Latest on the blog
Industry: Arts/Crafts
Madison Mompreneur Member: Alex Ragland
About Juanita Mae: Juanita Mae is a unique retails space, where Alex shares her fashion creations, Vintage wares, and inspired photography. The shop was created top share her love of repurposing things and capturing beauty in the simplicity. Proceeds help pay for medical devices not covered by insurance for herself and her son.
October 25, 2024
Member Highlight: Coached by Connie
Welcome to another edition of our Member Spotlight Series on the Madison Mompreneur blog! Get to know the members of Madison Mompreneur as explore their personal and professional life as moms who own businesses in the Madison, Alabama area.
Empowering Health and Wellness: Meet Connie Garcia of Coached by Connie
Connie Garcia is leading a wellness movement in Madison, Alabama with her business, Coached by Connie. With a unique approach to nutrition and fitness, Connie is changing lives and reshaping the way we think about health. Let’s dive into her inspiring journey and discover how her business is making waves in the local community.
A Journey Born from Necessity
Connie Garcia, a Madison resident for eight years, founded Coached by Connie out of a pressing need she observed in the health and wellness industry. “I was inspired to start my business due to a lack of solid information, especially during the COVID-19 pandemic,” Connie explains. This gap in reliable health guidance became the catalyst for her entrepreneurial journey.
A Holistic Approach to Health
What sets Coached by Connie apart in the saturated wellness market? Connie’s philosophy is refreshingly straightforward: “I don’t believe in diets, challenges, or medication alone for fast results. I feel any sustainable health needs to start with fundamental basics and education.” This approach addresses not just physical fitness, but also mental health, hormonal balance, and gut health – a comprehensive strategy that resonates with her clients.
Making a Difference in Madison
Connie’s impact extends beyond individual clients. “I have been told that I’ve changed lives,” she shares proudly. Her commitment to the community shines through her willingness to offer complimentary services to those facing financial hardships but are committed to improving their health.
The Challenges and Triumphs of Entrepreneurship
Starting a business is no small feat, and Connie counts launching her LLC single-handedly as her biggest success so far. Her advice to aspiring entrepreneurs in the wellness industry? “Be prepared for the emotional roller coaster and don’t take anything personally.” This resilience has been key to her growing success.
The Future of Coached by Connie
Looking ahead, Connie envisions growth for her business. “I would like to eventually have enough clients to hire an assistant coach or possibly rent a space,” she says, outlining her 5-10 year plan. This expansion would allow her to reach more people with her transformative approach to health.
Balancing Business and Motherhood
As a mother, Connie faces the universal challenge of balancing family and business. “The hours. It doesn’t seem like there’s enough in a day,” she admits. However, she finds ways to involve her children, encouraging them to work out with her and take an interest in nutrition, seamlessly blending her personal and professional passions.
A Community-Centric Approach
Connie’s love for Madison shines through in her support for local businesses. She particularly recommends her massage therapist, Amanda Peoples, highlighting the interconnected nature of the local business community.
Connect with Coached by Connie
Ready to start your wellness journey with Connie? You can find her on Facebook and Instagram. Whether you’re looking for in-person training or interested in her growing online services, Connie is ready to guide you towards a healthier, happier you.
In a world where quick fixes and fad diets dominate, Coached by Connie stands out. Through education, personalized care, and a deep commitment to her community, Connie Garcia is not just running a business – she’s leading a wellness movement in Madison, Alabama. As her journey continues to unfold, one thing is clear: the impact of Coached by Connie on the local health landscape is only just beginning.
If Connie’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 The Flour Elise
October 23, 2024
Arbonne Independent Consultant – Courtney Bedenbaugh
Industry: Women Health
Madison Mompreneur Member: Courtney Bedenbaugh
About Arbonne Independent Consultant – Courtney Bedenbaugh: We’re revolutionizing how we pursue and perceive whole body health. We never compromise on quality or safety, and we promise to always deliver products that meet our Pure. Safe. Beneficial.™ standards.
