Mom to Mom of Maine - Latest Blog Entries

Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Lisa Pelton, Independent Consultant for SimplyFun

Thu, 09 Feb 2012 10:25:00 -0500

When did you join Mom to Mom? June 2007

What do you sell? Award-winning games and puzzles that help families learn and connect through play. All of our games focus on the concept that play is critical to children and families as it teaches academic, social and developmental skills in a fun, creative way. Probably what I love most about our products are that they are easy to learn & don’t require a huge time commitment. They are designed to be played in approximately 30 minutes or less. This is great for busy families who want to play games, but don’t always have time to sit down for an hour+ game.

How/where do you sell? I sell through home parties, catalogs, and my website. For parties & events I cover all of Southern Maine. I'm trilled to be the first person representing SimplyFun in Maine. It is a great opportunity and a company that I'm proud to promote!

Do you offer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services? I have a Facebook page that I will use to promote specials or disocunts. You can search for me using Lisa Pelton, Independent Consultant for SimplyFun in Maine. Right now I'm offering a bonus hostess gift to anyone who books a party for February 2012.

How did you get started in this business? I wanted to find a way to earn some extra money for our family while remaining a SAHM until our son enters Kindergarten. I don't consider myself a sales person so I knew I had to find something that I was passionate about. I ran across an internet article last summer that mentioned SimplyFun as a great direct sales company. I began my research (hours & hours of research) and I was impressed by everything I read about the company. I finally signed a contract to represent them in early December and when I got my first games & puzzles I was 100% convinced - high quality, fun, and the kids love them!

What's your favorite product/service that you sell and why? Right now my favorites are probably Picky Sticks and the What If Chat Ring. Picky Sticks is one that our whole family has fun playing - 3.5-year-old Jake up to Grandma (who's age will remain a secret). I love that it challenges everyone! It is also a new tool I can use to work on an important skill with Jake. He's a pretty typical 3.5-year-old boy & slowing down and taking his time isn't always his strength. This is a good way to practice the skill and also helps both of the kids learn how to handle frustration. Great for teaching kids how to think before they act. The Chat Rings are fabulous, too. The "point" of the rings is to improve social interaction - either one on one or in a group gathering. There are three chat rings: Family Stories, Let's Chat, and What If (plus a fourth that has great road trip game ideas). The reason I like What If so much is that it is a perfect way to start important conversations with my daughter when we are both in a positive mood (not waiting for trouble). The categories cover Safety, Emotions, and Social Interactions. We've had some really nice conversations about how she thinks and feels - that's never a bad thing!

I'll be at the Gorham Co-Op Preschool's Frozen Family Fun Fest on February 18th - stop by and say hi if you are at the event! You can check out some of the games, get a catalog or just say howdy!

Contact Information:

Lisa Pelton, www.lisapelton.simplyfun.com, lisapelton@gmail.com, 207-730-3080

Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Lucia Rico, Khalimbo Unique Bold and Classic Styles

Tue, 03 Jan 2012 14:04:00 -0500

When did you join Mom to Mom?
I have been a member for a total of 7 years.

What do you sell?
I sell handmade.950 silver jewelry from Peru.

How/where do you sell?
I do home parties - anyone willing to host one will receive 20% off show sales towards jewelry. I am also very fortunate that my jewelry is being sold exclusively at Jill McGowan’s store in 56 Main Street in Freeport. She is a famous designer whose collection was featured in Martha Stewart. I also sell on my website, www.khalimbo.com.

Do you offer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services?
Mom to Mom members receive 10% off any item.

How did you get started in this business?
I am originally from Peru. I had jewelry made all the time, and I was complimented on the pieces when I wore them here. So I decided to bring some back and started with a small amount. I am a stay at home mom, so this is a business that I have started from home with a goal of getting my name and my jewelry well known.

What's your favorite product/service that you sell and why?
My main concern is that people who buy my jewelry love it. I am a woman who loves fashion and art, so it’s very important that I sell items that are unique, and that my clients are 100% satisfied with.

My Story
I offer a unique collection of handcrafted quality silver jewelry from Peru. Khalimbo was my grandfather's nickname; he was someone who taught me that traditions and culture are everything. Each of the stones, shells and seeds in our handcrafted jewelry collection has a symbolic significance.

I love what I do. I get to meet great people who appreciate art and beauty. And I am very thankful to everyone who has supported my business. I only expect to keep growing and learn as I grow, and make of it not only a business but a way of transmitting art to the wonderful and beautiful people of the state of Maine.

Contact Information:
Website: www.khalimbo.com | Phone: (207) 409-3581 | Facebook: Khalimbo

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Erin Webber, Licensed Massage Therapist

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:32:00 -0500

When did you join Mom to Mom?
I joined in March, 2011.

What is your business?
I am a licensed Massage Therapist. I oﬀer Swedish, Deep Tissue, Pre-natal and Hot Stone massage. I also oﬀer some specialty treatments for the feet and back, as well as a body exfoliating treatment.

Where is your business located?
I have a shared oﬃce in Gorham located at Gorham Massage & Wellness, 20 Mechanic Street. I can also make house calls and will travel in the greater Portland area as well as many other towns located within 30 minutes of Gorham.

Do you oﬀer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services?
I will oﬀer M2M members what I call my “Mommy Discount”: 60 minutes for $55 (normal rate $65) and 90 minutes for $80 (normal rate $95). I also have a gift certiﬁcate special through Christmas: $45 for a one-hour massage.

