Are You A Mompreneur?

You maybe asking yourself what are momprenuers and am I one? A momprenuer is a woman who is raising children and a small home based business at the same time.

Over 5.4 million women own their own small business and are the only employee. Why would a woman take on both a home based business and raising kids at the same time?

“Working from home gives them the flexibility to spend more time with their children while continuing to contribute the family’s income,” said Lesley Spencer, founder and director of Home-Based Working Moms of Austin Texas.

To learn more about this exciting trend and to learn how you can have the best of both worlds, click on this link: http://www.columbusdispatch.com/dispatch/content/business/stories/2007/07/19/MOM-vent.ART_ART_07-19-07_C8_I07ANKO.html

On The Road Again: Women Only Vacations Hitting An All Time High

Have you ever thought of grabbing a bunch of your girlfriends and hitting the open road for an all girl getaway weekend? You are not the only one! From Oprah Winfrey to your next door neighbor women are hitting the road in record numbers for women only vacations.

AAA says 39% of women are planning an all girl getaway with friends and family over the next three years. They say the reason why is more women are feeling pressured both at home and on the job.

"The experience of a girlfriend getaway has a deep effect on the lives and friendships of women who take these types of trips, and many believe that going away with their girlfriends is important, regardless of the destination," said Betsy Sell, managing director of AAA Travel.

With over $200 million dollars up for grabs in the hotel industry alone, many companies are changing the way they handle women travelers.

So if you could grab your friends for a weekend or a week-long retreat, where would you go?

http://www.marketwire.com/2.0/release.do?id=753024&sourceType=1

Master Bedroom Suites Not Just For Married Couples

There are more single women than any other generation purchasing and building their own custom homes. Many of these women face the unique challenge of taking care of two generations: their parents and their children. How do these women take care of everyone needs, including themselves?

Valerie Grant of Aldie Virginia has the solution. Instead of building one master suite for herself, she chose to build four master suites within her 5400 square foot home.

"I wanted my mom to have a master bedroom, and I didn't want my daughter to live in a small room," said Grant.

Grant is not the only person asking for more space. According to the National Association of Builders, said the demand for two-bedroom master suites will be increasing by 2015. This is largely due to more baby boomers wanting to age in their homes. Multi-generational families living in the same household are also on the rise.

To learn more about this exciting new option for your home, click here.
http://www.thejournalnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070705/LIFESTYLE01/707050323/1031

National Women's Leader to Serve on Advisory Panel

Omaha, NE (July 5, 2007) – Woman-Centric Matters(sm), a division of Design Basics, the nation’s largest home plan design service to the building industry and a leading expert in marketing to women, announces today the appointment of Sheri McConnell of San Antonio, Texas, to the Woman-Centric Matters(sm) National Advisory Panel. Woman-Centric Matters(sm) is a unique licensing and educational platform that teaches businesses in any industry how to be remarkable by transforming their attitudes and practices based on the woman’s perspective.

The National Advisory Panel is comprised of leading women of various ages and backgrounds from across the country who will help further transform and define the practices and offerings of Design Basics, as well as enhance the educational component of Woman-Centric Matters(sm).

Linda Reimer, president of Design Basics, says, “We are so pleased to have Sheri on the National Advisory Panel of Woman-Centric Matters(sm). Her time and commitment, as well as her unique perspective and opinions, will be a great enhancement to our ability to change the landscape of business in America.”

Reimer states that 91% of all home purchases are made by or primarily influenced by women. Furthermore, well over 80% of all consumer purchases are made or primarily influenced by women. “It just makes good economic sense to market to women. But it needs to be done right. You can’t just put pink ribbons on something and call it woman-centric. Design Basics is leading the way and teaching businesses across the country how to truly understand what their female customers are looking for in design, marketing and customer service. The added bonus in this is that men appreciate the woman-centric approach too.”

McConnell is the president and founder of the National Association of Women Writers (http://www.naww.org). She teaches women writers and entrepreneurs how to discover, create and profit from their intellectual knowledge. MConnell is an entrepreneur, publisher, author, writer and coach with a Master of Arts degree in Organizational Management and Bachelors in Social Work. McConnell states, “I’m proud to have been chosen to join the Woman-Centric Matters National Advisory Panel. It allows me the opportunity to be a part of shaping the way businesses relate to women. I’m excited!”
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About Design Basics:
Design Basics, the nation’s largest home plan design service to the building industry, designs and markets plans for single-family homes through catalogs, newsstand magazines and home building industry publications. Woman-Centric Matters(sm), a division of Design Basics, is dedicated to helping businesses across America become remarkable with its unique licensing program, insightful and innovative marketing programs and continuing educational platform.

Women Taking On Historic Homes

Many women are tackling the challenge of purchasing and remodeling historic homes. Trish Sheehan, 43 years old from Logan Township Pennsylvania discovered the joy of renovating a 100 year old home. “Gutting the home is the worse part but I really enjoy it. It is my passion.”

What drives women to take on a challenge that would make others shake in their work boots?

The Altoona Mirror says women are more financially independent and have the kind of job which allows them to buy a home.

The National Association of Realtors agrees with the Altoona Mirror. A record 22% of homebuyers are women, second only to married couples at 61%.

There are several types of homes on the market a person can buy. From handyman specials which require some basic upgrades to more expensive historic overhauls; women have more choices available to them then ever before.

What type of home would you buy? Let us know your thoughts.

Http://www.altoonamirror.com/articles.asp?articleIS=12775