Think you're on the verge of the next great invention? Marla Brock had that feeling, too.

   Brock, a Miami mom and lawyer, founded a successful website for family travel. She now plans to share tips with other innovative moms and dads at a new program to support parent entrepreneurs called MOMentum.

  "The idea is to create a community for moms and dads to come together to network and brainstorm and share information on entrepreneurship,'' said Susan Amat, executive director of University of Miami's Launch Pad progam.

BY CINDY KRISCHER GOODMAN. Read Cindy's Balancing Act blog here.

   Amat says she's hoping the parents will share their stories, give each other tips and even share contacts. The idea is an extension of the Launch Pad entrepreneur program offered to students and alumni at Unversity of Miami's Toppel Career Resource Center.

   An increasing number of parents say being a mom or dad helped them find voids in the marketplace. They have invented products like gizmos to cut off sandwich crust or launched businesses like My Royal Heinie, which sells a line of diaper bags with wipe holders built in.

   The MOMentum initiative is a meetup for parent entrepreneurs the last Saturday of each month at the Miami Children's Museum. It will include speakers, workshops and the best part - activities to keep kids entertained while parents participate.

   "There are moms at home with amazing ideas who don't' know how to get a prototype built or know anything about marketing,'' Amat says.

   Amat says the Miami Children's Museum, known for its interactivity, is the ideal venue. The Center for Women's Business Research estimates more than 6 million moms have started businesses that invent or sell kid-oriented products, services and entertainment concepts. Many are making serious money, with annual sales in the $100,000 range and some in the millions.

   Brock, the kickoff speaker on March 28, founded of PlanetZee, which gives families the tools and information they need to research, plan, book and experience travel with young children. PlanetZee also provides consulting services to lodging properties to assist with attracting and retaining family travelers as customers.

   Brock, who self-funded her business, plans to share her experience as an entrepreneur, addressing how to avoid pitfalls and minimize startup costs. She says she wants to help other parents see that starting a business is doable.

   "Your network comes from places you least expect,'' Brock says. "When talk to others about what you're doing, doors start to open.''

   Deborah Spiegelman, executive director of the museum, said she jumped on this opportunity, adding, "We are confident that MOMentum programming will offer valuable tools for moms to be able to fulfill their own dreams." (Read Deborah's MomsMiami blog here.)

   Spiegelman says in the future, the museum also will initiate programming for children to develop their creativity through their own enterprenurial businesses.

     Amat said MOMentum is particularly relevant in this economy.

   "A lot of people are worried about their future. It's the perfect time to tinker around with the idea you've been playing around with.''