We've interviewed her before, so let's see what's new!
What do you do?
In my previous life I was a graphic designer. I am currently the webmaster for a local school district. I also recently started Blanket Statements, a social enterprise that was founded with the principal to help women going through the transition time from leaving their homes to entering a shelter. I spent many sleepless nights feeling trapped in my own home and wondering how I was going to get out - what was I going to do. How do you leave in the middle of the night with nothing but your kids? I didn't have the self esteem to do it. I was afraid. I wrapped up in my blanket. Night after night. When I did finally leave, it was into my own rented house, not a shelter. But I wanted to do something to help women that felt the same way I did. So alone and afraid. I wanted them to have something when they got to the shelter. A blanket of their own with some words of encouragement on the card. Words from a stranger. To show them someone out there cared about them.
How do you maximize your time as a busy mom running a business?
Well, it is very difficult. I am the mom of two high schoolers who come with their own schedules and activities. I work full time at "my day job." Blanket Statements is relegated to every spare moment I can find at the moment. The ten minutes I have before work time starts...stealing time during lunch...sitting in parking lots waiting to pick up kids...in the evenings when there isn't a band concert, or choir concert, or football game, or baseball game, or theater production, or practices. It is a major juggling act, and it is very slow going. But it is what it is right now, and I'm thankful for every moment of all of it. I honestly never expected to live this long. I count each day as a bonus.
What do you see as your greatest challenge being a MOMpreneur?
Time and money are the greatest challenges right now. I am operating on school district salary - which is very low. I'm supporting my kids and their activities first and everything else comes second. I have shoes held together with duck tape. I'm in desperate need of a hair cut. There is more duck tape on my car than my shoe. lol. Duck tape is really holding just about everything together for us - but I have the BEST time with my kids and we are making it work. We spent a couple weeks without gas this last month, we scrape change together for dinner some nights, but I wouldn't change a thing. The three of us are growing exponentially as people and for that I am extremely grateful.
What advice do you have for other moms looking to start a business?
I say, do it. My business is growing very slowly right now, but that's ok. I have the vision of what I want it to be and we are on the right course. I know it will take time, and I have a lot of patience. Follow your heart is the best advise I can give anyone. Follow your heart and be true to yourself. Don't let other people hold you back. And don't hold yourself back either!
Is there anything else you'd like to share? What's new?
Blanket Statements will be shifting our inventory over to all American Made products soon. We already offer several blankets that are eco-friendly and made in the USA, but one ideal I founded this business with was helping people - including American companies and workers. I am very excited about this and can't wait for it to happen.
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