Role Mommy: What did you do before you became a mom?
Bonnie: Before I became a mom, I was a wedding & special event planner in New York City. I worked at the 92nd Street Y, a major NYC cultural center, where I planned events for notables such as Clint Eastwood, Martha Stewart, Hillary Clinton, Al Gore, and so many others! I thought my life was busy then, but it is amazing how much busier life with kids can be!
Role Mommy: When did you decide to reinvent your life?
Bonnie: In 2002, we moved from New York to Westport, Connecticut for my husband’s job. When I became pregnant with my first child, I decided to stop commuting to New York and instead launched my own “stylish stationery” business from my kitchen table! Shortly after, our fashion-forward collection of wedding invitations and holiday cards was featured in Modern Bride Magazine and New York Magazine as a “Best Bet” and the excitement has not stopped since! In the past 6 years, my company has grown to 10 employees, 1000 stores world-wide (including high-end retailers such as Bloomingdales, Bendels, and Neiman Marcus) and I have had 3 children! It’s been a very productive few years, and there are a lot of great tools out there that have helped me realize my dream as a small business owner. For example, I have used Bank of America since I launched my business and they have a suite of products that helps keep my books organized so I can focus on what I love to do, design stationery and spend time with my children. Bartering with other small business owners is another wonderful tool that has helped to save us a lot of money. I recently offered to design a logo for a celebrity publicist, and in exchange she has been giving us some fabulous public relations tips!
Role Mommy: How have your children influenced your career path? How many do you have?
Bonnie: My 3 children have greatly influenced my career path! I had the courage to launch my own business only because I knew that I wanted to be able to have a job in which I could work from home. Although my business has grown & is no longer operating at home from my kitchen table, it is wonderful to be able to leave work for drop-off and pick-up, PTA meetings and school concerts. My children often spend time at my office & they understand where “mommy goes” each day.
Role Mommy: What’s your favorite “Time Out” tip for moms (taking time for yourself)
Bonnie: With 10 employees to manage and 3 children under 5 years old, there is very little time for myself . . . . The one “luxury” I have is a Saturday night babysitter! Before going out on Saturday nights, my husband & I rarely saw each other or spent time together without the children. Being able to go out for dinner “as adults” either by ourselves, or with friends, definitely helps us get through the craziness of the week.
Role Mommy: What does your website offer moms or kids?
Bonnie: My website (www.BonnieMarcus.com) offers an amazing selection of products for “moms on the go” – from fashionable to-do lists and teachers gifts to tote bags and flip flops designed especially for moms and moms-to-be.
Role Mommy: What do you hope for your own kids?
Bonnie: I hope my own kids will appreciate their mom as a business owner and an active part of the community, and that they will strive to be responsible adults as well. A nursery school teacher once told me that in the playground my kids like to “play office” – they fix the computer, take out the garbage, etc. It’s very funny what kids pick-up from adults around them. My older son always says that he wants to be a veterinarian when he grows up, while my younger son wants to be a “ninja turtle” . . .we’ll see what happens!
Role Mommy: Who is your Role Mommy?
Bonnie: I would never be able to pick just one! I absolutely love websites like this one where I can learn from and be inspired by other working moms. Just when I think I have “too much to do” I read a post about a mom who is doing it all with 6 kids! I am inspired every day from these amazing stories . . .
Role Mommy 3.0