For many women, becoming a mother does not mean that they lose the need or the desire to work. On the contrary, most mothers still want to contribute to household finances and be accessible to their children. Unfortunately, many employers do not offer flexible work solutions. Committed to achieving success on their own terms, four Harvard women said "no" to the traditional 9-to-5 workplace: they became "momtrepreneurs." A "momtrepreneur" is a woman who creates a business that enables her to incorporate the day-to-day activities of motherhood.

Sue Jackson applies gold leaf to a frame in her studio. (Photos by Lisa Aciukewicz)

Sue Jackson, of Littleton County Road, opened Harvard Art in a garage behind her house 21 years ago, when her two children were in elementary school. Harvard Art specializes in art conservation and gilding on mirrors, frames, furniture, and architectural surfaces. Jackson, an internationally acclaimed expert in her field, has clients ranging from the U.S. Senate to museums, historical societies, collectors, and families with heirloom pieces.

"We will work on their structure, cleaning, making sure their surfaces are stable, replace missing ornaments and fill gesso losses and gold leaf, where appropriate, and tone any new gilding to match the original," says Jackson.

Jackson, who started her career out of college with a stained glass business, has also worked as an art dealer and as a graphic artist at Digitial Equipment Corporation. "Art dealing was a tough business to do with small children," she says. "It involved going out nights and weekends. It was not family-friendly, unlike my art conservation business. Having my studio on the property and separate from the house has been great. I was there in the studio when the kids came home from school. I could take them their lunch or their tennis racket if they forgot it. I could take a break and go to their soccer games if I wanted to and if my schedule allowed."

As Jackson talks about her latest restoration project, a 6-by-10-foot frame carved in France in 1860, which belongs to the Peabody Institute Library, it is hard to believe she ever struggled to get started. "Starting your own business is a daunting task," she says. "It can be very isolating. My sister-in-law, who also had her own business, encouraged me to attend the business support groups in the area. They were very helpful."

These groups were the catalyst that inspired Jackson and friend Sandy Craig, a former Harvard resident, to start the Women's Business Network (WBN) more than 20 years ago. Originally the WBN consisted of about six women who met over coffee. Now it has expanded to a network of about 75 members from across the region, and hosts monthly speakers and presentations.

Liz Hawkes at work in her home making window treatments.

One WBN member, Woodside Road resident Liz Hawkes, owns Windows by Liz, a drapery workroom that she operates out of her former family room. Hawkes began her venture in 2004, creating custom draperies for retail and the trade. She finds the WBN and other professional networks essential. "I have found that the women who are most successful follow a few simple rules: keep a low overhead, set goals, give your clients options, and have a great support network," she says.

In addition to the WBN, Hawkes is a member of an industry-specific group of window treatment professionals. She finds that the groups strengthen her and her business. "We brainstorm and share ideas," she says. "I hear their stories about struggling and juggling home and work life and I know I am not alone."

Hawkes' entrepreneurial spirit surfaced when her children became teenagers. "I'd been a stay-at-home mom for 16 years," she says. "I had helped at their school, with sports, and Girls Scouts. My girls were teenagers and didn't need as much from me anymore. I think I had a bit of an identity crisis and needed to reinvent myself. Also, with both girls getting ready for college soon, I could see their school bills looming. I wanted to contribute financially."

The desire to "help out" is often a major factor behind women-owned businesses. The Small Business Administration estimates that America's 9.1 million women-owned businesses employ 27.5 million people and contribute $3.6 trillion to the economy.

For Sharon Ursch, the opportunity to bring in money for the family was essential. Ursch is the owner of Newbury Street West, a unisex hair salon on Still River Road. "When I opened my shop, I had four children between the ages of one and 14," she says. "I needed to save money for their college funds and worry about the upkeep on our antique farmhouse. After receiving a scholarship in cosmetology, I became a licensed hairstylist and started out working at a salon on Newbury Street in Boston. I wanted to be at home for my children, so I decided to start my own salon in Harvard. My husband converted a room by our barn into my shop. It turned out to be a wonderful idea. I could continue my career, be at home with the kids and also meet the people in my community. As a mom, I found the business to be very creative, social, and child-friendly. I remember having my infant son in a backpack as I cut clients' hair. Twenty-five years later I am still happily at work doing hair." Ursch has 25 to 30 clients a week and has added yoga teacher to her resume.

For Stow Road resident Lisa Oldham, her need to have a creative outlet was the catalyst behind her business. "As my children started to need less one-on-one time, I found myself looking for something that would satisfy me artistically," she says. "I had taken a decoupaging workshop and was inspired. I would sit at my kids' dance classes or sporting events and work on little projects. That's how I began making my treasure boxes."

Oldham's one-of-a-kind treasure boxes are decoupaged with unique fabrics and embellished with trim and beads. Recently, Oldham has expanded her business to include a line of girl's hair accessories. About a year ago, she developed a partnership with Buttons and Bows, a West Acton children's consignment shop. The demand for the hair bows she crafts has increased and Oldham is considering expansion. "I am now making seasonal and holiday bows and hope to have a website soon," she says.

The women in this feature all have unique backgrounds and skill sets. They did, however, share a common goal—balancing career and family commitments. Moreover, they all agreed that without the support of their families, in particular, their spouses, they would not be the successes they are today.