blog

We Have So Much to Be Thankful for

Building a business, much like raising a child, can't be accurately described by any cliché, and there’s no one size fits all. Both experiences take us deeper inside ourselves than we thought possible. Both lead to a range of emotions—elation,...

Nov 13, 2019

The Gift Everyone Actually Wants

There are so many reasons to stop gifting more “stuff.” For one, the planet appreciates it, and, as new studies are showing, busy families do too!

Nov 06, 2019

We’re Starting a Movement for Mothers and This is Our Secret

Most of us have a vision of what type of parent we’ll be before we actually have kids. We’re confident that we can continue to pursue our dreams, while being fully present and involved in all the little moments.

Oct 30, 2019

Get the Most Out of Your Marketing- 5 Simple Ways to Win

If you’re looking for another boring list of the 1000 marketing things you absolutely must do right now—think creating YouTube channels, showing up on every social media site, starting a podcast, branding, SEO tactics, etcetera— then you’ve come...

Oct 23, 2019

Pepperlane Round-Up

15 Great Books for Small Business Owners

If you’re reading this, you know it’s not easy to start, run, and grow a business all on your own. Tack on the duties of motherhood and life in general, and finding time to learn and expand your horizons can seem downright impossible!

Oct 16, 2019

20 Featured Businesses that Can Help You Get It All Done

With a million apps and unlimited screens all around us, you’d think it would be easier than ever to find great help that you can count on.

Oct 02, 2019

Why I Joined Pepperlane: CTO (and super Dad) Chris Quirk

I’ll never forget the day in 2010 when I was exhausted and sick, lying on the living room floor, barely able to sit up. My wife was traveling for her job. I’d just gotten our two young children— ages 9 months and 2 years at the time— to bed.

Sep 26, 2019

Introducing Chris Quirk: New Pepperlane CTO

Pepperlane is thrilled to announce our new Chief Technology Officer, Chris Quirk. Chris's main priority will be to build the engineering team as Pepperlane continues to grow its software-as-a-service marketplace, aimed at offering mothers tools...

Sep 26, 2019

Business model

9 Ways to Make Your Pepperlane Profile Shine

Let’s face it, technology has given us a very short attention span! With only a few seconds to capture the attention of your reader, making sure you say the right things quickly is more important than ever.

Sep 24, 2019

Gail Goodman Named to Boston Business Journal's Power 50

The 2019 Power 50 was just released and Gail Goodman (Pepperlane CPO) has been named to the list. This list was compiled to highlight individuals identified by their industry peers and coworkers as people who are making a significant impact and...

Sep 22, 2019

Sharon Kan and Gail Goodman: Greater Boston Chamber of Commerce Women's Networking Event

"How many successful female entrepreneurs who have sold their businesses have stepped up to help others reach that level of success? How many have become role models?"

Sep 18, 2019

Grow

Make Authenticity Your Business Building Superpower

What if we told you there’s something you can do that will cost you nothing and help you attract even more customers?

Sep 11, 2019

Coaching

Mastering Your Mindset with Pepperlaner Jessica Miller

Today we’re excited to highlight Pepperlaner and success coach Jessica Miller who recently hosted a thought provoking “Ask Me Anything” segment in our Facebook community all about mindset. Jessica Miller (right) with Amy Falk (left) at Boost in...

Sep 04, 2019

Want to Attract More Clients? Find Your X Factor.

Marie Kondo has an X factor.

Aug 22, 2019

9 Phrases Busy Mamas Can Say to Inspire Productivity

In this article on Motherly.com, Sharon shares her inspiration for starting Pepperlane, along with 9 helpful phrases to inspire busy moms.

Aug 21, 2019

The 4 Best Time Management Tools for Small Business Owners

Do you find yourself writing everything on post-it notes or on your whiteboard, only to have them disappear to various corners of your house or turn into your children’s art project?

Aug 14, 2019

Sales

How to Wow Your Clients: Tips on Seamless Onboarding That Leads to Retention

Congratulations, you got a new client!

Aug 07, 2019

Grow

4 Proven Ways to Improve Client Loyalty and Create Raving Fans

Ever wonder why some small businesses constantly have a steady stream of clients, while others struggle to keep or find new clients?

