PORTLAND, Ore. (KATU) — Oregon ranks sixth in the nation for the earnings of self-employed mothers, with an average annual income of $29,181, according to a recent analysis by LendingTree.

This figure surpasses the national average of $22,880 for mompreneurs, highlighting the state’s supportive environment for entrepreneurial mothers.

“Some places simply offer a better foundation for mompreneurs — with more demand, better support systems, or cultural acceptance of nontraditional work. In Oregon, the income potential speaks for itself,” said Matt Schulz from LendingTree.

Lisa Komer, a local mompreneur, exemplifies this trend.

She operates Fancy That Gift Co. from her home in Portland. Komer transitioned from the corporate world to self-employment after becoming a stay-at-home mom.

Her business, which began with creating birth announcements and party invitations, has evolved over nearly two decades into a gifting enterprise.

“It kind of grew because the people who came to the parties or received the announcements started asking me to do that type of thing for them,” she said about her business’ beginning.

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Komer’s journey is that of adaptability and resilience, qualities required to run a local business as a mother. “I think probably the most important thing I learned is really resilience and adapting and really embracing being perfectly imperfect,” she said.

Her husband, David, plays a crucial role in the business as her financial advisor and cheerleader. “I get to do all the creative stuff and he takes care of that part of me and helps me, and it’s a sounding board for me,” Komer said.

Komer advises aspiring mompreneurs to trust their instincts and seek out networking opportunities.

“Joining networking groups, talking to people in their industry and kind of not trying to reinvent it from the very beginning because there’s all these resources out there,” she said.

As Mother’s Day approaches, Komer appreciates the hard work of all kinds of mothers. “I love Mother’s Day. I love any of the types of holidays that are really showing your appreciation and really reaching out to people in your life, the moms in your life that are working so hard and are there for you all the time,” she said after she wished a happy holiday to her own mother and mother-in-law.