Mompreneurs In Business

Today I had the pleasure of attending a dynamic event hosted by Melanie Marie, called Mamas In Business. I took copious notes, its the teacher in me, and here  are some of the words of wisdom from the Mompreneurs.

Partnership

When selecting a partner the goal is to find someone who goes as hard as you, someone you can trust to delegate to. ~Marjorie

Take your time when looking for a partner. It must be someone who shares your vision and work ethic. Having a teammate makes it a little easier. ~Michelle

Measuring Success

Success is relative. Give yourself goals per quarter/per year for success. Be a woman of your word. Be diligent. You are only as good as the work you put in.~Tricia

A measure of success is not funds in the bank, but how impressed I am of myself at the end of the day. Demand respect for what you want. I don't want to be, I want to do. ~Marjorie

Success is seeing any vision through. Remember Instagram is produced content. As long as you keep stepping forward, that is success. Be genuine and kind. ~Misa

Do your own personal best. ~Michelle

Always try to outdo yourself. ~Tricia

Balance Working Mamas

I do not believe in the term "Stay At Home Mom". My son needs to see my ambition. I think we are all goddesses. Its okay to take the day off. We are doing a lot.  ~Mashonda

Balance is important. Having a support system is important. My children got to see me grow up and evolve.   ~Misa

You have to give 100% to work and 100% to being a Mom. ~Mariam

Your happiness is key. Live for you. Stand firm in faith.  ~Tricia

When you want it, you will figure it out.  ~Majorie

Raising 'Dem Babies

Develop a system for your kids. {Create boundaries without guilt.} Don't try to be the "perfect" mother. Design your life. Feed life into your children. Put them in positions to excel. Find them a mentor. Be patient with them. Be in the moment and be present. ~Misa

You have to be present for your kids. ~Marjorie

Our children come to teach us who we are to be. Children are our soul equals in smaller bodies. ~Mashonda

9-5ers

You have to believe as a woman in business you can do both.  ~Michelle

Don't burn any bridges as you transition into entrepreneurship full time. ~Mashonda

Relationships with Significant Other

Create a balance in the relationship, communicate what your needs are. ~Misa

A Large Following

I have such a large following because of happy customers. Always be a perfectionist. There is enough business for everyone. When you focus on yourself you can become a trendsetter. Focus on yourself. ~Mariam 

Focus

Never let anyone out work you. No one should deter you from your path.  You are not going to be successful unless you take the risk. Fortune favors the bold. ~Tricia

When you have a passion project (e.g. taking a class or interning), there is no ego attached to it. ~Mashonda

Advise to Younger Self

Make sure your credit is straight. ~Tricia

Listen to your gut. ~Marjorie

You can't make everyone happy. ~Miriam

Always take care of yourself. You are worthy. ~Misa

Everything you need is already inside of you. ~Mashonda

Don't judge yourself by your failures. ~Michelle

Everything happens for a reason. ~Melanie

---

The overall sentiment of the day was being a Mompreneur is hard work. There will be great days and there will be hard days. It's not glamorous work, but it truly is fulfilling when you are living in your purpose.

---

If you know me you know I am always busy. I have a very stressful "day job" as an Assistant Principal in a NYC public school, I am a mama of three littles under the age of six, I am a wife, daughter, big sister,  friend, and small business owner. I experience cray, cray on a daily basis! I have a meltdown at least once a week. While some women carry a makeup case and designer sunglasses in their handbags, I have my men's Coach back pack filled with two agenda books, a bottle of stress reliever essential oil blend, two iPhones, and my iMac. A typical day for me begins at 4:20am and ends when ever I can close all the open tabs on my computer. 

A Typical Day In My Life 

Monday through Friday my alarm goes off at 4:20am.  I turn it off and turn over to nurse my little one who wakes with me. By 4:45am I'm out the bed and headed to the bathroom. 

Between 5:00 and 6:00am I have made breakfast for myself, made my baby goddesses and myself lunch, checked my social media accounts, and responded to work emails. {On days when I haven't pumped enough the prior day I pull out the electric pump while assembling lunches.}

 ***Most Thursday and Friday's I am out the house by 5:30am so I can make my weekend deliveries. I have begun this to alleviate rush hour traffic deliveries in the evening.

Between 6:15-7:30am I am commuting from NJ to NYC. I am on the clock at work from 7:30 to 3:45pm. I FaceTime my baby goddesses at 7:45am. Chat with D on his way to work and talk or text with my Mama.