Aug 05, 2019

VentureFizz Podcast Talks With Gail Goodman, Chief Product Officer at Pepperlane

Pepperlane's Chief Product Officer Gail Goodman recently spoke with Keith Cline on the VentureFizz podcast about her career path, her previous role as CEO of Constant Contact, and why she's so excited about Pepperlane's mission to help mothers...

Jul 31, 2019

Save Your Time, Money, and Sanity by Outsourcing Work

The most valuable resource you have as a business owner is time: it’s easy to waste and you can’t make more of it. Often it seems like there are never enough hours in the day to get it all done which is why learning to outsource some of your work...

Jul 25, 2019

How to Make Your Customer Testimonials Shine

What do you trust more when it comes to deciding on a service: an advertisement, or a personal recommendation?

Jul 17, 2019

Start Building Your Email List Today (And Why You Need To)

It’s a beautiful morning, the birds are singing sweetly outside your window, and the smell of freshly brewed coffee is wafting in as you snuggle on your soft and cozy bed (and cross your fingers that your children don’t wake up). What do you do...

Jul 10, 2019

Confidence

9 Ways to Be A Better Networker

Do you know what’s worse than mom guilt? Finding a stack of business cards at the bottom of your purse that you meant to follow up with six months ago and well, completely forgot about...

Jul 03, 2019

Can You Work a Flexible Schedule and Still be Successful? Our Community Weighs In

Oh, #cubiclelife…

Jun 26, 2019

Embrace the Magic of Collaboration Over Competition

Jun 19, 2019

Business model

Spending Money to Make Money—The Smart Way

Jun 05, 2019

Business model

Closing Sales with Confidence — Easy, not Sleazy!

Let’s play a little word association game. What’s the first thing that pops to mind when I say “sales”?

May 31, 2019

Sharon Kan Featured as one of Boston's Bright Entrepreneurial Minds

For all of us at Pepperlane, we know Sharon is exceptional. Her drive and vision has brought Pepperlane to life. We are thrilled that Sharon has been featured as one of Boston's Bright Entrepreneurial Minds in a recent Readwrite article.

May 29, 2019

Balance work and family

Win Summer Vacation — With Kids and Business

May 24, 2019

Bloomberg Baystate Business Radio Features Gail Goodman and Pepperlane

"Pepperlane is helping moms...have a third option. They can go to work. They can stay at home. And now, they can be entrepreneurs on their own terms" shared Gail Goodman on Bloomberg Baystate Business Radio.

May 24, 2019

Pepperlane Featured on WBZ Radio

"We are letting moms create businesses that fit into their lives and letting them define success on their own terms," shared Gail Goodman on WBZ Radio.

May 21, 2019

Why I Joined a Startup, but not as CEO

Today more than ever, we need to create a culture where women are supporting women. This idea is uncommon in our society, especially in the business world and we think it is time for a change.

May 14, 2019

Gail Goodman Joins Pepperlane Team

Pepperlane, a SaaS-enabled marketplace inspiring an entrepreneurial revolution among stay-at-home mothers, has welcomed tech titan Gail Goodman to its team. The company has secured $4 million in venture capital from early-stage venture capital...

May 14, 2019

Today is an exciting day...

Dear Pepperlaners,

May 08, 2019

Momlife

Let’s Celebrate Mother’s Mind Day

When I became a mom, my world turned upside down. I was no longer interested in the same things as before — suddenly the conversations I wanted to have were all about the kids. I was planning my time — my life — around my kids. I wasn’t even...

May 02, 2019

5 Quick and Easy Social Media Tips

Managing your social media can feel a lot like managing that big pile of laundry on the floor. You know that when you’re on top of it, you feel better and everything runs more smoothly. But there are so many other pressing issues in front of you,...

Apr 25, 2019

5 Killer Pieces of Business Advice from Mom Entrepreneurs

Starting a business is certainly not easy. It can be difficult to know where to focus or how to stay in the right mindset to manifest success. On top of that, it can easily feel like you’re alone in these struggles.

Apr 18, 2019

4 Moms Share Their Business Inspiration — Their Kids

What drives you? Everyone has a different reason to pursue our passions. Recognizing what drives you is not always easy, but this deep motivation can truly be what pushes us to take action.

