*BONUS* Home Business Interview Series #7: Ponn Sabra, Founder/Publisher of American Muslim Mom

I’m so excited to be able to bring you a bonus interview today, alhamduillilah! Ponn Sabra, the founder and publisher of American Muslim Mom, was kind enough to share how she began working as a professional blogger, growing her own sites. I have the utmost respect for Ponn – it is inspiring to see another Muslim sister creating such a prolific presence online. I am so happy to see so many sisters creating a strong online presence and representing our faith, masha’Allah. American Muslim Mom is definitely an ezine that embodies the true spirit of Islam and sisterhood.
Several sisters have contacted me by email seeking advice about how to get started blogging for profit. I think Ponn is an excellent source of information on this topic,  insha’Allah . You’re sure to get a good dose of inspiration and motivation from her interview responses.

How long have you worked as a professional blogger for your own
sites?

Since 2005.

What were you doing professionally before you started blogging
full-time?

The year before I started blogging professionally, I was a foreclosure and
short sales real estate agent and specialist, and freelance writer. Prior
to that, I was a public health official since 1998; and published writer
since 1995.

What motivated you to start blogging as a business venture?

After a life-changing car accident in 2004, I realized that I wouldn’t hold
off anything anymore, such as my dream of writing a book. So, I wrote a
business networking book for women in 3-days while in bed. Rather going
through the small press publisher who solicited the book, I was actually
blessed to be published traditionally. While my book was being published, I
entered the online world in January 2005 simply to promote and publicize my
book in the most cost-effective and time-efficient way.

Alhumdulilah, Masha’Allah, 9 months of hard work, dedication and many
mistakes on the book’s debut release date, my book was a best-seller on
amazon.com. I immediately became a well-sought after online freelance
writer, Internet Branding Consultant, and became a debut columnist of
Entrepreneur Magazine’s women’s site. Blogging was the main platform I used
to share my journey and written works.

Can you share some of the ways you generate profit from your blog?

First, I use the blog platform (specifically WordPress) to host a series of different types of websites. For example, I have my main blog network, AmericanMuslimMom.com, which has two separate blogs “channels” connected by one-brand name. The Muslim Homeschool Channel of that site is: MuslimHomeEducation.com. I have an online gift guide or catalogue at EidGiftGuide.com, PublicitySpark.com  is a co-owned online PR (Public Relations) and Social Media information products store. This is where my partner and I relieve all our SEO secrets that we use to catapult our individual businesses and that of our clients since 2005. I use PonnSabra.com  as a stand-alone website for all my businesses to refer Press to and generate leads into my mailing list. As you will see by the list of the various sites, I have other blogs as well.
Direct sponsorships & online advertisements, affiliate marketing of hard products (like my book, “Empowering Women to Power Network,” but mostly information products, and online services I use and love; Information product development, affiliate management, Internet Branding consultation to design, conduct and/or run their social media campaigns, Paid blogging, vlogging and speaker,  Online Publicity & Search Engine Optimization work, and online freelance writing.

It’s important to note that I do not seek out work or pitch for jobs anymore; meaning I do not actively promote myself as a freelance writer or consultant. All jobs, sponsorships and advertisement come to me through my multiple blogs, my network. By “publicizing” myself in various online venues, I am seen as an “authority blogger” and sought out. There’s a significant difference in that I am not a service provider, I am an online business owner who manages multiple websites (i.e. blogs), staff, outsources, contributors, etc.

What kind of education, certification and/or training background do
you have?

I have a Bachelor of Science degree in Biology, and a Master in Public Health degree in Health Care Management and Administration. I was the youngest appointed public health official in the country once I completed my Master’s thesis, and the 2nd highest paid position in the country with the largest staff and number of programs; masha’Allah, God has willed. Therefore, I was public speaking throughout the country, media, and overseeing all business aspects from human resources (hiring, firing, credentialing), to applying for and managing grants from $15K to $3M. I was published the most prestigious academic journal twice for my unique research, and I networked hard and long for these unique opportunities to avail myself at such a young age. In doing so, I catapulted my career, so when my first daughter was born I was fortunate to rely on my husband to leave this work with the confidence that I had the skills and abilities to run multi-million-dollar business.

