Mother / founder 68 women on the trials and triumphs of starting a business and raising a family

This enjoyable book contains over 60 two-page profiles of women who have successfully achieved mother/founder status. Each profile covers the individual's journey from idea to fruition, sharing the challenges and solutions experienced along the way. The format is easily accessible, as readers gather wisdom regarding delegating, strictly scheduling time, exposing their children to business operations, and at times, gaining inspiration from their reactions and ideas. Enhanced with breakout sections highlighting specific pieces of advice and sharing detailed work/life schedules and essays from the authors that pull the concepts together, Mother/Founder presents support, ideas, strategies, and encouragement for readers throughout. An essay on the importance of sharing financial information and strategies to aid new entrepreneurs in getting a strong start is particularly helpful. Many of the women featured began with a stable financial foundation and support from nannies as well as family members; others, however, did not, making this a book that is broadly relevant to entrepreneurial-minded women across socioeconomic demographics. Recommend as a welcome addition to business collections in both public and academic libraries.

When Fernandez was assigned to write a feature on Jones's home for a decorating magazine, the authors bonded. At the time, the docuseries LuLaRich had just released, which drew attention to multilevel marketing and attracted many mothers. As self-employed mothers themselves, Fernandez and Jones wanted to demonstrate that women can be good at both parenting and running their own business, that both roles can coexist outside of the confines of the MLM schemes that seemed to be attracting many mothers. Their book features 60 women who have started businesses in a variety of fields and roles; they're farmers, pastry chefs, artists, lawyers, educators, designers, and more. Stunning full-color action photos of mothers who are business owners are integrated throughout the text. There's also a "What I've Learned" section that includes information on how to include children in work and stay focused on one's mission. Personal essays by the authors and other contributors are printed on pink pages, along with a "Motherload" section that features answers to common questions. VERDICT Readers will find these stories from women of various backgrounds, in all sorts of enterprises, to be relatable. The book's design is also attractive and great for perusing.