How did you get started in this business?
I went to Downeast School of Massage in 2004 and I’ve been practicing part-time since January of 2005. I worked at a salon right out of school and then began working at a spa in 2007. At the end of 2008 I opened my own practice in Buxton but closed that after the birth of my daughter in December 2009. I continued to see some of my clients in their homes and now they come to my new oﬃce in Gorham.

What’s your favorite product/service that you sell and why?
I do a lot of deep tissue work on my clients and specialized focus on their speciﬁc areas of stress, tension, or pain. I love to see clients on a regular basis because I like to being able to help them and see the improvements being made with massage.

My Story:
I love being a massage therapist because it gives me the ﬂexibility to stay home with my children, and also get out of the house a few days a week to interact with adults. I enjoy working with people and massage therapy is a great way to do that. I enjoy helping people with any issues they may have in their body or just for a nice relaxation time. My practice is slowly growing and now that I have an oﬃce space I hope to grow it even more.

Contact Information:
Erin Webber, LMT
Gorham Massage & Wellness | 20 Mechanic Street, Gorham, ME 04038
Phone: (207) 749-7097 | Email: csclax17@hotmail.com

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Ruth Summers, Little Hands Consignment

Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:26:00 -0500

When did you join Mom to Mom?
Not sure of the exact date…sometime after my little one was born in 2009.

What do you sell?
Little Hands Consignment is a semi-annual consignment sale of high quality children’s clothing, toys, newborn items, books and maternity clothes. Consignors sign up and sell their items, receiving a percentage of the sale price. Unreturned items are donated to local charities.

How/where do you sell?
Our Spring/Summer sale will take place on April 28 and 29, 2012 in Scarborough on Route 1.

Areas covered?
We have consignors and shoppers from Augusta to Kittery!

Do you oﬀer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services?
At this time we don’t, but we are looking into various partnerships.

How did you get started in this business?
I have a little boy that outgrew his clothes overnight. Being a mom, I know how to make a dollar stretch—I think we learn it the minute we start buying diapers, clothes, toys, etc.! I realized the best way to survive during these economic times was to consign his clothes and toys while gettng great deals on his clothes and toys for the next season. I tried consignment stores, but didn’t meet with great success. Oﬀering this great opportunity to other moms seemed like a logical step as I had not heard of any other semi-annual seasonal sales in Maine.

What’s your favorite product/service that you sell and why?
Everything that has to do with children…books, toys, clothes, jumpy and noisy things that make funny sounds and keep them laughing!

My Story:
As we all know, being a mom or dad is a juggling act—especially when you are trying to make ends meet in this tough economy. Having a little one in my life is the most joyous adventure ever and like any parent I want him to have stylish clothes and exciting toys…I just don’t want to pay full price for them! That’s why this business is so wonderful for everyone. Consignors win by making money from their items that sell and shoppers win by gettng great deals. Our Fall/Winter sale was such a huge success that we are holding our Spring/Summer sale for two days, beginning April 28th. Consignors are able to shop the day before the sale is open to the public—even more of a win/win opportunity! I welcome Mom to Mom members to sign up for our newsletter at www.LittleHandsConsignment.com. This is the best way to learn more about the sale, how to consign and the great experience of shopping these outstanding deals!

Contact Information:
Ruth Summers, Little Hands Consignment
www.littlehandsconsignment.com | littlehandsconsignment@gmail.com

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Heather Quinn Cuzzi, Cairn Events, LLC

Wed, 12 Oct 2011 11:15:00 -0400

When did you join Mom to Mom?
October 2010

What do you sell?
We are an event consulting company that specializes in events with many moving pieces.

Areas covered?
We cover all of New England, and willing to travel beyond.

Do you oﬀer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services?
Absolutely, we oﬀer Mom to Mom members our friends and family discount of 10% oﬀ our cost.

How did you get started in this business?
My background is in event planning and fundraising. I have been planning fundraising, political and nonproﬁt events for the past ten years. After the Obama campaign, I had been traveling abroad to handle logistics for the White House. After I had my daughter I realized that traveling abroad for three weeks at a time was not feasible anymore, but I still wanted to do something for me. So my business partner, Meg, and I joined together in October 2010.

What’s your favorite product/service that you sell and why?
The majority of our clients have been island and coastal Maine weddings. It has been wonderful to work with the brides and their families and so fulﬁlling to make sure that their day is as perfect as possible.

My story:
As we approach our one year anniversary, I am in awe. When Meg and I started hatching the idea of Cairn Events we had two simple goals: 1) To have a business that we could maintain while we raised our children. So it had to be ﬂexible and something that wouldn’t take us away every day, because we wanted to stay home with our kiddos. 2) Our second goal when we started was to book three large events. We ended up contracting fourteen!

The most amazing part was that it was all word-of-mouth. I was connected to each of the brides and the nonproﬁts in a personal way, whether is was through a friend or a friend of a friend which led me to have an emotional tie to each event. This tie drove me to perfect each design idea and clarify each logistical piece.

October will certainly be a month for planning the future, which includes a new website and a few updates to our business plan. My goal as Maegan’s mom is to keep the business the size that it is, so that I can continue with the level of service that sets Cairn apart while enjoying watching my daughter grow.

