mom entrepreneur interview: laura @ bookclubs4boys

Mom Entrepreneur: Laura
Business: Bookclubs4boys
Website: Bookclubs4boys.blogspot.com

I share FREE action oriented book club ideas on my blog/site. I offer suggestions for how to host a book club for reluctant readers.

What inspired you to start your business?
My oldest son was struggling as a reader. In first grade his teacher recommended he repeat the grade because of his poor reading skills. I made it my “mommy mission” to get him reading without holding him back. I started a book club for him as a way to make reading fun and reward his hard work. By the end of summer he was reading well enough to advance to second grade. After 2 years he was reading WELL beyond his grade level. The funny thing is- he still doesn’t like to read! The only motivation I have found to get him to read and keep reading is hosting a book club. I knew I found a secret weapon to helping boys connect to books and I wanted to share my ideas with other families with similar struggles.
Everything is offered Free on my site- I make money off of advertising.

How long have you been in business?
One year

What did you do in your past work life?
I’ve worked as a Preschool teacher and before children… an ASL interpreter.

Describe your ideal workday.
Get up early- and ready myself for the day. (Personal prayer and scripture study, see my To Do list for the day.)

Get kids off to school and hubby out the door. ;0)
go for a run
Get laundry started-

Then spend an hour or so on the computer- emails and website work.
Then read and preview potential book club books
Pick up kids
Homework
dinner
and bed

What have been some of your major successes?
Being interviewed by Family Fun Magazine as Mom of the Month. Getting my first paid advertisments-

What have been some of your major challenges?
Getting word of my website out!

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?
My kids. I tend to have “great ideas” and then fizzle out on the follow through. Whenever I “take a break” from hosting a book club for one of my sons. ( I have four.. so it can be a juggle doing 4 different clubs each month.) My son will ask or their friends will ask, “When is our next book club?” I love it!

Also- when I see their report cards and see comments like- “Your son is a great reader!” or ” Your son is in the highest reading group in our school” yet he’s only in 4th grade!

I can see the fruit of my labor and wish this type of success for all kids. But especially for those kids who just don’t like to read. (Like I said- my boys still don’t read for fun. But I find comfort knowing they CAN read and WILL read if need be.)

Do you have a motivational quote?
To the World you might be just one person.
But to ONE person- you might be their world.

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?
Right now my business is small.
Waiting until my children were in school all day to start my website- really helped. I have my work time- clearly established.

If there was one piece of advice you could give your children about running a successful business, what would it be?
Don’t just focus on the aspects you like or are good at. (Avoiding the unfavorable side to business.) Identify your weaknesses and be proactive in making them your strenghts– or hiring someone with those strenghts.

Do you have a favorite business tool and/or resource?
My computer- it is really my only business tool.

What is next for your business?
I would love to expand and network more! I would love for other moms and book clubs to share THEIR ideas and book club outlines.

Your two cents sales pitch
Book clubs are a great way to help reluctant readers connect to books! Stop by and learn how to start an action-oriented book club.

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