it is a welcome relief to moms to not be patronized by the advertisers. That’s why many of my sponsors are not traditionally found on mom sites. XM Radio, Roots, WaySpa.com, Fuji , Mercedes Benz – these are brands that are looking to get the attention of the CEO of the household, the one who holds the purse strings. Rather than selling my readers diapers and baby toys, we look for lingerie, travel destinations, computers and other fashionable items relevant to the life of a multi-tasking mom. Also, the Shop Yummy is an inexpensive forum for mompreneurs to advertise to moms looking to spend some money online. It’s win/win! What has been the biggest reward of running Yummy Mummy? I have never felt so connected to a community before. Even though I’ve spent over a decade as a major player in the Canadian music industry, my sense of community 26 <strong>The</strong> Mompreneur • September 2007 there pales in comparison to the feeling of connecting with amazing women on both on a personal and professional level (and often a combination of the two) since I started the Yummy Mummy Club. <strong>The</strong>re is something so … I don’t know … almost mystical that happens when you become a mom. I see it as entering a secret club, which you only get to be a part of once you have a child. It’s why I called the site the Yummy Mummy Club. On a business level, I have created relationships with several mompreneurs who, like me, are struggling to bring their vision to life without sacrificing their family time. Some are competitors, running online mom-focused websites, but we view this as a great networking opportunity, rather than a threat. In fact, I put together the “Mummy Mafia” to partner with me on a huge promotion called Canada’s Yummiest Mummy (www.yummiestmummy.com), where we’re inviting Canadian moms to upload videos for a chance to win huge prizes. It’s the biggest initiative I’ve ever launched and I’m thrilled and relieved that www.UrbanMoms.ca, www.SavvyMom.ca, www.ConnectMom.com, ww.weewelcome.ca, www.funnymummy.com and www.mommyclub.ca are a part of it with me. How has your recent trip to Africa for World Vision affected your business and personal life? I went to Malawi to host a television show for World Vision about the epidemic of AIDS orphans, in the hopes of raising money that is so desperately needed. After spending time with so many who had next to nothing, I came back thankful for my great life, but more than a little uncomfortable with all our “materialistic stuff.” Luckily, I’m in a position to spread the word on what I’ve seen and learned. I take full advantage of my public persona to fundraise and be a spokesperson for causes I believe in. It’s the least I can do to make the world a bit better. As a mother, one of the hardest jobs for me is ensuring my kids don’t develop that dreaded sense of entitlement. I want them to have a well-grounded value system. It was very helpful to see how the children in Africa are living. It has provided me with countless stories to share with my privileged kids in the hopes of making them understand how lucky they are and appreciate how much they have, as well as to remind them how much they have to give. I know it’s not in the same realm as the AIDS crisis in Malawi, but I do believe the Yummy Mummy Club has an effect on a problem as well. Roaming the playgrounds, there are too many exhausted, isolated, guilt-ridden moms who feel they have to give up their former selves in order to be someone’s mother. I hope that moms who visit my site and sign up for my cheeky newsletter will somehow rid themselves of their martyr complexes, and understand it’s important to feel yummy! Happy mummy, happy baby! Now that’s Yummy. Can I go to sleep now? I’m exhausted! MP
CALL NOW FREE ASSESSMENT (value $150) November 10, 2007 10-4pm Blackfoot Inn, Calgary, AB www.themompreneur.com
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