Building a Brand as a Mom | Motherhood

Building a brand is a full-time job. Being a mother is a full-time job. Doing both at the same time is not only possible but a rewarding experience for you and your children. There are situations and opinions that may say otherwise, but like anything else, you know what’s best for your life. You have to give yourself permission to be multilayered. Here are some helpful thoughts to arm yourself with as you center your experience as a mother and businesswoman.

1. Own the layered value & identity of your unique motherhood – Stop giving into the habit of defining the type of mother you are when asked about who you are or what you do. Blanket phrases like “just a stay home mom” or “working mother” or “full-time mother” are truly unnecessary and only demean how multifaceted and capable we are as women. It’s another way to inflict distracting mommy guilt, fuel the mommy war fires, and pre-judge each others mothering experiences. You are a mother. Period. And, it’s the ultimate form of leadership. Whatever you do, or don’t do for money & personal purpose is a layer of your identity but does not define or cancel your role as a mother. It’s in addition to. Being a mother does not diminish your ability as a businesswoman. Being a businesswoman does not diminish your ability as a mother. You are a mother and a businesswoman. Own them both, you have the exceptional ability to be more than one thing simultaneously. *Side Note* That goes for whoever you are… that’s not just for businesswomen by the way.

2. Keep your priority perspective centered – Your children only get one mother. You’re are everything to them. No matter how easily you can justify how important your work is, how impactful it is to the world, or how many people need you…your first priority must always be your family. There are no exceptions to this. What may seem like something trivial to you, means the world to your child. Your presence is the strongest love language to them. Being there is more important than anything you can provide for them. A broken family is a broken legacy no matter how successful your ventures are. Children need their parents.

3. Raise them up to be visionary minded – Being a mother and a visionary is a lifestyle. A living example of what it looks like to overcome obstacles, believe in something, and follow through. Include your children as much as you can, make it fun for them. When they are younger, give them a play office space in your work area so they can imitate you. As they get a little older, give them the opportunity to create their own business idea that they can work on while you build yours too. The possibilities are endless… and hey, you never know what they might inspire in your own work. Children are just mini powerhouses full of unfiltered imagination. Always ask them what they think, or what they would do. Instill in them that their ideas and thoughts have worth.

4. Be flexible & accept that things may not always go the way you plan – When you go into something with the understanding that you might have to adjust accordingly it helps that not become a crisis in itself. You may have to get used to doing smaller tasks when you can. (Find some of the time mastery tips I have learned to be most useful here.) You may also have to train yourself to work in conditions you’re not used to ( more noise, being interrupted, different workspace, etc.) You may not always get everything done in your timing either. But, it’s okay! Celebrate the small progressions and just continue to stack them up. Keep a list of everything you’ve accomplished just as you would a to-do list. As a mother, it helps to literally see it so that you can continue to encourage yourself.

Whatever motherhood looks like for you, it is exactly what it needs to be. Each family has different personalities, rhythms, needs and purposes. Be in tune to how to best cultivate what that is, and then rock it unapologetically. You CAN build a brand and be a mother. Don’t let anyone convince you otherwise. You got this power mama. We’re all rooting for you!

Originally published on Empire Life Magazine

What Does Creative Sisterhood Mean? | Womanhood

Sisterhood. What does it actually look like? When put into action it’s the lifestyle that can redefine relationships among all women. For far too long, women have put each other down, competed, and instinctively betrayed each other. This has left a lot of women guarded, isolated, and unsupported. It doesn’t have to be the norm, and we are the only ones that can change it. With these simple shifts in perspective, you’ll have actionable expressions of sisterhood that you can live out every day and pass on.

Always remember: She is still your sister with a vision

We get so caught up in what we are passionate about that we forget there are other women waking up every morning with a passion too. Instead of thinking of her as a threat, remember that she is a fellow dream doer. She too wants better for her life, family, and the world around her. She too has people doubting her while she pushes against obstacle after obstacle to be who she knows she was created to be. You can join in and make it harder for her, or you can rise together. Value her vision as you would your own.

Always remember: Someone else having skills does not diminish your own 

We have been brought up to compare ourselves to other women. The attributes and success of another caused us to feel doubt about our own, instead of empowered. There is plenty of money, interest & business to go around. We are all meant to impact different realms of influence and people. Some people and movements are activated by the signature mix that you have, and some are activated by the signature mix that she has. The diversity results in expanded impact. Think of that woman and her skills as an asset to the change you want to see in the world. You can both matter and add value. Nobody can cancel you out.

Always remember: There is more power in collaboration over competition. 

Even if you do the same exact thing as another woman, there is always possibility for collaboration if desired. You can expand ideas, networks, and resources by coming together. If you do complimentary things, both of your visions could go to higher levels by connecting. You end up offering your consumer tribes more to choose from. It adds to the value and signature edge of both of you. Again, be assets instead of threats to each other. Look for ways to support and intertwine what you do. Create a team of creative allies and watch how much you all increase. Multiple versions of genius coming together can do so much more than one genius alone.

No matter how you decide to show your sisterhood love, the foundational truth is that the energy you give is the energy you’ll experience. We can shift what sisterhood can look like. It’s not only for us, but for our daughters, and her daughters. We can give them the gift of never knowing what it’s like to be raised to distrust other women or see them as anything but beautiful sources of unstoppable possibility. We can give them that power back.

Want to spread the sisterhood vibe? Share this article with all the powerful woman you know, and let’s keep that perspective spreading! Love each other! Life just feels better wrapped in love and positivity, right?

Originally published on Empire Life Magazine