New Nash Talent: Momtrepeneurs

Please enjoy this throwback picture of us that we took when we spent the weekend in Knoxville last year. We were super matching with our stripy shirts, curly locks, and big ol’ glasses. We have been SO caught up in life, jobs, and travel that we have not been able to see each other in so long!! Catching up and communication has strictly been through a slew of texts, facetime calls, google doc conversations, and snapchats!

Ma, Mom, Mommy, Mother, Birth Giver. This one's for all the moms out there, we love you and all that you do.

In honor of Mother’s Day tomorrow we wanted to give a big shout out to the local mom entrepreneurs. From baked goods to homemade crafts these mom’s run their own business while taking care of their family.

Sweet Everyday Musings

Sweet Everyday Musings is an Etsy shop best described as “a creative felt ball company.” She supplies an assortment of color customized felt balls to be used for all types of DIY projects, in addition she creates handmade products such as felt ball garlands and drink coasters. We discovered Sweet Everyday Musings, and its creator, Mrs. Church through the Trevecca community.

For Mrs. Church being an entrepreneur is a dream come true--she is able to work from home, be her own boss, and have control over her own hours. Sweet Everyday Musings allows her to be directly involved in the income she brings in, as well as be able to provide for herself and family, all while being able to spend as much time as possible with her children.

Being a fulltime mom and entrepreneur requires some SERIOUS balance. Mrs. Church is still trying to find that balance and is aware that it “is always going to be changing as life changes and [as her] children get older. One thing that has helped her remain in balance is partaking in a gratitude journal, it has the ability to completely change her attitude and switch her productivity on.

A piece of advice from Mrs. Church to all the mamas out there: “[be] willing to invest in [your]self,” when starting Sweet Everyday Musings she used her determination to keep learning and growing, and to this day continues to have coursework to help expand her knowledge in the field of small business.

Fun fact about Mrs. Church: her families go-to restaurant is Chick-fil-A, but they also enjoy supporting local at Baja Burrito.

Cheesecake Savvy

Cheesecake Savvy can be described as “a specialized dessert vendor creating mini cheesecakes fit for any occasion.” At a time when Mrs. Dawson was struggling to find her identity aside from being both a wife and a young mother, she turned a fun hobby into a successful business. Getting in a kitchen, playing with flavors and baking techniques has always been an exciting challenge for Mrs. Dawson. She took her childhood dream of being a chef, and became passionate in combing her baking expertise and business degrees into Cheesecake Savvy! We were able to meet the face behind Cheesecake Savvy. and taste her scrumptious treats as she helped cater a school event that we were put in charge of planning.

I started baking with a friend as a social hobby. My husband was in grad school and I was a young mom. I was at a place where I was struggling with who I was besides a wife and mom.  Getting in the kitchen and discovering flavors and techniques to make food more healthy was exciting and challenging.  It lit a passion in me and reminded me of the little girl that wanted to be a chef one day. I was able to evolve my experience, business degrees, and passion into Cheesecake Savvy.

When asked about how she handles her roles of mother and entrepreneur, Mrs. Dawson responded by recounting just how difficult it was in the beginning when it was all so new. With time she was able to plan better, schedule her baking time during naps, school, and bedtimes when she had “time off” from being mom for a quick moment. Mrs. Dawson had to learn to be more flexible and adapt to life’s circumstances, while relying on her support system. Her family has been front row every step along the way, being her biggest cheerleaders and inspiration.

A piece of advice from Mrs. Dawson to all the mamas out there: “have faith and believe in yourself...Pause and take breaks as you need to, but keep moving forward. One day you will look back and you will be in a place that you couldn’t imagine when you started.”

Fun fact about Mrs. Dawson: her family’s favorite game to play together is UNO. it gets so crazy that family members pick and choose “who you shouldn’t sit next to because you will get stockpiled with the “draw four” card.”

Beautiful Shadows

 

Nic met Mrs. Ridley as she is the mother of one of her best friends, Elijah. Mrs. Ridley is the proud owner and creator of Beautiful Shadows--aka beautifully crafted, custom-made wreaths and crafts. For her this is more than just a money making business, but also a form of therapy that allows her to express herself through a creative outlet. Her wreath creations are an art, which she describes as “jewelry for the door.” You can buy a piece of her jewelry through her Facebook page, she has a limited stock online but takes custom orders! She was able to handcraft Nic a pineapple shaped wreath!

Entrepreneurship runs in the family, following in her grandfather, father, and brother’s footsteps. So the inspiration to begin this crafty business arose from this family instinct, as well as her desire to provide for her family. Mrs. Ridley describes creative businesses as “perfect for moms,” as you can spend time with your children, but when you need personal time you can dedicate yourself to the craft.

Motherhood tends to be all-consuming, but Mrs. Ridley uses her businesses as a method to maintain “individuality in the family setting.”

A piece of advice from Mrs. Ridley to all the mamas out there: “find something that helps you to feel like you, even if it's something as simple as writing a blog, journaling, sewing, or even finger painting...your children will need you to be the best you and to do that you have to not lose you!”

Fun fact about Mrs. Ridley: her favorite activities to do with her children is to play board games and silly time, or to go fishing.

And that’s a wrap of some of the coolest moms we know. Now we just want to take quick moment to show some love to our favorite moms--our own momma’s.

Mom I love you with all my heart. I look up to you in admiration of your selflessness and giving spirit. Hundreds of miles apart, yet with a phone call away it feels like your right here next to me. You inspire me to be better every single day!  I will see you very, very soon!! Love ya, Nicols.

S you have done SO much for me and I want to thank you from the bottom of my heart. Giving me my daily dose of encouragement has given me the push to get me through the lowest of lows and a mindset of “I can do anything.” You are my rock, I’m so blessed to be your daughter. With love, A.

Feel free to support these local mama entrepreneurs by checking out their online shops, purchasing their products, or liking their social media pages. You will kick yourself for not ordering a fun garland from Sweet Everyday Musings, some delicious cheesecakes from Cheesecake Savvy, and the perfect home accent from Beautiful Shadows. Happy Mother’s day to all! Wait and see what we’ll do next!