After paying for her way through college with babysitting jobs, Mary Sullivan Cooper worked in marketing and event planning in Texas and thought there should be a better way than classifieds for Moms to meet prospective Babysitters and find the right fit.
She founded Mommy Mixer four years ago in Austin as a Networking Event/ Social Mixer. The service allows college students in search of babysitting gigs to meet future employers, the Moms.

Moms pay $100 for the first event they attend and $75 per mixer afterwards.

Mommy Mixer does not charge the sitters but asks them to submit a resume beforehand. Each event is limited to 20 to 30 mothers. The service does not set the hourly rate nor does it takes a percentage of it as a fee. Background checks are the responsibility of the parties. 

Since most of the hires are well rounded candidates they also help the mothers with other tasks such as planning birthday parties and small errands.

The service has expanded from its Austin base mainly in the South plus Washington DC, Chicago, Denver, Boulder, St Louis and Seattle.

At this time Mommy Mixer is not present in any of the major cities of the Northeastern US.

Brilliant idea!

Discovered through Springwise

Related stories: Expecting, Hire a Baby Planner!