Hi Stephanie, tell us a bit about yourself. What do you do, how old are your children and what happens with your kids when you are at work?
I am a digital design and marketing consultant. In my spare time I’m a mom blogger and community leader of a Facebook group for moms in my town. My daughter Eileah (eye-lee-ah) is 2.5 years old and our dogter (dog daughter) is 5 years old.
When I am at work… You name it; sometimes right next to me on the couch or at their end of our huge desk-set emulating how we’re working on our computers.
1. One word to describe how being a WoMo makes you feel?
Exhilarated
2. What’s the funniest experience you have had juggling kids and work?
There’s definitely not just one. The one that keeps happening is when our daughter sits in one of our chairs at our desk-set, get’s feisty and goes all Apprentice on us and points at us bossily, shouting “NO!” when we ask her to come have breakfast upstairs or something.
3. What is the one piece of advice you could offer another WoMo?
Don’t care what other people think.
4. What’s the least amount of sleep you’ve gone to work on and how did you cope?
I don’t know approximately, but when I used to go to an office, I’ve gone to work without an entire night without sleep. The way I coped was I eventually left that workplace. It was not a healthy place to work at all.
5. What have you learned about yourself as a WoMo?
I don’t know. But I have learned that if you truly commit to making your business a success, you tap into that magnificent inner child energy and self-confidence that went hiding, way back when.
6. If you had a working mother’s anthem or mantra, what would it be?
There’s one from Al Pacino that comes to mind: “You’re only as good as the chances you take.”
7. What is your guilty pleasure to combat WoMo guilt the best?
Going on a car ride with my daughter and dog, blasting my daughter’s favorite tunes without shame; spending hours exploring forest preserves, parks, fun places, and of course a Starbucks pitstop.
8. Would you rather be dealing with a tantrum or presenting in a board meeting?
Technically presenting at a board meeting is easier, but being there for my daughter during a tantrum will always be more important for me to do.
9. If you asked your child what your job is, what would they say?
My 2.5 year old daughter would say “mama workin’,” and “coleur”; I love the way she says the word color—I work with color a lot when I have my web and graphic design hat on.
10. What’s the one thing you wish you’d known before you became a WoMo?
You don’t have to know everything. If you stick with your business, through the hard times, you’ll be surprised at how many of the most successful and established business people (male and female) pretending they know what’s going on.
11. To date, what has been your best WoMo achievement?
I’m really proud of the work I’m doing with the Major County Sheriffs of America these past 2 years. Before that, I was so stoked when a commercial I edited made it on Diane Sawyer’s old show.
12. What do you want to teach your kids about working mothers?
Balance. It’s a daily struggle, but I learned back in college that without balance you won’t be happy. The things you achieve won’t be worth anything without the other things in life that are more important.