As a mom, of 2 little boys, who works from home and most of my day involves activities surrounding my boys, finding time to network as a business owner is quite limited, but not impossible!  You just have to be creative.

Most of the women I talk with each day are like me, moms with little children and most of our conversations involve what is going on with our kids and giving advice and support to each other, which frankly every parent needs to help each other as much as possible.

But there is the other part of me, the business owner who would love to spread the word about what I do, but not in a pushy manner.  There are very simple ways to network as a mom to moms.

Wear what you do! If you make something (like jewelry, clothing, etc) this is a no brainer, so wear what you do while you are out and about doing your day to day errands, at the grocery store, bank, and so on.  But remember to be prepared and think ahead if someone should ask you about your work.  Tuck those business cards in your diaper bag but even better yet always carry a pen and paper so you can write down their email/phone number to follow up with them.

But for some of us, wearing what we do isn’t easy.  I paint home décor pieces so I was trying to think what I could do.  Well I can make tile pendants painted, just like my magnets, but make them as necklace. Be creative, think outside the box!  Let’s say you make paper goods,cards, stationery, etc, purchase a tote/diaper bag that has a clear vinyl pocket on the front so you can slip in your work there.

Also give what you make as gifts for your kids’ teachers, babysitter, etc.  Make it very special for them and they will definitely remember what you do!

Many of the moms, once we get talking, I realize are people who are in direct sales or have their own business (or would like to) so promote each other.  Organize a monthly networking get together that works around your schedules.  Organize your own trunk show, craft fair with the moms in your community.

Do you belong to a mom’s type group, many of those type of groups, like MOPs or Mom’s Club, like to have speakers talk on various subject as their monthly meetings.  You could do a talk about how to start an online business very easily on Etsy, give tips on what you have learned.

Connect with moms and their kids and teach community education classes in your community involving the craft you do.  Teach a class just for kids or Mommy and Me type classes to help promote your business and have fun at the same time!  I love crafting with kids and have supplies set aside just for kids to use so I don’t get worried about others using my “good” supplies.

Lastly, offer your creations for fund raising opportunities for your local schools, churches, day cares, non profit groups.  This is something I’ve slowly been venturing into selling my Soothing Stones through fundraisers to help organizations.  I think of it like wholesale, instead of a boutique purchasing your goods at 50% off, I’m selling my work through a group who offers to sell it and we split 50/50.  It’s a nice way to help your own community and spread the word about what you do.

Remember when networking the most important thing is to listen, listen to what your mom friends are saying, not to your own voice spewing a commercial.  It’s about making connections quickly and genuinely so people remember you in a good way and don’t be shy to talk about what you love, your family and your art.