October 1, 2024
Member Highlight: The Flour Elise by Krista McDowell
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 Krista McDowell, Owner of The Flour Elise!
Introduce yourself!
I’m Krista McDowell, and I’m the owner of The Flour Elise, a baked goods and cake company in Madison, Alabama.
How does your business help people?
The Flour Elise helps people by offering baked goods & cakes for their special occasions/events.
How long have you lived in Madison County?
I have lived in Madison for 13 years.
What inspired you to start your business?
I have always loved baking & wanted to open a bakery since I was a little girl.
What sets your business apart from others in the industry?
I specialize in custom buttercream cakes & turning those fondant cakes into buttercream cakes.
What do you consider to be your biggest success so far?
I consider my buttercream hot dog cake to be my biggest business success so far!
How does your business contribute to the local community?
I offer beautiful buttercream cakes that look like the beautiful fondant cakes.
How do you see your business evolving in the next 5-10 years?
I see myself having a storefront location & offering many more offerings that the Madison town is missing out on.
Who are your typical customers, and how do they find you?
My typical clients are looking for baked goods. They find me through Facebook, Instagram, word of mouth & vending events.
What do you enjoy most about running your business?
Baking & customer service
How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and changes?
I’m constantly learning and getting inspiration from Facebook, Instagram & Pinterest
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a business in your industry?
Make sure you do all your research. Also be ready for lots of work & sleepless nights!
Any product/service you would like to highlight at this time?
I offer birthday cakes, and I am looking to booking some more in the coming months.
Do you involve your kids in your business? If yes, how so?
Yes my 17 year old is my biggest helper! He goes with me to all of my events as well as washes my dishes. He is amazing!
What do you find is the most difficult part of balancing motherhood and business life?
Making sure he feels appreciated for everything he does for me!
What business in the Madison area is your favorite?
Taqueria Luna! They’re such an amazing business & are always sharing my posts.
Who is your business bestie?
Yesss Morgan Anderson with Rainbow Realm Hair Co! We support one another, share each other’s posts, reccomend one another & chat alot. She’s truly amazing at what she does & I believe in her so VERY much!
Anything else you want us to highlight?
My sugar cookies!
Where can people find you?
Don’t forget to read about other Mompreneurs, our latest member highlight was Michelle Thao of Momtastic Fitness
If Krista’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!
September 24, 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
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
Member Highlight: Christine Stroecker of Birch Acres
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 Christine Stroecker, Owner of Birch Acres LLC!
Introduce yourself!
I’m Christine Stroecker, and I own Birch Acres LLC.
How does your business help people?
Birch Acres LLC is a fully licensed and insured residential remodeling company. It is my goal to breathe life back into the space of your home. I truly believe that homes hold energy, and that energy affects those living in the space. Making your home more functional, aesthetic, and comfortable, will have an impact on your daily life and how you feel each day. Our homes are usually our biggest material asset, so investing in them (in the correct ways) is very wise. Elevate your home, Elevate your life 🙂
How long have you lived in Madison County?
South Huntsville is my home base. My family has lived here for a little over two years. My husband and I are both from Alabama, but we moved from state to state during/after college. This is our first time living in Alabama as a family, so it feels great to be home!
What inspired you to start your business?
Starting my own business has been on my heart since I was in high school. Surprisingly, I got really comfortable in the corporate world after college and thought I’d never leave. There were multiple things going on in my life from 2020 – 2021 that seemed to push me to start my own business. First, my husband and I flipped two houses on the side while working full-time. This is really where I fell in love with residential construction AND saw a huge need in the market for a more sophisticated experience. Secondly, once I had my son in 2021, my vision of how I wanted the rest of my life to look and the vision being sold by the corporate world weren’t aligning. Having my son was the main catalyst to starting Birch Acres.
What sets your business apart from others in the industry?
Besides the fact that it’s run by a young female….
