Lemons to lemonade feature #20: Natalie Caine

Empty Nest Support Services helps anticipating empty nesters and empty-nest families through the joys and challenges of a new life chapter.

Mom entrepreneur Natalie Caine, M.A. started the company in 2002 when her only daughter was a senior in high school. She realized that as a soon-to-be “empty nester,” she would be undergoing a major life shift. This realization inspired Natalie to create a support services group, which quickly grew into a new career and full-time business.

Natalie's passion lead to speaking engagements, consulting, teaching others how to facilitate support groups, and her first book, Empty Nest: Life Beyond Parenting will soon be published. Here is her story...

How has this economy affected you, your business and your family?
We are reviewing our priorities and values, and talking again about what money is and isn’t. Pausing before we purchase..do we really need this today?

How are you making lemonade from lemons?
Through the website, I am offering more free articles, blogs, polls, teleseminars, consultations, and inspiring quotations on the message board so that it cuts costs for us and for our readers.

My mission for this business was that no parent go through this empty-nest life change alone. I have been fortunate to speak with parents across the country and have received emails from readers in Italy, Australia, Spain, Canada.

I am planning an online journaling class to offer advice and inspiration for parents who want to be home and connect with others. I also send free newsletters.

Any encouraging words you would like to offer mom entrepreneurs?
Keep going even if the phone isn’t ringing. I worked on my idea from 6am to 11pm for months - listened to teleseminars, visited the library, learned more about the profession, researched.

Be flexible and open. Surround yourself with positive people. Have fun and get out and play. We as mothers forget to play...we forget to focus on who we are, our strengths, our challenges, and what makes us vibrant.

Don't be afraid to shift gears because you are older. I was in my fifties and a speech therapist when my "ah ha" moment came.

For more information, visit Empty Nest Support Services, or email Natalie directly at natalie@emptynestsupport.com.