WHAT IS ONE PIECE OF ADVICE YOU WISH YOU COULD OFFER YOUR FORMER, EXPECTANT SELF?

If I could go back in time to my expectant self, I’d have so much to say to her! But mostly, I’d say remember every single moment because it all goes by so fast.

YOU HAVE OPENED YOUR LIFE EXPERIENCES TO SO MANY, SHOWING EMPATHY AND A DESIRE TO SUPPORT THROUGH YOUR MOM AGENDA PRODUCTS AND NOW YOUR NEW BOOK.  WHERE TO FIND THE STRENGTH TO BE SO PROFOUNDLY CANDID?

It’s scary to be that vulnerable, but I’ve drawn strength from friends and family. I also hold the strong belief that it’s only through authenticity and transparency that we can really connect with our readers and customers. Beauty is truth, as they say.

MOM AGENDA INVITES WOMEN FROM ALL OVER TO CONNECT IN A TRADITIONAL JOURNALING FORMAT. WHAT DO YOU THINK KEEPS WOMEN REFLECTING, PEN IN HAND, DESPITE ALL OF THE NEWER DIGITAL OUTLETS?

I think many of us are tactile people – we love the feel of paper and the feel of books. For me, there’s an ease and simplicity, and there can even a kind of beauty, to writing something down on paper. There’s a permanence to it as well, an archival quality. We have many customers at momAgenda who save their planners as a record of the year in their children’s lives – the playdates, the after-school activities, all of that is preserved forever when you use a paper planner.

YOU HAVE BEEN CONNECTING WOMEN WITH THEMSELVES FOR DECADES. WHAT IS NEW? WHAT REMAINS THE SAME IN MOTHERS’ APPETITE FOR MOMAGENDA PRODUCTS?

Our customers want what’s new in terms of color trends each year, but ultimately they come to us because our products make their lives easier. That has remained a constant since day one.

YOUR NEW BOOK IS AN AMAZING EXPRESSION OF YOUR TALENT, HUMOR AND YOUR PHILOSOPHY. YOU ARE MUCH LOVED! HOW HAS YOUR BUSINESS SHIFTED AS A RESULT OF COVID?

Thank you! We did see a “covid bump” as many businesses did. I think many people sought out a paper planner because it can provide a much-needed sense of control, even a sense of peace of mind. I’ve always said that when you have control over your schedule, you feel like you have control over your life. It may be an illusion that we have control, but it provides a sense of comfort. We needed that and continue to need it during this covid crisis.

WHILE YOUR CHILDREN ARE OLDER, I  KNOW YOU STILL HAVE A BUSY HOMELIFE, HOW DO YOU MANAGE ALL YOU DO?

I’m still a proud momAgenda user, even now that three of my kids are out of the house and my youngest is a junior in high school and can drive himself around! It’s also very helpful for me to have a daily routine that I stick to in terms of work, exercise, running the household, etc. I also try to delegate as much as I can when things get very busy – I’ve learned to let go and let people help and that makes all the difference.

YOU WORK LONG HOURS AND OBVIOUSLY POUR YOUR PASSION INTO ALL YOU DO. HOW TO YOU KEEP YOUR SELF CARED FOR? RESTED? WELL?

The most important thing for me is sleep. I feel like we don’t talk enough about the importance of sleep! I need 8 hours per night. Next on my list are exercise and healthy eating. I’m very aware that I’m a happier and better version of myself when I sleep, exercise, and eat healthy foods. That’s the foundation for me, that allows me to work hard and take care of my family and make the most of each day.

YOU BUSINESS CONTINUES TO GROW AND EVOLVE, WHAT ADVICE WOULD YOU GIVE TO AN ASPIRING ENTREPRENEUR?

My advice to aspiring entrepreneurs is, trust yourself. Don’t listen to what other people say about your business, unless it really feels true for you. Only you know what’s right for your business.

WHAT WAS THE BIGGEST CHALLENGE/HURDLE TO SCALING YOUR BUSINESS?

The biggest challenge was finding the right people to help me. I wanted the business to succeed and grow, but I didn’t want it to take over my life, so I knew I’d have to delegate a lot. But you can’t start delegating until you have a team you really trust, a team that shares your vision for the business. Once I had that in place, everything became easier.

WHAT PRO-TIPS DO YOU HAVE TO SHARE WITH OTHER MOTHERS LAUNCHNG OR GROWING A BUSINESS?

Don’t try to do it all yourself. Know which tasks are in your wheelhouse, and focus your energy on those things. Hire experts to do everything else – and it doesn’t have to be someone expensive. Graphic design can be done by an art student, for example. You’ll have more time to focus on what’s important to you, and your business will be better for it.

IS THERE A MANTRA OR MOTTO THAT KEEPS YOU GOING?

The motto I often use is, “Be here now.” I’ve learned that when you have a lot going on, the way to keep going is to think small. So I always remind myself to focus on today. What do I have to do today, right now? If I keep my focus on the present, I can stay grounded and sane.

WHO WAS YOUR BIGGEST SOURCE OF SUPPORT IN YOUR PROFESSIONAL JOURNEY?

My family was and continues to be my biggest source of support. I’m so fortunate to have the most supportive, loving family I could ever imagine.

FILL IN THE BLANKS:

As a working parent, I never expected _____the guilt____would be so hard and _being the mom I wanted to be___would be so much easier.

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