Spotlight on Mommy -- Natasha Soleil of Pink Junction

Being a new mom, I find it hard to find time to get together will girlfriends each week.  But, this doesn't have to be the case anymore, as I found out about Pink Junction.  Pink Junction is an online meetup for moms to get together and meet up and talk with other moms with similar interests.  This great forum was recently created by Natasha Soleil, and is a FREE service.  So, if you are looking for a place to meet and talk online with other moms, why not check out Pink Junction today.  It is easy to sign up, and in minutes you can find other moms with similar interests and share messages relating to home, recipes, kids, family and more.


And, now I want to share my Spotlight on Mommy interview with the creator of Pink Junction, Natasha Soleil.  Enjoy!

Name: Natasha Soleil
Company Name/Product/Service: Pink Junction
Company Location: West Hollywood, California
Company Website: www.pinkjunction.com
Facebook URL:
http://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/pages/Pink-Junction/340995451928
Twitter Handle: @PinkJunction
Age of Company: 1.5 yrs. old.
Favorite Inspirational Quotes: ‘Let go of the old, to allow the new to come’
Favorite Book: A Midsummer Nights Dream, by William Shakespeare


Tell us a little bit about yourself.  How many children do you have?  What are their ages? Your hobbies? Etc.

I’m originally from Canada and spent my 20s in San Francisco where I was a part of the (dot.com) boom – at the age of 22 I started my PR firm and it was very successful as we were representing small start-ups to big corporations. But, after 9/11 the weak economy killed my business and I found myself living off my savings. I believe things happen for a reason even if the lesson is tough. It is during those times I realized I was more of an artist than a publicist. And so, as I continue my path in life I had time to nurture a relationship with a wonderful man who’s now my husband and rethink my career.  My first project into my new being was Soleil Organics, a mobile application I designed and developed for Google and iphone handsets. Soleil Organics is a guide to help you decide when to buy organic at the grocery store. Once this project was accomplished, I felt I could create something more unique, something new, something women needed on a daily basis and so, I designed Pink Junction. On a personal note, I have my son Luka now 12 ½ months and just started walking, I live in West Hollywood, California with my husband Jim a book author,singer/songwriter in a band. My hobbies include painting and hiking up canyons – I love nature and feel inspired when I reach the peek of mountain!

Briefly explain your business.  How did it come about?

When I would hike up the canyon I would feel frustrated with my career and on the way down the hill I felt enlighten and excited about the future. Its during those walks that I started to design in my mind ‘Pink Junction’ a community where women can share their personal content with girlfriends.

Pink Junction is a lifestyle social network for women. It’s a tool so we can share our tips, advice and recipes. An intimate setting to feel comfortable to ask a question or make a post to girlfriends on subjects like bras on sale to advice on diets or fashion for example. Similar to facebook – members must set up a profile, invite friends to connect and then start posting content. Categories include event planning, food, fashion/beauty, gardening, health/wellness, home/décor, parenting,travel.

What is a typical work day like?

I start my day at 7am – my lovely husband takes care of the baby, dog and making coffee while I get out of bed, take a shower and get dressed for the day. He leaves for work at 8am…and now the fun starts! I’m home with Luka all day and try to work while taking care of him. My parents are in Canada and so, I don’t have anyone to watch the baby during the day unless they visit for a couple of weeks. I can only really focus on the work during his naps or when he’s occupied playing with his toys. So, we tend to go out for walks, visit playgrounds and I hike everyday with my friend Lisa around 3pm…because I still need to shed a few pounds of the baby weight. Around 7pm Jim comes home, we eat dinner, put luka to bed…and only at 9 or 10pm I can I work again on my business until midnight.

What has been a struggle while starting up your company?

Not having enough funds and technical issues. The Pink Junction site has been done for 6 months but, we kept getting tech issues and I had to add a few features. Its now up and running and when I have some more funds I will make it a little more slick with the design and add some cool functions.

What did you do in your past work life?

I was a publicist for 14 years representing new media companies everything from music software, animation studios to large corporations doing cool entertainment and technology programs.

What have been some of your major successes?

A major success of mine is my app. Soleil Organics reviewed as one of the top 5 apps. in Health/Wellness on iphone by Yahoo! Additionally, my marriage to Jim and having a beautiful son that’s my biggest success!

What have been some of your major challenges?

Trying to juggle taking care of the baby and launching a business.

On those impossible days, what motivates you to keep going?

Remind yourself that you are a beautiful mother and your goals will be reached…it just seems hard today but, tomorrow is a new day and all is coming your way!

What is your balancing secret in managing a business and family?

Organization --- the key is to be organized and set up a schedule to get everything done in a timely matter.

What is next for your business?

I just want more women to sign up and invite friends to start using the site and share their great content. Also, I need to get advertisers and sponsors for ‘Friend of the Week’ and make the site a little more slick with design and new features.

Do you have any advice for other mom entrepreneurs that are starting out and struggling, or are on the fence about starting a business?

I think that I incorporated my company too soon. Its expensive to maintain the cost of owning a business and I would suggest to just have a DBA instead of .inc until you start making revenue. Unless you already have plenty of funds for the incorporation, trade marks, web site cost to name a few. It really adds up fast!Also – don’t wait for an investor or a business deal. That was my biggest mistake – I was pitching mobile recipe applications in 2007 to top publishers in NYC and they ended up loving my pitches and proposals but, I was too early they came out with app. in 2010. So, I should have just used my little savings and built my own app. and launch as one of the first recipe apps. on iphone instead of waiting on closing a deal. My suggestion is to follow your intuition, your visions on the creative level and just produce it yourself. Once you create and produce a product its easier to close a deal and/or receive investment.