KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Motherhood is as stressful as a full-time job. Its demands can exceed those of any employer. A woman in East Tennessee is hoping to redefine motherhood by giving stay-at-home moms a chance to work from home, bringing in a second income while also being able to care for children.
The Knoxville Chamber, an organization focused on developing the Knoxville-area economy, said more than 6,000 job postings were available as of Nov. 27 in Knox County. That number rises to 9,000 job postings in Knoxville.
Kimberly O'Neal is hoping to connect stay-at-home moms with job postings that allow them to work from home. She is a soon-to-be mother of two children.
"You are now a modern-day stay-at-home mom and hope to find a job," she said. "The rough decision was, 'Who's going to quit their job?'"
O'Neal founded the Modern Day Stay-at-Home Mom company. Through the company, stay-at-home moms can find local and national job opportunities that allow them to work from home, helping families avoid burdensome childcare costs.
On average, childcare costs around $600 per month in Knoxville.
"That's just not doable for a lot of families," she said.
While work-from-home jobs can help families bring in extra cash, they can also help mothers step away from the daily expectations of caring for children.
"A lot of them also just want an identity, which is kind of something I struggled with as a stay-at-home mom, was postpartum depression," she said.
Jobs can range from administrative support to health care support. The company works to transfer skills mothers develop while caring for children into professional fields, all while providing the flexibility that families need.
"We want companies to realize that they're soft skills that are so critically important and can be really game-changers between a kind of mediocre employee and a phenomenal employee," said Corey O'Neal, co-founder of the company. "You can also help and empower stay-at-home moms, while also helping to knock out that stuff that's been piling up."
The East Tennessee Economic Development Agency revealed data showing women face unemployment more than men. O'Neal's company received requests for help from more than 500 mothers.
Her startup has found support from Senator Becky Massey (R-Knoxville). A statement from her is available below.
"Collaborating with local mothers on how we can work together to make Tennessee an even greater place to live and raise a family remains a top priority."
Modern Day Stay at Home Moms is looking to work with local and national companies who want to provide employment opportunities to moms. Business leaders can email moderndaysahm@gmail.com for more information. The startup plans to launch in the upcoming months.