The residential remodeling industry is way behind with the times. The quotes given to homeowners are vague; the expectations are not set properly; the billing process is usually unorganized and not clear; it can be “sketchy” in regard to safety; people’s deposits are taken (I can’t tell you how many times I have heard clients say another contractor took their money).
I want to make a positive impact on the reputation that residential contractors carry. When you work with Birch Acres, you will have a fully modern experience. I want to make sure we have a trusting relationship with open communication. My billing process is very clear, organized, and you can make payments online. I have been told numerous times that my quotes are very detailed compared to others. We will discuss different issues that we might encounter. I am very diligent at tracking cost, and dependent on what type of contract you have, we will be in frequent communication on budget. Lastly, we understand that we are coming into your home, so we make sure that we are respectful of your space and your time. We’re basically doing surgery on your home (your most valuable asset), so I want to make sure that my clients understand what to expect.
What do you consider to be your biggest success so far?
Creating a business that gave me so much time back that I can now spend with my family.
How does your business contribute to the local community?
We donate extra materials that are unused to people that are in need. We will load up the unused materials and take them to where they need to go! We are also particularly careful to dispose of waste properly.
How do you see your business evolving in the next 5-10 years?
My goal is to create a construction company that provides an upscale remodeling experience that is communicative, sophisticative, and creative. I want to re-write what people typically think when they go to hire a contractor. Hopefully I am at 5x the revenue that I am projecting for this year, and I’ll certainly need a large team to help me accomplish that.
Equally as important, I want to create a company where the employees thrive in their roles. I want the work environment to promote creativity (not only with design but with processes too), encourage ownership with projects, empower them to take charge. My hope is that working at Birch Acres is a growing experience for the employee that pushes them out of their comfort zone. I want the employees to gain confidence in themselves and their future. Hopefully the employees absolutely love their job and that joy spills into their home. As an employer, time with family will always come first. Money will come and go, but time you can’t get back.
Who are your typical customers, and how do they find you?
I have two main types of customers: (1) Homeowners (2) Investors. They usually find me through a referral, Google, Houzz, or the BBB.
What do you enjoy most about running your business?
F-R-E-E-D-O-M. Can’t say it enough. I have so much freedom with my time. I have control over how much money I make. I have freedom to choose who is a good fit for me to work with. Once day when I am hiring, I’ll have the freedom to choose my employees. I have freedom to choose how my processes work and what deliverables look like. I absolutely love the amount of freedom owning a business gives me.
How do you stay up-to-date with industry trends and changes?
I am a student right now at the Interior Design Institute. I fully plan to elevate the design aspect of my business!
What advice would you give to someone interested in starting a business in your industry?
#1 you MUST get your Homebuilder’s License! Don’t be afraid of the test. My books are on loan right now to someone who is studying for the test, and I’d be happy to loan them to anyone. #2 don’t be afraid to network around town, build a website, cold call people, etc… this was so uncomfortable for me at first, but it has gotten me so many jobs.
Any product/service you would like to highlight at this time?
During the holidays, I notice a big dip in homeowner projects! It makes sense that people don’t want a renovation going while they are spending large amounts of time at home and inviting guests over. The holidays are stressful enough! That being said, INVESTORS are a HUGE source of revenue for my business. Investor connections really pull my business through the winter season since they are always on the gas!
Do you involve your kids in your business? If yes, how so?
My son involves himself by crawling into my office chair and banging on my keyboard… that’s about as involved as he gets.
What do you find is the most difficult part of balancing motherhood and business life?
When I left my corporate job, I was convinced that I wouldn’t have any more super late nights working. I strive to maintain that, but it happens every once in a while. I feel a strong pain in my heart when those moments happen. I use those moments to feel grateful that they are few and far between and that I am on the right track.
What business in the Madison area is your favorite?
Who is your business bestie?
I have a few over the internet, but I need a real-life one!
Where can people find you?
On my website, Facebook, and Instagram.
If Christine’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 17, 2023
