Inspiration Log: Kathleen Shannon of Braid Creative on Spitfiremom
I loved reading this interview on Spitfire Mom the other day, and wanted to share my favorite parts. The site looks like a wealth of resources for moms with businesses.
How does being a mom influence your work, your creativity?
This might sound a little woo-woo but when I was pregnant – as my body was growing – I found everything around me was growing as well. My creativity, my business, my finances… And it hasn’t slowed down since having Fox. I’ve had more business opportunities come up since being a mom than ever before. Maybe it’s just timing or maybe it’s a cosmic kind of abundance that was catalyzed by having a family. It sure feels bigger than me.
On a more practical level, I have to be incredibly focused. I don’t have time or energy to waste so it keeps me very intentional in the way I run my business and my life.
Did you change how you position yourself and your personal brand?
I’m still figuring that out. I felt hesitant sharing too much about being pregnant or becoming a mom because I didn’t want to offend anyone or become a “mommy blogger” but I learned quickly that part of having a personal brand is allowing that brand to evolve as you evolve. I have to give people permission to stop following my work or my writing if it no longer resonates with them. I’m not the same person I was two years ago – but that would be true whether or not I had a baby – and that’s okay. Change is good!
What tips do you have for expecting entrepreneurs or brand spankin’ new mamas?
The first year is a total shit-show (of business and baby) so be kind to yourself. Do what you can to make yourself happy first and the baby and business will follow suite.
Whether you're a new mom, a full-time employee doing your passion on the side, or just trying to balance all the parts of your life, merging the many facets of your identity and finding out how they work together takes work. Remembering to be kind to yourself as you negotiate doing what you love and living the rest of your life is so important. As it is for so many things. A little kindness goes a long way, first to yourself and naturally to others.