Apr 11, 2019

How to Stand Out from the Crowd

Do a quick search, and you’ll find a million articles on how to differentiate your business from the crowd. Improving the customer experience, showing value, defining your niche, providing exceptional customer service: those are all solid...

Apr 11, 2019

How (not) to Run a Successful Service Business

Mar 21, 2019

Pepperlane Round-Up

The Best Podcasts for Business and Motherhood

Looking back, I hardly recognize my pre-mom life. Once I became a mom, one of my main struggles was reconciling that the ambitious, career-minded, and driven person I used to be was now relegated to finding success in simply doing a load of...

Mar 20, 2019

Pepperlane Round-Up

Easy and Effective Networking for Moms

Networking. What does that term bring up for you?

Mar 13, 2019

Balance work and family

It's High Time to Build a Life Raft for U.S. Moms

According to a recent Psychology Today article, an in-depth 5 year study of work and motherhood confirms that mothers are drowning in stress, particularly in the U.S. This isn't exactly front page news to parents, but the article makes a point...

Mar 07, 2019

Daring to Change the Story for International Women's Day

On International Women’s Day, it feels good to take a few moments to think about how far we’ve come — because in a lot of ways, we’ve come pretty far — but it would be shortsighted to stop there.

Mar 07, 2019

Sales

4 Questions to Ask to Get Better at Sales

You’ve done it. You’ve increased your web traffic by 200%. All mere mortals must bow down before you. You are a marketing goddess. You eat SEO for breakfast. You are on cloud nine and are dutifully waiting for new sales to start rolling in. And...

Feb 28, 2019

How These Moms Turned a Hobby into a Successful Business

Do you ever find yourself dreaming, “I wish I could make money doing [insert whatever it is you love doing]”?

Feb 27, 2019

How to Not Feel Bad About Yourself All the Damn Time

Yesterday morning was one of those mornings. My kiddos, aged 2 and 4, were still dead asleep at 8am. Then 9am. My husband had to be at work early that day, so this was my problem to deal with. I dutifully dragged them out of bed, put my...

Feb 21, 2019

Best Time-Saving Apps for Mom Entrepreneurs

You’re busy keeping your family and your business alive and thriving. Your life and your schedule are full, and you’re looking for ways to maximize your time — and your systems — so that you can spend more time doing the things you love.

Feb 20, 2019

Time Management

Time Management Tips for Moms to Create a 25-Hour Day

Ok, ok…maybe not. We can’t actually add an extra hour to the day, as much as moms might love that! But by strategizing your workflow, and staying in the zone through batching, you can improve your productivity significantly and find extra time...

Feb 14, 2019

Balance work and family

How to Balance Work and Family for a Strong Mom Economy

We need you, a mother, to be a participant in this economy. And while yes, we need you as a conscious consumer, you’re also needed as a business owner. Having more women like you in business has a huge impact on how we ALL live. Research shows...

Feb 07, 2019

Pricing

Are You Charging Enough? How to Price Your Services

We've all been there; you're talking to a potential client. The conversation is progressing well, you're getting excited about the prospect of a new project, but then you come to the topic of pricing... you freeze. "What if I say a number that's...

Jan 31, 2019

3 Ways to Improve Your Sales Process Immediately

I’ve talked with dozens of women-owned businesses, and the very top pain point I hear is, “I’m trying to find new clients.” I hear from so many that they’re looking for more and more channels to find new people to “tell my offering”. From what I...

Jan 31, 2019

Quick Tip

How to Setup an Email Filter

Before we start, a quick note on why this is important. Studies have shown that responding to a new lead within FIVE minutes is 100 times more effective than replying in just 30 minutes. Setting up an email filter is a great way to make sure your...

Jan 24, 2019

3 Alternatives to MLMs

Not sure about multi-level marketing? These businesses offer flexibility for moms, too.Creating a fun and flexible business model that works for your life — without the multi-level marketing.

Jan 17, 2019

Sales

10 Ways to Optimize your Sales Funnel

When you meet another awesome connection, what do do you?Exchange business cards, and follow up with an email suggesting coffee. And if they don't respond... do you have a process to stay in touch? Creating relationships in your business is...

Jan 17, 2019

For the Joy of Cooking: Becoming an Accidental Small Business Owner

Becoming a small business owner seems to often be either a lifelong passion or something you just fall into.

