Every week, we’ll be featuring one fabulous lady that is not only a WayTutuCute.com customer and fan, but also a hard working Mom. Want to be featured? Email us and let us know!
Meet Lori Swetoha Ortiz, mother of 4 boys ages 5-18 yrs. Lori’s career has taken many paths, from a journalist and reporter w/ NBC, newpapers, to writing commercials and being an executive with one of the nations big banks…and now the final stop as a publisher! Lori now publishes The Parent Notebook Magazine, a resource that is dedicated to child and family development.
Q. What made you decide to start your business?
A. My background is in writing, along with my experience in child development as a parent who had to work hard to recover a child from severe autism. During the process, I received my teaching certificate b/c my private school saw an amazing child with autism perform better than the typical developing students and requested that I sub-teach. After two years, I realized that more than HALF of the kids needed help in development (from the classroom) and the GIFTED students were being left behind…and let’s not forget about healthier selections during the school year. Therefore, I took all my areas of writing, push back, years as a behavioral therapist, teaching, etc., and put it all together into a resource for families.–and obviously a NEED because within 1 year, we have nearly 100,000 readers monthly!
Q. What is your favorite part about running this business?
A. I get to enrich the lives of others! I get to control and make the rules to ENRICH the lives…not others!
Q. How do you juggle the business and being a Mommy?
A. Juggle? Still figuring that one out…check back in 13 yrs when all boys are out of the house.
Q. What do you find was your biggest challenge and how did you overcome it?
A. Biggest Challenge is having sales reps actually go to work! I am very busy building relationships, working on content, with writers, other elements and I have to depend on my sales team. If they don’t get to work, we don’t get to print! SO I am constantly looking for HARD WORKING people who want to work and have an energized spirit!
Q. Where do you see your business going in the next year?
A. Over the next year? We will have THREE editions in Broward that reach into Aventura -and areas and north will include Boca Raton. Then we will be searching for a team in S. Miami Dade to either start TWO editions there…. Also, website to be heavily used by our readers to get connected to child workshops, development and support
Q. Do you have any tips for Moms trying to start their own business?
A.
- create a very detailed business plan
-
work that plan and when it does not work, rework it to WORK!
- Financially prepare for all your start up, marketing dollars, and no income during the phase
- Hire a part time assistant to help with the book keeping and other areas. You
- As a former banking exec, the #1 thing I saw in businesses were the mismanaged money — business owners are GREAT at their skill, craft or other. They are not the best at running the FINANCIAL aspect. Therefore, hire a part time assistant or virtual assistant.
Lori has been nice enough to offer our readers the chance to win free advertising. If you are a business owner, and you business could benefit by having new exposure, new prospects who are parents of children ages 3-15 (2 1/2 as well), read on: Lori will be giving away a New Advertiser Promo — AND if the business is less than 1 yr old, we have a New Business Promotion! ONLINE ads can be for baby, toddler, child, adolescent, etc! BROWARD, BOCA and AVENTURA areas only at this time. Comment on this post to be entered. Want an extra 5 entries? “Like” The Parent Notebook Magazine’s Facebook page and comment here to let us know that you did!
Digital Links for 2011:
June/July: Summer Fun & Safety
May: Social Skills & Relationships
April: Kid Green Living & Autism Awareness
March: Children’s Health & Wellness
February: Parenting Potential
January: Mathematics & Financial Cents
