Ottawa: Calling All Mompreneurs

Mompreneur™.

It’s a word that’s entered our lexicon, and none too soon. After all, when women are starting up small businesses at twice the rate as men (and one-third of them have kids under 12!), you know it’s not just a passing fad.

Not that that’s news to us at SavvyMom (a mom-run media company). Since we launched almost two years ago, we’ve been constantly impressed by the number of Canadian mompreneurs whose great products and services we’ve enjoyed uncovering and promoting. And today, in celebration of all those moms who dared to dream big, we’re announcing the SavvyMom Mompreneur of the Year Award, (with an $18,000 prize no less!)

We’ll start with just one of these companies for today—Ottawa’s Kaleidoscope Kids’ Books.

This successful independent bookstore is a dream come true for three Ottawa moms who met when their children were in senior kindergarten together at Hopewell Avenue Public School. Karin Fuller, Kelly Harrison and Kim Ferguson crammed many late-night planning sessions into their already jam-packed work and home schedules to get their vision airborne. The store opened in February 2006 in Fifth Avenue Court in the Glebe.

Between the three of them, Karin, Kelly and Kim have six busy kids who now range in age from five to 12. When they’re not busy with gymnastics, hockey, snowboarding, dance, ringette, piano, Sparks or Guides, these Kaleidoscope kids love to recommend their favorite books to friends who come into the store.

The women say opening the store was like sharing the experience of the birth of another baby. Nothing brings them greater joy than to see a child curled up with a book in their store’s big comfy armchair.

Now in its second year in business, Kaleidoscope Kids has earned a reputation as a great supporter of its community, generously donating book baskets and gift certificates to events organized by a local community centre and school. Its owners regularly bring in interesting speakers and organize literacy-related events, and put on a free weekly story time that children love.

The shop is a top destination for anyone in search of quality books for children in English, French and Spanish with a parenting section and select gift items chosen by the Kaleidoscope moms. These savvy mompreneurs know their stuff and are always happy to offer recommendations and reviews—and wrap up birthday gifts for last-minute shoppers.

Now about that contest—The SavvyMom Mompreneur™ of the Year Award is a readers’ choice award designed to find Canada’s top Mompreneur. The winner, who will be announced in the fall, will be rewarded with an $18,000 prize package of cash, business services and office equipment designed to help take her business to the next level. Readers are encouraged to browse the Mompreneur of the Year Award Site and vote for their favourite mompreneurs—we’ve got 35 great prizes for the voters as well.

Know a Mompreneur™? Make sure you tell her about our contest, tell her to complete a nomination form and vote for her!

Comments