Ana Abraham created Mini Cities, which is now a national franchise! Read her story below.
What does your business do?
Mini Cities was created for Moms of great communities that surround major cities (the suburbs). We suburban moms want to have a great place for our kids to grow up and we want our families to feel connected to these great communities where we live. Each Mini Cities site focuses on a specific area.
I started the company here in New Tampa with the www.NewTampaDirectory.com. The site is a directory of businesses, events, and coupons specifically in New Tampa, a suburb north of Tampa. Soon moms from other communities were telling me that they needed a site like it.
We became a franchise and now we have franchisees and Mini Cities sites in communities surrounding Tampa Bay and Atlanta. We are now offering franchises nationwide!
What made you decide to start your own business?
As a small child, I was always trying to make money. I would do anything from babysitting to buying candy at the corner store and selling it at school. I started Mini Cities, my current company, after my second son was born and I realized I needed to work while my boys were busy either sleeping, or playing or eventually at school. I had a great career before they were born and decided to build a company for Moms like me.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
So far I think my biggest challenge has been that I am impatient. I want everything to happen yesterday! I have learned to be more patient and to enjoy the process – a little.
At the end of the day what makes you say this is all worth it?
At the end of the day it is all about family and community. Mini Cities is all about strengthening communities and creating areas where people feel connected to their local businesses and their neighbors. Our franchisees are called Community Connectors, and they personify that title. Mini Cities franchisees are the hub of their communities – we all share a common belief. We believe in local communities, we believe in local business.
What advice or tips would you give to other business owners?
To preserve! Just keep moving forward!
What’s your favourite quote?
Those who say it cannot be done should not interrupt those doing it! And Go Confidently in the direction of your dreams and live the life you have imagined.
Who inspires you?
I am inspired by those who beat the odds, Gordon Ramsey types. Those who came from humble beginnings and lived to show you cannot only overcome you can triumph!
Some of the franchises include:
http://www.PalmHarborDirectory.com
http://www.DunedinDirectory.com
http://www.LutzDirectory.com
http://www.CarrollwoodDirectory.com
http://www.WestchaseDirectory.com
In Atlanta some of our sites include:
http://www.CantonGeorgiaDirectory.com
http://www.WoodstockGeorgiaDirectory.com
http://www.AboutBuckhead.com
http://www.SandySpringsCommunity.com
