Bunmi Zalob is selling BusinessMom.net on eBay. The current bid is $1,025.00. You can access the auction here: ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?item=140152860786. I recently had a chance to ask Bunmi a few questions about the site.
What is BusinessMom.net?
BusinessMom.net is the largest social networking site just for mom (and dad) business owners. The site consists of franchisees, network marketers, WAHPs (Work-at-Home Parents), and soon-to-be business owners. The site is set up using PHP and is organized in a similar fashion to MySpace.
How’d you get started?
I knew that I wanted to start an online community for parent entrepreneurs, especially mothers who were working through the world of business, but I had no idea how! Thank goodness for the Internet. I scoured websites for information on creating the type of website I desired. There were many who discouraged me, saying that it would be too expensive and difficult, but that only made me more determined.
Finally, I found a company that was willing to license me their script. At the time, I couldn’t even buy it outright, so I arranged for a payment plan (which is now paid off). Finding an experience web designer to take the skeleton script and create a website using my vision was a process. I had bids from developers as far away as Russia and India. I decided to go with a great designer who lives in the U.S. who I felt like I connected with. Much of business is following your gut.
I made a few mistakes along the way. One of them was paying $100 a month for fancy hosting in the beginning because I just “wanted the room just in case.” Business 101 states that you should keep expenses as low as possible. It only took me three months to transfer the site to a cheaper host that allowed me to upgrade as the site grew.
What did you do before?
I started my first business at 17/18 with little to no business know-how. It was an underground magazine for my college campus. All I had was confidence and before I knew it Cingular Wireless was an advertiser.
After I got married and became a mom, I started an online magazine for entrepreneur moms; www.mommyscompany.com I recently sold 51% of that business to my former assistant. She’s doing amazing things. Entrepreneur magazine signed me on to write for their new website, WomenEntrepreneur.com. I enjoy writing and speaking on the topic of success and money. ( serenity.entrepreneur.com)
When I’m not writing, reading, or planning my next adventure, I invest in residential real estate. I’d love to create a firm that helps mothers break into the world of investing.
Why are you selling BusinessMom.net?
I’m selling BusinessMom.net because I want to go in a different professional direction. Writing and motivational speaking have been my passions for along time, along with entrepreneurship. I have a 15-month old who is home with me, so when I want to refocus, my time has to be reorganized. I don’t have the time to be the “Tom” of BusinessMom.net anymore. I’d love to leave 100 comments a day, but I can’t. The new owner should be passionate about relationships and creating revenue.
I’m also founding NACEM, The North American Council for Entrepreneur Mothers, this Fall. It will be a resource and advocacy group for mom business owners.
To anyone who is thinking of starting a business: do it! Don’t ever feel like you don’t have the experience or money to make your dreams a reality. Creativity and drive are the most important assets an individual needs in order to be successful and neither of those can be bought. Just be sure that you are following your passion, not the money. The material reward comes when you combine intent with your gifts.
At 24, I’m excited about the journey I’m on and can’t wait to see what life has in store for me. What I know to be true is that anyone in this world can create the life they want.
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