She’s the Boss: 10 Local Mompreneurs You’ll Want to be Friends With

These local moms have worked hard to create unique businesses and services that help everyone from the littlest babe to the wisest grandparents. Plus, they are just downright awesome!

By Katie Brown February 9, 2016

We may aspire to buy seasonal fruits and vegetables, dress our babes in responsibly-sourced organic cotton, and skip that Florida vacay in favor of, say, a local production of King Lear. But when it’s the dead of winter and your toddler is threatening to peel the paint from the walls if he doesn’t get a bowl of summery strawberries yesterday…you do what you gotta do (thanks for the free coffee, Trader Joe’s). Here, we profile several D.C.-area business owners who also happen to be parents—so you can reduce your carbon footprint in solidarity with entrepreneurs who, bless their hearts, haven’t slept through the night since 2010.

Kathleen Donahue – Labyrinth Games and Puzzles

Owner Kathleen Donahue has an unpaid expert test most of her store’s new games: her son! Labyrinth sells a wide selection of non-electronic specialty games, puzzles, brainteasers, and mazes. The space boasts hands-on activities and games to be played in-store, hosts game tournaments (think: Chess Club, Friday Night Magic, Pokemon Club) and parties, and partners with local schools and organizations to provide after-school enrichment programs. They train teachers on how to use games in the classroom, and help plan and run fundraisers, family game nights, and childcare during local PTA meetings. If you’re looking for a way to wedge yourself between your kid and the Wii console, this might be it.

Online: labyrinthgameshop.com

Who did we miss? In the comments section below, tell us about your favorite local mompreneur.

—Katie Brown and Hilary Riedemann