Contact Information:
Heather Quinn Cuzzi, Cairn Event Consulting
www.cairnevents.com | heather@cairnevents.com | (207) 650-8486

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Emily Murray, Co-Founder, Birth Roots

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:26:00 -0400

When did you join Mom to Mom? 2010

What do you sell?
Birth Roots provides classes, groups, resources and referrals “from belly to baby.” Our classes are focused on assisting families in a holistic way throughout the process of becoming a parent. We like to think of our classes as a workout for the “parenting muscle” that needs to get in shape to sift and synthesize all the information, advice and expert opinions out there. A strong parenting muscle means they can make decisions that are right for their unique child and family. We oﬀer a free guide with directory listings of hundreds of businesses and individuals that serve new and expectant families. Our small “Tried and True” retail section includes slings, swaddle blankets, Nikki McClure journals, Putumayo CDs and a few other select favorites.

How/where do you sell?
Birth Roots is located at 101 State Street in Portland where we oﬀer classes and drop-in groups. We have hours by chance and by appointment for everything else. We also have a website (www.OurBirthRoots.org) and a very active Facebook page (facebook.com/birthroots). We have a new Kittery location headed up by veteran doula and childbirth educator Andrea Rutherford.

Areas covered?
Our Portland branch primarily serves Greater Portland, Midcoast, Biddeford, Gorham-Standish and beyond and our Seacoast branch in Kittery primarily serves York County, Southern NH and northern MA.

Do you oﬀer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services?
We just began oﬀering a Belly to Baby discount card that can be purchased for $15 that includes discounts at Birth Roots at about 50 other local businesses. Visit www.bellytobabyclub.org.

How did you get started in this business?
Birth Roots was co-created by myself and Leah Deragon in 2004 with the intention of deepening the support for perinatal families in Maine. It has developed into an amazing model for community-based education and support that we call “Community Supported Parenting”.

What’s your favorite product/service that you sell and why?
If I had to pick one thing it would be our Bridge Package of classes. It is 6 Birthing From Within childbirth classes plus a class about baby care and new parent care, another class about breastfeeding and Blossoming Newborns, our postnatal mom-baby series. It is a lovely way to be supported on both sides of birth and provides a place where moms can make sense of their experience as they get their “parenting legs.”

My Story:
Birth Roots is a very unique community service organization. There are very few cities that have this level of support for new families. We are currently working on training others in Community Supported Parenting: our approach to building community, helping parents ﬁnd perspective and gettng families connected with what they need to THRIVE in pregnancy and parenting. As a nonproﬁt we welcome donations of time, funds and maternity/baby gear for our bi-annual Baby Booty yard sale. We would love for Mom to Mom members to show their support at Sandsations, our third annual sand sculpting contest and fundraiser on September 10th from 12:00–3:00 p.m. on Pine Point Beach in Scarborough.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Emily Murray, Birth Roots
101 State Street, Portland, Maine 04101
(207) 772-4784 | info@ourbirthroots.org | www.ourbirthroots.org

Do you GoodSearch?

Fri, 02 Sep 2011 11:12:00 -0400

Online Searching & Shopping with GoodSearch and GoodShop by Cheryl Denis

Do you do online searches and shopping? If so, come GoodSearch and GoodShop for Mom to Mom!

GoodSearch.com is a charity search engine powered by Yahoo!. Every internet search you do earns 1 cent for Mom to Mom - this can add up quickly when we all use it! Plus, they just enhanced their toolbar so it now includes a click-through Mom to Mom icon. No need to remember either web address! The toolbar is so easy to use and install - just download the GoodSearch Mom to Mom of Maine toolbar and start searching! (I personally have the toolbar and use it every time for my searches - it works just as well as Google!) GoodShop.com works with more than 2,500 stores (all your favorites!) and every time you purchase something online, a percentage will be donated to Mom to Mom!* And, even more exciting, GoodShop also offers over 100,000 of the most up-to-date coupons and free shipping offers so you can save money at the same time. It's a win-win. (*Remember to specify Mom to Mom of Maine as your charity of choice.)

Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Elizabeth Caiazzo: Independent Beauty Consultant, Mary Kay Cosmetics

Mon, 29 Aug 2011 18:48:00 -0400

When did you join Mom to Mom?
December 2010

What do you sell?
Mary Kay products. #1 in Skin Care and Cosmetics!

How/where do you sell?
I hold facials, color consultations, skin care parties, spa parties, bridal shower parties, sell online and via catalogs.

Areas covered?
I am happy to say that, with Mary Kay, there are no territories! If I move, I take my business with me. I will ship products anywhere in the U.S. and there is ALWAYS FREE SHIPPING!

Do you oﬀer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services?
Sure do! For all Mom to Mom members I have a $20 gift certiﬁcate to be redeemed at an appointment with me! This one-time gift certiﬁcate would be towards any order totaling $50 or more. Also, I will give any Mom to Mom member 10% oﬀ ALL ORDERS placed on my website: http://www.marykay.com/ecaiazzo.

How did you get started in this business?
I attended a job fair in March of this year, looking to go back to work after being a stay-at-home mom for the past four years, when I found Mary Kay.

What’s your favorite product/service that you sell and why?
I love selling products that make women look and feel their best. The Miracle Set is a favorite and the most popular with my customers...I have yet to have a disappointed customer using this amazing set of products!

