ERINN MOSS
OWNER/OPERATING PARTNER OF DRYBAR BIRMINGHAM AND DRYBAR ANN ARBOR AT ARBOR HILLS
+ MOM OF FOUR UNDER FOUR
WHAT “WORKING MOM HACK” SAVES YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN? My 35-minute commute to work. It is the only time of day that I am alone, and no one needs anything from me. Between podcasts, Starbucks and talk-to-text, I can accomplish more in that time than the whole rest of the day!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE TO SOON-TO-BE BUSINESS OWNERS AND MOMS? I have four kids who are four and under and have been in business for only two years. I have been simultaneously raising babies and businesses. If I tried to be everything to everyone, I would fail at something every single day. Learn to delegate and not just at work. Share responsibility at home. I truly have a village and my family couldn't function without them.
WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT FOR MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR? I want my kids to spend the weekend with my mother-in-law, so my husband and I can go to Vegas...
MONICA JACKSON
OWNER OF BIRMINGHAM’S JACKSON STAGING & DESIGN, LLC
+ MOM OF FOUR TEENS
WHAT “WORKING MOM HACK” SAVES YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN? Keep kids involved in what you do! As much as you ask your kids about school and help them with their busy sports or social schedules, they can do the same for you. I ask their advice, and we talk about upcoming projects; it's like a mini-board meeting. They feel heard and valued. We talk about the week ahead, usually on Sunday evenings. Food and dinner planning is key. I have each child pick a night where they make dinner. This gives them GREAT creativity and helps me greatly as well! They HAVE to know we are a team! We are in this together, and what I do for my company, I do for them. When I make a sale, I celebrate with them and give them a "bonus" from what I earned. I am a firm believer that it does, indeed, take a village.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE TO SOON-TO-BE BUSINESS OWNERS AND MOMS? I was born in Romania when it was a communist country. We were constantly told what we could do, what we could say, and they tried to tell us what we could think, but I was born into a family of fiercely strong women. One of the greatest gifts you can leave the society is to pass on your strength, your resolve, your tenacity and your endurance onto your children. It will be difficult for a while until there is a routine, but will it be worth it? Absolutely!
WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT FOR MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR? I want a day with my children outside in the beautiful sunshine, planting spring flowers. I want the sound of neighbors outside, I want to hear birds chirping and I want to hear laughter in the distant background. All of these things are my favorite memories, and that is my wish for Mother’s Day.
CARRIE SOFIKITIS
OWNER OF BIRMINGHAM’S FAB’RIK
+ MOM OF THREE
WHAT “WORKING MOM HACK” SAVES YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN? Being prepared and always having a back up plan! The more I can do the night before (prep lunches and plan dinner, pack bags, write down my to-do list for the next day, etc.), the better. I am blessed with great family and friends that are always there to help when things don't go as planned.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE TO SOON-TO-BE BUSINESS OWNERS AND MOMS? First of all, being a mom is the best! It's rewarding and challenging at the same time. Sometimes as a mom you don't realize the lessons that your children are teaching you! My sister (and partner at fab'rik) said to me when we decided to open, "A new business is like a new baby! We are first trying to get it to sleep through the night!" Since we have only been open six months, we are still trying to get this baby sleeping. I think it is important for my three children to see me as their mom going after a dream and working hard daily through the struggles of a new business. It's a great teaching lesson for us as a family. So, to those business owners becoming a mom or a mom becoming a business owner, you've got this!
WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT FOR MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR? I REALLY want everyone to be healthy this Mother's Day, and this COVID-19 shelter-in-place to be over. I want to see everyone, go to dinner and enjoy company in-person! And some flowers, too.
BRIDGET SAGMANI
OWNER OF BIRMINGHAM’S LOLA B.
+ MOM OF TWO GIRLS
WHAT “WORKING MOM HACK” SAVES YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN? I would have to say my mom hack is organization. I believe organization is the key to success. Before I go to bed every night, my entire day is planned for the following day. Showing my two daughters how important it is to stay organized and focused keeps me motivated and on track.
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE TO SOON-TO-BE BUSINESS OWNERS AND MOMS? Running a business is much like running a house. It’s a 24-hour job with no days off. It requires lots of love and nurture. Having my girls watch me run my business, chair their school events, sit on their school council, and run my house is my day-to-day motivation. Knowing I always have an audience of two watching me at all times makes it easier to keep going, even when some days are more challenging than others. At the end of the day, it’s all for them, and they are my greatest accomplishment!
WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT FOR MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR? What I really want for Mother’s Day this year is for Covid-19 to go away and to spend it with my husband and daughters.
CARRIE MARTIN
FOUNDER/OWNER OF BIRMINGHAM’S PETITE CABANE SHOP
+ MOM OF FOUR
WHAT “WORKING MOM HACK” SAVES YOU TIME AND TIME AGAIN? Planning. I am more of a fly-by-the-seat-of-my-pants person by nature, but that doesnt work now. I have to make sure and plan everything ahead of time. And get enough sleep!
WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU SHARE TO SOON-TO-BE BUSINESS OWNERS AND MOMS? To learn to let go and not be too hard on yourself. At the end of the day, you might not get everything on your list done, but just try and focus on all the things you did do!
WHAT DO YOU REALLY WANT FOR MOTHER’S DAY THIS YEAR? Warm weather and a family walk to the Farmer's Market for some fresh flowers. And I'd love a new piece of artwork for the house!