Undefining Motherhood is just one of the claims to fame for this week’s womanpreneur. Meeting Katy was one of the highlights of the recent conference I attended. Her authenticity and drive is infectious.
The conversation during our shared ride to the airport after the conference enlightened me and was an ah-hah! I needed you to meet her and see what I see. This week’s womanpreneur interview is one for the books!
MEET KATY!
When you were little what did you want to be when you grew up?
An author. And a pediatric oncologist. Because of course.
How did you come up with the idea for Undefining Motherhood?
When I was going through recurrent miscarriage (I lost 4 pregnancies before having my son, Jack), Mother’s Day was coming up, and I was dreading it. People were making plans and the assumption was that my husband and I would do whatever everyone else decided. I got really frustrated, and honestly felt hurt. “It’s my Mother’s Day too!” I said. But no one else seemed to consider that, even though I’d been pregnant 3 times that year. We decided to opt out of Mother’s Day and spent the weekend in New York, and I knew then that I needed to do something to help advocate for women like myself. I wanted to be considered a mother, but by definition of having a child, I wasn’t. Obviously, it was time to undefine motherhood.
What is the biggest struggle you’ve encountered as an entrepreneur and how did you solve it?
Time management! Waking up every day without an office to report to, or other people to be accountable to for getting my work done, is really tough. It’s hard to set your own schedule and stick to it, especially with a little one around. The biggest helpers have been pre-scheduling out my days, and scheduling meetings where I’m with other people who hold me accountable for getting work done. Even still, it’s a constant struggle that I’m still learning to navigate.
What do you think are the pros and cons of being a womanpreneur?
The biggest con, I think, is having people take what you do seriously. Part of that is because it’s up to me to articulate how I spend my time and why that’s valuable. But another part of the struggle is that we live in a society where women are expected to pick up a lot of the slack at home. So, if Jack is sick, or the nanny needs to leave early, or something needs to be taken care of, it’s assumed that I’ll handle it because my schedule is flexible, while my husband’s is not. If I reported to an office with a boss each day, people would recognize that my time is full and would expect less flexibility from me. That flexibility is also part of what I love about it, though. If my husband and I spend a weekend away from Jack, my husband still has to work full hours and then see him briefly before bed. I have the luxury of deciding to rearrange my schedule to spend extra time with him.
To me, the flexibility is probably the second biggest “pro.” The biggest is that my son gets to grow up watching his mom work for herself. He’s barely 2 and he already knows that “Mama work.” The fact that he gets to see a powerful woman running her own business is huge to me. That’s the kind of world I want him to know!
Do you have any mentors or coaches that you work with?
Yes! My greatest mentor is Dr. Christina Hibbert. She’s an author, as well, and also has a blog and works as a psychologist. We work together to talk about things like writing, balancing family and work, and creating the life you want, not just the job you want. Another amazing teacher of mine is Jenny Melrose, whose focus is more on the online business side of things. Between the two of them, I feel like I have the perfect team of super women in place teaching me as I go.
What advice would you give to someone reading this that has the entrepreneurial “itch”?
Think through what it is that you want to do and make a plan. If the idea of planning it is too much, then you probably aren’t in the best place to do it yet. But if you’re able to lay out a strategy, you know exactly where to start and it may be time to get going. Remember, we can do different things at once. You don’t have to leave your job to start a new one.
What is the secret to achieving work-life balance for you?
Can I tell you once I figure it out? A friend and fellow entrepreneur, Karen Shoppoff Roof, is a health coach, and she uses the term “life-work balance.” I’ve just recently begun trying to live by this idea, instead. I vt helps me remember that life comes first, and work is just one of the many fulfilling parts of my life. That said, it takes constant reminders–being a workaholic overachiever is very much in my nature!
How do you find inspiration?
It depends on what I need to get done. If I just need to feel more creative, bright colors help. If I’m having a hard time focusing, listening to one of Jenny Melrose’s podcasts tends to do the trick. But as a creative business owner, I also subscribe to the belief that it’s not about inspiration–it’s about putting pen to paper and getting things done, whether I’m inspired or not. Inspiration won’t come if I don’t open the door.
What is your favorite book?
It’s not fair to ask an English PhD that question. I’m going to say Wives and Daughters by Elizabeth Gaskell, or Miss Marjoribanks by Margaret Oliphant.
What is your favorite quote?
“I want to be in the arena. I want to be brave with my life. And when we make the choice to dare greatly, we sign up to get our asses kicked. We can choose courage or we can choose comfort, but we can’t have both. Not at the same time.” – Brené Brown
What do you do to decompress?
Walk with friends, go for a jog, or sit in the sun.
So what do you think about this iced coffee drinking, purple tulip loving womanpreneur?
Do yourself a favor – follow Katy! You can find her at Undefining Motherhood, Instagram, Facebook, and Pinterest.
Don’t forget to check out the other amazing womanpreneurs!
Valerie says
I would agree that when you work from home people don’t treat you the same as if you work outside of the home. Dana you sound amazing. You are an inspiration….doing life your way.
Dana says
Katy is amazing and a true inspiration!
Heather says
Katy definitely sounds like someone I would enjoy following. I can relate to her in a lot of ways.
kumamonjeng says
Great interview and you make me understand more background about Katy! She is such an inspiring woman and I do look upon her.
Chad says
I didn’t read her book but it seems interesting and she is definitely very inspiring. Thanks a lot for the interview.
Alisha says
Knowing Katy personally, this womanprenuer is nothing shy of amazing. She’s focused. She’s determined. She’s relateable and real. She’s fun and inspiring and shows her true self, her authentic even-though-its-a-sensitive-subject voice in both her life and her writing. It is a blessing to call Katy a friend!
Dana says
Alisha, so beautifully said! xoxox
Rosey says
I agree, time management is a bear. I still haven’t mastered it and I’m 49!
Yeah Lifestyle says
I totally enjoyed reading about Katy, it is heartbreaking to find out that she lost three children and felt as she was a mum but no one else did. How wonderful that she used her energy to share Undefining Motherhood to the world
Catherine Santiago Jose says
Honestly, I’ve had a great time reading this interview she is an inspiration for every mother like me. She lost 3 children that is the hardest part for a mother but she still remain positive despite of her heartbreak.
LuciWest says
Thank you for introducing us to Katy! Some of her challenges sound all too familiar. Her success is inspiring.
Gladys Nava says
I wanna meet this woman! I was really amazing on this blog and I really enjoy too! Thanks for sharing this!
Natalie says
I love reading posts like these. She sounds like such an inspiration x
Nicole Bertrand says
As a fellow womanpreneur this post hit home! It’s tough, but so rewarding too. And I learn something new every day.
Sudipta says
This was an inspiring interview. Enjoyed reading it and could connect deeply with many aspects. Thank you.
Dana says
My pleasure!!
Peachy @ The Peach Kitchen says
Dr. Katy Huie Harrison is an amazing woman. It is so nice to get to know her better. This is a great interview.
Dani Flanders says
Her story was really interesting to read! I can somewhat relate to her experience as we went through having a miscarriage as well. I’ll have to check out more about her!
Tisha says
She hit the nail on the head when it comes to the cons of being a womanprenuer! I like what she said though and I totally agree: it’s up to me to set the tone of the matter. I get to dictate how important what it is I do, no matter if people see it right away or not!
Dana says
Tisha, I agree with both of you – we have the power to set the tone!