I hate the word “momtrepreneur.”

Besides being a rather clunky portmanteau, I hate the visions it conjugates. An overachieving stay at home mum cajoling friends into buying her gourmet dip mixes or selling her crafted creations on Etsy. Or, a professional on her maternity leave, doing consulting work on the side while blending organic, locally grown vegetables into ice cube tray portions.

Now don’t get me wrong, I don’t dislike that stay-at-home mums do these things (I may have done some of them myself), I just hate the actual term. I’m all for women finding their passions and sharing their talents with the world (and making some dollars while they’re at it). I completely understand the often conflicting desire to spend lots of time with your kids AND find something mentally challenging so you don’t go nuts watching “In the Night Garden.” Doing work on the side satisfies both of those needs for a lot of women.

But what’s with the cutesy label?

If you’re starting your own business, however small, you’re an entrepreneur. “Momifying” the word only makes your efforts seem less serious, less challenging, less worthy of respect or consideration. It infantilizes the great efforts that these entrepreneurs (who also happen to be moms) undertake. It makes the work seem not quite as important as a REAL entrepreneur.

So, I say keep doing what you’re doing, but shuck the pink frilly label and grab your rightful place as an entrepreneur. Yes, you still wear multiple hats, but you don’t need to weave them all into your business title.

And really, would any guy call himself a “dadtrepeneur?” And if he did, would you want to sleep with him?

I didn’t think so.