Member Articles

4.) Role model. Last year, as I was about to attend an evening meeting, my daugther asked me, "Why are you going to a meeting? Mommies don't work. Stay home." Wow. That really hit home hard. As the mother of a "waiting for a knight-in-shining-armor princess," the last thing I wanted to hear was that she, at 4, had already developed her own gender stereotypes of what I can and was able to do. I had to be my daughter's role model, and show her that women can be moms and that some also want to work.

5.) Satisfaction of making the world just a little brighter. I started Qlubb with the admittedly self-serving goal of designing a system that could help me manage the responsibiltiies of being a room parent and community volunteer. However, the benefits of building this company have expanded. I love it when it when I log onto my system and see new users and Qlubbs being created. I love when users send me notes thanking me or suggesting new features. It's a great feeling when something you do can make positive change in someone else's life, no matter how small. It could be a smile on a kid's face when they bite into your cupcake, the oohs and aahs from a client after your great massage, the customer who wears the shoes/clothing you have designed...

I know it is hard to get all the things in place to start a company. Believe me, I know. But companies can be of all sizes and shapes -- from the small local flower shop to designing shoes that are worn on Sex in the City. It's all about finding your passion, finding yourself, and taking the plunge.

We may not all succeed, but the journey will be incredible.