The Bed-Rest Brainchild

Mothers often have a way of recognizing needs that others sometimes miss and then looking to solve these needs creatively.

Today, we are again welcoming NAMC Advocacy Coordinator Valerie Young to the Mothers Central Blog. This time, however, Valerie brings along with her Tangie Loftin — a friend, advocate and entrepreneur — to share her own personal, empowering story that stemmed from something many mothers are familiar with… pregnancy bed rest.

~

The Bed-Rest Brainchild

By Valerie Young and Tangie Loftin

One of the coolest parts of my job is that I get to meet fantastic people. Tangie Loftin is my most recent discovery.

Tangie and I were calling on US Senators together last month to encourage them to support legal protections for pregnant workers. She was accompanied by her entourage (her son and husband) and wheeled a stroller with impressive authority through the marbled halls of power.

As we worked, I got her story.

Tangie is the President and CEO of smsELECT.net, a service that uses cell phones and texting to donate to non-profits and political candidates. Her story is a perfect example of a mother seeing a need and creatively solving a problem.

This is Tangie’s story…

My company—smsElect.net—was born out of (what I saw) as a necessity.

It was the 2012 presidential election, and I remember being sincerely concerned that the rights of females and mothers across the country were in danger—up against big business and the millions of dollars they could so easily distribute.

But what could I do? I was pregnant and on bed rest.

One thing many of us know about being on bed rest is you have a lot of time.

Time to plan.
Time to prepare.
And time to just think.

After putting much thought into a decision rendered in the U.S. Supreme Court Case: Citizens United vs the FEC (which classified corporate big money as an individual voice), I decided that because I could not donate my time, I would donate the next best thing—my money.

I donated $25 via text message to support my candidate and my views.

A $25 donation may not seem like it could do that much, however donating this modest amount of money did something I never imagined… it made me part of the campaign. It empowered me.

I started thinking about how other candidates, as well as working women and moms, could empower themselves by this service. I was eager to participate and fight back against special interest groups with deep pockets and figured I wasn’t alone.

It was in this frame of mind, that I became determined to create an easy tool that allowed everyone to contribute amounts as small as even $5.00 to their cause.

That’s it! That’s how simply smsELECT.net was born.

When a candidate or cause chooses to use the product, moms, sisters and daughters can now quickly and efficiently donate via smart phone for the candidate or cause of her choosing. Additionally, the platform accepts and confirms the donation as well as sends an email receipt in a matter of moments eliminating the need and hassle of checkbook giving.

Convenience is key, not only for moms-on-the-go (or on bed rest!) but also for the candidate or organization who subscribes to our system. And we’ve made setting up a smsELECT.net account, or using one to make a donation fast and easy.

I originally started this entrepreneurial endeavor with women like myself in mind. However along the way we found our product has something to offer many people including mothers, non-profits and political candidates by giving people more options to donate (making them more likely to give).

So that’s my story. Thinking back on the creation of smsELECT.net, it’s so fun to remember that it all began as the brainchild of:

A compelled-to-bed-rest, third-trimester,
politically-active (although temporarily out of commission) mom-to-be.

~

Thank you Tangie. Once again, we see that necessity is the mother of invention… If you’re interested in more information on her efforts visit smsELECT.net or contact [email protected].

‘Til next time,
Your (Wo)Man in Washington

~

Leave a Comment: Have you ever been prompted towards an entrepreneurial endeavor through your experiences as a mother or parent? Tell us about it in a comment.

This is an original post for Mothers Central contributed by NAMC Advocacy Coordinator Valerie Young.

Learn more about Valerie and keep up-to-date on important policies that promote family economic security and the well-being of family caregivers by visiting and subscribing via email to the (Wo)man in Washington blog, liking her on Facebook, and following her on Twitter.

I am a staff member of the National Association of Mothers' Centers and a longtime member of the Mothers' Center of Greater Toledo in Ohio. My husband and I are busy raising 3 children ages 4-11. I have a professional background as a graphic designer in the creative and education industry. Since 2005, I have been using my professional skills by actively volunteering with the Mothers' Center of Greater Toledo in various leadership positions.

Kate Fineske

View all posts by Kate Fineske
Kate's website

Tagged as: Bed rest, entrepreneur, mothers group, Mothers support, pregnancy, smsELECT.net, Tangie Loftin, Valerie Young, Your Woman in Washington