Monday Mumpreneur with Shanna Hodges

Every Monday we feature a mumpreneur who’s ready and willing to open up their lives to us.  They share with us their motivation, challenges and proudest moments in business and they also tell us how they take time to nurture themselves. It’s lovely to have them here at Mums Got A Business and we hope you enjoy connecting with them too.

I've been so looking forward to introducing you to today's mumpreneur.  She's one of the wonderful people that I have met online since launching Mum's Got A Business.  I love her work ethic and her story and I think she's a total inspiration.  I'm sure you'll all agree.

Name: Shanna Hodges

Your website:  Scentsy

Brief description:

my personal website, featuring the products I offer, and information about the Scentsy Company, the business opportunity, and of course my contact information and my story.

How many children do you have?

My husband and I have 5 children.  Makensie (11), Zach (8), Katelyn (8), Cody (5), Emerson (2)

Where do you live? Murray, Kentucky, United States

PC or Mac? PC

Tell us about your business:

I am a Star Director for Scentsy Wickless, Inc.  Scentsy is a party plan company, offering a safe, wickless alternative to scented candles. Unique Scentsy warmers use a low-watt bulb to slowly melt specially formulated scented was. With no flame, smoke, or soot, the Scentsy system is a safe way to enjoy more than 80 Scentsy fragrances.

Scentsy is still a fairly young company, celebrating 7 years this summer. Today, the company's family of passionate Independent Scentsy Consultants shares the Scentsy experience and the Scentsy difference throughout the United States, Puerta Rico, Guam and Canada. Scentsy will soon launch into Germany and the United Kingdom, spreading virally like it has everywhere else! (target date April 4th)

What motivated you to become a mumpreneur?

What motivated me to start my own business, is much different from what motivates me now!
With a house full already, I was 5 months pregnant with our youngest child, my husband was trying to make a go of his business in a struggling economy, when I stumbled across Scentsy. I decided that Scentsy was a great product, still very new, and after looking over the compensation plan I knew what I needed to sell to make around $600 per month. And how that extra money would help our family budget! However, once I got started, and things took off, my motivation and goal changed from just a little extra money each month, to "wow, this could really change my family's circumstances!" And that it has!  My motivation is our children. I want to not only provide for their needs, but I hope to teach them good work ethic, and above all, I want them to be proud of me.

What’s been your biggest challenge in business?

Finding TIME for my business while working a full time job, taking care of kids, and managing a household.

How have you overcome it?

I had to learn to prioritize what was really important and which things could wait. I do computer stuff after the kids go to bed or during the day if possible while they are at school. And the kids LOVE to help!! Putting an order together has become a family affair! We spread the product out on the dining room table, and I call out what I need, and then the race to find it begins! It really has become a "family business". There are times, when I have to take phone calls to help a member of my team, or to talk to a new recruit, or to take an order, but they know what our ultimate goal is with my business. To quit my "real job" so I can be home with them, so that I can pay for their braces, save for their first cars, their college education, etc. I learned that I didn't have to make time for Scentsy... I fit Scentsy into the cracks of MY life.

What’s been your proudest business moment?

I have had a lot of moments that I am VERY proud of, but if I had to name just one, it would be a few weeks ago, when I got to tell the kids that I had earned the latest Scentsy incentive trip, and we were going to Disney World for a week in June. The smile on THEIR faces, made it all worthwhile!

What’s your catchphrase or favourite quote?

"Every great dream begins with a dreamer. Always remember, you have within you the strength, the patience, and the passion to reach for the stars to change the world." Harriet Tubman

What do you do to relax or nurture yourself?

Well the honest answer to that question is, not often! LOL! And when I do, I feel guilty about it. BUT... I do induldge when I can in a long hot bath and read!

What was the last treat you bought for yourself?

I had earned a $100 Coach Gift Card through an Incentive. So when I went to the Coach Store to redeem it, I couldn't find anything I wanted for less than around $300.
I'm not usually one to buy for myself, but I did that day! I bought myself the a limited pattern Coach wallet. Of course I had to pay $213 in addition to the gift card, but it was worth it. Everytime I pull the wallet out of my purse, I am proud of the woman/mother/wife that this small town girl has become!

Favourite colour: PURPLE

Favourite flowers: TULIPS

What one piece of advice would you like to give to a new mumpreneurs?

Whatever you do, LOVE what you do! In order for you to be successful you must be passionate about not only your product or service but for people! Excitement is contagious! Spread it!

Fancy featuring as one of our amazing mums or dads? Drop me an email over on the contact page and I’ll be in touch.   And remember to drop by every Monday to welcome our latest profiled mum.