By Kim Kalunian, WPRO News
With Mother’s Day this weekend, those of us here at WPRO thought it would be the perfect time to shine the spotlight on several local moms who are doing it all. In addition to raising children and caring for their families, these amazing women have undertaken the challenge of starting and running their own businesses. Here’s a glimpse at some of Rhode Island’s most inspiring momtrepreneurs:
Roisin McGettigan
Roisin McGettigan’s business is all about overcoming self-doubt and building self-awareness. Her company, BelieveIam.com, is a shop of sporty apparel and athletic training journals geared towards women. All of the products feature designs meant to encourage and inspire.
McGettigan is originally from Ireland, though she’s lived in Rhode Island since she came here for college in 1999. In 2008, McGettigan competed in the Beijing Olympics for Ireland in the steeplechase event. Being immersed in the world of professional sport, McGettigan learned that a lot of athletes had mental obstacles to overcome: Am I good enough? Strong enough? Have I trained hard enough?
McGettigan soon learned that many of those doubts could be conquered through positive thinking and journaling. So she designed a line of products with hidden mantras to encourage athletes to attain peak physical and mental health. (Roisin is pictured above. Photo by Jen Brister)
McGettigan launched her business in 2011, right around the time her daughter was born; she said it was a challenge to balance a new baby and a new business, but she sought the support of
“I’m not going to lie, it’s not always easy,” said McGettigan. “It’s a balancing act for sure.”
McGettigan said it takes a lot of strategy and planning to balance a successful business with family life.
“If it’s something you really want to do, you’ll find a way to do it,” she said.
Elyse Major
“Tinkered Treasures” is the name of a blog and brand new book by local mom, Elyse Major. Major’s background is in communications, and when she had kids, she started working from home as a consultant.
In her spare time, she began crafting and “upcycling,” a term used for repurposing everyday things into useful and chic items . She also started blogging about the crafts she made, and eventually realized her site was growing in popularity. (Elyse is pictured at right. Photo by Marisa Bettencourt)
A few years ago, Major compiled her blog entries into a book and pitched it to several publishers. A publisher in London liked the idea, and in February, Major’s first book launched.
Now Major splits her time between blogging, crafting, consulting, book signings and family.
“I’m busy, but it’s all awesome stuff,” she said. “It’s definitely a juggling act, but I love everything and there’s nothing I want to cut out.”
The 47-year-old mother of two lives in Smithfield in a home strewn with crafting supplies and her completed projects. Even parts of her home are “tinkered treasures;” when she first moved in, she was on a tight budget and made things look great at a low price.
“Paint and paper and a little imagination can do a lot of stuff,” she said.
Major said other women who want to get involved in creating their own business should only do it if they love it.
“I think it should be something that you really, really sincerely enjoy,” she said. “Follow your heart and work really hard…and if you’re lucky enough, it can happen.”
Anisa Raoof
When Anisa Raoof first learned she was pregnant with twins, she was “a little surprised.” She was also nervous about being a mom: “The idea of becoming a parent was daunting.”
But once she had her children, she became immersed in the world of parenting and children’s activities.
Today, Raoof, 47, balances her family with a popular online parenting guide used by families across the state.
Raoof said she’s always been an entrepreneur, so after she gave birth to her twins, it made sense to pair her business skills with her newfound parenting knowledge. In 2007, Raoof launched KidoInfo.com, a social networking site related to “everything kids and parents in Rhode Island.”
The site combines the elements of a blog and an events calendar to give parents an in-depth view of events and activities for kids happening across the state. At the time, it was a resource Raoof couldn’t find anywhere else.
“Nobody had been doing that before,” she said.
Raoof said the great thing about running KidoInfo is that it allows her to be flexible with her work schedule, but on the flip side, “there’s always something to do.”
For Raoof, making connections with other women in business has been invaluable.
“Networking is really important as you’re trying to go forward with your business,” she said. “I think some of the best advice is to reach out to other organizations or other women who might be in business for themselves.”
Emmanuela Paul
It was Emmanuela Paul’s teenage daughter, Masha, who suggested WPRO speak with her. Paul is originally from Haiti, and is fluent in both French and English. Coming from a large family living in a poor country, Paul realized the value of giving back to others. She’s the founder of Help For The Children, Inc., a non-profit that collects medicine, clothing and food for local and international families that cannot afford to feed their children on their own.
She also founded the International Model-Talent School & Production, which helps local children recognize their talents.
“We helped and encouraged them to value their worth through expression and performance,” said Paul.
Paul said the ideas for her organizations were “callings.”
“I believe we as human beings are not here accidentally–we are here for a reason,” she said. “There is a purpose behind us.”
Paul first started her businesses from home, but eventually pushed herself to be more social and make connections. She said growing up in a family of 12 brothers and sisters made her a hard worker – she always had responsibilities and there were always chores to be done.
“I only have one child, so, balancing a career and family life here for me in the US is a blessing,” said Paul. “My daughter is often my consultant, partner, and best friend when it comes to my career.”
Paul said other mothers who are interested in starting non-profits or organizations to help others should invest their heart and soul into what they do.
Jennifer Spaziano
Jennifer Spaziano’s passion is health and wellness, and spreading those things to others.
Spaziano’s new product is called the RI Yoga and Pilates Passport, and it allows people to try yoga and Pilates classes at any pretty much any studio in the state without having to pay for the first two classes.
Spaziano has been a yoga teacher for years, and now teaches at a private studio and at a YMCA. During her time as a teacher, she has heard from many friends about the difficulties of finding a yoga class that fits their personal and financial needs.
So Spaziano created the Yoga and Pilates Passport to give people a chance to try out classes at Rhode Island studios and YMCA’s to determine if they like them before paying or registering.
The passports normally cost $75, but Spaziano is offering 10 percent off through Mother’s Day (use the code VIRYA13). Once you have the passport, you can take class for free at any of 41 yoga studios from across the state or at 7 different YMCA locations.
Spaziano said the passport costs what three or four yoga classes would normally cost; considering you could take upwards of 80 classes with the passport, it’s a pretty good deal.
For Spaziano, who has two children and another on the way, life is all about finding the balance between work and family. She said the recent stories about women “having it all” boil down to one thing:
“I think it really comes down to your definition of having it all: of course you can have it all, it just depends on what having it all means,” she said.
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Kim Kalunian
