In November of 2014, I sat in my direct manager’s office at just five weeks pregnant, to break “the news”. I was experiencing fatigue beyond belief. So, I had to tell him that I was pregnant because I started to repeatedly show up late for work. His response was “…but you’re not married”. Flabbergasted and unsure of how to respond to him, I said, “Well, that doesn’t change that I’m having a baby. I am telling you because the fatigue is beyond my control and is the reason for recent and repeat tardiness.” I excused myself, thereafter.
Rewind to just two weeks before that, when I learned of my pregnancy I had three concerns: (1) How will this affect my role as a Senior at a Fortune 500 Automaker, (2) Will my business partner, in my “side job”, think that I can no longer do the business, and (3) How disappointed is my mom going to be? I was NEVER concerned about my ability or readiness to be a mom, but I was more concerned about how being a mom would affect the progression of my career.
“Being a mother has and will always take precedent over just about everything in my life.”
There is a stigma around the ability to balance motherhood and a career, successfully, and if I were not the super “I can do whatever I put my mind to” type of woman, I could’ve easily been persuaded that I couldn’t do both.
As God would have it, my business partner and mom were amazingly supportive, but navigating my career proved to be a challenge. Going through the transition, I didn’t know, that God was directing me and placing me in position, leading me to my current state, as a full-time entrepreneur. I ended up getting fired from that job, when my daughter was seven months old. Yes, FIRED (I still can’t believe I got fired!)!! I was told that I was being let go because my “side job” was a conflict of interest. Bullsh*t, and that’s all the energy we will that situation.
From that point on, I decided that I would no longer accept job placement because I needed to live, but I’d be very selfish in my pursuit. I refused to work a role that would require me to spend limitless hours away from my child, and did not afford me the flexibility to separate from work, to “mom” when I needed or wanted to. I would also not feel guilty about separating from an employer because, for whatever reason, my time there was up.
For the last two years, I have done just that; been very selfish in my pursuit of balance. Balancing motherhood, a corporate 9-5, and a side hustle that began to grow really fast during this time span. I decided to take my career into my own hands, and be unwavering with the things I wanted to get from it.
In March 2018, I voluntarily separated from my 9-5, to pursue my partnership full-time. My partner and I had owned this business for 7 years, and over time and by the grace of God, we were able to separate from our corporate roles. The most dominant factor in leaving, when I did, was the time I’d get back and how much more I’d be able to pour into my daughter.
Being a mother has and will always take precedent over just about everything in my life. I truly, truly enjoy motherhood. I find great pleasure in spending time with, nurturing, and being present in my child’s life. As a mother, my focus is on my daughter’s mental and physical health, education, and exposing her to as much as possible. I’m that mom that will show up with their child, all the time. Not because I don’t have a sitter, but because I like for her to be with me.
So, WHY is Corporate Momming necessary? Why is it a thing?
I started Corporate Momming to remind women that motherhood is not a deterrent to the pursuit of any given career goal. Motherhood does not stop you from starting a business, from going back to work, or acting on any aspirations that you have. In fact, I believe that it should be all the stimulation you need. What stops us from achieving those goals, is what we convince ourselves of or what we allow others to convince us of. Therefore, it is my hope, that with Corporate Momming, I can inspire women to develop “Can Do” attitude, and share stories and resources that inspire action and growth.
I hope you will stick with me on this journey! Feel free to join in on the conversation, below, AND click the “Follow” button to the right to subscribe and follow Corporate Momming!