Mamas rock: Jill Earthy

Filed Under Mamas Rock | March 26, 2008

Jill Earthy

This month in Mamas Rock we’re profiling Jill Earthy, co-founder of momcafé and also, somewhat unexpectedly, Executive Director of the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs.

Earthy, mother of a two girls, had the idea for momcafé during her second maternity leave. She kept meeting mums who were feeling the dearth of stimulating, adult conversations. She teamed up with business partner Hilary Wooler and together they created momcafé, a place for mums to come together, share ideas, chat and connect. Each month momcafé puts together an event at different local cafés that features speakers on topics ranging from getting organized, to returning to work. And they make it easy – you sign up and pay in advance and on the day all you have to do is show up, and they provide the speakers, lattes and child care.

While Earthy and Wooler were crystallizing their idea, Earthy came across the job with the Forum for Women Entrepreneurs and so she threw her hat into the ring. A long time entrepreneur with a passion for connecting women, Earthy hadn’t expected to be juggling momcafé and a part-time job, and she finds it an ongoing challenge to achieve the balance between work, momcafé, and her family.

Earthy works 25 hours at week at her “real” job at a downtown office, which offers adult conversation and the chance to dress up, with the flexibility of working from home the rest of the week. For her three office days, she has a nanny. On those days getting the girls ready in the morning is her bailiwick, while her husband takes care of afternoons and evenings. On the days she works from home, work happens around nap times, during the evenings etc. “Women want to please others, help others, do it all and always say ‘yes’,” says Earthy, “but I’m slowly learning to say ‘no’ and set realistic expectations of myself and for others.”

For Earthy the rewards that having flexibility and being able to spend time with her kids is key, as is setting an example for her kids that they can do anything they want to do. She also loves being able to connect and help women.

Find out more about momcafe at: www.momcafe.net

Entrepreneurial Tip:

Says Earthy, “I am recognizing that I – and women – need to ask more. Ask for help with childcare, help with financing, ask their husbands to do more, ask for a mentor. Reach out and ask for what you want, even if it’s something that seems frivolous like asking for an hour by yourself, whether it’s to read a book, clean the house, or make a business plan.”

 

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