Crib Sheet #41: Have Baby Will Travel’s Corinne McDermott.

With the New Year comes my usual list of 359,224 resolutions, the first of which is always to have family  travel more than we do.  And how clever of Corinne–she figured a lot of it out for us!  Thanks to yet another mom full of gumption and the ability to create what was missing for us all, Have Baby Will Travel is the go-to site for our (and our children’s) wanderlust.

What business did you start up?

and first-hand accounts from parents of trips they’ve taken with their babies and toddlers.

What motivated you to do it?

We wanted to take a family travel before my first maternity leave was up.  In the early days of motherhood, I found leaving the house a challenge, never mind leaving the country.  I turned to the internet expecting to find a community of like-minded parents hoping to still have family travel with their baby.  When I couldn’t find a website that could provide all the information I needed, I decided to start one myself!

How many children do you have, and how old are they?

My daughter is 4 and my son is 8 months.

How long have you been running your family travel business?

I launched the website in April of 2007 and re-launched it with a professional design in October of 2008.  Presently I’m in the process of revamping it again!

How long did it take you to start becoming profitable and/or successful, however you choose to measure success?

From the moment we launched I received such favorable and supportive feedback that I knew we were truly on to something.  As traffic continued to increase, we knew it would be worth it to invest a little money into getting it professionally done.

How did your family react to you starting your own business?

When I speak of “we” I mean me and my husband. His unwavering faith in me and my ideas keeps me motivated when I’ve had a tough day or am feeling discouraged.  He found a way to help make this happen, and for that I’m eternally grateful.  He taught himself how to build a website and created the very first incarnation of Have Baby Will Travel on his own!

Easiest part of your job?

Connecting with and helping parents who are planning their first trips with their new families.  If I’m not traveling, I love hearing about other people’s travels!

Hardest part of your job?

Prioritizing tasks that need to be accomplished and still being present for my kids.

What skill would you most like to improve?

Time management! Without a doubt, going into an office everyday made it easier to stay focused.  I do tend to be easily distracted since I’ve been working from home!

What, if any, tools or advice do you wish you knew then that you know now?

I wish I had discovered the value of social media from the start, and not been so tentative about developing relationships with people in complementary businesses.

Can you recommend 3 essential websites for moms in, or going into, business?

Seriously, I’ve learned more in the past 6 months on Twitter than in the past 2.5 years of research.  Twitter has introduced me to a wealth of knowledge from experienced professionals and wonderful personalities.  It can get a bit addictive (hence the time management problems!), but Twitter has taught me so much and made me aware of how much I need to learn.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

For my big giveaway last year, I rounded up all the gear to be featured and pitched the segment to our city’s highest-rated morning television show. It was an exciting couple of weeks!

Favorite part of a typical day?

Call me crazy, but I love our mornings.  It’s a great walk to school to drop off my daughter, and once we’re home my son goes for his nap and I have an hour or so to work.  A lot’s been accomplished by 10am and it feels pretty good.

A few more questions, just because American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Childhood ambition…..movie star.
Fondest memory…..my daughter on the beach for the first time.
Indulgence…..monthly manicures and pedicures – would love to make them bi-weekly one day soon!
Last purchase…..birthday gifts for my daughter.
Favorite magazine…..I LOVED Cookie – I’m so sad it’s gone!
Inspiration…..I’m inspired by my family – I want what’s best for us and that’s what’s best for me.
My Life…..is a work in progress, but I’m headed in the right direction.