Jan 10, 2019

5 Things to Start (and Stop!) with your Email Newsletter in 2019

Designing an effective email newsletter is a low cost way to market to your audience. To maximize your time & effort, incorporate our newsletter tips to engage, and ultimately convert, your audience.

Jan 02, 2019

How To Juggle Your Business, Family, and Personal Life from Work from Home Moms Who Are In It

Between building a business and caring for your kids, it can be hard to find the time to think about what you need, let alone scheduling time to follow through.

Dec 18, 2018

Need a Break? How to Take Time Off from Your Business

You started your business so that you’d have more freedom and flexibility in your work-home life, but now that you've started, it seems impossible to step away for a vacation without losing momentum, or worse, clients. We get it! But did you know...

Sep 11, 2018

Lead A Life of Success and Significance: What 9-11 Has Taught Me

“Where were you when the world stopped turning on that September day?”- Alan Jackson

Sep 06, 2018

How to Transform Your Service From Nice To Have to a Need-to-Have

You finally came up with that completely perfect website that you’re so proud of. But once you launched and opened your doors for business, you quickly realized that folks didn’t seem so interested in your services, after all. What went wrong?

Aug 21, 2018

You Can't Pour From An Empty Cup: Why Self-Care Isn't Selfish

Remember those days before you had kids when sleep was an actual 8+ hour event, meeting up with friends resulted in long, unfurling conversations into the night; and you actually took care of your body and mind? The gym was non-negotiable and you...

Aug 16, 2018

Communicating with Confidence: Create Your Customer Avatar

Take a deep breath, close your eyes, and think of your dream client.

Aug 09, 2018

Pepperlane Pathway

How the Pepperlane Pathway Can Help You With Business Growth

Pepperlane was started when our founder, Sharon Kan, realized motherhood was good for business growth. After all, moms have so many skills and ingenious ideas and services they can offer the world. But as mothers, we're so busy, it's almost...

Jul 19, 2018

Grow

Tired of Your Business Ideas Falling Flat? Here's How to Validate Them First

We see you. You’re an ambitious woman who juggles a ton and has big dreams. And you’ve probably thought about breaking free and finally launching that dream business you’ve had on your mind for years.

Jul 12, 2018

How to Set Up a Facebook Ad with your Pepperlane Profile

It’s easy to get caught up in the unrelenting noise of conventional wisdom in business and life. We feel this sense of urgency to fit the mold of the latest marketing trends, try to figure out how to create an ad for our business, start blogging...

Jul 03, 2018

Grow

Math Tutor Kate Milkosky Makes Startup Success Look As Easy As 1, 2, 3

Today we're talking to Kate Milkosky, a math tutor who runs her own successful business teaching kids how to master their math challenges for lifelong success. She's turned the concept of a traditional tutor on its head and into a thriving...

Jun 21, 2018

Four Ways to Harness the Power of the Pepperlane Network

Strong women lift each each other up and support each other through the complicated roles we play from business owners to mothers to friends and daughters. Our lives aren’t static and don’t fit into a specific mold, and that’s why we need a...

Jun 07, 2018

Confidence

It Takes a Village: The Six Mothers You Need in Your Life

Our CEO Sharon Kan shares her take on why every woman needs these six mothers in her life.

May 22, 2018

Self-care

Can Self-Care be Your Secret Weapon?

After returning to work with my second child, I was exhausted and felt stuck. Although I loved my employer and colleagues, the increasing signs of burnout were hard to ignore. More than once after driving for nearly an hour, and hustling into the...

May 02, 2018

Grow

Mothers, It’s Time for Us to Monetize our Work!

Picture this: a company posts a listing for a Head of Operations position. The job requires 135+ hours of work weekly, requires the employee to be on call 24/7, and demands that the candidate be knowledgeable in psychology, medicine, personal...

Apr 26, 2018

Introducing our Host, Trynka Shineman, Vistaprint CEO

We're grateful to Vistaprint for hosting Pepperlane Connect at their campus, and to their CEO, Trynka Shineman, who'll not only offer words of welcome on May 11, but who'll share her own story of leading a successful business while raising her...

Apr 25, 2018

Grow

Making Your Business Work for You: Estimating Costs and Time

For many of us, starting and running a business means freedom: freedom to work when, where, and how we want. It can mean we’re better able to freely share our talents and passions with the world. But how do you structure your business (and your...

