Happy Helpsy Mother's Day! The Mom's of Helpsy Source Answer a Q&A
Let's start this off on the right note... Happy Mother's Day to all the mamas out there! You are awesome (if you haven't heard that enough from your kids today lol) ❤️
I decided to do something a little different for this special day.
Some of our employees, as some of you may know, are mamas just like you! So I've decided to interview them and share some insight on their daily lives as mothers, as entrepreneurs, and as women developing/furthering their careers.
I've asked them a series of questions, and here are their answers...
What do you do on top of being a mom? (career wise)
Aleia (AG): I resell full-time on Amazon & Poshmark. I work part-time for Helpsy Source in marketing.
Rebekah (RB): I run customer service for Helpsy e-commerce and Helpsy Source; in addition, I operate a small business that sends out themed, personalized gift boxes to families for birthdays and various holidays. On top of that, I am a reseller!
Gisela (GF): I am a full-time lister for Helpsy e-commerce and Helpsy Source; in addition to that I’m a full-time reseller. I’m not a typical reseller because I can sell between 40-150 articles of clothing in a day, time permitted.
Rachel (RF): I'm Head of Brand for Helpsy, the largest clothing collection company in the Eastern US, and I own a social media management company for local businesses in my area.
How are you juggling having a full-time job, running your own business and being a parent?
AG: I work a lot! Trying to find time to squeeze work in, here and there. I have also been trying to get better at blocking my time for certain tasks and turning off work while my daughter is home.
RB: Well, I consume way too much coffee. Ha, I just make it work. We take car rides so I can work from the driveway and I often work when kiddos are sleeping. I also wake up before the sun to get a headstart on the day.
GF: The balance between the 2 jobs and being a mommy is just a tad crazy but somehow I make it all work. I definitely take advantage of nap times! Definitely helps that my primary job lets me work remotely.
RF: It's a challenge for sure. I often feel like I can only do one thing well at a time -- I can either kick ass at my job, and be a mediocre mom/wife/friend, or I can focus on home and let my job fall to pieces. It's hard to balance it all and feel like I'm not letting things fall through the cracks.
How often do you receive help from anyone to accomplish everything on your to-do list?
AG: I outsource all my inventory for Poshmark through Helpsy and a few other sources. I also have a VA to do all of my listings. My daughter is in pre-school 3 days a week, from 9:00AM-2:00PM, so I try to keep all work within that timeframe.
RB: I have help two days a week from 9:30-4 🙂 those hours are my golden hours.
GF: I get help when my husband is off work but by that time my primary job is complete so I take advantage to work and catch up on my reselling side.
RF: I never accomplish everything on my to-do list -- it's never ending and never finished. My husband is a huge help though -- if I have deadlines for work, he takes over dinner and bedtime. We work together to keep up with housework and taking care of the pets. I hired my kid's grandma to help with school pickup and homework a couple hours a day so that I can finish my work day and feel like I wasn't split between being a mom and having a career. I think it's impossible for someone to do it all on their own -- you end up having to pick and choose the things that absolutely must get done, and the rest just gets ignored.
How old are your kiddos and how long ago did you start your business?
AG: My daughter just turned 3 years old and I have been reselling about 5 years since senior year of high school when I started cleaning out my personal closet.
RB: I have an 8 month old boy and a 3.5 year old boy; I started my business 2 years ago!
GF: I have a wild 10 month old and calm 4 year old I started reselling about high school age but full time I started about 3 years ago when I decided to leave a great union job.
RF: My son is 8 and my daughter is almost 6. I was an RN for 8 years, and quit that to become a full time reseller when my daughter was around 1 year old. So I've been working on my own now for about 4 years.
Do you find time for yourself throughout the day?
AG: Haha, short answer is no. I am working on outsourcing as much as I can in my business in order to have more time for myself. But when I’m not working my daughter comes first, so I am working on that!
RB: Not currently- but I know this season is temporary
GF: For the most part no but that’s the working mom life I wind down and relax when it’s the kids bed time.
RF: I don't understand this concept 🤣
What’s one piece of advice you would give to a mother that’s considering becoming a reseller?
AG: Don’t compare yourself to others and give yourself grace. Everyone’s situation is different and you can’t compare yourselves to anyone else in the community. Some may have full time help with kids, some have spouses and some are single parents. Everyone’s story is different.
RB: Find your people. Prioritize your time. It really does take a village. I have a friend who helps me photograph items during the week- it’s a godsend
GF: In my opinion it’s one of the best choices I’ve ever made. Wether it’s a side hustle or full time job . Reselling is so flexible you choose when and how much you want to work. If your considering it take the leap you won’t regret it !
RF: Give yourself grace. We all grow our businesses at different rates. Don't compare yourself to the highlight reels on social media -- most people don't show the side where they are exhausted and ready to give up. But it truly can be worth it to persevere.
Mother's navigating life.
Everyone is on their own journey but at the end of the day, they're just like you!