My life changed in the most unimaginable ways when I became a mom, and my internal dialogue went something like this:
Who am I now? What’s happened to my life? My time? My body? I’m so bad at this! I’m overwhelmed. How are all these fabulous San Francisco women juggling it all? I need help!!!
This is when I found the Mom Entrepreneurs. Turns out amazing women are around every corner in San Francisco. They give me support, they smile like seasoned mama professionals when they listen to my woes, and then they interview ME. Crazy! I loved it. Here’s me and Arthur looking like we got it all figured out 🙂
Tell us about you and your business:
San Francisco Women’s Health Acupuncture specializing in fertility, pregnancy and postpartum. We support the mamas who create the whole world. Mama Lounge.
What was your career prior to becoming a mom entrepreneur?
I was a hustler: graphic designer, serious partier, health insurance saleslady. I lived in SF and struck out in a lot of directions before I found the path of least resistance.
Why did you want to start your own business?
I’m an Aries. I have an insatiable need for independence, creativity and problem solving. It’s a blessing and a curse until you meet the right people and get grounded enough to trust yourself and leap!
What makes you unique and makes your business different from anyone else out there?
We help the mamas. There are a lot of resources for new parents in this city. A lot of programs focused around the health of the baby, but the woman usually gets shoved to the back burner? In a lot of cultures it’s the other way around. Quite simply, if the mother’s not healthy, nobody is healthy. Pregnancy and postpartum is a sacred transformation emotionally and physically. We encourage women to honor themselves and understand on a deep level that if they’re thriving, everyone else feels secure.
What accomplishments are you most proud of in your business so far?
My beautiful space. Sounds cosmetic, but amongst the melee its nice to know there is a place where you can go and be honored and connect to spirit and find deep rest and balance. And I’ve created that.
What do you like most about being a mom entrepreneur?
It’s such a wonderful outlet for my creativity. I create my work and my company, and I have really smart, and fascinating women around me every day. It’s such an honor! And then I come home to my family, my fuel. Women’s Health can be infinitely complicated and very emotionally complex, and then I come home and draw trucks and read Mother Goose and practice tooth brushing– it’s a nice balance. I experience a lot of challenges and triumphs in both environments.
What advice do you have for other aspiring mom entrepreneurs?
Your child is the best mentor you will ever have. Everything you need to know he teaches you and does effortlessly on a daily basis. Eat when you’re hungry, sleep when you’re tired, growth is painful, be free and expressive. And choose a damn good partner or get a solid community because it can not be done alone.
If someone knocked on your door, and it was during business hours… (assuming you work at home) how will they find you? Kid on hip, overalls… pjs?
My house uniform, is usually topped off with my UGG moccasins and hot pink dish gloves. It’s important to stay sexy! I’d be extra happy if they were delivering dinner or new clothes or housekeeping services…
Do you each lunch? Favorite food?
I have a really hard time with lunch. Carving out time to get out of the office or unplug and eat is a big challenge. I usually microwave leftovers these days. My husband does a lot of the cooking and it’s good stuff. He puts a decent amount of effort into making sure I’m fed because supposedly I get grumpy between meals.
What time do you finally fall into bed at night?
9:30-10ish and then I read for a bit. I’m fiercely protective of my sleep. I married a fellow sleeper and we birthed another good sleeper. The Gordons might not be the best at a lot of things, but I’m hoping we live a long comfortable life due to our deep restorative sleep.
Open ended question… any insight or advice for other mamas?
Try not to listen to all those outside voices. It’s so important to learn to listen to your inner voice. Life is magical and wants you to succeed, but it will only ever happen if you follow your inner compass.
Any challenges you’d like to mention…?
I cry or get angry a lot. Sometimes I look at what’s happening to women’s bodies and the earth and I worry immensely where it’s all headed; the lack of trust in the female body, over-suppression of hormones as soon as our sexuality starts to emerge, how this feeds the long term picture of infertility. Women in their 30’s having no idea about ovulation! There’s a real lack of education there.
I’m constantly working on how to incorporate authentic emotions into a business environment. How to remain professional and keep it real at the same time is an ongoing challenge.
Amy’s Tips for Fellow Mom Entrepreneurs:
BE receptive. Its easy to want to over-control situations, but oftentimes I get delivered exactly what I need with no effort at all.
Floradix: Liquid Iron and Herbs. I encourage all my female patients to take it. Take it every day for the rest of your life, and watch subtle annoying symptoms disappear.
