MMIA Magazine - Million Moms In Action Magazine January/February 2015 | Page 12

#MomsinAction

Joan Wilson
Corner Woman
Accokeek, MD

What's the one thing you wish you knew when you started out?
Joan: The one thing I wished I knew when I first started out that there were going to
be some fear that would raise its ugly head, some adversities that would try to
discourage or stop me from moving forward and having the confidence to go for the
title (championship belt). It took me a little longer than expected due to not "really"
knowing what to expect and getting knocked down repeatedly. However, in the end,
I kept getting back up, over and over and over again.
How do you balance the roles of entrepreneur and mom?
Joan: My kids are now adults (31 and 28 years old). However, I still balance by being
present in their lives. I'm never too busy for them or my granddaughters. We check
in and speak several times a week, do Skype or Google hangout. Get a good gutwrenching laugh in and tell one another how much we love them.
What are your views on moms becoming entrepreneurs?
Joan: I believe that mom have been entrepreneurs as far back as the bible. When
the virtuous woman would make clothes and goods for sell in the market place, as
well as making sure her husband appears well dressed amongst his peers. Interesting
enough, she also would go and find opportunities that will support her family. So, for
today's 21 century woman, the technology and the opportunities are vaster, however
most moms have the innate ability to just do what comes na GW&