Best Startup Texas
Tell us about yourself?
I am the founder of HireMyMom.com, a job site connecting Small Businesses with Virtual Professionals across the country.
I began my work-at-home career in 1996 with the launch of my first website: Home-Based Working Moms.
As both an entrepreneur and a mom of 4, I am passionate about helping entrepreneurs and small businesses take their business to the next level by hiring dependable, talented virtual professionals while also helping Mom Professionals find legitimate, flexible work from home jobs.
I graduated Summa Cum Laude with a bachelor’s degree in Journalism / Public Relations from Texas State University.
And I received a master’s degree in Public Relations from the University of Stirling in Scotland while on a full academic scholarship from Rotary International as an Ambassador of Goodwill.
What lessons has being an entrepreneur taught you?
So many lessons : lessons on persevering, learning, growing, accepting challenges and even failure times, never giving up and always striving to provide the best service I can.
If you could go back in time to when you first started your business, what piece of advice would you give yourself?
Dream bigger. When you have a great idea, it can feel overwhelming to accomplish on your own so seek out others to provide counsel and mentorship.
A lot of entrepreneurs find it difficult to balance their work and personal lives. How have you found that?
Yes, at times. Business and personal life have their different seasons so it can be difficult to manage it all so its important to keep a pulse on where you are spending your time and where you aren’t. If you are working too much, your family and marriage may get the left overs.
When that happens, it’s time to outsource, delegate or say no to some things.
Give us a bit of an insight into the influences behind the company?
I started HireMyMom.com to enable professional women to market their skills, experience and education to businesses needing to outsource work.
Most of these professionals have the skills and talent but not necessarily the time or skills to market themselves to businesses who could use their services.
Businesses can hire these professionals at a fraction of the cost of hiring traditional employees or contractors for temporary or permanent assignments.
This creates a win-win relationship where a company gets a skilled professional at a reduced cost and the professional receives a flexible environment that is extremely attractive to her and her desire to work from home.
What do you think is your magic sauce? What sets you apart from the competitors?
We have our niche markets of primarily moms / women and small businesses including entrepreneurs, coaches, real estate agents and so on.
We’ve established a great reputation in both audiences for high caliber candidates and businesses.
We also have far less competition than the mega job sites so our community loves that as well. It’s easier to find a job and its easier to hire when there are thousands of applicants for every job.
How have you found sales so far? Do you have any lessons you could pass on to other founders in the same market as you just starting out?
Sales can be cyclical depending on your target market and the current economic climate. I believe that’s one reason you should provide a great service and relationships with your community so they stick with you and refer you to others.
What is the biggest challenge you have faced so far in your business, and how did you overcome it?
My biggest challenge has been finding reputable, dependable, honest and affordable web developers. I’ve lost a lot of time and money on developers and companies that made big promises and did not keep them.
Now, when seeking a developer I always go with word of mouth referrals and ask lots of questions to the company and to others who have used them.
What do you consider are the main strengths of operating your business in Texas over other states in the US?
I have a lifetime Texan so I love my state. I love the freedoms we have and the friendly, helpful culture we have. I feel like people are eager to help and serve one another for the most part.
Are there any disadvantages of operating our business in Texas?
It’s hot. Well I work inside so that doesn’t affect me too much but that is a downside to being in Texas. And my business is fully remote so I can work from wherever I am or travel to.
Texas has a pretty diverse population. How have you found the quickly changing demographics have impacted your business? Have you got new opportunities? Managed to expand your business into new areas?
Since my business is online, this really does not impact my business.
It is often reported that, in Texas, politics and business are intertwined. Have you noticed this? Has it impacted your business?
Yes, I would say it is somewhat intertwined. And there are people of every background and opinion and if one business doesn’t fit your beliefs, there is likely another one that does.
With rising prices across Texas (and the US as a whole) have you been impacted? Do you have a plan for dealing with inflation going forward?
I have not noticed an impact to my business yet but who knows what is to come. With inflation, it could slow down hiring but it could also increase those seeking remote jobs.
What do you want to accomplish in the next 5 years with your business?
To expand our offerings to help both small businesses and women seeking remote work with products and services to enhance their career and business. We are working on courses and expanded marketing efforts.
And finally, if people want to get involved and learn more about your business, how should they do that?
Go to our website at www.hiremymom.com and reach out to us if we can be of any help or if you have any questions.
Follow HireMyMom.com on Twitter or Linkedin.
