Moms Learn Value Of Home Businesses
In between driving school car pools and helping kids with homework, an increasing number of Conejo Valley stay-at-home moms are running unique businesses from their kitchens and garages. These multitasking mommy entrepreneurs use their talents to earn extra cash for their families while still being able to stay at home.
Diana Turk of Agoura Hills and Dawn Stillo, Lauren Kellenberger and Connie Balke of Oak Park have found success with unique endeavors, counting celebrities as well as friends, neighbors and family among their clientele.
They’re in good company. Women, including those with children, are starting businesses at almost double the rate of men. According to the Center for Women’s Business Research, there are 1.4 million privately held, women-owned businesses in California that earn approximately $300 million in revenue.
Turk’s business, which is called People Platters, has taken over the family garage with organized rows of shelves and drawers filled with materials used for her creations. Turk designs personalized ceramic platters featuring three-dimensional custom clay characters, clever charms reflecting hobbies and interests of recipients, their names and significant dates. Turk is busy year-round with orders for birthdays, weddings and anniversaries, bar mitzvahs, Mother’s and Father’s Day, coach and teacher gifts and awards. She also offers parties where guests create their own plates.
“I love seeing how people feel good when they get one of these plates,” Turk said. She counts basketball star Shaquille O’Neal among her clients. She estimates that she’s made more than 1,000 plates since launching the enterprise in 2003.
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