ever consider what a huge business wahms could become if pooling resources was an option? we could actually become a very large business.

probably too many details to iron out.

but with all the wahm businesses getting together, that could really be something.

what i personally wish is that there was some way we could organize and give more mamas the opportunity to work at home and make a little money. (or papas!)

am:)

Amity, I have thought about that a LOT! I totally think it could work...as long as the businesses were verified to be legal and ethical. It would be so awesome to be able to share advertising expenses, buy supplies at a lower cost, barter for services, share web space, etc.

It's just so hard to make any money as a wahm, and I think there are so many talented people out there who just don't have marketing skills or business savvy...for example, new wahms often spend way too much money on supplies, web hosting and design, and advertising....then they run out of money fast, get burned out, or just can't compete with the older businesses.

I just picture a sort of mentoring process, where we can critique each other and offer advice or helpful suggestions...along with all of the other financial benefits. I would love to hear what other wahms think of this.

know what? i dream about this huge wahm conglomerate. where we get together and market, ship, warehouse, all together. it would eleviate the need for all of this separate marketing, customer service etc. wahms who wanted to create could just concentrate on creating. kwim?

I like this idea. Dreamy.

I wonder, though, if it would be more time-consuming to have so many partnerships with other wahms to maintain communication with, than to go solo? Take drop-shipping for instance. That takes more time than if you were to sell something directly from your store that you made, to your customer. I sometimes wonder if it is worth it.

I just posted a post saying that I use Builderspot as a host because it saves so much time and is incredibly basic to use, even though it is $20 a month. I feel like I'd rather spend more money doing things on my own than save money while trying to keep track of all my business transactions (i.e. swaps) with other wahms, maintain relationships, recollect agreements (current and future) and just keep track of all those darn emails! (Is anyone else's inbox haunting them?)

I already feel that my biz takes too much time away from my role as homemaker. While I make sure that I have enough time for my kids and see to their needs and wants, I haven't done the laundry in months!! Thank goodness my husband was a bachelor until 34, when we got married! He is a pretty self-sufficient guy!

Got a way to implement this wahm utopia in a time-saving fashion?

Natasha.

The thought of something like this is a bit overwhelming...so many personalities, decisions, situations, etc.

It seems like it is workable on some level...as there are a few out there.

www.tuesdaybear.com
www.pocketdiapers.com
www.fluffymail.com

I am sure there are more - but my brains tired ;)

i think it could go even farther, it would save wahms time and money. especially time.

i like the idea of wahm groups, but that only deals with the exposure part of wahming.

let me put some thought into this and post later.

It would be so awesome to be able to share advertising expenses, buy supplies at a lower cost, barter for services, share web space, etc.

This sounds a lot like what those of us BabyByYou WAHMs who are members of www.WahmBoutique.com have going on. I really love the support we give each other.

Teddy wrote an article about wahm conglomerates a bit ago :)
http://www.thediaperhyena.com/WAHMcongo.htm

I think it works on many levels.... tho something that amity is talking about would really be for certain types of WAHMs. I know that I like the marketing, customer service aspect of our business and am not sure I would want to give that up to someone else..... I think its part of what makes people want to buy from WAHMs. There are probably lots of WAHMs who would rather do nothing but create.... but thats not me ;)

Hi! Thanks for mentioning the article Tiffany :)

WAHMCongo is in the design stage right now but there is a lot of interest in doing just what you have described above. This business model is quite successful for a lot of congos out there. It's quite fun to watch actually.

I think the critical thing is to not jump in with both feet without fully scoping out your teams. Personality is just as important as product in this environment.

Anyway, things are forming now so if you all want to check it out, there's a link in my sig.

Originally posted by amity
i think it could go even farther, it would save wahms time and money. especially time.

i like the idea of wahm groups, but that only deals with the exposure part of wahming.

let me put some thought into this and post later.

cooperative exposure is a big part of the congo model but it goes way past that. we buy supplies, share contacts, problem solve issues, design together, etc.

the members that want to focus on advertising do just that. the members that are computer savvy help in that area. there are definitely mentor roles that have developed in the different arts. i think that all of this along with the cost defrayment of advertising is a step in the right direction.

i think the potential for further developement of the business model is essential as times and environments change.

i'd love to hear more of your thoughts amity.

I'd love to hear more thoughts and ideas on this, we are putting together a site like this right now and looking for mamas for our group, it's alot of work and details, and I'd love to hear ideas and suggestions!

Amity,

Here's the story: Amber and I were getting a team together for the WAHM Congo with Teddy. We registered a domain name the day BEFORE she decided not to go forward with the project. So we decided to still go ahead with our group...on our own. I just want to clarify what has happened so no one thinks we are trying to benefit from Teddy's misfortune. This will be a non-profit group of dedicated women with high standards for business, sharing web space, advertising, buying power, and policies.

I am in the process of gathering advertising information from various natural living sites since we will be offering natural, handmade goods. The store will be called "Seasons", and the website will be at www.seasonsoriginals.com .

I would enjoy discussing this idea more and participating in a open-source type of model for this idea of a wahm utopia!

Ditto to what Priscilla said, lol...she is SO much better at wording things than me. :D Yes, this was in fact something we did before hand, and no, we don't want to try and benefit from the misfortune of TB. I indeed think it's awesome that those ladies have such a strong bond, business and personal relationship that they will remain a group and continue on together! Much success to you ladies, that's quite a hurdle to jump, and so unexpected *hugs* to you all!

"Seasons" is an exciting new venture for Priscilla and I, hopefully it will grow into something that alot of us wah folks can benefit from. :)