Crib Sheet #59: PositivelyWed.com and MommyBusinessMentor.com’s Dina Eisenberg.

Dina is an outstanding example of go-get-’em-ness.  Her inexhaustible enthusiasm combined with endless entrepreneurial possibilities makes for one impressive momtrepreneur.  How do I know?  She happens to host The Momtrepreneur Exchange: Boston, along with the list of endeavors she’s already involved in.

What business did you start up?

PositivelyWed.com is an online mentoring site for wedding professionals who want to have happier, more profitable businesses.  I offer free tele-classes, a mentoring club called the Communal Table and products that grow your business step-by-step.  Very exciting stuff is going on!

What makes my business mentoring different from wedding marketing is that   I teach pros what to do to after they’ve got the client- how to stay sane, build referrals and run a sustainable business.

Because learning how to be more collaborative and negotiate effectively is important for all businesses, I’m expanding to reach mommy CEOs at MommyBusinessMentor.com, which is a natural fit for The Momtrepreneur Exchange.

What motivated you to do it?

I’ve owned several consulting businesses that served corporate America over the past 18 years. I was a born entrepreneur.  My dad had  part-time business so I caught the bug early.

My kids inspired me to strike out on my own. Being able to control both my schedule and my income was really important when I launched my early businesses because I was recently divorced with two small kids.  Now, I’m motivated by helping other women entrepreneurs enjoy their businesses and create the life they want and deserve.

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

Would it be wrong to say they’re the best kids in the world besides yours?  Truly, I’ve been blessed to know and love two considerate, smart, funny, creative people who happen to be my kids.  My daughter, Miss Thang, is a junior at NYU and my baby, my son Dude, is going off  to MICA now as a freshman.  They were ‘Irish twins’ born 19 months apart, which worked better than you might imagine.  I can’t wait to travel more with them. They’re fun.

Having them go off to college is one of the reasons I’m so excited about The Momtrepreneur Exchange.  I’m a mom who now has the time to focus on growing a new business and a new life.  And, I know there are lots of moms like me out there so it’ll be  great to have company on my journey.

How long have you been running your business?

Well, I’ve run my own consulting and training firm since ’93 working with clients on conflict management, management and leadership.  So, PositivelyWed.com is simply the next vehicle for sharing what I know about working well with others.

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

I’ve always had a pioneer spirit so it was really stimulating to bring the idea of serious business consulting to the wedding community a year ago.  Now, I have a loyal and growing community and sales to match.

I think we’ve progressed fairly quickly because I decided to narrow my niche to serve seasoned folks in their businesses over 5 years, who weren’t getting what they needed from the marketplace.  When a relevant, useful, and fun idea meets up with an under-served market, it can be a beautiful thing for everyone.

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

My family has been supportive, particularly my kids.  My son created the PositivelyWed promo which I’ll use next year and my daughter applied the lessons she learned as an intern at Vera Wang to help me get more press.

Both kids say they would never start their own business, but I don’t know; I think it’s already in their blood. My son designs T-shirts and my daughter has written a book.

Easiest part of your job?

Certainly, I have the most fun when I get to sit down and really talk shop with a group of wedding folks.  They bring so much insight, experience and knowledge to the table that I learn something new every time.  And, I think they appreciate that I bring a different perspective and set of skills they can use to improve their businesses and enjoy themselves  more.

Hardest part of your job?

Hmm, the hardest part besides tech glitches is working with clients who don’t possess the self-esteem they need to put their talents to full, good use.

Part of my gift is being able to see a person’s talents and skills, understand their unexpressed dreams and create a very rich, big picture of where they could take their business.   It feels like a sad loss when a client can’t or won’t welcome and embrace needed change.

What skill would you most like to improve?

I’d really like to improve my writing skills.  I was an English major and have essentially been a writer–whether of proposals, reports or blog posts–for all my career.  So, I’m an engaging writer.

Learning how to copy-write is a totally different skill, however.   I’ve worked on improving my copy all this past year, and I’m getting good.  I’m excited to share what I learn and great resources with my tribe.  Because, heck, if you can’t communicate what you do, you won’t be in business long.

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

I wish I realized back then that I know now is that vision, determination and humility are the keys to success not matter what you do.

When I get frustrated, and I do, I look to folks like Sara Blakely of Spanx who heard “no” for two years straight before someone would take her undergarment idea seriously.  Now, Sara now runs a hugely profitable company and a foundation set to help women entrepreneurs around the world.  Her vision and grit are awe-inspiring.

Or more recently, I look to Robert Edwards, part of the duo that created IVF.  He worked on his idea for 10 years amidst much controversy.  Millions of couples have his commitment to thank for enlarging their families.

So, my advice is:  Look forward with hope and stay the course.  You’ll get there.

What is the accomplishment you are most proud of?

First and foremost, I’m so proud of my children and shepherding two stellar human beings into adulthood.  I get happy just thinking of all the joy and good they will bring into the world.

In my business life, I’ve been very pleased that I’ve given regular folks the tools for connecting and communicating better, which I think changes lives.  It’s also nice that my work has been recognized by business leaders like Entrepreneur Magazine.

My proudest day is yet to come.  When Communal Table members begin to report doubling or tripling their annual income then I’ll be really, really proud.  That will change their lives and their families lives as well.

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

Sure,  I’d say that ClientAttraction.com with Fabienne Frederickson is great for someone who wants to learn more about attracting clients in an authentic yet effective way.

I really like Biznik.com, a Oregon-based business networking site.  What’s cool about it is that it focuses on you first, business second.  I’ve gotten great advice and resources from the site

And, I’d be wrong if I didn’t mention MommyBusinessMentor.com, the mentoring club I’m starting for momtrepreneurs.  It’ll be spot to learn how to live happily ever after as a mom and businessperson.

Favorite part of a typical day?

The end of the day when I think about what I accomplished and plan the cool stuff I’ll do the next day.  Sometimes it’s hard to sleep.  Of course, the fact I watch Glee or True Blood after that doesn’t hurt either!

And a few more questions, considering that American Express should be featuring more momtrepreneurs…

Childhood ambition? To become an Obstetrician.

Time of day you get the most work done? 11-1 is when I’m cooking with gas!

Last purchase? Solar/Crank Flashlight from Eddie Bauer.  You never know.

Favorite book or magazine? Too many books to mention, but I’m enjoying MORE and Travel & Leisure.  I’m magazine obsessed and get at least 6.

Inspiration? Is everywhere if you’re looking.

Least likely to…..bungee jump.

My life…..is just fine.  I wouldn’t change a thing.