Strong Women need Strong Coffee

Hey all, and welcome back to another blog! If you read my last blog, Boss Babe , i talked about how empowered it can feel by not only having a woman owned business but also being a mom too ! If that's you ....You are someone that wears many hats ! One second your making dinner or cleaning and taking care of kids to the next second answering messages or taking orders from people wanting the product or service you offer! I always get the comment.... I don't know how your do it , or I don't know when you sleep ... well there is a method to everyone's madness and today I decided to give you a little Insite from other Super Moms out there that now only mom it all day but own their own small business!! So let's meet these amazing ladies!

First up : Allison Ansell ower of Haevynly Permenant Jewlery

Allison wears many many hats for her business ! She truly is the definition of a one WOMAN show! She does all the ordering , marketing , has to keep up with her online store/ ever changing market needs plus being the one at the pop up events and markets doing the "on the job" jewelry making!

In 2019 Allison and her husband welcomed their daughter, Haevyn, (I am sure you can now see where she got her business name from !) She decided at this point it was time to put her welding career on hold and truly focus on her family Fast-forward to 2021 when they were blessed with a baby boy ! She was living the dream she always wanted ! But as most of us moms can understand as much as we would love to be home taking care of our babies all day it can get lonely and repetitive . One day she caught wind about permeant jewelry and after finding out it was small percision welding she got more and more intreaged. " A way to still be at home with my babies but also continue with welding in a diffrent and beautiful way, SIGHN ME UP" Allison stated!

Of course running your own business and being a mom comes with its challenges. One of her biggest hurdles was taking the leap of faith to start up her new found business venture . I mean we all know this takes sacrifice , time away from family and the babies being the biggest one for her , but this also comes with so much reward ... she has been able to meet so many new amazing people and people that not only have impacted her life but also have grown close to her children too!

Balancing the Mom/ business owner life isn't always the easiest . Heck sometimes balancing life is general isn't easy ! But Allison is a firm believer in a schedule ! It makes her hours , days and weeks go by much smoother ! She gets up , gives them all the morning cuddles she can while getting them breakfast and singing all the fun songs they know to start their day on the right foot! Of course all while making sure her coffee cup is very full to get her ready to tackle her day! She squezzes in work while she can , weather while they are having their snacks through the day , duing daily naps or even after bed! For her its all about finding the balance that works best for that day!

When I asked Allison to give all you readers a word of advice she said . "DO IT SCARED." Sounds a bit crazy right? I know ... but as she explained it all makes sense , no matter what it is in life you will grow from both success and failure . Each lesson good or bad will be worth it in the end. And don't have mom guilt if your worried that you'll be enjoying your new adventure . You can love things outside of your home and still have all the love in the world for everyone and everything in your home. Which brings us to the perks of being your own boss you get to choose and take a step back form your business if you need to focus a little more on your family ! You choose your best balance!

In closing with Allison I asked her to share with me her favorite quote and why:

“If it is possible, as much as depends on you, live peaceably with all men.”

"This is something that I live by in both my work and my personal life. We are in contact with people every single day. What people will remember most about you isn’t the titles you wear but how you made them feel. Be peaceable. Be relatable. Be understanding. No matter how others are coming to you, be good to them. (Not in a letting people walk all over you way but in a way that exudes a confident and loving peace.)"

Allison Anwell : Owner of Haevynly Permanent Jewelry

Next Up: April Falis part owner of Small Word Travels

I have known April for many years now we actually used to work together years ago and have stayed in touch since! She is even a very loyal Rustic but Refined customer!! April is another Supermom that wears more than one cape! Not only is A full time mom to a beautiful little girl she also works full time as a disability claims adjuster and also is part owner of Small World Travels! I can definitely vouch that that can be a whole lot to juggle!

Aprils cousin , which is also part owner, had a lot to do with her taking the leap into her new venture . April had been tossing around the idea for a long time but when her cousin came to her with this offer and idea to start up the business together she figured it was the perfect opportunity ! She now not only can do something she loves , which is to travel , but also do it with a family member ! They new that they would be able to lean on each other through the process! This is something I have always found so important which I know I have mentioned in a few other blog posts ! Having a great support system behind you is key in having a successful business!! This is especially important to April being that it can be so tricky trying to balance working full time , owning a small business and being a mom which is her absolute biggest accomplishment !

April also is big into planners and sticky notes! This is what helps her through it all to ! oh and of course setting reminders ! It's easy when your trying to juggle all of this for things to fall through the cracks! So organization is also a huge factor in keeping it all together!! You definitely have to find what works best for you! Me personally ... I am a pen and paper type of gal! I have tried the reminders on the phone but i am just not the best at technology to be honest! So for me its the "old school" way that keeps me on track !

Finishing up with April I also asked what her favorite quote was and why . As she said it's a pretty simple one, " When life gives you Lemons , Make Lemonade . " I am sure this is one we have ALL heard at one point in our lives! But think about it it's simple yet true . Things don't always go how we plan , there can always be bumps in the road or an outcome maybe different then we expect but in the end it works out .... again maybe not how we thought it would but no matter what we always learn from and grow form it !

April Falis: part owner of Small World Travels

Next Up : Brandi Stewart owner of Honey B's Photography

Brandi is a hard working mama that LOVES to capture beautiful moments and milestones in life! And that is exactly how her photography business all started! After having her second child Brandi and her husband decided it best for them and their little family that she stay home with the kids , but as we all know it can be very hard now a days living on a one person income in a household . That is when Brandi decided to start doing photography on the side to bring in a little extra money ! But what started out as a small side gig had now blossomed into A beautiful very busy business she is very proud of!

