Cheryl Demas recently announced that she sold WAHM.com to Internet Brands, Inc. of Los Angeles California. Internet Brands owns and operates more than 40 websites including automotive sites CarsDirect.com and Wikicars.org, travel sites VacationHomes.com and CruiseMates.com, and a variety of others including DoItYourself.com and LoanApp.com.

WAHM.com message board members and others in the WAHM community, while very supportive of Cheryl and her decision to sell, are a bit uneasy about the site being owned by a corporation rather than a work at home mom.

That’s understandable, but I think we should all celebrate the sale because…

… a corporation who reported more than $1 million net income for the first quarter of 2007 thinks a WAHM community will be of value to them. How many times have we complained that work at home moms aren’t taken seriously? I think Internet Brands is serious.

… a work at home mom is being truly rewarded for building a great resource and community.

… a purchase of this kind helps increase the perceived value of all online WAHM communities and businesses.

Feeling somewhat anxious about a change like this is not an unusual reaction. Many of us have participated in the forums at WAHM.com for years. We don’t want to lose the friendly, homey atmosphere and exchange of tips and ideas. We’re comfortable there and don’t want things to change. And of course we’ll miss having Cheryl at the helm. Hopefully she’ll continue to participate as a regular member long after she gives up her current role a few months from now.

And for those who prefer that a WAHM site be owned by WAHMs… we may all have the opportunity to own a bit of WAHM.com. Internet Brands, Inc. is planning an initial public offering of stock. Read the Yahoo Finance article here.

Congratulations Cheryl! You deserve all the best! I wish you just as much success on your next endeavors and I look forward to hearing all about them.

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