It's working for Rochelle Brown, Executive Producer/Co-Owner, Powerhouse Productions
New Jersey
1 child
"I did not want to be on the road when my son turned over for the first time, when he crawled, or when he spoke his first words. So I took him on the road with me starting at 6 months, and instead of hip, chic, hotels with a great bar, I stayed at hotels with kitchens, and more of a home feel."
What is one piece of advice you wish you could offer your former expectant self?
I wish I would have told myself that it is ok to admit that you are tired and that you need a break. Owning a company, and being a great boss during pregnancy is very challenging. I worked really hard like I had something to prove that I could do it all as if I was not pregnant! I really had nothing to prove to anyone, but you always feel like you do!
What was your primary motivation for deciding to return (or not) to work? How early did you tell your employer?
My primary reason to return to work, was that I had a business to run, and my clients needed me! I have a great business partner and an awesome team, but I had to get back because we had shows on deck, and the talent depends on me.
FOR MOMS: If you breastfed, was there a place for you to pump that met your needs and was conducive to your success? If you breastfed, how did you decide to continue? FOR DADS: What, if any, adjustments did you (or your workplace) make to your schedule after having a baby? Was it specific to your manager or larger, whole work culture?
This was a plus to having your own company! I breastfed when I wanted to, and I did have a private place to do it!
How much leave did you take, and how comfortable were you taking it?
I was off for 8 weeks, but I did go on a shoot or two towards the end of my leave. I was nervous to take off, but I was even more nervous about not having proper bonding time with my son! So I was in a good place, and my schedule allowed for me to be more flexible!
How easy was it to put a childcare arrangement together and did it work for your family?
My mom owns a daycare, so it was a blessing to be able to have her support and safe place for our son. My grandmother was also a big blessing, she came and stayed with my husband and I. So I was able to move between work and motherhood.
When did the “new normal” set in for you?
My new normal, took a while because I have big productions and my clients wanted me on set and in meetings, and I had two big shows in productions. So I had to make peace with myself, and that was for me. I did not want to be on the road when my son turned over for the first time, when he crawled, or when he spoke his first words. So I took him on the road with me starting at 6 months, and instead of hip, chic, hotels with a great bar, I stayed at hotels with kitchens, and more of a home feel. I grew to love my new normal, because I did it my way!
What was your biggest challenge going back to work?
My biggest challenge was finding the happy medium, and forcing myself to switch from the boss to Mommy! I always felt guilty, when I had to leave early or if my son was not feeling well and I had to miss a meeting! I was always the first in the office and the last to leave, and I did not want anyone to think that my vision or dedication changed! I had to lead, and enjoy being a new mommy on my terms.
Who was your biggest source of support in returning to work? What was your biggest pregnancy indulgence?
My biggest support came from my husband, he said from day one, he would make sure that I was still able to be “Rochelle”, and that he supported my early return, and even when I was in labor and on the phone helping my clients. He knew and appreciated what came with being with me! My biggest indulgence was Chinese food and Law and Order! I just could not get enough!
Fill in the blanks: As a working parent, I never expected ____ would be so hard and ____ would be so much easier!
As a working parent, I never expected the school part would be so hard and parenting would be so much easier!
As a working parent, a bad day is when _____ and a good day is when _______.
As a working parent, a bad day is when I have to miss my son’s performance or back to school night because my shoot fell on his big day and a good day is when I am pick him up from school, like the other moms. He’s so happy just to see me standing side by side with them on dismissal! I usually have to do aftercare!