MMIA Magazine - Million Moms In Action Magazine January/February 2015 | Page 13

#MomsinAction Shameeka Hunt KeepMeTight Clarksburg, Maryland What's the one thing you wish you knew when you started out? Shameeka: While I knew that having a business took work, I did not understand the level of sacrifice, devotion, persistence, hard work, and drive that was needed to have a successful business. No one prepared me for these aspects, but I think my natural drive and attitude has made this journey more favorable. How do you balance the roles of entrepreneur and mom? Shameeka: It is very hard to balance and I am not sure that there is a perfect way to balance. But I try to involve my children in aspects of the business that I can given their young age. But I intend to involve them even more as they grow. Also, my husband plays a huge role with taking care of our children when I have meetings and events that can’t be scheduled during school or work hours. There are many days when I work late nights, early mornings, and weekends. I have even set up part of my business in the main part of my house so I can be around my children while I work. What are your views on moms becoming entrepreneurs? Shameeka: Moms you can do it! I would encourage any mompreneur that if you have an idea or are passionate about something, take steps to make it come to fruition. Don’t let your dreams, desires, and destiny go to waste, never get shared, or not be a blessing to others. Stacy Y. Whyte Victorious Coaching Group Coral Springs, FL What's the one thing you wish you knew when you started out? Stacy: I wished I'd known how to balance life as a mom an entrepreneur, but as time went by I quickly learned to organize by projects and my family life to ensure that the business needs were met as well as the family's. How do you balance the roles of entrepreneur and mom? Stacy: Over time, I've learned that in order for me to have a happy family and a successful business I must be organized with a plan for action. With that being said, I work closely with my family by getting them involved in small projects, I stay focus and avoid getting sidetracked by creating a list of projects in order of priority and commit to getting them done on a weekly basis. I schedule a mommy day just for myself so, I can spend time doing things that I really enjoy and even though I work on that day it's more of a casual day so it doesn't feel as stressful and it balances out with a family dinner night out. What are your views on moms becoming entrepreneurs? Stacy: It is empowering to be a mom that is an entrepreneur. It provides flexibility for family life and business. It prevents you from working traditional hours and gives you the ability to work schedules don't have to work schedules that support motherhood. January/February 2015 Subscribe at millionmomsinaction.com | 13