The mother of invention: 5 steps to becoming a mompreneur

It’s often said that necessity is the mother of invention, and it’s no coincidence that ‘mother’ is part of that adage. For generations, mothers have created products that solve a problem and make life easier. And if you’ve ever thought, “I wish I’d thought of that,” read on the learn how you can become a mompreneur too.

Inventions by mothers

Mothers have always found innovative ways to solve problems. Some of them decided to market these innovations to help others with the same problem. Here are some key inventions by mothers.

Paper coffee filters

The ubiquitous paper filter you put in your coffee maker was invented by a German housewife, Melitta Bentz. Looking for a way to keep the coffee grounds out of her morning brew, she punched holes in a brass cup, lined it with paper, and put in the coffee. She placed this filtration system on top of her cup and poured in hot water. The paper coffee filter – and Melitta, the company that still bears her name – was born.

Disposable diapers

Who better to invent a better diaper than someone who changes – and washes – hundreds of them? Marion Donovan took a shower curtain and created a waterproof, reusable diaper from it. Her invention was groundbreaking, but she didn’t stop there. She created a paper diaper that could be used once and discarded, reducing diaper rash and eliminating the need to wash cloth diapers. She later sold her invention to Victor Mills, the founder of Pampers disposable diapers.

The dishwasher

Josephine Cochran found that handwashing her fine china was time-consuming and often resulted in chips. She invented a machine that washed the dishes by circulating hot, soapy water inside a copper boiler. The original machine, patented in 1839, was too large and used too much water for home use, but by the 1950s, the home dishwasher was commonplace.

The Boppy

Mom Susan Brown invented the Boppy infant feeding and support pillow in 1989. This product had become a must=have for new parents, and the Boppy Company now sells pregnancy pillows, breastfeeding accessories, carriers, baby loungers and more.

How to become a mompreneur

Maybe you have a great idea that would make lives easier, or maybe you use an existing product in a new way that you think others would benefit from too. Building a business from an invention is not easy – especially if you’re also a mom – but it can be done. Here are the steps to take.

1. Identify your product or service

The product or service you offer should solve a problem that people have. Even more importantly, you should be able to easily describe the problem and how your solution fixes it. Bouncing the idea off people you know, and who are in the same stage of life you are, can help with this. Don’t be afraid to modify your idea based on the feedback you get.

2. Determine what you need to do to get started

If your idea is a product, you’ll need to make a prototype. This can take several tries, but once you have a workable design, you’ll need to decide how to manufacture it. Pay close attention to what your product will cost and what you can sell it for.

Starting a business around a service can be easier, but you will still need to decide how you will ‘package’ your service and who your target market will be.

3. Create a business plan

A written business plan will help you solidify your offering and your goals. As you move through the steps of writing your business plan, you will flesh out your offering, research your competition, fine-tune your expenses and your pricing, and more. Don’t neglect this very important step.

Related: 1 Killer business plan in eight steps

4. Pay attention to marketing

The best idea in the world will go nowhere if nobody knows about it. The good news is marketing is easier than ever. Start with a website and social media, and reach out to people you know can use your product or service. Aligning your business with other companies that serve the same market but don’t compete with you is a great way to leverage your marketing dollars.

Related: Small business social media tips from an expert

5. Do your housekeeping

There are a lot of logistics involved in starting a business, and checking off all the boxes will improve your chances for success. You’ll need to determine your business structure, register with the secretary of state or other entity in your state, obtain any necessary licenses, and secure business insurance. The right insurance can protect your business against the risks you can’t see coming, like claims and lawsuits. (Getting business insurance is easy – just get a quote to get started.)