Give Back PR

Los Angeles, CA, December 23, 2015 (Newswire.com) - MOMFAIR is the only destination of its kind for moms looking to re-launch their careers. MomFair LIVE!, a day long fair and conference, January 31st at UCLA's Carnesale Commons, will include more than 50  expert speakers, career counselors, recruiters, mentors, a job fair and much more.  

"Most moms we know who leave work to stay home do not want to stop working, but they're facing demands by employers which force them to make a choice between office hours and their children's needs," says MomFair co-founder Laura Gerson. "Moms shouldn't have to choose between their careers and their family. We're proving every day that with more flexible options, we really can have it all!"

"Moms shouldn't have to choose between their careers and their family. We're proving every day that with more flexible options, we really can have it all!"

Laura Gerson, Co-founder MomFair

Co-founder Galite Shafer says after having three children, she couldn't return to a structured corporate environment. "I merged my marketing background with my entrepreneurial spirit, and now with MomFair we're showing other moms how to find their own path back to a meaningful career that makes sense with their roles as mothers."

The two Los Angeles moms have teamed up with top organizations in career development, experts, mentors and like minded moms and they're bringing everyone together for their second MomFair LIVE! conference in LA. The event offers expanded conference topics (Flexwork, Find a Job, Own My Own Business, Work From Home, Work Life Balance, and Develop New Skills) to cover a broader spectrum than the first, along with interactive tools that will be available at www.MomFair.com.

THE BACKSTORY

Laura Gerson's career involved business development and marketing, skills she transitioned into blogging and launching two interactive websites. When her daughter started Kindergarten, Gerson applied to regular office jobs again but hiring managers were unresponsive to her 20 year marketing resume. That's when she realized she had discovered a great learning opportunity for both hiring managers and skilled moms. "Moms bring great value to the table from listening skills to problem solving, multitasking, productivity and more that employers are missing out on," explains Gerson. "We created MomFair to raise awareness and help other moms facing the same career struggle I faced, and in doing that found a new career that worked with my family's schedule."

Co-founder, Galite Shafer, met Gerson at their daughter's preschool. They quickly bonded over similar stories, career goals and a passion to help other moms. Shafer was eager to pursue her entrepreneurial interests, so working to help other moms discover the balance she had found became the perfect union of ambition and purpose. "I meet moms every day who are not only ready to work but have impressive career backgrounds and skills," says Shafer. "There's nothing more fulfilling than helping another mom uncover the power she already has to take control of her own career, her own schedule, and make both a success."

"CAREER MOM" VS. "WORKING MOM"

After starting MomFair, Gerson and Shafer were often asked how they managed being 'working moms.' "I found it amusing that people thought that staying at home to raise a family wasn't work," says Gerson. "Being a homemaker and a mom are the two most physically and emotionally demanding jobs I've ever had" That's when the ladies of MomFair replaced the term "working mom" with "career mom," as moms never really stop working.

"Motherhood and career takes a special balancing act, and sometimes our best advice is 'do what you can,'" says Shafer. "Through MomFair we help moms do just that by teaching them how to structure their resume to highlight their skill set, find key volunteer opportunities, think through business strategy, and find career counselors." 

BIGGEST JOB MARKET MISTAKE = DISMISSING MOM SKILLS

The biggest mistake employers make is dismissing the value and experience gained in motherhood. Gerson describes the unseen jobs in her resume 'mom gap' as: concierge/valet, tech support, housekeeper, chef, dry cleaning and laundry facilitator, scheduler, travel agent, mediator, personal shopper, dog walker and pet care specialist, tutor, and more. "I learned more skills with time management and communication as a mom, than I've ever learned at any other job," says Gerson.

Moms are some of the most qualified employees available:

1. As the primary decision makers in the household, moms influence $2.4T annually in spending decisions, according to Response Media. As part of this key demographic, these women are uniquely in tune with their target sales audience.

2. 9M Millenial Moms (ages 24-45) in the US and 90% of the 5M new moms within the last year are highly connected with three or more social media accounts communicating an average of 17 hours a week.

3. 55 % of career oriented stay at home moms would prefer to work

4. The number of SAHM's who don't work outside the home continues to increase because they can't find work, 29% in 2012 vs. 23% in '99 (Pew Research Center)

Some of  MomFair's partners include JVS (Workforce Centers and WoMentoring programs), job boards like Maybrooks, Workhoppers, OptIn and FlexJobs, brands who support career moms including Shark and Ninja, educational opportunities like UCLA Extension, content sites like W.A.H.M and moms sites including Babble, Modern Mom and MomStamp.

MOMFAIR Sponsorships and tickets are still available, but the spots are filling quickly.  Visit our website www.MomFair.com or click here for more information.

MEDIA INTERVIEWS: Both Laura and Galite are available to discuss what it takes to transition from a stay at home mom to a Career Mom, how to find flexibility in your life to "have it all," and to share the experience of MomFair since its inception two years ago.  Please contact Stephanie Abrams at Stephanie@AbramsManagement.com or at 323-999-4489 for more information or to schedule interviews.

MOMANGELES MEDIA LLC produces MomFair and creates content for moms by moms. MomAngeles Media owns and operate MomFair and MomAngeles. MomAngeles puts the Best of LA in the palm of your hand through its website, regular emails, social media posts, Instagram pics and Perks Card. MomFair helps Moms with career transitions including transitioning from current work situation, writing a book, working from home, launching a product, transitioning back to the office or starting a business.