I take my lunch hour {when I get one} to answer emails, return phone calls/texts/DMs, and check social media for Petite Seats.   I have also been slowly editing my business plan for a new venture.

3:45-5:00pm I am back in the car commuting home from work while I pump for the baby to have milk for the next day. 

5:15pm I return home and jump right into Mommy mode. The first hour of me getting home I am nursing, making dinner, and asking the girls about their day. On a good day D will suggest we go out to eat, this happens A LOT. 

6:30-7:30pm D or I do a lesson with the girls, eat dinner, have dessert, bath time, then put the girls down for bed. 

7:30-9:00pm Girls are asleep. D and I  catch up most likely with one of us falling asleep. 

Now throw in quick runs to Trader Joe's, storage pick ups, and evening deliveries. I am constantly ON 100. But with D as my partner, I am able to be the overly ambitious, Boss Chick.

---

Tricia Smith Brown sharing her journey and words of wisdom. 

Planning Our Baby Sprinkle -- On a budget

I decided last week that I wanted to celebrate the upcoming birth of Baby Daniel with my coworkers, family, and friends. I don't want to spend a lot of money to make it happen, so I brainstormed on possible venues and DIY ideas. Here is my master plan.

1. Location. . . Location. . . Location

Initially I planned to send an evite and ask everyone to meet at a small restaurant in Harlem to celebrate. After reaching out to three restaurants I decided it was too expensive and I was not prepared to pay $30-$40 per person for a brunch. My solution. . . I decided to google, "privately owned public places in NYC". I got a list of places that were open to the public and perfect for a "meetup" type event. I settled on the IBM Plaza & Atrium at 590 Madison Avenue at 57th Street. 

The space, as you see above, is the perfect location for a winter event. The sunlight and bamboo plants are the perfect oasis within the City. There are 110 movable chairs and 32 movable tables. It is open to the public from 8am to 10pm. Outside food and drink are welcome. AND ITS FREE99! Bottom line: Don't pay for a space.

2. Pick a time between meals

I decided to schedule my event in the early morning hours, 10:30am to 12:30pm -- right after breakfast, before lunch. I asked a good friend, Iris, to create a "gourmet" boxed lunch. We decided on bowtie pasta salad, a cookie, and a choice between chicken salad or tuna salad. For beverages I will go to Costco and get bottled sparkling water. Everything will cost less than $100, perfect for my budget. 

I ordered a large gable box in kraft 9" x 6" x 6" - $6.29 per 10 + $3.00 + Shipping from Paper Mart

Sandwich Presentation

My inspiration

3. Paperless Post is the way to go

Instead of the traditional paper invitation I went to my go to evite source, Paperless Post. No stamps . . . no USPS. . . budget friendly with built in RSVP and message board. 

The evite I choose

4. Make your own decorations.

Instead of making my own decorations, ain't nobody got time for that, I went to Hobby Lobby. I decided on a mustache theme. Here is what I purchased. I am keeping it simple because of the venue. A few balloons, strategically placed mustaches, and the the job is done.

5. Favors

For favors I decided on a gable box with a mix of spa treats -- handmade soaps, lavender, and I have to think of something else.

This baby sprinkle will definitely be no frills and less than $300 to produce. I can't wait to see how everything turns out. Now to find a cute outfit!!

For more information on free public spaces in NYC click here. 

Food Art for Your Picky Eater

I have two daughters who's personalities and eating habits are polar opposite. My eldest only wants to eat five things - french fries, cheese pizza, alfredo linguine, french onion soup from Panera Bread, and pancakes. Her younger sister will eat a cow -- what ever you put in front of her she will eat. I've tried a host of strategies to get my oldest to eat and the only thing that has worked has been to create food art. Being an avid pinner I found super cute ideas to create. Here are a few of my go-to favorites:

Edible Eiffel Tower -- Raspberries, Banana, and Blueberry

Bunny Pancakes with Chocolate Chips, Banana, Shredded Coconut, and Strawberry

Fruity Fish

Fruit Race Cars -- Strawberry + Banana

Butterfly Snack- Orange, Grapes, and Carrot

Spaghetti Girl

Of course for these edible pieces of art let your imagination take over. Essential tools are a sharp paring knife, tooth picks, and vivid imagination. Have fun!