- Inc. Online
- ABC's The View From the Bay
Clever Parents.com
Who: Michelle (Shell) Luba
What: ConnectingMoms.com
Where: July 2006
Why: The concept of ConnectingMoms started a few months after giving birth to my daughter, Makenna, in July of 2003. When my brother asked me how I was handling my new role as a mother, I confided in him that while motherhood was rewarding, I also felt very isolated.
The only refuge I had was the short-lived hospital group designed to give assistance to new mothers. When that ended, my feelings of isolation returned. I was very familiar with the Internet, and I hoped to find a similar online group for mothers to garner support.
Disappointed in the lack of such websites, my brother and I decided to pursue creating our own warm and welcoming environment where expecting, new, & savvy moms come to connect.
Describe your business- please include any updates, press, and anything you are particularly proud of:
ConnectingMoms.com is a hip new social-networking community designed specifically for expecting, new, & savvy moms in mind.. ConnectingMoms.com allows members to set up unique, personal profiles describing their individual interests allowing them to build and establish bonds with other mothers.
Why We Love It: When a mom creates a business to bring other moms together, special things happen.
Our Interview with Michelle
Mommy’s Company (MC): When did you decide to become an entrepreneurial mom?
Michelle Luba (ML): Honestly, I really thought I would be more than content to stay at home with my daughter and raise her after leaving the corporate world. But being a mother changed the core essence of my being and I realized then that I must pursue this inner need and passion to create a virtual support group for moms.
MC: Did you always want to be an entrepreneur?
ML: I have always dreamed one day of starting my own company that was solely geared towards women. It wasn’t until having become a mother myself that my dreams would soon become a reality. Our goal for ConnectingMoms.com is to be the #1 social networking site for mothers!
MC: How much startup money did you invest?
ML: Can you say zero dollars! Seriously, we had very little. We knew we had a great concept and so many people believed in our companies potential. The most we spent out of pocket was on the design of the site. Besides that, we took on partners in exchange for a share of the company’s future.
MC: What was your biggest obstacle in building your business?
ML: Designing the site with a fun and enticing atmosphere for our members while at the same time providing them with information and products that they want. The site needed to allow for a wide range of mothers of various interests and web knowledge.
That is why there are numerous features for the members to use, but even novice computer users can access each feature with great ease. Not to say that moms aren’t tech savvy, but I wanted a site where my own mom could navigate around with great ease and not get overwhelmed by RSS feeds and Web2.0 features.
MC: How did you overcome the obstacle?
ML: We designed ConnectingMoms to allow access to numerous features, but each feature can be used effectively by even novice web surfers. Each member has access to our detailed tour page that explains all of the basic options complete with visual examples. We also offer a “contact us” option on each page that can be used for support, reporting problems, or just providing valuable suggestions. We answer each message sent to us personally.
MC: Are there any exciting updates/successes?
ML: Yes, we have been working on a new version of our site which will have many wonderful features, such as video tool capability, notifications of new postings within your Groups and Discussions, Reality Shows Exclusively for our moms, Daily Product giveaways, And many, many more enhancements.
We have formed alliances with companies like Paramount, Kings World Productions to promote the Rachael Ray Show in which our members were selected to be on her new show.
MC: When did you first consider yourself successful?
ML: I knew we were successful when Paramount Studios, King’s World Production, Disney, Yahoo and Fox heard about us and wanted to set up meetings with us to talk about ways ConnectingMoms could work with them! It’s unimaginable that the “big wigs” already know of a company who’s less than a year old! That’s when I knew we’d be successful no matter what.
But, on a personal note, I considered us successful when I was able to connect moms together from across the continent who were both looking for support with their Autistic children.
MC: What is the best part about owning your own business?
ML: Being able to set your own hours! I think all business mom’s love this aspect! I am able to focus on Makenna when she needs me, take breaks and have playtime together, while focusing on ConnectingMoms at other times. I also feel that it is important to set aside some “me time” each day as a mother and that’s why I feel our site is so important. It provides a place for moms to just relax and be themselves, even if only for a moment.
MC: What advice do you have for entrepreneurial moms who are launching a venture?
ML: If you have a passion for starting your business, don’t stop until you fulfill your dreams. Set clear goals on how you want to accomplish opening your business within the next year and don’t detour.
Find wonderful partners that can share in your dreams and help you launch your new venture. Know that you might not see revenue until after the first few years. And last but not least enjoy what you are doing. Make sure that you keep your priorities straight and always make family first!
MC: We couldn’t agree more. What is your first thought in the morning?
ML: Making breakfast for my daughter and I and saying good bye to daddy. Before I found out we’re pregnant however, my first thought was getting the coffee ready! LOL.
MC: What product/service could you not live without?
ML: Wipes – you can’t have enough – they clean up every mess, I don’t know what I did without wipes before having children.
My Tivo – love, love, love our Tivo. We tape our daughter’s favorite shows and our favorites too. It’s a win – win!
Local Arts and Crafts store – my daughter really enjoys arts and crafts, painting, drawing, cutting and making things. She calls it her “work” while mommy is busy on the computer!