Ten years ago, Kim Leistner shared an email newsletter with 30 of her friends. It was filled with tips and upcoming events for area families to enjoy, with all the information in one convenient place. With some late nights, dedication and a little old-fashioned word of mouth, that newsletter grew to what it is today – a reliable, useful, extensive online resource network for families with kids, from birth to graduation. The resource is known as Springfieldmoms.org
Kim is still at the top of her game. Her website is now viewed by more than 11,000 visitors a month and has won awards from Illinois Times, State Journal-Register, the Greater Springfield Chamber of Commerce and, most recently, the Athena Award Nomination from the Illinois Women in Leadership 2014. In celebration of the website’s 10th birthday, we look back at its roots and where Kim sees SpringfieldMoms.org going in the future.
“In November 2004, my daughters were ages two and nine months old and I wanted to create a way to share information with other local families in a place we could always find what we need: online.” Kim began to piece together her website in between diapers, naps and bedtime. Her original content aimed at parents of children infant through pre-k, but that changed quickly to include children through graduation. “What turned out to be an amazing benefit to starting the website was meeting area moms that were dedicated to sharing information and working as a team to enrich the website and expand our outreach.” With current features like the Summer Camp Directory, Neighborhood Garage Sale Directory and my personal favorite, the “Where I Can Get a Free Kids Meal Tonight” (because I know I’m not the only mom who is weary of spending $5 for a meal there is a 90 percent chance my kid won’t eat) it’s clear that SpringfieldMoms.org is not just for moms. There is something for everyone.
Along with the evolution of content came the evolution of how the community could access content in the age of social media. “We’ve stayed true to our online format since 2004, so our readers have always been accustomed to and appreciate the convenience of a paperless and 24/7 format to find what they need, when they need it. We average more than 11,000 unique visitors to our main website every month. Email was a great way to connect with our readers over the years, and our bimonthly e-updates are still a consistent tool to stay connected with our readers. However, the impact of social media has allowed us to connect in real time and share instantly with others. Our Facebook page alone has more than 5,750 people who follow our event reminders, coupons links, resource links and fun and silly life experiences! We want everyone to feel part of the community and to know where to go to get the resources they need, to find the fun things to do and to meet other people and form new friendships.”
In the wake of the site’s popularity, Kim is quick to note that SpringfieldMoms.org is not a solo effort on her part. Kim still manages the website full time but credits her team as key to their collective success. “Julie Kaiser, Dawn Raycraft, Kari Thevenot and Lisa Whelpley are the backbone of this website, and I am grateful to work with them as friends and leaders. Russ Freidewald (Springfield-area dad and web designer) keeps our site running smoothly and looking fabulous.”
So what does Kim see in the future for Springfieldmoms.org? “I know there will be many changes ahead. Mobility is driving everything; and we will continue to ensure our readers can access our information in the most useful format, regardless of where they are and what the latest device is to view that information.
“My personal goal, when I send my daughters off to college, is to find a new group of local parents who will want to carry on this tradition in the community. It takes a village and staying connected to those in all stages of parenting, from infancy through college. I am proud to know we’ve provided 10 years of resources and connections to area parents, and I hope this tradition continues forever.”
Ericka Hine is a Springfield mom of soon-to-be three-year-old Anna and five-month-old Lucas and is the proud wife of her husband, David. She can be reached at erickahine@gmail.com.
This article appears in Capital City Parent July 2014.