My Story:
I was lucky enough to be a stay-at-home mom for the past four years, and my daughter, Jasmin, is my absolute #1 priority. When I left her father last fall, I began searching for jobs that would be ﬂexible enough so that I wouldn’t have to put my daughter in daycare all day and work just to pay for it. I also have physical limitations that prevent me from working a full time 9–5 job. I attended a job fair in March, resumé in hand, BA in Psychology, ready to ﬁnd a job...when I realized that the only table at the fair that interested me at all was Mary Kay Cosmetics. After gettng information about the company and a facial from a beauty consultant, I was sold! I absolutely loved the products and the way they made me feel, and I loved the company even more. Mary Kay was founded on the Golden Rule and puts the value of family before career. When I realized that I could start my own business, and plan my own hours around the needs of my family and my health, I felt more excited than I have in a long time. So, without one iota of experience in business or sales, I took every penny that I could and invested it in Mary Kay products (yikes!). I am so glad that I took a leap of faith and tried something completely out of my comfort zone. I am steadily growing my business and learning a lot along the way. My plans for the future are to be a successful business owner, with an income that can support myself and my daughter, without the help of anyone else! I want to teach her that if you put your mind to something, anything is possible. The sky’s the limit!

Contact Info:

Elizabeth Caiazzo, Independent Beauty Consultant, May Kay Cosmetics, 207-400-7723, ecaiazzo@marykay.com, www.marykay.com/ecaiazzo

Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Nancy Keast, Keller Williams Realty

Sun, 31 Jul 2011 17:15:00 -0400

When did you join Mom to Mom?
I’ve been a member of Mom to Mom for about 7 years. Having attended some of the M2M Monthly Speaker Series for a of couple years, I decided to become a member after my third child was born.

What do you sell?
My specialty is residential real estate and small multi-unit investment properties in Southern Maine. In addition I assist people in ﬁnding well-qualiﬁed real estate brokers in other areas.

How/where do you sell?
My business is primarily based on person-to-person referrals in Cumberland and York Counties. Having lived in the greater Portland area my whole life, I know the area inside and out.

How did you get started in this business?
I worked in Sales and Marketing for 20 years prior to becoming licensed. Our ﬁrst “home” was a three-unit apartment building. We lived in one unit and rented out the other two. It was a big renovation project and we learned a lot from that experience. After we did a handful of “ﬂip” properties where we purchased properties, ﬁxed them up and sold them, I fell in love with Real Estate. Following staying home for a few years once my second child was born, I decided to take the Real Estate Course at the University of Southern Maine. My husband said he never saw me so excited when I came home from the classes to talk about what I learned. I still consider ongoing education very important in this business and take all the continuing education credits I can.

What’s your favorite product/service that you sell and why?
I love all of it!
• Assisting buyers with their ﬁrst home—It’s very exciting to be a part of what is usually the biggest purchase people make in their lives.
• Researching homes, determining the best market value, working through the negotiations and gettng homes closed.
• Educating people to make informed decisions about their real estate sales or purchases; I feel like I would be a teacher in my second life.
• Investing in real estate for myself and assisting others in their investments.

Future plans and goals?
I see myself continuing on this path for the rest of my life. Lately I have found myself mentoring other agents, which has lead me into discovering new niches in the real estate business. For example: conservation and farming real estate, and vacation rentals. As real estate changes, so will I.

CONTACT INFORMATION:
Nancy Keast, Keller Williams Realty | 50 Sewall Street, Suite 2, Portland, Maine 04103
(207) 615-7653 | nancy@nancykeast.com | www.nancykeast.com

Announcing Mom to Mom's Annual Yard Sale

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 17:26:00 -0400

The Yard Sale is a major part of Mom to Mom's fundraising efforts and all funds raised go toward activities that directly benefit our members, including the Halloween Party, playgroups at Riverton, discounted trips to places like the Children's Museum, appearances from Spark's Ark and Irene Jeffers, and much more. We would love your support and hope you will consider taking part in the M2M Yard Sale.

This is a large, family-focused yard sale (that's what happens when all your members have children). There will be plenty of kids' clothing, toys, books, household items, and much more.

Date: June 18, 2011

Time: 9:00am to 1:00pm

Location: Riverton Community Center, 1600 Forest Drive in Portland, ME. Plenty of parking available!!

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Suzanne Rouhana, Hola Amigos

Mon, 06 Jun 2011 14:11:00 -0400

When did you join Mom to Mom?
I joined Mom to Mom when my family and I relocated to Maine from the Boston area in January 2006. At that time my youngest child was 2 years old. I met some terriﬁc moms and got a lot of great advice and referrals from the e-mail loop. Now that my children are older I am not as active in the group, but I still read the emails and newsletters and I am happy to support this fantastic organization.

What do you do?
I teach Spanish classes for preschool- and elementary-aged children. I teach weekly classes at local preschools and day care centers. I also teach after school classes as well as classes for homeschooled students.

How did you get started in the business?
I am a former High School and Middle School Spanish teacher. When my second daughter was born I stopped teaching to stay at home with my children. I volunteered in my daughter’s preschool class and taught some Spanish lessons for fun. I loved it! A couple years later I started my own business, Hola Amigos.

Where do you teach?
I teach all over the greater Portland area. I teach at a couple of preschool classes in Falmouth, homeschoolers in Freeport, and after school in Cumberland and Cape Elizabeth. If someone is interested in Spanish for their child who is
in daycare or preschool I can go into the school and oﬀer a free demo class to see if there are others interested as well. Any group of 6 or more students can form their own Spanish class and I can come to a home and teach a class there. I also oﬀer one-on-one tutoring for older children.

