Mompreneur, Dadpreneur, Parentpreneur...this is the modern face of entrepreneurship.  No matter what you call us, entrepreneurs--who are also parents--are leading the charge to finding balance between family life and work.  The Canadian Government declared 2011 as the Year of the Entrepreneur, and this month marks the 3rd year of Global Entrepreneurship Week on November 14 - 20.  So, we wanted to pay tribute to all entrepreneurs out there starting with 5 local parentpreneurs who are making family life a little easier in Regina.

Donna Johnston-Martel, Kindermusik at Donna's Studio

Like so many mompreneurs, Donna Johnston-Martel chose to leave her successful career in the music and education system in order to spend more time with her family.  Donna has been successfully teaching Kindermusik® in her home studio since 2002, giving her the ability to continue her love of teaching and music, while having the flexibility to be there for her husband and two boys (ages 9 1/2 and 5 1/2).  Kindermusik® at Donna's Studio is a music and movement program designed for children from birth to 7 years old.  Kindermusik® enhances early learning through music, song, play, instrument playing, and more.  Donna says that her biggest challenge is feeling balanced.  "By this I mean having enough energy in the day to give a quality, caring program to my students/families, and to be a nurturing, loving wife/mommy to my husband/children," explains Donna. 

When asked about the reason behind her success, Donna credits the families in her studio, particularly the stories they share - stories such as using music to soothe a fussy baby, kids learning to share through Kindermusik® activities, an early appreciation of music from around the world thanks to the songs used in class, and much more.  What makes Donna's studio unique is that she also offers  Kindermusik® classes in French.  She personally translates and prepares each lesson in French in order to achieve this.  Donna also welcomes families of children with special needs to participate in regular classes, giving everyone an opportunity to learn in an accepting environment.

Visit www.kindermusik-donna.ca

Raissa Bugyi, It's a Blast

An accepting family environment is exactly what Raissa Bugyi had in mind when she opened It's a Blast Indoor Play Centre in 2006.  It's a Blast is Regina's largest indoor playground for kids from newborn to grade school, and offers 12,000 sq. ft. of tunnels, slides, ball pits, and more.  The play structure is accredited as being the largest in Western Canada giving kids hours of fun while parents relax with a cup of coffee and/or food from their full service kitchen.  It's a safe, secure and clean environment where kids can be kids.

Raissa and her husband are parents to 4 children:  3 boys aged 11, 9, 5 and a 2-year-old girl.  With a big family plus a business to run, Raissa does her best to juggle family life and work.  That's a common challenge parentpreneurs face, and Raissa agrees.  When asked if she had any words of advice for parents who are considering entrepreneurship, she advises that "it has to be a family decision because everyone will have to sacrifice.  My husband and I don't have defined roles at home, so that helps with juggling business and family."  Although it's a juggle, Raissa still loves her job and looks forward to it every day.  That's the message that she wants her children to learn, that "going to work should be something you look forward to and not dread.  It's ok to jump and fall because you will never wonder 'what if'."

Visit www.itsablast.ca
   

Roxeann Toffan, Sing a Rainbow Preschool

Play is a big part of Roxeann Toffan's business, Sing a Rainbow Preschool in East Regina.  The preschool's program is based on the concept of "learning through play".  Sing a Rainbow offers 3 programs for children ages 2 1/2 to 5:  2-day, 3-day and new this year is their 5-day program.  The 5-day program allows some kindergarten children to go from the kindergarten class in the morning to their preschool program in the afternoon.

Since taking ownership in the 2009-2010 school year, Roxeann has enriched the children's first school experience through changes in and out of the classroom.  One such example is their 2nd Annual Drop and Shop in December, where parents can drop off their kids for a few hours while mom and dad prepare for the holiday season.  Now how helpful is that?  But Roxeann doesn't take all the credit herself.  "Having a great staff is a must," she says.  "It is important to have staff that has the same love for the business as you do."  And Roxeann certainly has that in the form of head preschool teacher, Amber Jones, who also happens to be a mom of a 2-year-old boy, holds 2 other jobs, and is loved by the kids in the preschool.  Doing what you love is exactly what Roxeann hopes to teach her 2 boys (ages 10 and 12) by being an entrepreneur.  "It takes a lot of time and hard work but if you really love it, it is worth it." 

Learn more about Sing a Rainbow Preschool
Call 539-1516

Darren Sproat, ThenLifeHappens.com

Moms aren't the only parents who value quality family time; today's dads care just as much when it comes to balancing life and work.  Darren Sproat's blog, ThenLifeHappens.com, talks about this balance--about life and all of its ups and downs.  You'll find inspiring stories on everything from relationships to parenting to fears and successes.  Darren writes many of these stories, but invites contributions to the blog for he sees "the value of sharing one's stories with people...not only does sharing your story inspire and encourage others but it serves to inspire and encourage you as well."

ThenLifeHappens.com began as an outlet for Darren during a difficult time in his life.  "It was, oddly, healing to put myself out there," admits Darren.  "I write from the heart and, without realizing it early on, writing was inspiring me to be a better person and live a better life."  His blog can serve as a helpful parenting tool as well.  As father of a 10-year-old daughter, Darren shares the lessons he's learned from being a parent and also the lessons he's learned from his own father.  Even though there are loads of books out there about parenting, there is no definitive guide.  But the real-life stories on ThenLifeHappens.com may help to shed some light on a particular situation or topic, and let other parents know that there are others out there going through the same situation.

His advice to other parents considering becoming an entrepreneur?  "Trust your intuition and, enthusiastically, do it," says Darren.  "If you know you are passionate about something, the best way to live that passion is to share it with the world."

Visit ThenLifeHappens.com

Andrea Schmalz, Be Real Active Wear

Another parentpreneur who's trying to make a difference in people's lives is Andrea Schmalz with her Be Real Active Wear.  Be Real is a line of yoga wear designed by Andrea, and is made using breathable, quick-dry, high-quality fabric.  What makes Be Real different is the message behind the clothing--a message that promotes a positive self-esteem in girls.  So, how does Andrea try to do this?  Through home parties, mothers and daughters come together for an afternoon or evening of fun, friendship, shopping and conversation about self-image.  She also provides a Be Real workbook for the daughters to help them focus on their dreams and achieve their goals.  Each daughter is also encouraged to nominate a friend whom she thinks is a "Be Real" girl--someone who doesn't give in to peer pressures and stays true to herself.

This message of girl power was inspired by her two pre-teen girls (ages 11 and 9).  Andrea hopes that her girls believe in themselves and follow their heart.  "That motivation for money or more should never be your sole motivation for anything in life," says Andrea.  "If you do something that makes you feel good and that you're passionate about, life will give you what you need."  And giving is what Be Real intends to do with a percentage of their sales going back into the community.

Visit www.berealactivewear.com

If you know of a parentpreneur who deserves to be recognizeed, tell us about them at feedback@kinderbuzz.com.

And to all of you parents out there who are trying to balance family and work--whether you stay at home, work at home, or work outside of the home--we salute you!