Lisa Koroma, is the owner of Mom Power Moves, a business coaching company for moms who plan on starting a business. Or two moms who want to share the responsibility for one business.
When it comes to business, the full-time mompreneur and Seattle transplant humbly brags that she always had an entrepreneurial spirit. Korma shared, “In the fourth grade, my first side hustle was saving my Halloween candy and selling it back to kids in elementary school. I was rolling in the dough. I made a whole $2!”
Now she uses her expertise in graphic design, branding, and marketing to help her clients build businesses. Koroma is also a co-preneur., who shares a business with a family relative.
She and her little sister created Threadom, an online clothing brand dedicated to promoting connection and travel through the African Diaspora. She explains their business, “Brings awareness and generosity to little-known African and African Diaspora charities. Proceeds from every purchase are donated to Threadom’s featured charity, Throne Room Orphanage, and Educational Center in Sierra Leone, West Africa,” she said.
Whether moms are charitable abroad or in Colorado Springs, she feels consistent branding and good messaging can inspire entrepreneurs to do more than consume, but also support the causes that impact communities.
Women who seek out Koroma quickly learn about mom power moves.
Mom Power Moves – Lines and Limits
“When moms make power moves, they are dedicating time and attention to their business. Such as setting boundaries,” she believes. Without this, she says, “Women may not have the time to dedicate to starting and growing their business.”
But one boundary that is taken more seriously in the workforce setting than independent businesses is burnout. To alleviate burnout, Koroma adheres to, “Time blocking to complete tasks. For primary parents who work remotely, this can be your system.”
On the home front, Koroma is a military spouse and the mother of three. With two older kids, she only has to get her 8-year-old son to school. “The rest of the day, I resist overcleaning so I can get work done until 2:45 p.m.” As important as her time is, Koroma sets aside the time to re-educate her clients about the internet.
FYI.com
“For my latest venture, I chose not to spend the money and an exorbitant amount of time worrying about building a perfect website for my launch,” Koroma, says. “I have learned I can support a business in the early phase by using just my social media platforms.”
Korma believes, “Entrepreneurs get hung-up on all the business start-up deliverables (logo, business card, social media presence) and they forget about the people they know who can be of assistance.”
Starting entrepreneurs fail to think of temporary solutions over a full website, like “a landing page to capture client leads, or microsites like Linktr.ee and Elify.” A polished website and an acquaintance with John or Joan will only take an entrepreneur so far. So, when starting a business, Koroma says, “Have courage.”
Thrift Store Prospective
Moms also need to believe in their selling product. For example, Koroma goes to the thrift store, and she has trust in the statement pieces she finds there. “I like drop-dead shoes or a jacket that will set any outfit off. If it looks like a classic staple item, it’s going home with me.”
From a business coach’s perspective, she said thrifting has taught her the importance of making items/products built to last. “This is how I approach my clients’ businesses. I want their business to have brand identities that last and have assets they can reuse. Like social media graphics or Google Slides presentation.” Being resourceful is a need in the beauty regime.
Beauty’s Analysis – Paralysis
As women, Koroma points out, we can get caught up in the way we look or don’t look. “If it’s a choice between spending an hour on full-face of make-up on. Prior to going live on Facebook, I will wash my face, put on Chapstick, and hit the record button.”
On Facebook, she has online videos where she gives coaching advice with no makeup. When asked why, she said, “It’s likely that I used that time doing something more important like answering clients’ emails or working on a project. But, for those women who feel they look better with make-up, Koroma said those moms can benefit from a quick make-up. She’s talking about, a good eyelash curler, an all-purpose blush, a little concealer, and a tinted powder, that will do the trick in 10 minutes.
In regards to hair, she said, she is guilty of spending hours on her hair. To overcome the hair issue, Koroma replied, “Wigs have come a long way. A two-minute hairstyle versus a two-hour style will keep your focus on what matters—staying focused on your business.”
Follow her @mompowermoves on Facebook and Instagram or email questions to mompowermoves@gmail.com.