What are the classes like?
Spanish class is fun! We speak, sing, play, dance and read stories in Spanish. In each class we explore a theme while I emphasize new words and phrases. Every class is a little diﬀerent with a review of previously learned materials and something new each week.

Do you oﬀer a discount to Mom to Mom members?
This summer I am partnering with an art instructor from Studio M in Falmouth and we are oﬀering a combined Spanish-Art camp. There will be two sessions, one for ages 4–6 and another for ages 7–9. We’ll be learning Spanish, creating art, and having fun! I’m oﬀering a 10% discount to any Mom to Mom member. Just mention Mom to Mom when you register. See my website for more information.

What do you like best about your job?
Young children learn a second language so easily. They listen and absorb the language and just have fun with it. Parents tell me that their children come home counting and singing songs in Spanish—I love to hear that! Also, my job is very ﬂexible; I choose when to teach, which allows me to be home with my children before and after school and I am able to volunteer in their classes and help with other activities. As my children get older I ﬁnd I have a little more time to devote to my business. Next year I’m hoping to add some preschools in Portland and more classes for homeschooled students.

Contact Information:
Suzanne Rouhana, Hola Amigos
Phone: (207) 899-2948
Website: www.HolaAmigosSpanish.com
Email: HolaAmigos@maine.rr.com

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Molly Breton, Thirty-One Gifts

Mon, 23 May 2011 17:06:00 -0400

When did you join Mom to Mom?
I joined in February 2011. I just moved to Naples in January of this year and decided to join the group in hopes of making new friends and promoting my business.

How did you get started in this business?
In 2010 I was introduced to Thirty-One Gifts and instantly fell in love with their products. My best friend was selling it and she told me how much fun it was to have her own business and be able to stay at home with her daughter. I had just had my ﬁrst baby and was debating on going back to work. When my friend told me all the beneﬁts of selling Thirty-One I couldn’t resist. The products simply sell themselves. That is why my house is full of Thirty-One Products to help organize my life. Today, I am proud to say I am able to stay at home with my son and still be able to help provide for my family because of Thirty-One. Not to mention all the incentives such as vacations, cruises and gift cards just for selling Thirty-One.

What is Thirty-One?
The name Thirty-One comes from verses of Proverbs 31. Our mission is to celebrate, encourage and reward women by oﬀering quality products and an outstanding opportunity to become successful business owners. Thirty-One is more than just a company. We are people who believe in rewarding women for who they are. Our stylish, aﬀordable products are exclusive to Thirty-One. From our signature purses and totes to storage solutions that help organize your life, there is something to ﬁt every personality and situation.

What does Thirty-One have to oﬀer?
Thirty-One sells purses and luggage for all your traveling needs. We oﬀer storage totes for organizing your oﬃce, toys and laundry or thermal totes for your snacks, lunch or potluck. There are baskets of all sorts and sizes for picnics in the park, holding your favorite books or crafts. Thirty-One also just introduced a new Kid line. It includes bibs, blankets, lunch boxes, backpacks and so much more. We oﬀer personalization for only $6 no matter if it is 1 letter or
several words. If it ﬁts, you can personalize it!

Are you in need of a Girls Night?
Host a party with Thirty-One. Get all your girlfriends together to eat, drink and talk purses. What is better than that? I am in and out in less than two hours so that you can enjoy your time with your friends. I will make your night full of fun and prizes. Most of my hostesses earn about $75 in free products, 4 half-oﬀ items, one Hostess Exclusive item and a special gift from me for booking a party.

No room to host a party?
You can host a catalog party. You get all the same great beneﬁts as hosting a party at home. The only diﬀerence is your party last for two weeks.

Are you looking for a fundraiser for your school, organization, church or whatever your heart desires?
Look no further. Fundraise with Thirty-One. Organizations that hold Thirty-One fundraisers will receive a percentage of all products sold, and the more you sell the higher the percentage! Your organization’s proﬁt for online orders is provided by me, your independent consultant. Proﬁt checks are mailed within two to three weeks of closing the fundraiser and sent directly to the organization.

Not interested in hosting a party?
That’s alright. I oﬀer online ordering through my website: www.mythirtyone.com/mollybreton

Are you interested yet? Check out my website and Facebook page for updated monthly specials! Don’t miss out, book your party today! Contact me for a Spring/Summer Catalog.

Areas that I serve:
I will travel to Cumberland County and Androscoggin County anytime of the week. If you live in another county, no worries, I will just arrange to have your party on a weekend night.

Contact Information:
Molly Breton
Independent Senior Consultant, Thirty-One Gifts
Phone: (540) 376-2105
E-mail: mythirtyonegifts@gmx.com
Website: www.mythirtyone.com/mollybreton
Facebook: Thirty-One Gifts with Molly Breton

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Elizabeth Tedford of Portland Nannies, Inc.

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 21:48:00 -0400

Elizabeth Tedford, owner of Portland Nannies, Inc. www.portlandnannies.com, Email: info@portlandnannies.com, Phone: (207) 799-0200

When did you join Mom to Mom?
I believe when my youngest was just a baby, so almost ten years ago.

