"I alone cannot change the world, but I can cast a stone across the water to create many ripples" - Mother Teresa
It has always been my dream to create an ALL women job platform focusing on flexible, short hour and even part time jobs that Mothers like myself can do so we can still support the family. And that dream just got materialized 5 months ago.
How It All Started
Like every mothers out there, we wish we can spend more time with our kids & family.
Well I wish to have more time for my daughter. She's turning 8 this year, and ever since she was born I hardly have time spent with her except on school holidays. During that period, I will maximize and dedicate my attention to her. But on daily basis, even if I have that little time when I returned home, I forced myself listening to her and it made me feel like I wasn't sincere and that saddens me.
The time spent commuting to & fro work, battling with corporate politics, daily agonies and challenges at work enough to drain me out of all my energies but I have to stay strong for her. I didn't want to let her down. To provide her the best in life, both her father and I have to stay in a job.
Eight years back, before I went on a maternity, I have been visualizing about working from home. But do what? The idea of staying home while taking care of my newborn inspired me.
So I started an online business back then selling clothes for plus size women while I was on a maternity, but the restocking work takes a lot space at home and dealing with overseas suppliers can be daunting at times. Sometimes the quality of items turns out to be the opposite and the process of returning and giving feedback is time consuming. So I went back to working full time.
The entrepreneurial spirit in me didn't just sizzle and vanish. A year plus later, I started a youth marketplace on weekends at different locations/malls, where I bring my goods to sell as well. It was good because I get to meet a lot of young traders but working non stop 7 days a week on a full time day job, and then running the marketplace on weekend and attending to my baby at same time (I have no maid!) is just too much for my health.
So I decided to stop doing businesses altogether and focused on my career for a few years. But who am I kidding with? The entrepreneurial spirit in me yearns to do more - and better! I can NEVER stop completely.
While serving the last corporate job that I have left a month ago, I dreamt about creating a site for mothers to connect, look for jobs and business opportunities. Instead of doing it all for me, why not help mothers like myself as well? So I chatted with a few mothers & women from various social media groups - and most of them feedback saying its a brilliant idea!
So while pursuing the idea, I trawled the internet for jobs that I can do from home but most of them are for those who resided in overseas. I chanced upon international sites about working from home and even scoured local job sites and then I realized that there are jobs that can be outsourced without having to have the employee be at the premise from 9am to 6pm. And then the idea clicked, why can't we have a dedicated site for mothers (even women!) can go to resources like jobs & business opportunities?
Of course, from time to time, I asked myself who will give this site a chance? Will they support the objective and concept? Will anyone access to it? Who will give us the opportunity? Do they understand the impact they have on women’s, mother’s life when they explore the possibility?
I cannot predict the future but I can propose a solution. I am not rich and I don’t inherit money from my late father. But I have a dream, the zest and drive. So I planted this seed of hope and dream with great anticipation that this platform will help other women out there someday.
Realizing the need to have a platform of this kind and armed with information that I have obtained from my research, I decided to went ahead and start small fully funded using my own salary on a shoestring budget. I got it build to see where will it leads me to. The platform is not only about jobs but will also be a directory of business opportunities, there will be interviews with women and moms who have been there and done that. There will be calendar of events where moms/women can find out which personal development workshops or networking events to attend.
So in late 2014, I launched the Moms4Projects.com to the market and for 4 months running it online, I realized that I was unable to focus on growing it while managing a day job with two portfolios. I often worked till wee hour in the morning on weekdays to catch up with time. So after thinking hard, I left the employment world to focus on growing the business.
Why Is This Important To Me?
I have been thinking long and hard before contemplating to do this. I have never thought of coming up with a blog to run a crowdfunding drive. In fact, I have never attempted any crowdfunding effort in my life.
Using a blog format however is cheaper (zero admin fee) and personalized compared to using the foreign crowdfunding sites. And judging from the communication I had with with those who have used it before, most of them commented that it is simply didn't work in Malaysia - not sure why but I guess people in Malaysia is still big about trust and being personal.
Using a blog format however is cheaper (zero admin fee) and personalized compared to using the foreign crowdfunding sites. And judging from the communication I had with with those who have used it before, most of them commented that it is simply didn't work in Malaysia - not sure why but I guess people in Malaysia is still big about trust and being personal.
I left my job a month ago to pursue in this business full time. It was by far the most bravest, craziest, boldest leap that I have ever done in my life! I was ready to work hard. I wanted to grow the business so badly because it is the only chance I have so I can spend time with my daughter someday. I have to make it work.
It's been 5 months now into the business growing it on my own and while it is growing organically, I realized that it can grow bigger but I needed a small team to help me accelerate the business. And it is time for me to revamp the website to be more professional so it will serve a better purpose. To be honest, my personal funds are also depleting (as we speak!) and with the growth pace that the business is in at the moment, I needed a small boost to push it further.
I guess I have to do another crazy feat - that is to knock on everyone's door virtually so they can spare me 50 bucks to help me out. Yes, all I need is RM50 from 1,000 good hearted people to make this work. I wont forget each and everyone that help us in this journey.
What Do We Need?
To be honest, the funds that we need will largely go towards the revamping, programming and maintenance (web & apps) of the the existing site as well as marketing activities. We would also need funds to kick start the team. The breakdown of estimates are as follows:
- Website revamp and development: RM10,000
- Site maintenance (for 2 years): RM600
- Apps development: RM15,000
- Marketing Activities (for the first year): RM15,000
- Team Incentives: RM5,000
- Other operational costs: RM400
What Will You Get?
No we won’t leave you empty handed when you contribute to our (very worthy) cause. Depending on how much you contribute, you will receive the followings:
- A personalized ‘Thank You’ email & postcard - If you donate RM50.
- The "I AM MOM" t-shirt (see below) & a personalized ‘Thank You’ email & postcard - If you donate RM100.
- The "I AM MOM" t-shirt (see below), a personalized ‘Thank You’ email & postcard & cool mention of your name on our revamped site and social media pages - If you donate RM300.
- The "I AM MOM" t-shirt (see below), a personalized ‘Thank You’ email & postcard, a cool mention of your name on our revamped site / social media pages & a unique personal planner! - If you donate RM500 and above!
The Impact
Let's just say we didn't reach our entire funding goal, whatever we gain from this drive will be used for the payment for the web development which is the crucial process.
Your contributions will mean the world to us. As mothers ourselves (I have assembled a small team comprising of 4 moms now), we would like to make a difference in the life of moms & women in Malaysia in our small little way. By contributing and helping us accelerate the business, you will make a difference in their lives too.
How You Can Help?
We just need RM50 from 1,000 good hearted people! You know we cannot repay you back in a huge way now, but someday we might help you out when the time comes.
We welcome the help from people who believe in our work and trust in our ability to make it work.
To help, you can opt for bank in or by paypal. Paypal accepts Credit Card and Debit Card too.
If you opt for bank in - please email me at moms4projects@gmail.com, if you prefer Paypal, just make payment to MOMS4PROJECTS.
Other Ways That You Can Help
We truly value your time reading this as well as your generosity. Every help counts. Please share this link to friends & family that would help as well.
Or better, hook us up with a good Angel Investor who share the same dream!
Or better, hook us up with a good Angel Investor who share the same dream!
Last but not least, I wish you thank you again for the help and the faith in our work!
