Learn how this mom cares for her son with special needs and also manages to run her business that caters to SpecialMoms
Today’s rockin’ mompreneur interview covers a topic that is very close to home to me. Children with special needs. You see, I have a sister with down syndrome and I have witnessed first hand how challenging it can be to care for a child with special needs. Our next guest is such an inspiration to me. Not only does she care for a child with special needs but she has also added a business to the mix. Please take a moment to read her story below!
Welcome Marla, Tell us about yourself:
My name is Marla Murasko and I am a mom of my 7 yr old son Jacob who has special needs. I love to blog and advocate for those with special challenges.
How did the birth of SpecialMoms Entrepreneur Club come to happen?
On March 22, 2006, my life changed forever. I became a mother of a beautiful baby boy born with special needs. I could not get my head wrapped around what that meant and what my responsibilities as a mother of a special needs child would be. However, it became very clear from the moment my son was born, that his needs were now going to be my top priority, and that my life would change as I know it.
Though prior to my son’s birth I was a Virtual Assistant, I loved being my own boss and still able to help other business owners. However, as I stated above, when my son was born I learned very quickly that his needs were going to be my top priority and all the rest would fall into place. So began the visits with therapists, specialists and frequent hospital stays. There was just no time for me to pursue my business. I had no choice but to put it on hold.
As time went on and we got into a routine, I needed more for myself. I wanted to go back to work I wanted to start up my business again. I knew that wasn’t going to be easy, so I searched for a nanny that could help me with my son at home while I worked.
Now I was not only a Virtual Assistant, but I was a special needs mom entrepreneur trying to figure out how to balance work with my family demands. So began the search for support groups and resources. In my quest to find this group, I realized quickly there really wasn’t a specific group for mothers of children with special needs, who wanted the flexibility to work and care for their children, so I created my own group, hence the birth of the SpecialMoms Special Needs Parenting Club for Mom Entrepreneurs.
Who is SpecialMoms Entrepreneur Club for?
SpecialMoms A Special Needs Parenting Club for Mom Entrepreneurs, is a community for like-minded moms that want to have the choice of financial flexibility to care for their special needs child all while running a business from home, knowledge to advocate successfully on behalf of their special needs child, and to gain valuable and non-judgmental friendships.
Tell us a little about your book “Empowering SpecialMoms With A Dream Of Becoming an Entrepreneur”
It’s blueprint for all mothers with a dream of owning a business. Whether you are a caretaker to your child with special needs, have a large family or are a single mother. If you have a dream pursue it!
In this ebook I share with you my dream. My dream of owning my own business, becoming a mentor all while caring for my child with special challenges. I give tips on how to become an entrepreneur.
How have you been able to manage running a business while caring for a special needs child?
My son has taught me a lot over the past seven years, and one important lesson was determination. It hasn’t always been easy that is for sure. On the days that my Nanny couldn’t come because of illness or other commitments, I would find myself running him to therapy appointments and bringing my laptop with me. Or after taking him to school, I would work on my business. There were a lot of late nights after he went to bed getting my clients work done, but I did it.
It definitely is a juggling act. I cannot say that I have found “balance”; however, I can say that “I believe I have learned how to be comfortable in the chaos.” I work hard to make it all work. Some days I succeed and there are other days I feel that I failed.
What I learned was to be very transparent with my clients and let them know that I was foremost a mom and that my child had special needs and would require more of my attention at times.But I am a professional and a business owner and that flexibility and good communication was very much needed to make it a good working relationship for both of us.
If you could give one piece of advice to a mom who cares for a special needs child and thinking of starting her own business, what would it be?
With a good plan, determination, communication and belief in yourself, you too can create your dreams of starting a business.
Something fun to share:
I’m a coffee & cookies fanatic and love Italian food. I LOVE Pinterest, crafts & music, as well as spending time with my family, vacations and holidays. I enjoy dancing and singing with my son, even if it’s to Barney songs!
Marla Murasko is a proud mom, wife, special needs mom blogger, health advocate, Special Needs Mom Business Mentor, Publisher & Editor of the SpecialMoms Parenting magazine and a mompreneur.
She is the Founder of the following blogs: SpecialMoms, Special & Determined and President of Marla Murasko Enterprises, Inc.
She is a published Author of “Jacob’s Journal – My Journey Home”. Connect with Marla … , Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest.
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How fantastic! Congrats to Marla!