|
|
|
FEATURED ENTREPRENEURS
|
|
It's 4 a.m., and you're sitting at your computer - proofreading articles
and
steadily checking off items on your business plan 'to-do' list. In what
seems
to be only 5 minutes later, you glance at the clock and notice it's
actually 6a.m. and, thus, time to get ready for your 9-to-5.
In a bit of a frenzy
that
has become a part of your morning ritual, you wake up your 2-going-on-25
year
old to get her ready for day care while primping and prepping yourself for
the
office. Now you're on the road, ready to begin your routine 2-hour
commute to
your editorial gig. While you're happy with your day job, you're excited
that
you're being diligent in making your dream venture come alive! Following
a
hard day's work, you make the 2-hour trek home and pick up your little
one.
After preparing dinner and spending quality time together, she goes to bed
while you go to your computer and resume working on your project.
You
turn in
around 11 p.m., well aware that you'll be waking up in 3-4 hours to start
all
over again. Think you've stepped into the Twilight Zone of Sleep
Deprivation?
No - you've just experienced a day in the life of Ms. Feona S. Huff,
Editor-In-Chief of Single Momz Magazine. She gladly took a
short break
from
her rigorous parenting and working schedule to share her venture's goals
as
well as its 'leap-of-faith' origins with The HBCU Network Family.
By Brook Brandon
"If God gives you something and you don't work with it, He's going to take it away",
she says. Single Momz Magazine was started on a leap of faith before the first article
was even drafted. This journalism major from Norfolk State University - also a single
mother of a clever 2-year old daughter - is a seasoned journalist who decided it was
time to address this sizable yet often overlooked portion of the parental population.
A proud member of Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Inc., she has found a way to combine
serving a public need with realizing her journalistic dream. "This website is for
the woman who doesn't want her parental status to affect her, but at the same time,
realizes she needs to maximize (her resources) because she is the one carrying the
load," explains Feona. Citing strong ties to God as well as the generosity and
support of others as strong contributing factors to the future success of Single
Momz, she is proud that the energy and positive nature of her venture has affected
people even in its early stages. She is also inspired by the generosity that has
come from some rather unlikely sources. "My landlord - believe it or not -
donated a computer, printer, and scanner to me for this!" she says with a chuckle.
"I've lived here for 5 years, and he's seen me struggling, coming home at late hours
and wanted to help. He said, 'Now there's no reason why you can't do this'.
In addition to that, one of her co-workers who's also a graphic designer, drafted
the new logo for Single Momz Magazine, which will makes it debut on the website
in May 2002. She acknowledges this as one of God's many blessings to her on this
project.
Another source of encouragement comes from the stories of her peers, such as the mother,
whose son was born with a heart condition. Determined to provide a better life for her
and her son, this mother managed to work full-time and care for her ill son while taking
night classes online in order to obtain her degree. In addition to this encounter, Feona
has already bore firsthand witness to the bond between her 'sisters in single parenthood'
everywhere, from Texas to Germany. "I believe that everything happens for a reason.
I also believe that He gives you things for a reason," says Feona. "At first I was
saying, 'Oh no, this isn't how it's supposed to be.' But had I not been a single mother,
this magazine might not have come to fruition." Herself a product of a single parent
household, she noted that while her mother was her only parental figure, the support of
others - her mother's friends, extended family, and other single moms - played an
important role in her upbringing. She hopes to bring the same ideal to others through
Single Momz Magazine. A frustrating negative that Feona has turned into a positive
force concerns a majority of mainstream parenting magazines, which tend not to allow
single parents to serve as the subject of articles or even participate in photo shoots.
"I don't know if one magazine can change everything, but most parenting publications
ignore (us)... What about scholarships for single mothers who want to go back to school?
What about 'single mom getaways'?" As the voice of "Single Momz", she's adopted the
responsibility of exemplifying what she wants others to find within themselves through
the resources and outlets she helps to provide.
The concept of Single Momz Magazine pays attention to the needs of both mother and child.
Segments such as "Beauty Watch" and the latest entertainment news and fashion tips address
the 'regular woman' behind the 'mom', while "Kidz Korner: Product Pick" is one of several
child-friendly features. This self-proclaimed 'coupon queen' and 'thrift store
connoisseur' also includes helpful financial tips in segments such as "Can I Get a
(Tax) Break?" In fact, next month's edition will feature a section on coupons as
well as links to printable coupon sites. There are also other articles such as
"Biz Talk" and others related to health & wellness issues - everything from
meditating to exercise. The communal, nurturing spirit driving this venture
is sure to carry it to new and soaring heights! Upcoming projects include the
1st Annual Single Mother of the Year Award, a contest in which "Single Momz"
readers can nominate an outstanding single mother who, if chosen, will win a
1-year free subscription to Essence magazine as well as a gift certificate for
a shopping spree from Marshall's. (For more details on submission deadlines,
please send your inquiries to the email address noted below). With companies
such as Baskin Robbins, Nike, Birkenstock, and Black Enterprise lending their
support to future projects, there's no holding back "Single Momz"!
"Single Momz Magazine, as I develop it, is going to be more than just a magazine... -
it's going to be workshops, seminars, and support groups..." Feona states.
With plans to put on the first annual conference in 2004 as well as the
eventual goal of having Single Momz publications on newsstands within 5
years, imminent success is sure to come for "Single Momz"! She has chosen
to lift the torch of single mothers everywhere and champion their much-ignored
plight by providing this resourceful medium.
For more information, please log onto the website (www.singlemomzmag.com).
Please feel free to send any comments, questions, and requests for detailed
information to: singlemomzmag@yahoo.com.
Also, keep an eye out for further promotions for Single Momz! There will be another
interview by RadioScope on April 26th as well as a short profile in the April/May edition of Upscale Magazine!
Single Momz proves that "Sistahs are doin' it for themselves!"
|
|
|
|
|
|