What do you sell?
Portland Nannies is an in-home childcare referral agency. Since 1985 we have oﬀered professional placement for in-home childcare providers, nannies, and babysitters throughout Maine. We oﬀer many diﬀerent services for families: on-call emergency babysitters, hotel sitters, babysitting list subscription, full- and part-time nanny placements, household managers, newborn nannies, permanent babysitters, temporary nannies, and summer nannies.

Areas covered?
We are a statewide nanny placement agency although the majority of our families and nannies are within an hour of the Greater Portland Area.

Do you oﬀer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services?
Yes, we oﬀer $25 oﬀ the Babysitting List and $50 oﬀ a nanny placement.

How did you get started in this business?
I have been working with children for over 20 years. I have degrees in both Early Childhood Education and Business Administration. I was a nanny with Portland Nannies over ten years ago and a couple years later the owner was looking to sell. It seemed like a perfect ﬁt!

What’s your favorite product/service that you sell and why?
The babysitting list for sure! The list provides families access to over ﬁfty nannies looking to pick up extra hours, who have been through our extensive application and screening process. Families that subscribe to the list are basically guaranteed babysitting services for a full year. The subscription also comes with a complimentary registration to our emergency/back-up childcare service. So if their child is home sick from school or if their daycare is closed, we can ﬁnd a sitter for them.

Families that may be on the fence about having a stranger watch their children will, time and time again, say they can’t believe they waited this long to subscribe to the list. It is a blessing to all parents looking to take a break, a date night out, or just looking to have a sitter that they can use on a regular basis that they trust. Some of the babysitters on the list have been with Portland Nannies for over 20 years!

A little more about you...
I love the ﬂexibility owning Portland Nannies has given to me and my family. But most of all, I love the connections I make with both the nannies and families. I feel fortunate to work with such amazing nannies and families who value this profession.

My plans for the future professionally have me looking forward to possibly starting up our School of Nanny Training program again as well as oﬀering payroll services through our agency. My plans for the future personally have me looking forward to having our 150 year old house all ﬁxed up and getting our sailboat in the water ﬁnally (it has been out of the water for the past six years as we work on it). So not having any big projects to work on seems like a good goal!

Friends School of Portland Presents National Education and Parenting Crictic Alfie Kohn

Sun, 03 Apr 2011 18:35:00 -0400

As part of the Parenting for Peace Speaker Series, Friends School of Portland presents national education and parenting critic Alfie Kohn on May 3, 2011 at 7 pm at USM's Hannaford Hall in the Abromson Community Education Center. Alfie Kohn is the author of THE HOMEWORK MYTH: Why Our Kids Get Too Much of a Bad Thing, and UNCONDITIONAL PARENTING: Moving from Rewards and Punishments to Love and Reason. This event is free and open to the public.

One basic need all children have, Kohn argues, is to be loved unconditionally, to know that they will be accepted even if they screw up or fall short. Yet conventional approaches to parenting such as punishments (including "time-outs"), rewards (including positive reinforcement), and other forms of control teach children that they are loved only when they please us or impress us. Kohn's criticisms of competition and rewards have been widely discussed and debated, and he has been described in Time magazine as "perhaps the country's most outspoken critic of education's fixation on grades [and] test scores." The author of eleven books and scores of articles, Alfie Kohn writes and speaks widely on human behavior, education, and parenting.

Alfie Kohn’s presentation is made possible in part by a grant from the Quimby Family Foundation and seven co-sponsoring organizations: Boys to Men, Children’s Museum of Maine, Hardy Girls Healthy Women, Institute of Humane Education, Mom to Mom, True North and USM’s Teacher Education Department.

Parenting for Peace represents Friends School of Portland’s commitment to engaging with our larger community, being of service as a learning community, and providing opportunities for inquiry and discernment for adults.

http://friendsschoolofportland.org/parenting-peace-0

Info taken from Friends School of Portland Press Release dated March 16, 2011

Celebrating Nature Through Books

Thu, 31 Mar 2011 15:38:00 -0400

by Laura J.H. Burrill, Mom to Mom Board Member and Newsletter Contributer

The month of March is the perfect month to celebrate reading aloud with your children. On March 2, students everywhere will celebrate Dr. Seuss’ Birthday by partcipating in Read Across America. In an eﬀort to draw attention to the global literacy movement, the non-proﬁt organization LitWorld has declared March 9 World Read Aloud Day. Here are some of my family’s favorite nature books for elementary school aged kids that you might enjoy reading aloud with your family!

1. The Lorax by Dr. Seuss
This book hits home the idea of the need for environmental stewardship in a way that resonates with adults and that preschoolers can understand. The land of the Lorax is taken over by the Once-Lers as they build their Thneed business. Slowly the land changes, the animals leave, and the Lorax has to stand up for his friends as he is left with an unrecognizeable home. The Lorax passes a young boy a Truﬀala Tree seed, empowering him with the future of the land.

2. When I Was Young in the Mountains by Cynthia Rylant
Rylant depicts her childhood growing up in the Appalachian Mountains as one ﬁlled with the simple pleasures of life: bathing in a swimming hole, family meals, bathing with sun-warmed water, and shopping for essentials at the local
store. Many of us will hear the stories of our grandparents and perhaps our own childhoods in this story.

3. The Complete Adventures of the Mole Sisters by Roslyn Schwartz
The Mole sisters have a knack for adventure and for taking time to notice the world around them. These books are written for younger kids and will capture your heart!

