EH

Mommy Masters® Celebrates Mompreneurs!

Oct 25, 2013

LC
Stage· 146 messages
Oct 25, 2013

Meet the October Mommy Master and discover how she is making life simpler for moms. Learn about the tools Mommy Masters® are offering to women and moms to celebrate and promote their businesses...for FREE!

LC

Lauri Chertok · 6:16 PM

★ Spotlighted from Tawkers Admin

“Once 25 people gather in the audience, a comment needs at least one LIKE to become visible to the two Hosts and any non-Followers. So LIKE the comments you want the Hosts to see!”

LC

Lauri Chertok · 6:16 PM

★ Spotlighted from Tawkers Admin

“Welcome to the Forum! To get involved, click "Who's Here" and then FOLLOW people to see their comments.”

EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:30 AM

Hi Lauri! So excited to be "Tawking" with you!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:30 AM

How are you?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:30 AM

Likewise...
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:31 AM

Great but it's colder up here than down south!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:31 AM

Love this colder weather! I am in Florida. Where are you?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:32 AM

Beverly, MA on the ocean side of MA but it is beginning to feel alot like late fall!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:32 AM

I can't wait to hear more about your app and your book. First I want to ask how you found out about Mommy Masters?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:33 AM

I was trying to remember, but I do remember keywording moms and shopping for children in Google at the time
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:33 AM

Great to know that Mommy Masters was a resource for you. What made you sign up for the Mommy Master of the Month?
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:34 AM

Feel free to write snippets instead of whole thoughts so we can get a good flow
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:34 AM

I am always on the lookout for new and exciting ways to get the word out to as many moms as I can about this way to alleviate and or eliminate stress in their busy lives.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:35 AM

Mommy Master was a dream venue for Measuring Up.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:35 AM

That's awesome! The reason I created the Mommy Master of the Month is to celebrate women like you who have a great idea to make mom's lives easier.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:35 AM

Believe me, it is wonderful!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:36 AM

So glad you think so! When you thought about your idea of Measuring Up, how long did it take you to actually launch your products, i.e. the app and the book?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:36 AM

The app took about 2 years to get it to where it was launchable.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:37 AM

I think mompreneurs get so excited about their ideas they don't realize that it takes time!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:37 AM

It took me 4 years to produce my children's music CD.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:37 AM

The book took a shorter period of time thanks to a program by Alicia Dunams" Best Seller In a Weekend".
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:37 AM

What is that program?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:37 AM

wow, 4 years!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:38 AM

BSIAW is an online program that walks you through a 3 day weekend that is grueling but definitely worth it.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:38 AM

Very cool!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:39 AM

Did you know anything about writing/publishing a book before hand?
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:39 AM

I think a lot of women are scared of the unknown. I remember when I started my blog and had no clue what I was doing. It's amazing how much I have taught myself.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:39 AM

Just when you think you want to throw in the towel the support team reminds you that you can do it.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:39 AM

Yes.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:39 AM

Great point
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:40 AM

I still find my self often overwhelmed by that overload of social media outlets.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:40 AM

Everyone needs a support team because there are days you feel like giving up and other days you are truly inspired and believe you can change the world!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:40 AM

I agree!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:40 AM

Yes, for sure.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:40 AM

When I promote the Mommy Master of the Month and articles I write, it's a long process to spread the word via social media.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:40 AM

It'
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:41 AM

It's tedious but a great way to get people interested
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:41 AM

True, but it seems like the more I think I know the more there is to know.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:41 AM

★ Spotlighted from Rebecca Westbrook Toker

“So, does that program work for publishing children's books?”

LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:41 AM

I find digging in is essential.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:41 AM

Great question Recebbca. Lauri, do you know the answer?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:42 AM

By the way, I think the BSIAW can work for any type of book.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:42 AM

It takes many hours of self educating and research
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:42 AM

Can you provide us with a link to that site as a resource?
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:43 AM

What/who was your inspiration for creating your product?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:43 AM

If you google up Best Seller In a Weekend you should be able to find it. The person is Alicia Dunams
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:43 AM

Thanks Lauri
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:44 AM

Excited to hear more about your journey!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:44 AM

I have always been involved in fashion so when I ended up working with a children's clothing store it began to gel in my mind.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:44 AM

Did you see moms struggling to find the right size?
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:45 AM

Today I went to Old Navy for the 3rd time to swap out my son's clothes for the right size. So annoying!!!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:45 AM

I watched moms and kids struggle with finding not only the right size, but trying to schedule this "activity" around their busy lives.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:45 AM

No one was happy!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:45 AM

Yes, I definitely had better things to do with my time and of course every time I went to Old Navy, I ended up buying something for myself.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:46 AM

Did you download the app? 3 kids? Yikes!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:46 AM

Not a bad thing but my CC isn't too happy. :)
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:46 AM

Leave them with the sitter! Go have fun with this!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:47 AM

I am in the process of upgrading to the new iPhone and it says I have no more space on it. My kids downloaded a ton of games onto it. I have to clean it out before I can download it. Looks awesome.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:47 AM

Yes, 3 boys. They are awesome. It's busy but I wouldn't have it any other way. When women tell me they are too busy to get started on their dream I want to say, YOU CAN DO THIS
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:47 AM

After losing my three year old under the clothing racks and totally freaking out, I swore I would create a way to shop without taking them into a store to do it.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:47 AM

I have 3 little boys, a business and a traveling hubby, with no family in town to help. If I can do it, so can anyone!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:48 AM

I hate when they do that and play hide and sneak. It freaks me out
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:48 AM

What do your children think of your app?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:48 AM

Ditto!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:48 AM

How old are they now?
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:48 AM

Do you wish you had this for yourself when they were younger?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:48 AM

They love the app and in fact, even though they are now 30 and 25 they use it.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:48 AM

That is awesome!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:49 AM

I absolutely would have used this if I had had it.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:49 AM

Are men or women your biggest clientele?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:49 AM

My mother in law had 4 kids and used to write their measurements in a little book that she always updated and took with her shopping
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:50 AM

So explain how it works. You take measurements and store them? How do you then relate that to a store's sizing?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:50 AM

I believe women are the biggest users of this,
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:50 AM

that's cute. I sometimes bring a pair of pants that I know fit so I can measure them against the store's pants I want to buy for the boys.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:50 AM

I would imagine so
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:51 AM

Yes to the first part. When you are shopping there is a simple way to quickly measure the garment with a measuring tape to compare against the body measurements.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:52 AM

Tell us more!!!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:53 AM

This may be a dumb question but what if you don't own a cloth measuring tape? can you use a piece of string and measure that? Probably easier to go buy one, no?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:53 AM

There is also a part in the book version for helpful hints to get the most out of the clothes...such as how to get the winter jacket to last from Sept through April even though the child grows.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:53 AM

Cool
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:54 AM

We only use a winter coat here for a month or so since we live in Florida so I buy their coats one size too big so it lasts at least two years.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:54 AM

Yes, string is encouraged if a tape measure is not available. The number is not necessarily needed unless you are ordering online or from a catalog.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:55 AM

Good idea for your coats.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:55 AM

Oh really? You don't need a #. I think that scares a lot of people.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:55 AM

My comments in the book are based on generics but I think the concept is the same.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:55 AM

So how did you first get the word out about your app when it was ready to be revealed?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:56 AM

I think what ever is comfortable for a measuring device is okay, but the catalogs and online usually would want a #.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:56 AM

Got it
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:56 AM

One can take the string and put it up against a ruler too.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:56 AM

yep
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 12:57 AM

When your app was done, were you wondering what next or did you have a plan of action to spread the word>?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:58 AM

I have always had the desire to have everyone use this app....there is a button that converts the inches automatically into centimeters.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 12:59 AM

