More women are entering the workforce, especially part-time, ABS data shows. And more than one-in-five working women do not take paid leave after the birth of their child.

The benefits of being a business mum these days are clear but as Melbourne mum, Melissa Khalinsky, has discovered there’s still a growing need for support services for mothers who stay at home to start a business.

After receiving a knock back to attend a business seminar with her six week old baby, Melissa identified a gap in the market – support services for business mums.

Around the same time Melissa was told by a business expert that the only way she could run a successful business was to leave her kids in child care and work 9am to 5pm. Wrong again.

After chatting online with some successful work-at-home mums in the US Melissa gained the confidence to start Business Mums Network Australia.

When did you establish Business Mums Network?
July 2002

Is being a mum and working in a home business a craze?
I wouldn’t say a craze. More and more mums are looking at alternatives after having children. Being a business mum is a great option to returning to work and you can still be around for your kids.

Can a woman be a good mum and business woman?
Most definitely

What are the challenges for women trying to do both?
Time management.

Are there any tricks of being a mum in business?
Yes! The biggest is creativity. Many mums are short on time and money, especially when they start, so they need to be creative with their marketing, set up costs, and generally how they do business.

Are you planning on taking Business Mums Network across the country?
Business Mums Network is a national network and most of our networking is done online, however we have regular monthly morning tea workshops and afternoon get-togethers in Melbourne, a weekly playgroup in Canberra, and a Brisbane chapter will be starting soon. Our Inaugural National Conference will be held in Melbourne in September.

What services do you provide?
We provide a number of services including, online networking, regular face-to-face events, a bi-monthly magazine, Business Mums Guides – booklets on aspects of business aimed at working mothers, promotion for our members, online resources at www.businessmums.com.au/ including expert blogs.

What do you do to entice people to interact on your website?
Members mostly interact via our online message board. Here they can ask questions, share resources, celebrate and commiserate with each other and make contacts.

What is 'Business Kid of the Month'?
The Business Kid of the Month was created as a way to acknowledge the contribution our kids make to our businesses. Many kids help their mother’s businesses with promotion, stock taking, administration tasks and so on, and we would like to recognise their efforts. The Business Kid of the Month is sponsored by Unique Kids (www.uniquekids.com.au).

What’s your best marketing tip?
Network! Whether offline or online, networking is one of the best ways to connect with potential clients and get the word out about your business. Mother’s are particularly good at networking as they meet people all the time – at school, kids sporting activities, and so on. Networking is not just confined to formal business networking events either, it is something we can do wherever we go.