4. The Salamander Room by Anne Mazer
This is one of my son’s favorites! When a little boy decides that he wants to keep a salamander for a pet, his mother questions him as to how he will care for the animal. The boy journeys into a magical fantasy transforming his room into a beautiful forest habitat perfect for the salamander and his other animal friends.

5. All the Places to Love by Patricia MacLachlan
This is one of my all-time favorite books and I’d be lying if I said that I didn’t cry every time I read it. This story shares each family member’s favorite place in nature and is guaranteed to conjure up beautiful memories of your own favorite places. A must-read!

6. The Great Kapok Tree by Lynn Cherry
Beautiful pictures help this story illustrate the interdependence of life in the Amazon rain forest and the impact on the ecosystem when the trees are destroyed. Rainforest animals are labeled and woven throughout the book making this a favorite for any animal lover.

7. Creatures of Earth, Sea, and Sky: Poems by Georgia Heard
Poetry fans will love these short nature poems. This is a great way to introduce poetry to kids at an early age.

Happy Reading!

Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Bethany Mateosian of Springboard Pilates

Wed, 02 Feb 2011 13:54:00 -0500

Bethany Mateosian, Springboard Pilates, www.springboardpilates.com, 207-841-0932.
When did you join Mom to Mom? April 2009

What product/service do you sell? Pilates

How/where do you sell? We are a boutique Pilates studio in downtown Portland.

Areas covered? Greater Portland area.

Do you oﬀer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services? Yes, we oﬀer 10% oﬀ to M2Mers!

How did you get started in this business? After college, I wanted to get into something less esoteric than academia, something more hands-on and physical. I discovered Pilates and was attracted to not only how it made my body feel but also how it kept my mind engaged (and therefore not bored!)

What is your favorite product/service you sell, and why? I love teaching private sessions because I thrive on connectitng one-on-one with people and troubleshooting their speciﬁc issues. When I’m teaching a private session, I like the problem solving aspect of teaching grace and strength to the individual body in front of me.

A little more about you... At Springboard, we are serious about teaching classical Pilates, but we like to do it with humor and lightheartedness rather than a “work harder, feel the burn” approach. Our clients are attracted to that environment, and they build camaraderie with each other and the teachers. This and the great workouts keep them coming back, and I think that is often the most powerful thing we oﬀer—a chance to make this a consistent part of peoples’ ﬁtness regimen. Pilates is for tuning up bodies, connecting all the pieces, strengthening us for everything that life throws at us (especially we moms!)

This year, we are branching into a whole new line up of workshops that support our “Ecology of Pilates” theme. We’re exploring the mind/body connection from various angles and giving people tools they can use at home to keep themselves healthy and happy. It has been a big push to plan the whole year, so I am excited to see how it plays out!

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents: Molly Kinney of BodyWorks

Tue, 04 Jan 2011 04:36:00 -0500

Molly Kinney, BodyWorks, 7 Speirs Street, Westbrook, ME

When did you join Mom to Mom?
Two years ago...how time flies.

What product/service do you sell?
I currently offer massage and nail services.

How/where do you sell?
My business is in Westbrook, right next to the Subway and the park.

Do you offer a discount to Mom to Mom members?
Mom to Mom specials for January/February - Vaild from 12:00-3:00pm*

Monday: $5 manicures for moms and little ones (nail art is an additional cost)
Tuesday: $15 pedicures
Wednesday: $20 for half-hour massage on heated table

*These specials are available during above times only (while my son is in school).
And of course I always offer a first time massage at only $35! There are no time restrictions for this special.

How did you get started in this business?
I got started in this line of business after pondering for a LONG time "How do I work and care for my child at the same time, or at least work around his schedule?" Cosmotech nail school happened to be right around the corner from my house so I signed up for the night classes. I LOVED the program so much and I wanted to learn more trades so I signed up for massage school! After graduating, I fine-tuned my skills at a Portland salon and day spa and then proceeded to open my own little private shop. Although it has been a slow journey, my clientele has increased and I have really enjoyed meeting all the new faces! I can honestly say that I really enjoy my job. To watch a client walk out of the massage room with a relaxed and happy look on their face, says it all!

What is your favorite product/service you sell, and why?
Pedicures are always fun, since it's a good time to chat and get to know the client as well as give their feet a much deserved pampering! Then we have the new "Shellac" nail polish that lasts for two weeks without chipping...even for moms! I'm not a "high maintenance" kind of woman; when I'm not working I'm usually sporting gym or horse riding gear, but I do believe there are little treats such as manis, pedis and massage that can really boost our spirits or make us feel a little glamorous!

My space is simple, cozy, private adn constantly evolving! The New Year will be bringing a hair service station as well as skin and facial services! One-stop shopping/services. There is plenty of parking as well as being close and convenient to man neighboring cities.

I am a mom as well and as much as we all need some alone time to be pampered, I also realize it can be impossible to find sitters! If you need to bring your child along that can be arranged! Although I don't have a childcare room they are more than welcome to come sit or read.

Contact information:
Email: mkinney1@maine.rr.com
Office Phone: (207) 854-0250

The Mom to Mom Entrepreneur Group Presents... Sarah MacLaughlin, Author, Parenting Educator and Consultant.

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:39:00 -0500

Sarah MacLaughlin, Author, Parenting Educator and Consultant.
sarahmaclaughlin@yahoo.com

When did you join Mom to Mom? I joined Mom to Mom when I started trying to conceive in November of 2005. I figured I could use the support even before I got pregnant -- this proved true! The email loop was helpful with some fertility questions and getting me linked up with Birth Roots for my prenatal classes. My son, Joshua, was born in May of 2008.

