Industry - Outdoor Recreation & Real Estate

A Little Bit About Our Family

My husband and I have been married for 14 years and have 2 children. We met when we were both working as executives for Target, we were peers and business partners. Thankfully, we learned to act as as partners early on, because as our lives progressed we became business owners and homeschool teachers (temporarily!) together.

My work situation has definitely evolved over the years! I went from working 70+ hours a week in an office to my current life, which is working mostly from home and being as productive as I possibly can with the hours I have. Work begins before the kids wake up, pauses while I get them up and ready for the day and I go for a run (my only alone time), then check back in with work, and pause to drive kids to school. I then power work from 8:30-3:00 before carpool activities begin again. I check back in with work in the evening to keep business moving along, then back to kid activities. I went from a 100% focused day at work to an interwoven personal and professional day and evening.   

A Lot Can Change Over Time

I went from Wife. Mom. Business Owner - all separate compartments that I was very confident in - to them all mushed together PLUS teacher, counselor, creative director and my children's playmate.

Many times I felt like I was not skilled enough to do these additional duties. I had a lot of mom guilt. I am a pretty confident and adventurous person, but many days wondered if these new roles were just too much and I was going to permanently scar my children. I didn't, LOL! But, I am extremely grateful for those that fill these additional roles so that I can excel at what I do best.  

As life gets back to normal, I will miss those roles that I was so afraid of (distance learning teacher, counselor, etc.) I was so lucky to spend all of that extra time with my kids. Now I am sad to be away from them when I do need to travel and be in the office. Now that I know they are making it through these crazy times and I didn't 'ruin them', I know I will long for those unique times again.

Balancing Career and Motherhood

I balance career and motherhood in a "bob and weave" fashion. Meaning, it's not clean. Some days I do it beautifully. Some days, I do not. At the end of the day, I am trying to raise amazing children and run successful businesses. I really have to prioritize each day individually. There are days that being a mom dominates my schedule and work suffers temporarily. And there are other days that work takes priority and I am working while the kids eat ramen for dinner and I am on the computer.

I really lean on a few female friends (and former colleagues) and my husband/business partner to keep me in check. Those days that I am feeling like I am just not doing any of my roles well, I call on them. They always help me to find perspective on one day versus a lifetime. They help to remind me that I can do it all, and that doing it all doesn't mean perfection, just dedication to those people and professional things I love most.  

Sometimes I wish I had more patience and that I had paid more attention in 5th grade math, BUT I am teaching my kids that it is ok not to know all of the answers. Use your resources, and we can learn together.

Looking Forward

Kids are back in school full-time and now I need to find my focused groove again. The groove that gives me laser focus and allows me to tackle the professional world ahead of me and find the adrenaline rush of professional success again. I will need to enjoy the time in the office and at client meetings (with ADULTS!) and driving my business forward versus just staying afloat.

Final Thoughts

I am in a male-dominated industry and I really do miss having that network of corporate female leaders at my fingertips. I wish I had access to more women that were running businesses and being moms at the same time - to compare notes and support each other. This is why I believe the work Mom Mastermind is doing is so important. Bringing moms together that not only understand the daily challenges and 'to-do' lists but can also offer support and suggestions. It's not about perfection - it's about REALITY, and helping one another along the way.  

Although I do not do mom and career well every day, I strongly believe that I am teaching my son and daughter what women can do.  And that, regardless of gender, we should all be learning this crazy thing called life every day. Sometimes we hit a homerun, and sometimes we swing and miss. But be real. Be authentic. And be open to anything that comes your way. Some things you may want to do again, and others never again.