This weeks Woman of the Week is Carolyn Davenport-Moncel of MotionTemps.com We had the pleasure of interviewing Carolyn. You can read the Interview below.
TBA: For anyone who doesn't know, whats your name?
Carolyn: Carolyn Davenport-Moncel
TBA: Hi Carolyn are you married and do you have kids?
Carolyn: Yes, I am married to a wonderful man named Philippe Moncel. We have 2 daughters, Chloe who just turned six in May and Jillian who is 9 months.Chloe is your average active and energetic kid who loves playing with cars as well as dolls. I love her because she's so beautiful and smart. She speaks fluent English and French and loves working on the computer. Jillian is my beautiful and smart new baby. She is already showing signs of following in her big sister's footsteps. She's a real babbler and even now is already fascinated with the computer and the sounds in which it makes.They are already starting to bond, and I love watching Chloe play with Jillian. She's going to be a great big sister.
TBA: Carolyn please tell us about you, the woman behind the business.
Carolyn: I am a 34-year-old African American woman originally from Chicago, Illinois, but I now live in Paris with my French husband, two daughters, a dog and a cat. Prior to starting my business, I worked in marketing and public relations. I have spent time both in the private sector - in agency, dot.com, corporate and nonprofit environments, and also in the public sector developing strategies for local political campaigns. I am a graduate Loyola University Chicago, and I hold a Bachelor of Arts degree in Organizational Communications and minor in Political Science. In addition to my work with MotionTemps, I am actively involved in a number of organizations including OuiWIT, the Paris Chapter and ChicWIT, the Chicago Chapter of Women in Technology; Sisters a networking organization for women of African descent living and working in Paris, and the International Virtual Assistance Association. There are others but way too many to name. In my spare time (when I have it) I enjoy reading, writing, downloading music, concerts, movies, politics and computer technology.
TBA: Sounds like you have a wonderful family there Carolyn, lets switch gears here and talk about your business, tell us what's the name of your business, the site URL and when did you start it?
Carolyn: MotionTemps, LLC is the name, the URL is http://motiontemps.com I started MotionTemps on July 31, 2001 in a spare bedroom in my apartment back in Chicago. Now I when I look out my office window, I get a neat view of the Eiffel Tower on a clear day. I plan to work in Chicago two months per year, and work the remaining time in Paris.
Our specialty is complete project coordination, communication support and administrative assistance to home-based professionals, non-profits and small to mid-sized consulting firms. Although our clients come from a wide range of industries, we specifically work with consultants and small-business owners representing the training, coaching, project management and communications industries. We even provide emergency support services for English-speaking business travels who find themselves in an administrative crunch while traveling in France for meetings, seminars, etc.
TBA: MotionTemps thats a unique name how did you choose it?
Carolyn: When I decided to go into business for myself, I had plans to start a much different venture. First, I wanted to launch a on-line site for African American teens called B-Down.com. I actually finished the research, conducted focus groups, designed the logo and even started financing, but I sensed that the dot.com industry was about to change. I knew that financing would become quite difficult and the project would be very expensive to finance so I just postponed it. Maybe one day I will return to it.
I was awakened one night by the idea of starting MotionTemps. So I got out of bed immediately and began typing out the business plan on my computer -- at three o'clock in the morning! By the time I finished, it was daylight and I had a rough draft of my business plan so all I needed to do was research the figures and the feasibility in starting the business. While I was at it, I designed the prototype for the first web site as well. I often have my best ideas at night and that's how I came up with the company name. "MotionTemps" completely encapsulates how I live and how I like to work. As a mother of two, I'm always on the go, and I like having variety in my work and having the ability to choose my projects -- hence the "temps" part.
TBA: Why did you choose to start MotionTemps?
Carolyn: I started this business because I wanted to spend more time with Chloe who was four at the time. Working in corporate PR, I used to work really long hours so often times Chloe would be sleeping when I returned home at night. She would be sleeping when I left for work in the morning. I felt as if I had missed all of her important milestones -- or at least she had shared them with someone else.
I also wanted to start my own business because I just reached a point in my career where I just didn't want to work for anyone else any more. I wanted more control over the type of work performed, and I wanted the power to accept or reject projects. I bore very easily. I have to be really excited about a project in order to give it 1000% . I knew the only way I would feel that way again about any project would require that I work for myself. So I informed by boss of my decision, and she was extremely supportive. In fact, she was a mentor for me because she was the person who showed me how you could balance work with your family life -- if you're your own boss. She's actually one of my clients.
TBA: Where would you like to see MotionTemps go?
Carolyn: I would like to continue servicing my current client roster back in Chicago, and I want to continue growing my business there. We plan to stay in Paris for only a few years. When we return to Chicago, I don't want to start over. Also, I want to continue growing my business in Paris to the point where I can service expatriate small businesses, larger American corporations, as well as French companies.
TBA: What do you love the mot about MotionTemps?
Carolyn: I love the flexibility. I am able to work how I want, where I want, whenever I want. I thought that my move to Paris would damage my business, but because it is a virtual business anyway, the business has not been affected seriously. I love being home with my daughters, and I love taking a day off when I want to do so. I love the fact that it's mine and that it's a multinational corporation that operates on two continents.
TBA: What advice would you give other women?
Carolyn: Hear you own voice. Every day while commuting to work, I heard that phrase in my mind for over a year before I made the leap to start my own business. I didn't know what it meant, but the meaning became crystal clear once I started MotionTemps. Don't be afraid to dream and try out ideas if you think it will make you happy. The only thing worst than failure is not trying at all.
If you're starting your own business, do your homework. Understand your business, the industry in which it belongs, your competitors and potential clients. Prepare for the financial lean months in the early stages of your business.
TBA: Is there anything else you would like to tell us Carolyn?
Carolyn: MotionTemps is my "baby" just like Chloe and Jillian. I nurture this business as if it were a child. Like my children, it's the best decision that I've ever made. I feel this way even on bad days at the office. ;-) We're celebrating our 2nd Anniversary in July so visitors to the web site should look for some neat gifts . I also write a monthly newsletter and column on public relations tips designed specifically for the small-business owner. Anyone interested can sign up at newsletter@motiontemps.com.
As you can see by reading the interview above Carolyn has earned the Woman of the Week recognition. If you would like to contact Carolyn you can at carolyn@motiontemps.com