As you can imagine that can come with many challenges .. I mean it can't be easy having two fun loving toddlers to chase after all while booking appointments ,taking photos and setting up for everything from maternity and family photos to newborn and smash cake ones and everything in-between! Oh and don't forget about the editing to!! So you can imagine how finding the balance can be a little bit tough at times especially when she is a one woman show and running it all! Brandis' secret to her success though ...... scheduling her days out .. not only for her photography but everyday life ... specific work days ... NON-WORK times , dates nights with her husband , time for herself, and also time aside to take care of all the household duties! Keeping that balance and having a set schedule ( but also being a little flexible) can make a world of difference when it comes to making it all workout!

When I asked Brandi what her biggest advice would be for all your readers wanting to take the leap she said .... " WHHHEEWWWWW be prepared to work HARD. " being busier than you could have ever imagined and doubts have no place on growth. It's not as easy as it looks but it is sooooo worth it! Biggest thing.... still make you family a kids a priority from the beginning !Which bring us to Brandis favorite quote!!

...."I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me" Philippians 4:13

It's easy when your this busy to wonder and question if your doing the right thing or doing enough or if your just terribly wrong on all front so when she finds herself questioning all of this , this quote help her bring it all back together and know that she has the strength to continue this AMAZING journey .

Brandi Stewart owner of Honey B's Photography

Last but not Least : Alicia Brentzel part owner of Brex Enterprises

Alicia and her husband own Brex Enterprises, a construction company that operates in PA, WV, and OH. What stated out as a small business has now become to having 45 employees and continues to grow! Alicia's main job she takes care of is the "how they do" the business . This includes all internal processes to keep things moving - financial, administrative, organization, etc. Alicia and her husband started the company in October of 2012. From 2012 - 2017 she helped run the business behind the scenes financially, while maintaining a full time career as a mechanical engineer , talk about busy right !! Her career expanded a great deal after getting her MBA and the travel demands of her job plus having twin one year olds (which we could all imagine how that would keep very busy), just all got to be too much! I sure being the strong willed person she is could have handled it in some form but this is where the balance comes into play! Sometimes to run a successful company plus being a mom , wife and not losing yourself in the mix you have to pick and choose ! . So in 2017 Alicia did just that she left her full time career to pursue business ownership with full force. Recently she started a new company, Boss Side Hustle, to provide business growth advice to other business owners,. Alicia also offers 1:1 mentorship and a free newsletter with challenges to improve your business. I myself follow her with this and am a part of receiving the newsletter she sends out and it sure gives great advice and information on business owning and

building the business you want! .

Alicia feels her greatest opportunity with owning her own business is providing their employees with the opportunity to meet their goals. She loves it when she is able to witness them achieving something or able to reach new heights because of their career with Brex Enterprises and Boss Side Hustle . Recently with Boss Side Hustle, her biggest challenge is starting a business from the ground up. Sometimes you can forgot how hard it can be to grow a business, let alone starting one through social media is a whole new ballgame for any of us business owners. But let's face it now that's the way of the world! But for Alicia and I am sure us all we love being able to help clients grow their business or make an impact in their lives and being part of that . It’s completely worth it !! She feels if she can help prevent other owners from making the same mistakes they've made in the last 10 years she is definitely accomplishing exactly what she is trying to accomplish !

Alicia looooovesss structure , I feel like that is the engineering side of her! She said that is what helps keep her sane! Her number one tip to us all.....having a cohesive life and make sure your cup is full, and figure out what fills it! Hers is working out. She thrives on starting the day with a workout and good breakfast. It gets her mind ready for the day and she feel taken care of, so she can then take care of everything that remains. It's easy for us all to get lost in this and lose ourselves so finding what keeps you going and keeps you center can be key!

Alicias advice to other moms is to seek out a mentor or build your network of role models. Social media is a great place for this. Finding someone else to share the highs and lows with makes everything so much better. I also am such a firm believing in this and she is also one of mine! I love seeing people thrive in life and hit their goals and grow ! I too hope that things I do in my life and business can help others hit their goals they want weather in their business or their lives.... big or small !!!

To wrap it up with Alicia I of course asked what her favorite quote was also .... ( As you can tell I have a soft spot quotes!) This one was an easy answer for her it's their family motto, “it’s a good day to have a good day”. I am also a fan of this one!! Its actually hanging on my wall !! If you wake up with that mentality, you can take on anything that gets thrown your way. There are so many things that come at you as a working mom, whether it’s business or family related, that a positive mindset can completely make the best of any situation. Like I stated in previous blog a positive mindset bring positive vibes , a negative mindset bring negative vibes! It may not always be easy especially in todays world but it's definitely at least something to strive for daily!

Alicia Brentzel owner of Brex Enterprises & Boss Side Hustle

I am so thankful to have had the opportunity to have spoke with each and everyone of these amazing Strong Super Mamas! I truly will take each and every piece of advice they gave to heart and I hope in one way or another it will also inspire you all just as they have done for me ! These four beautiful strong women are only the tip of the iceberg to so many others out there! So maybe I'll have to dabble with a Strong Women need Strong Coffee #2 Blog! haha ..... But NOW it's your turn ! Be that busy mom that knows her worth , Slays her goals and leaves a glow on all other woman trying to conquer the same cause all us other Super Mamas are in your corner cheering you on ready to celebrate all our highs and be there for all your lows!!