Masha’Allah, my husband and I have run and closed down multiple multi-million dollar businesses to date, so we a blessed to live a life a convenience to travel, homeschool and most of all live our life based on the Sunnah of our Prophet Muhammad, sallallahi alayhi wa salam, and worship Allah subhanallahu wa Ta’ala. I believe it was the collective life experiences that Allah destined me and my family the lifestyle we live because we have always worked directly in the Name of Allah regardless what kind of work I was doing at any time. Therefore, I feel honored, blessed and humbled, that Allah gave me the opportunity to release and grow the American Muslim Mom brand.

When you’re employed by someone else, there is structure already in place for you to follow. As professional blogger, you have to come up with your own work schedule and way of getting things accomplished. Has this ever been a challenge?

The biggest challenge was getting my husband behind me. He has supported and motivated me as my business partner in every single business venture except blogging. It was seen as a mere waste of my time, but knowing I’m a professional writer by trade and a life-long journal writer; he knew I needed a writing outlet; however, he preferred that it not to be so public via the Internet. He was mostly concerned about my health, because 3 months into my physical therapy (from my car accident) I was diagnosed with a rare brain disorder, and it was devastating for our family. Masha’Allah, I took much time offline due as a cause of it; then 2009 changed our lives again–I opened an Islamic academy, he went to Hajj and as a cause of that, American Muslim Mom was born. This brand was changed our lives, especially rebranding in 2010 and writing my “Balancing Life as a Muslim Mom” ebook–it’s something my husband feels I was destined to do…rather than simply writing for women entrepreneurs and business owners. This is why I wrote [an] article [about] having your hubby support you.

What resources (blogs/websites, software, books, etc.) do you recommend for someone considering starting their own blog for profit?

Please check out my Online ToolKit on http://PonnSabra.com<http://ponnsabra.com/>where I have detailed descriptions how I use individual products, services and memberships to grow my online business (ie blogs). However, I highly recommend my mentor, Kelly McCausey! I’ve come full circle with her. I started off with her in 2005, but went in different directions after my book was released. However, I returned to her in 2009, when I launched my mommy blog http://AmericanMuslimMom.com <http://americanmuslimmom.com/>. Over the past 2.5 years, my blog’s traffic increased so much that it’s now a blog network, and my income increased so much that I was able to re-invest and launch multiple different online businesses. I owe a great deal of my success to Kelly’s advice and guidance, which I detail the most important products and services at http://PonnSabra.com<http://ponnsabra.com/>.

I know many people buy products, try to become a student of a mentor, and only have bad testimonials of “I just wasted my time and money”. However, my reply is “they just wasted their opportunity”. It takes time and money to get something, but it takes even more time, effort, belief and faith to take action and make an opportunity for one self. In Islam, we are haram (prohibited) from wasting ANYTHING, such as time, money, or resources; therefore, I never buy anything until I finish using (reading and implementing) the previous product and made sure I find some benefit from the time, money and resources used.

I love Kelly’s quote, which is the tentative title of her upcoming book, “You CAN do it, IF you’re willing to do it!” Just like in Islam, you’re not a Mu’min (true believer) if you don’t act upon the knowledge gained from the Qur’an and Sunnah. You’re simply a Muslim by name, however only Mu’minyn (true believers) will elevate their ranks in Jennah (Heaven), Insha’Allah Ta’ala (God willing May He be Glorified).

What advice would you give to someone interested in becoming a professional blogger?

Have faith in Allah. Consult and discuss with your husband or wali (guardian). They just start blogging. Don’t stop. Don’t doubt yourself.
Work wisely (not just hard). Be patience. Enjoy blogging! But, learn the ”profession” of blogging, if making an income is your goal.
When in doubt, just keep typing and don’t forget to hit the “publish” button. My 11 year old professional blogger and daughter recently published a thought-provoking post which was a fresh new way to look at blogging (on http://KidBloggersClub.com), which I never really thought about until she told me so innocently. So, my last advice would be to follow my girls’blog, become a mommy and kid blogging team, and be wise enough to learn from your own kids too.

Insha’Allah, God willing, this interview encourages many more Muslim Mommies to join me in the blogosphere, as our voices are much needed. I’ve talked about the grave need for devout Muslims in America to start utilizing blogs, vlogs, and podcasts so our voices are heard. I’d love to help you on this journey! Please feel free to comment below with your questions and concerns, insha’Allah (God willing).