07:02 PM CST on Thursday, February 23, 2006

By ANGELIQUE TEGE / WFAA-TV

WFAA.

Erica Carswell is a newlywed, with a new born and a new business.

Now, we look at two mothers growing their families while trying to grow their businesses.

There's an official term for these kind of women: they're called "mompreneurs".

"Norman? what do you think about mommy staying at home and making purses? What do you think about mommy staying home?"

Erica Carswell is a newlywed, with a new born and a new business.

"My home-based business is making hand crafted purses. I basically start with my totebag and I design different faces," she says.

For the 26-year old, motherhood was the mother of invention.

"I started this business because I was at home with my son and I really enjoy being creative. But because I really needed a diaper bag that was small enough to take in for short trips and the tote bag was the perfect size.

She sells her wares to friends, family and on the internet. Erica is among an increasing number of women. According to the Center for Women's Business Research, between 1997 and 2004, African-American women-owned businesses grew by 32.5%. The 2004 biennial report also shows women of color owned 1.4 million privately-held businesses generating almost $147 billion in sales.

"Even if it doesn't make a lot of money, just the fact that I really really enjoy doning is enough for me," she says.

Mompreneur Rhonda James has three young children.

"And I have a wonderful husband who puts up with his wife and all her crazy ideas and schemes."

The latest "scheme" in her 8-year marriage is an edible paint called Daba Doodle.

"We do grape, apple, orange, lemon... mmm cherry if I didn't say that."

"The reason why they are edible is just in case your 17-month old puts that paint brush in their mouth or puts their fingers in their mouth that has paint on them."

In 2003, Rhonda presented her product to the public at the American Baby Fair in Dallas.

"We've kinda changed the formula and everything around since then and it's been patent pending for a year, so hopefully we'll hear something by next year.

The paint is used in The Children's Art Cafe classes - Rhonda's primary entrepreneurial venture. According to the Texas-transplant, Daba Dooble has caught the attention of The Food Network and The Oprah Winfrey Show.

"I think it's getting a lot of attention because it's so unique. I think in terms of the classes. The paints are edible but we don't emphasize that the child sit and eat the paint."

Rhonda has bachelor degrees in Spanish and Fine Arts, as well as an MBA in international marketing. She says growing a family while growing a business is "challenging."

"When I first started the process, I had one child--I was expecting my second. Now I have a third one in the mix, and I also have a new product line in the mix. And since we do birthday parties and edible art kits, you have to juggle."

Mompreneurs Rhonda James and Erica Carswell both started their home-based businesses with less than $500 capital. Rhonda hopes Daba Doodle and The Children's Art Cafe will go from private parties into public schools. Erica says in ten years she hopes to appear in routine trade shows and have little Norman on her marketing team.