Erica Diamond-Women on The Fence

 Erica's Story

1. Tell us the story of your journey. Include details about what inspired you to go into business, was this a life long dream or a newer desire. Share as many details as you are comfortable sharing. 

I have wanted to be an entrepreneur since I was a little girl playing in my basement pretending to own stores and various businesses. At age 24 I had a plan which was to get my MBA, get a great job and eventually start own company. I ended up failing my GMAT so that plan didn’t work out. At that point I decided to cash in my five thousand dollar savings and start my first company which was promotional products company. 

2. Did you go into business before or after you had children? How do/did your children affect your decision to go into business.

 After I had my first baby I knew I only had one chance to get motherhood right. I had tried juggling my business and motherhood and when I became pregnant with my second son I was beginning to feel overwhelmed. I was thrilled to get an offer I couldn’t refuse from a large company who wanted to purchase my business. After I sold my business, I stayed home as a full time mother from 2006 to 2009 and spent those three years focusing on and loving my kids. In 2009 I got the itch again to do something creative but knew that I did not want to work for someone else. I was very much on the fence. I decided to launch my business as a hub for women who were also on the fence to come and share their stories in the forum. I was excited for other women in a similar position, to have a place to go where they could find women to identify with and get “unstuck" with.

3. Share your trials and triumphs. We want to hear about your highs and lows. Did you have any low points or worries as well as high points and huge shining moments?

My first shining moment was when that large company wanted to buy my company. I was so honored. Then in 2011 I made the Forbes list for the top 100 sites for women/entrepreneurship twice. Later I was named one of the top 20 women in Canada. Watching my kids grow up is my biggest honor and privilege everyday.

4. Do you have any encouraging words to share with mom entrepreneurs that may help to keep their spirits up on a trying day. Not necessarily trade secrets that pertain to business but more directed toward encouraging another mom not to give up and/or to keep following a dream.

 On a bad day I always say thank goodness there are only 24 hours and that a new morning will always bring new possibilities. All success comes from failure so don’t be afraid to fail. To watch Erica’s speech on Why It’s Good to Fail click here

Erica's website is www.Womenonthefence.com