Millionaire moms: From M.O.M. to C.E.O.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- While raising children may seem far removed from the world of big business, some women prove that motherhood can be more valuable than an MBA.

In fact, motherhood skills can be successfully translated into building a successful business, according to Lori Kiser-Block, the president of FranChoice, a franchise consulting firm.

Although starting a business generally requires a hefty time commitment, especially at the outset, "it helps if you are organized and methodical," Kiser-Block said, "which is typically how mothers are when raising kids."

In addition to possessing a great degree of stamina, "a lot of mothers also manage the household budget and are the social networkers," said Tamara Monosoff, CEO of Mom Inventors and author of Secrets of Millionaire Moms ($16.95, McGraw-Hill). "And all of those skills are transferable and absolutely necessary for a successful business."

In her book, Monosoff cites Julie Clark, the founder of Baby Einstein; Maxine Clark, the creator of Build-a-Bear; and Rachel Ashwell, the face behind Shabby Chic; as just a few examples of mothers who sprouted successful businesses from their own experiences at home.

Clark, who felt there was a lack of products to help share her love of art, classical music, language and poetry with her young daughter, created the first Baby Einstein video in her home.

She gradually extended beyond videos and developed a suite of products including DVDs, music CDs, books and toys. She built the business to $20 million in annual sales, according to media reports, then sold the Baby Einstein Company to Walt Disney (Charts, Fortune 500) in 2001.

Then there's Maria de Lourdes Sobrino, who turned her Mexico City upbringing, culinary ability and recipes for flan, rice pudding and parfait into a $10 million dessert business based in Anaheim, Calif.

According to Monosoff, Sobrino took her homemade desserts to mom and pop stores around Los Angeles and offered to sell them on consignment until they became popular.

Lulu's Dessert is now ranked among the largest and fastest-growing Hispanic-owned businesses in the U.S., according to Monosoff.

But for many mothers, Monosoff said, fear can deter them from venturing out on their own.

In addition to the fear of failure, there is also the fear of success: "As women become successful, it alters their position in the family," Monosoff said, and that can upset the balance at home.

To avoid such problems, she suggests connecting with others who are also pursing their own startup, and if possible, incorporating other members of the family into the business.

"These women are just like you and me - they've just worked incredibly hard and had this intense focus to succeed, and other women can as well," Monosoff said.