SavvyMom Media congratulates Ann-Marie Burton of Momstown.ca, the winner of the 2011 SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year

Some Words from Our Winner

On Achievement

Winning the SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year Award is so rewarding because it not only recognizes all our hard work over the last four years building momstown, but also the dedication and innovation that each of our momstown licensees contributes every day.

On Mom Entrepreneurship

Mom Entrepreneurs are strange birds. We think we can build businesses, big businesses, during naptime and squeeze 10 hours into 3 as multi-tasking mavens.

"Whether you think you can, or think you can't. You're right." Henry Ford.

I didn't grow up striving to be an entrepreneur but somehow the choice seems to fit. I've never been more fulfilled by a mission, more inspired by colleagues and community or more proud of success. On frustrating days, I've searched for patience to wait out rough times and for thicker skin to not take my business so personally.

Since our 2007 launch, our business has become an incubator for enterprise by inspiring new mom entrepreneurs to join the team. Other entrepreneurial minded women are drawn to momstown to work with us. All the mom entrepreneurs I've met, from Toronto to Edmonton, have one thing in common - they resolve to make money from the thing they love to do. What inspiration!

I feel privileged and proud be part of the entrepreneur community. I'm so thrilled to be named SavvyMom Mom Entrepreneur of the Year as it is a huge pat on the back for so much hard work and effort. The recognition is an incredible result and I'm very proud, as will be our momstown community.

About Momstown

The Company

To our members, momstown is a really organized moms group with lots of perks! To our clients, momstown is a national network of influencers and bloggers with real life neighbourhood connections.

momstown.ca is more than your average website or "moms group". We plan over 400 events every month for our members and their children (aged 0-6 years old). With our own teacher-developed educational curriculum, momstown is focused on early education, literacy and learning through play and activity. Our events like Baby Book Club, Alphabet Playgroup or Picasso's in the Park are based on a monthly theme and include circle time, parachutes and themed crafts.

Our newly revamped website is a playground for mom! Including dynamic message boards, tips & tricks from our momstown bloggers & practical content from meal solutions to craft ideas. Partnerships with brands provide an additive element to both our online content and events by providing readers / members with personal opportunities to interact with selected partners.

momstown also is an organization that provides business opportunities for other mothers. Each region is licensed and owned by local Canadian mom entrepreneurs who build their own local business with a momstown chapter.

Watch this short video to learn more about Momstown:

The Inspiration

I'm no different than most - my child AND a gap in the market inspired me to become a mom entrepreneur.

The initial inspiration was based on filling a need both in the community and in myself that was lacking since I'd been home with my baby. Despite being a dedicated stay-at-home-mother, I was surprised to find I needed something more to fuel the inner me, other than the rewards of infinite toddler kisses.

If I knew 4 years ago what I know now, I probably would be too chicken to have launched such a unique, unproven business and become a full-fledged mom entrepreneur. I was completely unaware that being a mom entrepreneur would be such a giant job and that it would engulf my life.

My current reality is one I still love, get inspired by, and feel endless passion for. While my business still revolves around my children, it's also now focused on so many other Canadian kids - that provides continuous inspiration to me!

The Rewards of Being a Mom Entrepreneur

The rewards I have experienced from being a mom entrepreneur come from Pride, Purpose, and Passion.

• Pride: Realizing I CAN do this. Rewards come from receiving recognition from my family, clients, team and peers.
• Purpose: Feeling like my work has a bigger purpose than myself. Knowing I do what I do so I can still be a present and active part of my kids lives. Knowing momstown not only connects Canadian moms but also has helped dozens of moms start their own independent businesses as 'momstown mama' entrepreneurs.
• Passion: Every day I am excited about what momstown is doing, contributing and achieving. Receiving beautiful emails and testimonials from members who say momstown has changed their lives, helped them survive PPD or connected them with their best friends - those community-building stories are intimately rewarding and continue to fuel my passion.

The Plan for the Prize

I plan to use the resources to help my team of regional mom entrepreneurs to grow their businesses and help connect more Canadian moms. I'd like to set up a bursary program to reward my team and inspire them to excel at even more things in their community.