What do you sell? I'm always selling copies of my recently published book: What Not to Say: Tools for Talking with Young Children. I hire out for workshops and group presentations, (some members attended my first local workshop back in February!) and also do individualized consultation for families encountering challenges.

How/where do you sell? My book is available at Longfellow in Portland and on Amazon.com. My next event is a workshop through the Learning Resource Center at Maine Medical Center on Tuesday, January 18th from 6:30pm to 8pm.

Areas covered? I can consult with families in person throughout southern Maine or anywhere in the world via phone or Skype.

Do you offer a discount to Mom to Mom members or other special services? I'd be thrilled to offer M2M members a 10% discount for consulting services.

How did you get started in this business? I started off in the business of teaching children at preschools and as a nanny. Over the years this led me to social work and parenting education in particular. I love brainstorming with parents about what works and what doesn't, and helping them find approaches that will really help.

What's your favorite product/service that you sell and why? I have been trained in a myriad of parenting and family education programs over the years, and I've probably read most of the parenting books out there. I'm currently in the certification program at Hand in Hand parenting (www.handinhandparenting.org) and couldn't be more excited to be integrating the new tools I'm learning into my own parenting. I look forward to sharing them with other families.

A little more about you - After working with parents and families for over twenty years, I thought raising my own child would be easy. Boy was I wrong! Loving my child is easy, but parenting is much harder than I ever anticipated -- there is no job more challenging or fulfilling. When I've been thrown the curve balls of sleep issues, food sensitivities, frequent tantrums, etc., I've been called on to dig deep and learn more. Finding new ways to encourage my son's emotional literacy, confidence and self-discipline has helped me be a better student and teacher. Re-evaluating my own values and assumptions has gone a long way in helping me set firmer limits with him while staying connected. ALL behavior has meaning. We adults are just not always able to crack the code -- this takes time, thought and support. I offer non-clinical assistance in decoding children's behavior and suggestions for how to meet the needs of all family members.

The National Children's Study Comes to Cumberland County

Thu, 02 Dec 2010 05:35:00 -0500

Hopefully by now many of you have either heard radio ads or have seen print ads from the National Children's Study and wondered, "What does this have to do with me?" The National Children's Study is the largest of its kind ever conducted in the United States and many Cumberland County children are eligible to participate.

The Study will look at the effects of environment on the health and development of more than 100,000 children, following them from before birth until age 21. The Maine Study Center, coordinated by Maine Medical Center, will recruit women from selected areas of Cumberland County between the ages of 18 and 49 who are pregnant or may become pregnant in the next few years.

"We have an extraordinary opportunity to learn how the environment affects children's health and development, both here in Maine and nationwide." said Dr. Patrick Connolly, Family Practitioner. "Children are not just little adults, they take in more air, water and food for their weight than adults do, and they spend more time outdoors. Knowledge gleaned from this study will be used to improve the health of our children for generations to come. That is why I am supporting the Study and encouraging those who are eligible to join."

The National Children's Study will provide many children and their families from Cumberland County a unique opportunity to help shape a healthier future for generations of children.

For more information contact Eva Farina-Henry at NCS@MMC.org or call us at:
(207) 662-1488. Please visit us at www.nationalchildrensstudy.org

Article submitted by Ana Jacobs, M.S.Ed, Community Liaison Maine Study Center, National Children's Study, Maine Medical Center, Center for Outcomes Research and Evaluation.

Entrepreneur Group Presents ... Debra McKeown, Independent Marketing Exec with Melaleuca

Mon, 25 Oct 2010 09:34:00 -0400

Debra McKeown, Independent Marketing Executive with Melaleuca
207-317-0215 or adfmcs@hotmail.com

When did you join Mom to Mom? June 2010

What do you sell? Membership to an online store where you can shop for eco-friendly health and wellness products at wholesale prices.
How/where do you sell? I give one-hour wellness presentations to individuals or groups, either in-person or over the phone.

Areas covered? I travel anywhere within several hours of Portland and can give a presentation anywhere else in the US using the phone and computer.

Do you offer a discount to Mom to Mom members? Gladly, $10 off your November order.

How did you get started in this business? Melaleuca found me when I wasn't looking for it. A friend shared it with me and it just made so much sense to me as a consumer that I wanted to let others know how they could save time and money shopping online for healthier, safer products for their home and family.

What's your favorite product and why? Melaleuca's patented supplements are 85% absorbable, more than 10x the grocery store brands. I used to buy expensive supplements from health food stores but nothing impacted my family's overall well-being like these have. I have more energy than ever at age 44, homeschooling two children, and working part-time. Runner-up is Melaleuca's line of cleaning and laundry products - superior quality without harmful chemicals, at amazing prices.

A little more about you ... Originally from Wisconsin, married 11 years, home educating our kids ages 10 and 7. I tend to be a homebody, so I've really appreciated the opportunity I have as a marketing exec with Melaleuca to connect with so many fantastic, caring people. It has also enabled me to work from home to supplement the modest income my husband earns as a pastor. And I love presenting others the opportunity to enhance their well-being or earn extra income, even if they decide Melaleuca is not for them. So, please don't be shy. There's no obligation when you attend a presentation. I really am happy just to share what I know. Looking forward to meeting you soon!