As many SAHMs know, so much of our personal identity gets sacrificed at the alter of SAHM-ness , which can lead to a total identity crises for many mamas. But, what I’ve found is that most of us just need a little reminder of all the things we are capable of doing. And, Etsy has become a virtual showcase of our tribe’s many talents. It’s also helped many of us snatch up our new titles of mompreneur!

To be clear, I never saw myself as a creative, or an entrepreneur for that matter. (And, come to think of it, I never saw myself as a SAHM either! So, anything is possible, right?)

But, thanks to Etsy, I have been able to explore these sides of myself in a relatively painless way.

Etsy gave me an avenue to explore a world I hadn’t considered before—being an entrepreneur—and it gave me an important piece of myself back.

A Little Taste of the Glory

Being a SAHM can be a real ball buster. It’s definitely less than glamorous, to say the least. But, even knowing the dark underbelly of the SAHM world, I have never really had any intention of giving it up.

That said, I hit a point where I needed to create a little world for myself that existed completely outside my life as a mom. I needed something that was ALL mine. Etsy helped me step outside my mom bubble.

I can’t begin to tell you how nice it has been to be reminded of what I can do when I put my mind to it. (Other than, of course, juggling two hooligans seamlessly;))

Q#1: Momma Got Skillz?

The first thing you need to figure out is what skills do you have locked away in the “pre-mom” vault. Were you a graphic designer, chef, or event planner?

Don’t worry if you think you’ve got nada. I didn’t either, or at least I didn’t think I did.

Perhaps you’ve taken up photography, knitting, painting, or vinyl cutting while the kids nap, and you’ve gotten pretty damn good at it.

Maybe you’re that mom that’s been dubbed a queen crafter, high priestess of vintage finds, or an amazing designer of all things digital?

For me, it was all about how I was spending my free time, which was hunting for vintage clothes. It started as a way to get out of the house in a new city, and it just took on a life of it’s own.

Who knew?

The way I was spending my “mommy free time” turned out to be the KEY to my new venture!

And, BAM! Within a few weeks of making the decision to sell on Etsy, my own little shop selling women’s vintage clothing was open for business. I was a mompreneur!

Shockingly–this licensed attorney, former international adoption program director, turned SAHM was all the sudden a budding entrepreneur in women’s fashion, thank you very much.

Sometimes, taking all those titles you’ve given yourself over the years and throwing them straight in the trash is the key to happiness.

I can’t tell you how good it made me feel to see my store online. (Drop by and check out my wares!) It wasn’t about actually selling stuff (which I did, and still do–and that feels AMAZING), but it was about accomplishing something, having it be FUN and all about me. And, I was–I was now a mompreneur!

It felt like it had been an eternity since I did something so “selfish.”

TRUTH: It felt G-O-O-D.

Q#2: Could Etsy be Good for you, too?

Have any of these thoughts passed your mind lately?

• I would really like to structure more time for myself and the things I enjoy doing
• I need to create something that is just for me
• Contributing to our family funds would give me a boost of pride
• I would really like to have a little “play” money for moi
• I have really gotten good at “X” (or I’ve always been good at “X”) and I think people would pay me for it
• I’m not sure if there’s a huge demand for my product, but I’d love to find out!
• I don’t have a ton of money to go into business, but I’d love to test the waters online

If you’re answers are yes to even two of these, then you need to check out Etsy!

It could be just what you DIDN’T know you need!

Step Outside the MOM BUBBLE

Etsy provides an amazing avenue for SAHMs to harness all that creative energy and funnel it into something that adds a little excitement, purpose, and value that all SAHMs deserve. Plus, Etsy is like the gateway drug for SAHMs looking to experiment with becoming a small business owner, i.e. a mompreneur!

It is great because you can start a side hustle without much investment. Also, the whole process is pretty exciting! Creating an idea for a store, putting the pieces together, and actually getting customers is a BLAST.

Becoming an Etsy store owner challenged me in new ways that I never imagined, and it forced me to blow the dust off all that stored knowledge and skill sets that I had tucked away for a few years.

Truth be told, it really got my juices pumping! I loved having a new challenge that had ZERO to do with my kids. The best part? It has given me a piece of my identity back.

Added bonus: If it does work out, then you’ll have a little extra cash to treat yo’self! Win-WIN!

Want to remember this? Post ETSY + SAHM = Mompreneur to your favorite Pinterest Board!