Goddess: celebrity moms

• 'Spotlight to Nightlight': Mompreneurs

  posted by Ali Landry - Thu May 7 2009, 11:14 PM PDT

  celebs: Ali Landry | Melissa Joan Hart
  topics: Kids

  Having children not only instills maternal instincts, but business instincts as well. The skills needed to run a family also apply to the business world, including scheduling, budgeting, and management.

  Many moms are taking those skills and launching new businesses. This is especially true in Hollywood, where no one is just an actress or just a singer. Aside from the typical clothing, jewelry, and perfume lines, there are some creative ventures headed by entrepreneurial moms -- or mompreneurs -- like bedding collections, kid's furniture, and even baby supply vending machines.
  

  One of the most sucessful mompreneurs is Kathy Ireland. In 1993, the supermodel launched a sock line for Kmart. Over the years, her line has grown to include clothing, jewelry, furniture and books, with annual sales topping $1.5 billion.

  While former "Sabrina the Teenage Witch" star Melissa Joan Hart doesnt have mogul aspirations, she does want to be a successful mompreneur. On this episode of "Spotlight to Nightlight," host Ali Landry talks to Melissa about juggling family, a successful entertainment career, and her new sweets shop, SweetHarts.

  Click here for the Spanish version.

  Ali's Take:
  
  After having a child, you become more empowered, more creative, and more determined to find ways to provide for your family. You're suddenly running a family, so running a business seems like a natural progression. While trying to navigate your way through the mommyworld, you realize there are products missing from the marketplace that would make moms' lives much easier. You become inspired to fill that void yourself. I have all these ideas running through my head, but have yet to figure out how to maintain the balance between being a mom and taking care of my family, working to help support my family, and branching out in a new business venture. I am amazed by all of the women who can.

  Like my mother! She is one of the most amazing and inspiring women I know, and a good example of someone who lives a balanced life. She worked hard and had her own business. She also has a successful, loving marriage to my father, raised three happy children, and still cares for her mother and uncle, who are both now in their 90s. To me, she is Superwoman. If I could be half the person she is, I would be extremely proud. But as I try to emulate my mother, everyday is still a challenge. You want to be a great mom, wife, friend and daughter and at the end of the day you still feel that need to bring home a little bacon.
  
  In our interview, Melissa talked about the value of finding a business venture you can involve your family in. That way, you're not always required to be away from them. Melissa and many other mompreneurs out there have got it right. Motherhood brings so much inspiration -- combine that with a good business plan and a supportive family, and you just might be the next successful mompreneur whose must-have product I stock up on.

  Speaking of, Melissas new sweets shop SweetHarts is opening in Sherman Oaks, California on May 30. A throwback to the old ice cream and candy shops we used to race to as kids, SweetHarts is a sugary wonderland of self-serve frozen yogurt, gelato, baked goodies, and candy (all your new and nostalgic favorites) -- plus some sugar-free treats, too!

  Actress/entrepreneur Melissa Joan Hart poses with her husband Mark Wilkerson and sons Mason and Braydon.

  Click here to watch more episodes of "Spotlight to Nightlight," featuring Hollywood's hottest moms.

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