Our mothers showed us how to be women who make a difference in the world and we want to acknowledge that without their training, love and support, we wouldn't be the women we are today. Together, we have the opportunity to help businesses grow and pursue the American dream. We have the privilege of training stay-at-home moms who need to make money working from home. Thanks to our moms, we are strong and confident women building other women up!
Camile Branin -
It’s rather difficult to limit myself while writing about how much I adore my mom. She has an incredible heart for people and is warm and nurturing. She inspires me to be the best mom I can be for my own children. Mom has always been my sunshine on rainy days, and a life compass.
There are so many valuable lessons I’ve learned from her, but I'll share a couple that I hold most dear.
I can’t remember a time of fear, worry, uncertainty, confusion, or simply having a bad day where my mother did not quote one of these two Bible verses.
- Philippians 4:6 – “Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God”.
- Jeremiah 29:11 – “For I know the plans I have for you declares the Lord, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.”
I’m so thankful that my mom lived out these verses in her own life, and showed me an alternative path when times are tough. She has proven them true time and time again, and I know through experience the promises hold true in my own life.
Work Ethic! If I had to choose one thing my parents taught me, it would be work ethic. While I was growing up, my parents had their own business. I’ve never known a harder worker than my father, and my mother was there every step of the way supporting him. My parents are an extraordinary example of hard work, and giving your best, every time, regardless of the situation. This one example, has affected my life in more ways than I could have ever imagined.
I love you Mommy!
Jana Aplin -
Happy Mother’s Day to the woman who loves her daughter with a compassionate, gentle, and joyful servant’s heart! She has cared for me as an itty bitty baby, as a toddler prancing around in plastic princess high heels, as an awkward middle schooler who insisted on wearing butterfly clips in her hair, as a teenager who never stopped talking, as a bride-to-be who wanted to include her mom in everything, and as a young adult who desires a deep friendship with her amazing Momma.
Without my Momma, I wouldn’t know how to do a lot of practical things like cooking and cleaning and sewing. Physically speaking, she sets an example of motivation. After having both of her knees replaced, she stretches and exercises every single day. (And when I don’t want to exercise, I honestly think of her!). Spiritually, she admonishes a character of discipline in her morning prayer time and bible devotion. She prays without hesitation, offers words of wisdom to those in need, and genuinely cares for the lost, hurting, poor, and meek. Her thoughtfulness towards others reminds me how much I can impact those around me, and her life literally reveals how I can change the lives of others through simple acts of generosity.
I say, “I love you more!” And she replies,”I love you longer!” I never doubt her love for me or take for granted her sweet presence. Happy Mother’s Day Momma, I love you more!
Jannica Morton -
My mom shaped me and taught me to do and be who I am meant to be. She had her work cut out for her as I apparently wasn't the easiest of little girls. (I choose to believe she exaggerates) Can you believe she calls me "Snapping Turtle" and the "most stubborn person" and "strong willed" and "defiant"?!! My mom tells stories of the terror and mess that I was as a little girl but she always tells her stories with love in her eyes and admiration in her voice.
Now that I have three boys and a girl, I can get a glimpse at the work my mom had to do to live through my childhood. It's a running joke in our home now when she occasionally says "you need to teach those kids XYZ." I just roll my eyes and laugh. See my mom taught me many lessons, such as how to vacuum a room perfectly and to do it again when it doesn't look perfect and then again and then again. So now I don't vacuum. Yep, that one backfired on both of us. My mom taught me to always dress my best and look presentable because you never know who you are going to run into when you are out. Hmmm....that one didn't take either. I am very happy in my mom bun, no makeup, jeans and Tshirt...who cares what anyone else thinks?! She now rolls her eyes at me and just shakes her head. The thing is, she did her job in training me, but sometimes a person has to do her own thing. Luckily, she taught me to think for myself and own my decisions. So I own my stubbornness against vacuuming. Lol! But that determination (aka stubbornness) has led me to be a female entrepreneur.
I think one of the best things my mom did was model to me how to pursue your own path while being a loving and caring mom. She modeled how to:
- give, care and be considerate of others
- laugh with abandon
- "broaden my horizons"
- work hard and to the best of my abilities
- want the best and dream big
- face my fears
I am very thankful for the influence and impact she has on my life, I am thankful that we can laugh at our differences and my not-so-normal way of thinking, I am thankful she continues to look at me with love and admiration. I love you, my beautiful mama!
Toni Wright -
“No matter how you feel…Get up, Dress up and Never Give up!” was a message my Mother conveyed to me regularly. That, and “I’m the Mama that’s why!” every time I questioned her, which was often.
My poor Mother. She had a hell of a time with me. As a little girl, she described me a perfect little angel who came into the world saying “Hello Mommy! I’m going to make your life wonderful!”. Those golden years, were followed with many years of confusion and frustration with a stubborn, strong willed, “what the hell am I going to do with this girl”, daughter. (sorry Mom!)
You see, my Mother is a highly organized, methodical, natural teacher, with an order, structure, logic and purpose for everything. Which sometimes, I admit, I really needed. Other times? It made no sense and drove, my free spirited self...bonkers. Yet, all the while, she made certain I was emotionally strong in mind, independent and equipped to handle any situation in life. She showed me how to experience life, have fun, explore and the importance of a good shade of lipstick.
As I’ve grown older and wiser (yikes!), I’ve come to realize how much she has impacted my ability to be the business woman, mother and entrepreneur I am today. She taught me that I could be the free spirited, out-of-the box type that I am naturally, but by incorporating the structure and organization she instilled, I would be unstoppable and successful.
Thank you, Mama. I’ve listened to your words of wisdom and apply them in my life daily. I hear you when you say “What you think about, comes about.”, “Plan your work and work your plan.” and “If you can visualize it and believe it, then you can achieve it!”. Thank you for accepting me for who I am, supporting and encouraging me on my crazy life journey. Your impact on my life has given me the ability to do exactly what I was meant to do!
Women owned businesses are growing!
Is it a coincidence that women owned businesses are growing rapidly? I don't think so. I think that since the 1960s women have worked hard to prove themselves to the business world. Thank you to the women (moms, mentors, teachers and friends) who paved the way for us and who continue to build women up and offer a stage for women to shine.
We will continue to make an impact in this world!
Share with us how your mom helped you to be the successful woman you are today! What lessons did you learn from her?