Kristin's business evolved from freelance work.  Here's her story.

What’s the best part about being a Mompreneur?  The best part is flexibility.  When the daycare is on vacation or he’s sick, I don’t need to ask for time off from work to stay home with my son.  Or when I was breastfeeding, I could work from home and have the caretaker bring him to me to feed and then go back to work.

What’s the dark side? The dark side is no maternity leave!  Not only did I not get paid when I took time off to have my son, but I was also not servicing my clients so I risked losing them to someone else nor was I looking for new business.  Luckily I found a few good contractors to hold down the fort - but that can be tricky.  Another dark side is the expense of health insurance.

Tell me about your business.
 
Slye Marketing is a creative company that approaches marketing from the customer experience.  We do:
 
·   concept design
 
·   naming
 
·   business and marketing strategy
 
·   brand definition
 
·   theme and story development
 
·   customer experience design & touch points
 
·   event conception and execution
 
·   word of mouth campaigns
 
·   eco-branding

Did you become an entrepreneur before or after you had kids?  3 years before the birth of my son

What was the primary reason you started your own business and did being a mom play into your decision?  I started my own business by accident really.  I left a marketing position in the corporate world without knowing what I’d do next.  The idea was to take some time and figure it out.  However, about 2 weeks after I left, an old colleague of mine called and asked if I’d freelance to help create a concept for a new hotel in San Diego.  It sounded fun and the money didn’t hurt so I took it on.  That project was so successful - the Hotel Solamar in San Diego - that the phone starting ringing.   Soon I had several projects on my plate, but still no aspirations of starting a company.  Finally my husband said “Look, you love what you’re doing and you already have clients - maybe this is the thing you were looking for all along. Take the leap!”  Well, thank goodness for my supportive husband - he gave me the confidence to go for it and Slye Marketing was born.  At that time I had no idea if I’d become a mom - I was in my late thirties, plus very fulfilled and busy with my new business and social agenda - so being a mom did not play into my decision to start my company.  Now that I am a mom though - being an entrepreneur is great.  Not to mention the pregnancy - it was wonderful to have the flexibility to stay home and work on those days I was feeling less than stellar.  

How important is networking to you?  Networking is extremely important, but the right kind of networking.  I can’t afford to hire a babysitter or ask my husband to watch my son for me to go to a worthless networking event.   I’d rather be home playing with my son!
 
Do you network more online or offline?  Quite a bit online, but the online groups have opportunities to meet in person, so it meshes
 
Do you belong to any social networks? WorksForMe, Women In Consulting, SF Momprenuers, Golden Gate Mothers Group, The Deep End (Burning Man Collective), SF Connect.   I’ve also aligned myself with an informal network of creative individuals & companies to call upon as needed - everything from designers to drag queens. 

Do you have a mentor and if so what value have they provided?
No one mentor, but more like a “Mentor Montage”  - someone I call for inspiration, someone for support, someone for business related questions, and so on. 

Are there any entrepreneur tools you wish you had better access to?  One area that slows me down as an entrepreneur is the technical side of things.  At a company you have an IT department to not only make sure all things electronic work, but they can introduce new technologies and software to help the company become faster and more efficient. 

What has been your biggest challenge since launching your business?  Year 2 into my business, my husband also became an entrepreneur helping businesses become environmentally friendly.  That time was the most challenging as I became the only source of money for a period.  It was very stressful, but worth it.  Only two years later, his company has becoming hugely successful - thanks to increased awareness of global warming.   He’s a Papapreneur.
 
If your best (mom) friend was going to take the dive and start her own business, what 3 tips would you give her?

1. Invite 10 interesting and creative people over for cocktails and appetizers - some who know you well, some who don’t - introduce your business idea and ask them “What do you think of this idea and what would you do to bring it alive?”  Have someone write it all down on big flip charts in front of the room.  Be completely open to all ideas - even the ones that seem off or outrageous.  If your child is old enough to talk - ask them too. 
2. Write a business plan - a good solid business plan.  This will help you know who you are and what you want before you go out and sell yourself. 
3. Give yourself a time frame - “If I am not successful by whatever measures I’ve distinguished in my business plan by X date in time, then I am going to reevaluate my business.“  An opened ended plan can be overwhelming. 

Anything else you want to share?
Line up great and reliable childcare - it’s the only way you’ll be able to relax and put your attention on your business for a specified amount of time.