Mom of the Month
October 2008

My name is Tamara Peace and my online store is Unique Expressions.

I decided to start my home business when I had my daughter and I wanted to help bring in extra money since I quit my full time job.  I sell personalized gifts. I LOVE things with my name on them, always have since I was a kid. My name is unusual so anything personalized is special to me. Everything in my store is made just for you!  I started making diaper bags from scratch and monogramming them. I had lots of requests from friends and family so I turned it into a business.

Can you share your tips for survival and success?
My success has always been to put my family first. The money will come with patience and time. Survival has meant working on the weekends while the baby sleeps or taking that extra job of 25 golf shirts that I find so boring to accomplish.

What is the best advice you could offer to someone just getting started?
Do your homework. Research and lots of questions to those already in business. I always give advice to newbie’s. I learned so much by doing things wrong in the first few years.

What made you decide to go into business?
I really wanted to contribute to my family’s income. Even to pay for McDonald’s or groceries made me feel good.

What do you enjoy about doing this?
I enjoy the flexibility of my schedule. I love that I can be creative and help others find unique things for their gift needs.

What advice can you tell other moms?
Do not get so involved that you forget your family. Always remember you are a mom FIRST. That is a tough challenge sometimes when you’re really busy.

How do you balance work and home?
I make my work hours and try to stick to them as much as I can. An hour in the morning on the computer before the kids are up and then I work at nap time and back online again at night.

What do your kids think about your business?
My 7 year old thinks it is very cool that all her stuff has her name on it. There are times when we give a birthday gift to another child when she says “Mom can’t we just get her a Barbie?” I just laugh.

What has been your biggest challenge of the business?
My biggest challenge has been the expense of the equipment and plugging through the months when it is slow.

What is 1 way you promote your business under $10.00?
Word of mouth is always my best advertising and that is FREE! I have a couple newsletters that I am in consistently and they are under $10.00.

What advice can you give other moms that work at home or want to work at home?
If you’re already at home you know how much there is to accomplish in a day. Don’t try to be wonder woman because you will fail every time. Make a schedule of what needs to get done for the week and try to stick to it. If you’re not at home yet hang in there! If it is finances that are keeping you from being at home there are tons of ways to cut back and make it work. You can do it!

What are your business goals for 2009?
My goal for 2009 is to expand my web presence. I would also like to be able to find new and fresh products for my store.

What inspires you?
My children are my source of inspiration. I am a nut about making a memory. I carry my camera in my purse and love to do new things with them.
 

It is my hope that you will find that perfect item, whether it is for you or a special gift for someone else. The items are unique expressions that will be cherished forever.

Blessings,

Tamara Peace