I couldn't help but think ‘this system is totally broken’ when moms have to make excuses for being a mom.
(PRWEB) May 06, 2014
As Mother’s Day nears, national attention, per tradition, is turning to Mom’s hard work and selflessness. More today than ever, mothers struggle with rising demands on their time, energy and patience, whether they are full-time employees, employers or stay-at-home moms.
While all these roles present challenges, likely the most demanding – and typical – situation is when the role of full-time worker and primary caregiver collide.
In response, some businesses are making strides to offer moms a chance at the best of both worlds – a successful career that allows time with the kids. A prime example is N2 Publishing, a company that ranked 924 on the 2013 Inc. 5000 list.
N2 CEO Duane Hixon cites a recent Pew Research report that underscores the problem. The study revealed that 74 percent of employed mothers work full-time. However, 84 percent of working women told ForbesWoman and TheBump that staying home to raise children is a financial luxury to which they aspire.
To this end, N2 has developed a business model through which mothers can fully dictate their own work schedule, grow to their own uncapped wealth potential and feel good about the product they are bringing to print each month.
Hixon admits he did not originally create N2’s Area Director position with mothers specifically in mind. Nonetheless, he has witnessed a recent surge in the number of moms transitioning from stay-at-home status back to the workforce – choosing to restart their professional careers with the nationally-ranked media company.
In fact, more than half of all current N2 Area Directors nationwide are women. According to one employee, this position calls specifically to moms because it is a welcome change from other jobs that do not accommodate their unique situation.
“I was sick of making excuses for taking time off to go to a school play or actually calling in sick myself if my child was sick. I couldn't help but think ‘this system is totally broken’ when moms have to make excuses for being a mom,” said Julie Goering, area director for a Tampa West community publication.
“I remember telling friends that companies are really missing the boat by not tapping into the women that had worked for years, but then just needed that bit of flexibility to make it work. [Now] I work hard when I can, and I don't really sweat it when something comes up.”
Hixon agrees with Julie’s sentiment and says the opportunity to support working moms is a win-win situation for them both. Currently in more than 300 markets nationwide, N2 is slated to operate in more than 500 markets by the end of 2014. This is an admittedly aggressive goal, but one Hixon believes is attainable in large part due to these mothers searching for flexibility.
“Most of the ‘thank you for N2’ emails I get from ADs (Area Directors) come from moms returning to the workforce. These are smart women who took time off to raise young children, and are now ready to work again,” Hixon said.
“The right ones are so talented, and so appreciative, that they max out the hours they have each week and really seem to love the lifestyle that N2 gives them.”