Press Release: January 19, 2001
Innovative Hire-a-Mom Directory Helps Bring Work Home to Moms

Austin, Texas- January 19, 2001 - Committing itself to bringing working moms closer to their children, the professional association of Home-Based Working Moms (www.HBWM.com), is launching their new Hire-A-Mom online searchable directory. The directory will offer businesses and individuals the opportunity to search by keyword for products and services offered by mom-owned businesses. "By using our Hire-A-Mom directory, you not only save money, but you also can feel good knowing that your purchases are helping a mom stay at home with her children," Lesley Spencer, founder & director of HBWM.com states.

Many mom-owned businesses offer great products and services but don't have the resources and advertising budgets to get their business names out to the public. HBWM.com's Hire-A-Mom directory aims to help these businesses get the attention and customers they need to survive.

In addition, many members of HBWM.com create one-of-a-kind gifts that aren't found in stores, and based on low overhead most of these products and services are at very reasonable prices.

Jacksonville-based HBWM member Natalie Hayes has signed up for a listing in the directory. "This is a great resource which will allow me to promote my specialty internet baby gift store (http://www.babygiftidea.com), as well as funnel my own dollars to support other at-home parents who share our mutual cause."

"I've used the Hire-A-Mom directory several times to locate products and services that I need for both my business and for personal gifts and products. It's easy to use and keeps me from wasting time digging for the products and services I need," Janet Drez, owner of A Perfect Solution in Chandler, AZ states.

"Shopping from HBWM members is like going to a craft show without ever leaving my home. I have purchased a number of unique items from HBWM.com members and have always been delighted with the products, the individual customer service and their desire to get me exactly what I want. The friends and family I purchase for are always amazed and excited to receive such great gifts. I never shop anywhere else," Tammy Harrison, owner of a home-based marketing firm The Queen of Pizzazz in Logan, UT adds.

The directory is also useful for parents looking for home-based work. Members can list their skills and expertise to allow companies to contact them for their outsourcing needs. In addition, members who are offering business opportunities are also listed giving moms looking for home business ideas a great place to start.

"I view the HBWM Hire-A-Mom directory as not only a valuable resource, but as a way to celebrate and honor who we are and what we do. Supporting mom-owned businesses is in effect supporting the mission of all parents seeking to spend more time with their children," Erica Kuntz, owner of beHosting.com LLC in Cleveland, OH adds.

Another beneficial part of HBWM.com and the Hire-A-Mom directory is the community it provides. The HBWM.com website has message boards, listserves and an e-newsletter to connect hundreds of fellow home-based working parents for networking and support. Members have the chance to learn from other successful home-based working moms and share valuable lessons and advice with one another.

Home-Based Working Moms (HBWM.com) was founded in 1995 as an association for parents who currently work at home and those who would like to. HBWM provides its members with support, networking, information, a monthly print newsletter, email discussion list, free advertising and corporate discounts on various products and services. HBWM is an advocate of home business and home employment to allow parents to spend more timewith their children.

For more information on Home-Based Working Moms or the Hire-A-Mom directory, view their website at: http://www.hbwm.com or send a self-addressed, stamped envelope to: HBWM-NW, PO Box 500164, Austin, TX 78750.

Local Contact: Natalie Hayes,
Baby Gift Idea.com,
email: natmomma@aol.com, 904.260.1538
HBWM Founder: Lesley Spencer,
email: lesley@hbwm.com,
512.266.0900 or cell phone 512.659.7584