Apr 23, 2018

Announcing our Pepperlane Connect Keynote Speaker & Panel Moderator

We're beyond excited to announce that on May 11, two incredibly powerful women and role models will be joining our second conference, Pepperlane Connect 2018: Path to Possibilities. Read on to discover their stories, and register below.

Apr 17, 2018

Grow

3 Simple Strategies to Convert More

Starting a business is an incredible feat. The pride you should feel after putting in countless of hours into your website, filling out the correct paperwork, and meeting with the right people who helped your dream become a reality is really...

Apr 11, 2018

A Note from our CEO, Sharon Kan

Dear Pepperlane Community,

Apr 10, 2018

Grow

Need to Give Your Business a Jolt?

Whether it’s a steaming hot latte, a date with your favorite citrus scrub or cuddle date with your kiddos, every business mom has a trick or two up her sleeve that's her go-to when she needs to get herself energized to tackle her busy schedule.

Apr 05, 2018

3 Easy Steps to Become the Most Social #GirlBoss Around

We all know we need social media to grow our businesses, right? But it can seem so daunting!

Apr 04, 2018

Momlife

Three Ways to Get Over the One Emotion That’s Holding You Back

There are endless reasons why entrepreneurial moms feel like they struggle to maintain that ever-elusive work-life balance.

Mar 27, 2018

Grow

When Your Business Makes You Cry

There may be no crying in baseball, but there's definitely crying in business. That’s been my personal experience anyway, and that of every woman entrepreneur I’ve ever worked with.

Mar 20, 2018

Confidence

Steps Towards Success

We’ve all heard it at one time or another.

Mar 08, 2018

Grow

This International Women’s Day, We Call on Mothers

Dear Pepperlane community,

Mar 06, 2018

Grow

8 Legal Considerations for Your New Business

Congratulations! You’re embarking on the exciting journey of starting a new business. This is an incredibly brave and rewarding journey, but it can also be a daunting one. You’ve come up with a great business concept, but where do you start? And...

Mar 01, 2018

Grow

Lean Marketing: Tips + Tricks for Teams of One

There are 1,440 minutes in a day.

Feb 28, 2018

Is This the Parenting Framework You’ve Been Searching For?

She refuses to clean up her room. He won’t stop playing Xbox. She keeps getting out of bed after bedtime. He whacks his brother for touching his basketball. And that’s just a tiny sample of the daily challenges we face as parents. It’s...

Feb 27, 2018

Grow

Need an Extra Pair of Hands? Hire or Help a Mom!

When you’re a mom, everyday chores from errands to laundry to meal prep can take up your entire day. When you’re a mom with a business… you’re lucky if you have time to change out of the clothes you slept in the night before!

Feb 22, 2018

5 Daily Success Rituals & Morning Routines for Entrepreneurs (& Moms!)

We all want to be more successful and happier, both as moms and entrepreneurs, right? While there are a million ways to get started, one of the simplest things we can do to set ourselves up for success is to craft morning routines and daily...

Feb 20, 2018

3 Secrets to Help You Navigate the Ups and Downs of Entrepreneurship

Owning your own business is an exciting, exhilarating journey. Diving headfirst into the unknown offers a sense of freedom and endless possibility. But, when you’re still juggling a home and family life, entrepreneurship can also feel completely...

Feb 15, 2018

Do You Have What it Takes to be an Entrepreneur? (Spoiler Alert: You DO!)

One of the things we most often here from moms who are just getting started with Pepperlane is that they don’t see themselves as women entrepreneurs, and they’re not sure they have what it takes to start a business or to be a small business owner.

Feb 12, 2018

Ask the Expert: How to Craft the Perfect Elevator Pitch

Today's Ask the Expert post is from Robyn Mather, a personal brand expert.

Feb 06, 2018

How a Virtual Assistant Helps Solve Business Email Problems

Today's blog post comes from Hingham, MA-based virtual assistant Zoe Pirnie, who shares how she helps businesses solve email problems big and small!

Feb 02, 2018

Pepperlane Boost

4 Reasons Why Pepperlane Boosts can DOUBLE Your Business

One of the most common questions we get from Pepperlane business owners is around where they should focus in when it comes to marketing. We hear that many of you struggle with how to best optimize your time—whether that's determining how to get...

