Interview with Simply Modern Mom

Since I've started Better Way Moms with Amy I have tumbled deeper into the world of Mommy Bloggers and I have been blown away by the women I've found. This is a world full of resourceful women, original ideas, and ingenuity. Oh, and I shouldn't forget the fun. There are a few blogs that really stand out from the crowd, and Tiffany Bird is the founder of one of them.

When I came across Simply Modern Mom, I found myself studying the site for a long time.

I love the ideas, her writing and I could tell how much fun she was having on the site itself. So, I reached out to Tiffany and found her to be as delightful in person as she is on her blog. Below are some questions I asked her about what motivated her to start the site. But I also wanted to make sure to share her with Better Way Moms. She has some fantastic ideas for moms! Enjoy.

Q: What are your kids' names and how old are they?

A: Kaye, 3, and Elle, 1.

Q: What is your favorite part about being a mom?

A: All of it… except potty training. More specifically, watching them learn. Both of my girls have a strong sense of curiosity. I love that about them.

Q: What is your website?

A: Simply Modern Mom and I have a quaint online shop called The Gift Box, where every gift comes with a box. I’m in the process of updating my shop though.

Simply Modern Mom is a community where modern moms learn from each other. I have segments such as Intriguing Sites, Simply Said (guest posts from other bloggers or followers), Learn From a Pro, Back to Basics Tips, Education Week and Project 52: Date Nights (a project to have a date once a week).

Q: How did the idea for your website start?

A: Simply Modern Mom began as a place for me to keep track of my craft and home projects. But as time progressed, I realized modern moms, myself included, wanted life simplified. We are busy moms juggling multiple things in our lives. We want things quick and easy. I want to educate mothers by learning together. Improve our lives and our families. So I refocused the site to be "Simple. For the modern mom."

Q: How did you come up with the name Simply Modern Mom?

A: It describes me. It also describes my readers. Modern moms who are looking for simplicity in their lives.

How long did it take for you to get from idea to your launch day?  And what was that process like for you?

A: As long as it took me to sign up for a free WordPress account pretty much. I had the idea. I had the name. I was actually going to use the name for something else. But it fit this. And off I went. This was July 2009. It has been a blast ever since. Learning so much every step of the way.

I started on a free account of WordPress to test the waters. As I got more into it, my husband and I treated it more like a business: branding it, designing the layout, designing my own logo and setting editorial standards. 

Q: We all know people who have great ideas for businesses/websites, but they never actually start up. Why do you think so many people stay in the idea phase?

A: They underestimate themselves and their abilities. They have this grand idea of what they want and how they want it. But they don't realize that all grand ideas begin with something small. Grand ideas take time to implement and the end result will always be evolving.

Q: Why do you think you were successful?  Why didn't your idea remain "Just an idea" – what had you make it a reality?

A: I think the measure of success is different to each individual. My idea became a reality because I was willing to begin, even if it wasn't going to be perfect right from the start. I was also willing to ask for help.

Q: If you knew someone who had a great idea, what are the steps you would tell them to take?

A: Write it down. Talk to people about it. Research thoroughly. Then start putting it from thought to actuality. Put in lots of hard work. Keep at it. If you are unsure about the idea or going into unknown territory, then try it on a smaller scale. Then work your way up.

Q: Do you think anyone could take those steps?

A: Yes. They are simple steps. People are doing it every day. And when people tell you no, it should be motivation to keep going and figure it out.

Q: What do you consider to be the hardest part of your running your site?

A: The amount of time it actually takes running a one-man-band website. I would say I spend about 30 hours a week doing something for the site. All because I love it. 

Q: What is the most fun for you? (Continued...)

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