By Cheri Ruskus
One of my favorite educational moments in elementary school was during the discussions that came around the history topic of the Industrial Revolution. Hearing what people like Henry Ford and Thomas Edison accomplished in taking an idea and making something from nothing. I found it fascinating how one person’s idea sparked another person’s idea and another and another. Bringing with it not only new ways of living, but also new ways of making a living. Perhaps that is when the Entrepreneur in me was actually born.
Imagine then my delight a few days ago during a teleconference as author and marketing guru, Seth Godin, talked about the fact that we are all having the opportunity to participate in another industrial revolution. His new book Meatball Sundae shares how ideas are being generated all around us on a constant basis. Everyday new ideas are created in one form or another from technology to psychology, enhancing our lives.
For women entrepreneurs, those of us in the thick of it, taking care of home and hearth. it has been wonderful to implement these new ideas and tools as we also create and sustain our own business entities. I am privileged to know a number of women entrepreneurs who got sparked by an idea have been watching it take off. Yes, they took a little idea and made it a reality, creating businesses that made a difference not only in their lives but also in the lives of many others. Other women entrepreneurs in turn get sparked and do just the same.
No doubt about it that being a mother and an entrepreneur is a challenge but can indeed be done. Is it seamless? No, some days things can unravel a bit and not turn out as planned. But I can’t help but think that it is much easier to find our independence than it was when my mother had to leave her children every day for 10 hours and be a “working mother”. Leaving us, her children, to fend for ourselves.
In writing these words I realize that it is more than technology that assists us – it’s the freedom of being your own boss. Women entrepreneurs can actually, successfully play the dual role game of mother and businesswoman. For me, I have chosen at this point of my business life to work from home so that I am “here” for my two teenage children. Having experienced life as a teenager without a parent present most days, I know the difference it can make!
Some days can be hectic and crazy jumping back and forth between my business demands and those of my 17-year-old son, my 15-year-old daughter and the running our household. But I would not have it any other way! Being here when they get home from school makes all the difference in the world for all of us. Being here when they are sick, having a rough day or simply just need their Mom allows me to be the mother I always wanted to be. All the while I am building a company that means a great deal to me and will be ready to fill the void of their absence when they take off here in just a few short years (actually only 8 short months for my son) to college.
The key in this revolution we are involved in is finding support. This can come in all shapes and forms from your spouse, significant other, friends, colleagues and business network. It is that support that will propel us as women to the next level of being all that we can be, as we create more and do more. Support to overcome the fear that comes with the word “entrepreneur”. Support to get it all done. Because let’s face it for the breed of us women that are also called entrepreneurs, multi-tasking isn’t a choice, but a way of life.
I am so delighted that women entrepreneurs of today have a multitude of opportunities before them. We have incredible tools and technology to get the job done. And probably most important is that we also have a strong dose of tenacity. And with that I say…
Bring on the revolution! Let’s Play! Pass on the torch to the woman standing next to you!
Tags: Henry Ford, implementing new ideas, industrial revolution, multitasking, Thomas Edison, women entrepreneurs