Jan 29, 2018

Ask the Expert

Ask the Expert: How to Present Yourself to Get More Confidence, Influence, and Clients

Today's Ask the Expert post is from Robyn Mather, a personal brand expert.

Jan 24, 2018

Sharon Kan

A New Voice at Pepperlane

Dear Pepperlane community,

Jan 16, 2018

Ask the Expert: How to Reach Your Financial Resolutions

Jan 10, 2018

Why You Should Respond to a New Customer Inquiry like a 911 Call

Here's some research that took us by surprise: the odds of making contact with someone who makes an inquiry to your business on the web drop dramatically over just the first 5 hours.

Dec 31, 2017

Yes — You CAN Start a Business. And the Best Time is Now!

You’re here. You’re standing at the edge of the proverbial cliff and thinking about jumping into business for yourself. Your palms are a little sweaty. You might even be a little scared. OK… your palms are dripping and your heart is beating a...

Dec 27, 2017

Ask the Expert

Ask the Expert: How to Ring in the New Year on a Budget!

Welcome to Ask the Expert, a new blog series featuring the expertise of our many talented business owners on Pepperlane. We're kicking things off with timely advice from event planner extraordinaire Von Marie Moniz. New Year’s Eve is the best...

Nov 19, 2017

Pepperlane Press Release

Introducing the MOB NW, a New Pepperlane Partner

Pepperlane was born in Massachusetts, but we've been working with an ambassador, Charryse Bigger, in the Portland, OR area to build our first out of state chapter. As part of that effort, we are launching a new partnership with the MOB NW/The MOB...

Nov 15, 2017

Pepperlane Press Release

Zola President & COO Rachel Jarrett joins Pepperlane Advisory Board

Jarrett will lend consumer and ecommerce expertise to Pepperlane, a platform that helps mothers transform their skills into micro-businesses that let them work flexibly

Nov 03, 2017

55+ Skills & Talents You can Turn into Your Own Micro-Business

We know many mothers are excited by the possibilities of flexible micro-businesses (small businesses that allow you to work on the schedule you determine), but many aren’t sure exactly what skills and services they could sell.

Oct 31, 2017

Pepperlane Press Release

Former Paint Nite COO Joins Mothers’ Micro-Business Platform Pepperlane

October 31, 2017, Cambridge, MA—Pepperlane, a Cambridge, MA-based platform that empowers mothers turn their skills and passions into micro-businesses that allow them to work flexibly, announced that it has hired seasoned operational executive and...

Sep 08, 2017

Announcing the Winners of Pepperlane's First Build a Business Competition in Lexington!

Yesterday at our members conference To Begin, Begin we had the privilege of awarding the winners of our first ever Build a Business Competition in Lexington. We launched the competition earlier this spring to celebrate our first chapter in...

Sep 07, 2017

Grow

Introducing Payments on Pepperlane: Get Paid, Faster!

Everything we do at Pepperlane is meant to support our mission of empowering mothers to start and grow businesses that fit into their lives. We’ve heard from many of our members that asking for money is awkward and figuring out how to actually...

Jul 31, 2017

5 Ways to Make Your Life Easier When Starting Your Business

Jul 11, 2017

This Pepperlane Business Will Inspire You to Get Started!

We know the thought of starting a business can be intimidating. It doesn’t have to be. Sometimes it just starts with a skill, a passion, or a crazy idea. Or sometimes it’s the answer to a problem.

Jun 27, 2017

International Women's Day

The Only 5 Things you Need to Launch a "Website" for Your Business

You’ve decided to take that special skill of yours and turn it into a business. Exciting!

Mar 08, 2017

Reflecting on International Women's Day 2017

On March 8, the world celebrates International Women’s Day. Though it’s not particularly well known in the US, it started here in 1909 as a labor protest. Observed all over the world, International Women’s Day is a day of action, in which...

Feb 27, 2017

International Women's Day

Support Women-Led Businesses for International Women’s Day

March 8th is International Women’s Day and this year’s message is #BeBoldForChange by helping to forge a better working world - a more gender inclusive world. And that is what Pepperlane is all about - helping women leverage the talents they have...

Feb 20, 2017