It's like trying to solve a differential equation, and oh, by the way, there are 3 kids running around in muddy rain boots, a crying baby on your hip, yesterday’s dinner scraps still on the floor while the dog rolls around in the mess.
Welcome to life as a mom entrepreneur.
We’re so glad to have you here! Your messy, creative, scattered, joyful, every-day, inspired, crazy life is normal here. We’re with you in the trenches. We’re balancing babies and business, preschoolers and purpose. The balancing act is a struggle, but we wouldn’t have it any other way.
This is a place where you can find not only resources and information to help you grow your business, but also community and support. We’re not about information overload or spouting off 100 things you must do today or else! We believe that small steps over time can still make a big difference. We’re about persistence, and celebrating the small wins along with the big ones.
We believe that the biggest factor that will determine your success is the simple act of getting up and plodding forward each and every day (muddy shoes on the floor and all.)
We’re for the mom bloggers, the Etsy shop owners, the retailers, the designers, the crafters, the photographers, the writers, and the DIYers. If you don’t see your “-er” on this list and you’re a mom with big dreams, chances are we’re for you too.
We’ve created a community of motivated, smart, encouraging, kind women who are committed to making those small steps each week. You can join here and get access to some fun freebies, and we’d be thrilled welcome you in. (A little secret? It’s free!)
Nice to meet you! I’m Beth Anne Schwamberger!
I’m a military spouse and adoptive mom.
Chris and I have been married for almost 8 years, and we’ve lived in 6 different locations together. Chris flies F/A-18’s for the Marine Corps. He has a ton of fun doing what he loves, but it’s also a lot of hard work and many, many hours, days, and months away from home. I’m one of those milspouses who used to be gung-ho about it…. until our first deployment. Now, I’m anxious to build up a business so we can have complete freedom and way more time together when his contract is up.
Beautiful Photo by Ariel Holcomb.
Adorably Creative Sign by Hadassah Stoll.
We brought Holden home from India in 2013, and he’s been the most incredible blessing to us. He’s six years old at the moment, and the chattiest, happiest boy you’ll ever meet. Holden also has a disability called arthrogryposis. It affects his legs, and he’s unable to walk. He uses his wheelchair like a whiz kid, crawls crazy fast, and has the strongest arms you’ll ever see!
I’m an RN by training, but I decided I’d rather be my own boss.
There were many things that I loved about being a pediatric RN. I loved helping people, putting a smile on someone’s face, easing their fears, or teaching them how to manage their health. However, being a nurse was also insanely stressful, and there were so many elements of the job such as my bosses, the equipment we had to work with, and the staffing that were out of my control. My creative side wasn’t challenged at all as a nurse, and over time, I realized I needed something more.
I’m so thankful for the time I spent as a nurse, because it played a huge role in giving Chris and I the confidence to know we could adopt a child with a medical need. We can’t imagine life without our sweet boy, and we’re eager to adopt again someday.
Some other facts about me…
If I wasn’t concerned about their ill-effects, I’d subsist on coffee and desserts alone. They are my weakness.
When my husband and I first started dating, I secretly hoped it wouldn’t work out, because who wants the last name Schwamberger?! Turns out he was more than worth it in the end 😉
I’m a Christian, and my faith impacts all the big and little decisions I make each day. I’ve seen God lead us and provide for us in incredible ways. I’m always trying to discern what it means to have a business as a Christian, and I’m pretty sure God doesn’t want me to figure it out – but just keep seeking Him instead.
I’m so glad you’re here! I hope you’ll relax and stay a while, because we’re all about community and supporting one another.
Meet Our Team
Ellen is our totally brilliant technology geek who keeps everything running, even when all programs crash on the same day. She's a problem-solver extraordinaire, and the glue that holds our team together. (Probably because she is a true Jill-of-All-Trades!) She's married to Tim and together they have three adorable boys: Malcolm 6, Sean 4 and Jacen 2.
Carlee is kind of like our Brilliant Business Moms fairygodmother; everyday she grants the wishes of our students and loved customers! In addition to handling customer service requests, she is organizer of stuff, keeper of spreadsheets, and maker of downloads. (Carlee adores checklists and worksheets, can you relate!?) She's a Southern California valley girl turned rural Wyoming hobby farmer. Carlee has been joyfully married to her pastor-husband Daniel for 17 years. They have three personality-plus kiddos: Mckenna 15, Gabe 12, and Juliana 10.
Victoria is our community builder and social media junkie– uh, we mean manager. She is the friendly voice of Brilliant Business Moms and keeps her finger on the pulse of what's happening. Victoria also helps create content in the Brilliant Business Moms style you've come to know and love. In addition to being a Virtual Assistant (and proud member of the BBM team!) she works as a birth doula and supports pregnant women before, during, and just after the birth of their babies. Though her work seems diverse, it is tied together by the common thread of nurturing women. Victoria is a worship pastor's wife, and mother to two spunky daughters.
Here are some of my favorite podcast episodes:
Everything She Learned her First Year of Blogging with Abby Lawson of JustaGirlandHerBlog
3000 Book Sales + 1 Million Ideas with Sarah Mackenzie of AmongstLovelyThings
From Elementary Librarian to Successful Entrepreneur with Jocelyn Sams
Facebook + Pinterest Strategies with Crystal Paine of MoneySavingMom
Blogging, Best-Sellers, + the Good Life with Ruth Soukup of LivingWellSpendingLess
How Pinterest Saved her Blog with Melissa Will of EmpressofDirt.net
Getting Published with Author Caroline Starr Rose
E-books on Amazon + Guest Posting with Amy Lynn Andrews of AmyLynnAndrews.com
Growing an Etsy Shop that Makes Perfect Cents with Melissa Kaiserman of ATimeforEverything
Now it’s your turn to head out there and Be Brilliant!
~ Beth Anne
Do you have a question that you could use some help with? Send us a note; we love helping mom entrepreneurs! If we don’t know the answer, we’ll be honest and try to point you in the right direction 😉
brilliantbusinessmoms@gmail.com
