A Mom Who Made It Happen
Maureen Messersmith
Hometown:Coraopolis, PA
Tell Us about your business and why you created it.
"I created a coupon blog in April of 2011 to help save money for my family, help my friends save money for their families, and encourage others to give back by sharing with their community food banks and other organizations. My blog is saveandsharewithcoupons.com and I find all the coupons, printables, deals, giveaways, freebies and more to help you and your family. I have recently added my website www.shop.com/messersmith to help others earn cash back while shopping at their favorite stores. It is a mall without walls that I own to earn income to support my family. The health and wellness products are my favorite, but I also have products for your pets, cosmetics, home and garden, heart health, and more!"
Tell us about your family
"I am married to my best friend, Ernie. We have 4 Children, Samantha, Christopher, Zachary and Jared. Autism has been a major part of our lives for over 15 years. We love being outside working in the yard. Ernie and I love to go out for lunch once a week to have "date" time :) We have a dog we adopted from Animal Friends named Tonto and a cat we rescued from the blizzard a few years ago and we named her Betty White. Our schedules are not typical with everything that we do, but we love our little family! "
Tell us about your background/ education.
Graduated Moon High School 1983
What Advice do you have for other moms looking to make it happen at home? Looking to have it all!?
"The only advice I can give other moms is to do what you love! There are alot of home based businesses out there, but unless you have a passion for what you are doing, it won't work. Once you find what you love, stay around positive people, attend trainings, listen to encouraging tapes or read books. You can do it!! Figure out your WHY. What will make you move heaven and earth to make your business work?" Helping my husband quit his 60 hour a week job and being home with us is my WHY! Our lives will be changed!"
What Advice do you have for other moms looking to make it happen at home? Looking to have it all!?
"The only advice I can give other moms is to do what you love! There are alot of home based businesses out there, but unless you have a passion for what you are doing, it won't work. Once you find what you love, stay around positive people, attend trainings, listen to encouraging tapes or read books. You can do it!! Figure out your WHY. What will make you move heaven and earth to make your business work?" Helping my husband quit his 60 hour a week job and being home with us is my WHY! Our lives will be changed!"
What do you love about having your own business?
"I absolutely love having my own business and knowing that I am helping others in so many ways. I am my own boss, I can pick my hours an I can choose who I want to work with. I will change others lives in a good way while changing the future financial plan for my family. I volunteer everywhere that I can, and aways give back."
When did you know it was going to WORK!?
"I knew THIS business was going to WORK this time when my husband came with me to a training and left the meeting more excited than I was! I have done just about everything, and he has always supported me in all of them. This one will enable him in a couple of years to quit his job. Everyone I talk to loves the idea of earning 2% - 50% cash back while shopping online at stores they already shop at. And they can refer friends to earn 1/2% cash back from their purchases, too! It's a win, win!"
What challenge(s) did you find most prevalent as a mom running a business?
"My biggest challenge is time management. Having a child with special needs has a major impact on our schedule. Sometimes the laundry and dishes don't get done and it's ok. Things are getting better now as he gets older and becomes more independent and I can schedule more time to work on my website and help others. Making a date lunch weekly with my husband was also very important since we hardly see each other with our schedules. I have also learned to just stop and be with the kids when they need me. The website will still be there tomorrow. I also make sure to add a spiritual moment daily, whether reading scripture or listening to worhsip music."
Did you ever want to quit, throw in the towel!? What kept you going?
"This is the first business that I have NOT wanted to quit. I love what I do, I love meeting new people and helping others. Plus I get to shop and get paid! The bonus program for this company is like none I have ever encountered."
"This is the first business that I have NOT wanted to quit. I love what I do, I love meeting new people and helping others. Plus I get to shop and get paid! The bonus program for this company is like none I have ever encountered."
Any other information you' d like to share. Is there a part of your story we missed? Tell it here!
"One of the selling points for me for this business is that it's willable income for my children. This business will generate revenue even after I'm gone and I can leave it for my children. That gives me such peace of mind. My kids are my life and we have struggled for too long. They deserve a future with no debt."
Sign up as a Preferred Customer to start getting Cash Back!
I will give a one time 10% discount on any Market America line of products to anyone who mentions this ad.
Follow me on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/saveandsharewithcoupons
Visit me at my blog - saveandsharewithcoupons.com
Email me at saveandsharewithcoupons@gmail.com
Follow me on twitter @mommymoe411
Maureen is such an inspiring mom. Not only has she taken the Pittsburgh couponing world by storm-- she uses it for GOOD BY GIVING BACK! We love that! Proud to be a supporter of Maureen and her vision. Debby P Editor, Macaroni Kid of Pittsburgh LLC
Maureen is such an inspiring mom. Not only has she taken the Pittsburgh couponing world by storm-- she uses it for GOOD BY GIVING BACK! We love that! Proud to be a supporter of Maureen and her vision. Debby P Editor, Macaroni Kid of Pittsburgh LLC
