Inspiring Little Leaders (A Personal Story)

On this week’s blog post, I want to chat about how motherhood has changed the entrepreneurial journey. But if I am being honest, this isn't just about mothers. It is about mothers, fathers, caregivers, and honestly being responsible for someone else. 

I don’t think I would be the businesswoman I am today if I was not a mom. But I also don’t think I would be the business owner I am today if it were not for my parents. Let me explain a little bit. 

My Childhood

I grew up in a pretty normal middle-class family. I always say I had the most normal childhood ever. But when my parents divorced when I was 14, things started to change a bit. Mainly because I was the older of two (my sister is three years younger) and I felt like I now had more responsibility. My dad, whom I was super close to, lived out of state so it was just the girls at home. My mom, my sister, and I. My mom worked full-time and owned a flower shop (which was super fun and creative) but we were responsible for a lot. 

Fast forward to college and my dad became very ill with cancer which ended up taking his life at 52. My college experience was a bit different than most because I was navigating how to deal with a sick parent and supposedly building my career path. My dad did see my graduation but didn’t make it much after that and passed away when I was 24. I share that because I feel like at that phase in life, you are barely getting started. 

I felt very alone. Thankfully that is exactly when I met my now husband, but I share that back story because I truly believe that your experience growing up is what will drive you now. 

I saw my mom struggle as a business owner because she did not have a business background or the right mentors around her. 

My dad had a business background and was very successful but I am not sure he loved what he did. 

Insert me deciding to go into business because I thought it was the right thing to do and 22 years later realizing that spending my time working for someone else is the exact opposite of what I thought it would be and what I wanted. 

My point in telling you this story is that if you are a mom, parent, caregiver, or just want to make an impact on the world (which I think we all do), what impact are you making?

The Turning Point

I remember sitting in my office that I worked SO hard to get to. It had a door that closed and fancy chairs that people could come in and set meetings with me.

And I was miserable.

I couldn’t see the outside. At the time my girls were babies and I remember walking from my office to the room where mothers were allowed to pump. It was a gross old building with a twin bed sitting in it. I remember thinking, what do they think we do in here? Take a nap? I was too grossed out to sit on the bed so I would stand and pump 3-4 times a day. And hold my laptop so I could work at the same time. 

I think that was my turning point. I knew something was off and I don’t think I would have gotten there if I hadn’t thought about my girls and what raising them meant. 

There is no way I want them to live in a world where they have to do what I was doing. 

To not see sunshine for 8 hours. 

To have a gross room they had to stand in to feed their kids. (I realize there are awesome companies that have much better circumstances, but this was just disgusting). 

Thankfully at the time, my husband had decided to leave his principal job and be a stay-at-home dad so we didn’t have to worry about daycare, but that was a whole expense in itself. 

How is this what people work so hard for? 

Long story short, that is when my first business was designed. I joined a network marketing company with the hope that I could teach other women a morning routine that would inspire them to do more. 

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I called this blog post “raising little leaders” because I think my mission as a business owner has grown over the years to make sure that my girls know that there is a bigger mission. 

Think about that bigger mission. 

Who are you inspiring? 

Who are you impacting? 

What legacy are you leaving behind? 

What are you teaching tomorrow’s leaders?

My daughter right now (Katherine) is convinced that she can be a zookeeper (to take care of sloths), a ballerina (even though she doesn’t take any dance classes), and watch Savannah’s (her twin sisters) kids because Savannah wants to be a doctor. A pediatric bone doctor at that because Katherine broke her arm a few years ago and Savannah wanted to fix that. 

How’s that for being influenced by actions around you? 

You have the power to make a positive impact. 

It is a story to remind you that someone is watching. Whether it is your daughter, your son, or your neighbor. You have the power to make a positive impact. 

So today I want you to think about the little leaders around you. Who are you inspiring to lead for tomorrow? And how are you inspiring yourself? 

I have to tell you that just sharing this story inspired me more. I really want to see Katherine dance and take care of sloths. I mean how much joy would that bring every day? And for Savannah to be able to be a doctor and take care of kids who broke their arm just like her sister. 

This blog post is more personal than even I am used to, but it is my story. It is our stories that make the difference. Don’t be afraid to tell it. And better yet. Let your children see you building the dream!

Looking for more on this topic and your High-Level Action items? Check out the Strategy Lab in the Crush the Rush Club!