CLERMONT, Fla. – Studies show women, moms in particular, make 85 percent of the purchasing decisions for their home. In fact, women account for some $5 trillion in consumer spending. That's why major name brands are turning to moms for their opinions on products ranging from vacuums to vehicles.
Joscelyn Ramos Campbell, a Clermont mom, has been blogging for four years.
In that time, she's landed clients for some of the biggest name brands in the country.
"Hormel Foods, TJ Maxx, Marshalls, Johnson's Baby, Neutrogena, General Motors, General Mills," said Campbell as she listed off some of the companies she works with.
When those big name brands need a product review, Campbell is their "go-to-mommy."
"When a brand hires a mom blogger, or when they hire a work-at-home mom, they're hearing directly from the audience they're trying to reach," Campbell said.
As a wife and mother of three, Campbell is that audience who has an audience of her own.
At last count: 75,000 unique page views a month to her blog, Mami of Multiples, 5,000 Twitter followers, 1,000 Facebook "likes" and 2,000 on her email list.
"I have people that read me in Italy, Germany, France, and Australia," said Campbell who blogs about her life and has reviewed dozens of products.
Last month, it was Little Tyke racing beds and a new SUV, the Chevy Equinox.
This month she's testing Hormel Food recipes and a Neutrogena microdermabrasion kit.
And when Local 6 cameras were there, Fed-Ex dropped off yet another package.
But Campbell says products don't just appear after your first blog post.
"If there's a brand you use and love every day, you can approach them," said Campbell.
She suggests asking to be on their media list, and being sure to learn all you can about their products.
"By the time a brand is coming to you and is offering you something it's because you've already put your work and your time in with them," said Campbell.
And she knows a thing or two about hard work. For 10 years, she had a high-powered career in Washington, DC. But when her twins sons were born in 2007, she decided to quit to focus on her growing family, which then became the focus of her blog.
"You want it to be something you're already talking about is something you're passionate about," said Campbell.
Once you choose that niche, she says, commit to updating your blog often.
Campbell says the more you post, the more you're followed or found on Google.
It's a system that's working for her.
"That kind of really snowballed into what I have now the blogging and now my own media company," said Campbell.
In the car or at home, Campbell can do business for that company Mami Innovative Media.
"You can start your business by having one laptop," she said.
Campbell still has a corner office, but this one comes with a view of her kitchen and more importantly her children.