hear from you in the comments! And if you are a mom and business owner in Madison, Alabama email us at madisonmompreneur@gmail.com. to be featured in a future Member Highlight post!
Don’t forget to read about other Mompreneurs, our latest member highlight was Heather White of Heather Leigh Art
February 22, 2024
When we dreamed up this group at the start of 2023, we were so excited for how it could change the experience of not just moms in the Madison area who own businesses, but the greater community’s ability to easily find and support mom-owned, local businesses.
Which is why we are excited to announce a new offering to the Madison area to help check off your holiday gift list AND support the local businesses that allow our area to thrive. The 2023 Madison Mompreneur Holiday Shopping Guide is here to help you do just that!
This Holiday Shopping Guide is exactly what we have wished existed for years. It is so easy to just place a delivery or pickup order at the same big box store, hire the first service or experience that pops up in an online search, or rely on generic gift cards for gifts. We wanted it to be easier for ourselves and others to access a comprehensive directory of local businesses that truly need our support.
We all have the same 24 hours in the day, but there are often very few of those hours that moms can devote to their businesses. Moms are building their businesses slow over time, in the small pockets between breakfast clean up and lunch prep, while we sit at soccer practice, and after bedtime when we have already worked a full day at another job. We don’t always get to go to the networking events to make connections and find potential clients. We know that our dream is worth the effort, but primary parenting responsibilities traditionally fall on us so we work to find the balance.
Investing in a business from the start can be a huge help, but as moms funding isn’t always accessible or a sound business decision. We can’t always hire additional staff or contract someone to help with small tasks. We can’t run lots of paid ads online or around town. We might not have all the pretty business cards and marketing materials.
As mom entrepreneurs, we deeply know the struggles that mothers face as business owners, but we also see the incredible value that working with a mom-owned business brings. No shady sales tactics, no run-around, no games. Our businesses often start out as passion projects, and we can continue that passion when we create products, form LLCs, and move into brick and mortar spaces. Moms are here to take care of the world, and they absolutely take the best care of their clients.
Supporting a mom-owned business isn’t just a benefit to other moms. It is a benefit to us all, to our community as a whole. When our moms are supported and succeeding, we all do better. As the saying goes, a rising tide lifts all boats.
We won’t make you wait any longer to dive into the 2023 Madison Mompreneur Holiday Shopping Guide. Once downloaded, we encourage you to save this guide somewhere accessible so that you can continue to use it throughout the year, not just the holidays! The next time you find yourself at your regular, convenient shopping destination or searching online for a specialty service, we hope you open this guide and choose to support your local mom-owned business instead! Happy shopping!
November 14, 2023
Member Highlight: Heather White of Heather Leigh Art
Welcome to another edition of our Member Spotlight Series on the Madison Mompreneur blog! This series will help you get to know the members of Madison Mompreneur as we ask them questions about their personal and professional life as moms who own businesses in the Madison, Alabama area.
We are continuing this series with the spotlight on Heather White, Owner of Heather Leigh Art!
Introduce yourself!
I’m Heather White, and I own Heather Leigh Art.
How does your business help people?
I create art for homes or offices or to give as gifts.
How long have you lived in Madison County?
I have lived in Madison County for 23 years.
What inspired you to start your business?
I had a urge to create beauty out of blank canvases. I love decorating and finding the perfect sentimental pieces to be displayed.
What sets your business apart from others in the industry?
I’m willing to work with you (and even brainstorm ideas if you wish) to create a special painting or series of paintings.
What do you consider to be your biggest success so far?
I’d say taking the leap to invest in my art whether it be a new class or better materials has been well worth it.
How does your business contribute to the local community?
From time to time I like to donate a piece of art for local causes.
How do you see your business evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I’m finally launching my website, so I’m hoping to expand my customer reach.
Who are your typical customers, and how do they find you?
My typical customers appreciate original art over mass produced art and love giving sentimental paintings as gifts.
What do you enjoy most about running your business?
Painting and creating!
How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and changes?
I’ll notice color trends, but I try not to focus on it and just paint things I love in my style. There are always trends in social media which is a bigger challenge I’m still trying to understand.
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a business in your industry?
Just start and give yourself time to fail and learn, but keep going!! Slow and steady wins the race!
Any product/service you would like to highlight at this time?
I love all my art pieces, but I especially love doing custom pet portraits!
Do you involve your kids in your business? If yes, how so?
They sometimes watch me and give me “pointers” or opinions.
What do you find is the most difficult part of balancing motherhood and business life?
Finding uninterrupted time is hard, but it’s good to step away from a painting and come back with fresh eyes…so, maybe it’s a good thing to need to stop.
What business in the Madison area is your favorite?
Right now PiperMache because she helped me build my website and is phenomenal to work with.
Who is your business bestie?
Right now, I’m partnering with Amy from The Keen Hart. We are planning to do a candle & notecard bundle soon.
Anything else you want us to highlight?
I’m a featured artist at Harrison Brothers Hardware.
Where can people find you?
On my website at heatherleighart.com.
If Heather’s experience as mom and business owner resonates with you, we want to hear from you in the comments! And if you are a mom and business owner in Madison, Alabama email us at madisonmompreneur@gmail.com. to be featured in a future Member Highlight post!
October 23, 2023