If it turns out that there are other measurements we can add that into the coding as well.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:00 AM

So your app helps mom save measurement information for each child so while shopping, there is no guess work, right?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:00 AM

The plan of action moving forward with this app is in the early development stages, however it involves a much larger audience than one person at a time.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:00 AM

Do you work alone or do you have a team?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:01 AM

Each child will have a dedicated "page" in the app that can constantly be updated.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:01 AM

The biggest thing I hear from women is they are afraid to fail. I tell my children as long as you have tried, you have succeeded. If you don't ever try, you have automatically failed.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:01 AM

I currently work with one other person on a part time basis.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:01 AM

That's nice to have that support. It's a lot of work
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:02 AM

Have you ever been or are you afraid to fail?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:02 AM

Failure is something that I do not equate with.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:02 AM

Interesting
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:02 AM

So failure is not an option for you.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:02 AM

Trying is important, if it works and you have success that is icing on the cake.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:03 AM

I beieve in this concept so strongly that I do not think it will fail. However, I wish the ramp up was faster.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:03 AM

That's passion!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:03 AM

How do you think the ramp up could be faster?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:03 AM

I think that is the biggest obstacle in a new venture.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:04 AM

Yes, it takes time!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:04 AM

Like I said, everyone thinks success happens overnight but not the case!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:04 AM

Exposure is key!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:04 AM

A lot of hard work and time.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:04 AM

Oh and money doesn't help.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:04 AM

YES!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:04 AM

Do you do your own PR?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:04 AM

Getting in front of the right people and persistence is very important.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:05 AM

Money is good.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:05 AM

I totally agree! I love hearing about another mom's ideas, work ethic and passion!!!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:05 AM

Currently I do my own PR, yes.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:06 AM

I started the Mommy Master of the Month to celebrate women like you! It's such a nice feeling to be recognized for your hard work and I love helping women and hearing about their journeys!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:06 AM

I love getting the e-mails back when I tell women they won. So exciting to give back because so many great women have helped me in my journey!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:06 AM

LIkewise. The more women I speak with, the more stories they are willing to share.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:07 AM

What is one thing you would change about your journey so far?
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:07 AM

I have made some mistakes but that is how you learn
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:07 AM

I have learned if something sounds to good to be true, IT IS!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:08 AM

I am not sure, but having a solid background in all the pieces necessary to grow this business would be nice.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:08 AM

What are your goals for your product? Are there other components or products you are working on?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:08 AM

I am learning as I grow.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:09 AM

me too
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:09 AM

I would love to tell you about other components that I am working on for Measuring Up but perhaps that can be saved for a later time.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:09 AM

too funny. That was my next ?
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:09 AM

How can people check out and purchase your app and book?
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:09 AM

Ooops, hit too soon
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:10 AM

Looking forward to it
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:10 AM

We are going to wrap up soon...laundry, lunch boxes and articles are calling my name.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:10 AM

I can say, however that moms are not the only ones who are using this product, much to my delight. Grandmothers, aunts and friends without kids are using it to buy gifts for each other and the kids.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:11 AM

That's a great angle. That's nice it works for different types of people, not just moms.
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:11 AM

Thank you so much for asking me to be your first co-host.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:11 AM

Thanks for co-hosting and congrats again on winning the October Mommy Master! Such a great product! I can sense your passion and you are an inspiration!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:12 AM

Cheers Ellie and download Measuringupapp. It will save you many unnecessary trips to the mall.
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:12 AM

What's one piece of advice to leave with for moms who have an idea?
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:13 AM

Think about whether you would want to use your idea? Would it help you? Then go for it!
EH

Ellie Hirsch · 1:14 AM

Thanks Lauri! Have a great night! Enjoyed learning more about Measuringupapp!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:14 AM

Bye!
LC

Lauri Chertok · 1:06 AM

★ Spotlighted from Trey Williamson

“Sorry I missed this one... interesting stuff!”