This week we had the opportunity to chat with Michelle Coels, owner and head coach at One Tough Mama. If you have ever looked into prenatal or postpartum exercise, you have probably already stumbled across her. She has been working in the fitness industry for almost a decade and just recently decided to dive into her own business full time. If you've ever had the privilege of meeting Michelle, you know she's found her calling. She genuinely cares about her clients and bettering the information available to them.
Tell us about One Tough Mama.
I am in the business of serving individuals. While I work mainly with women, I do not see myself as a female based business. I see myself as a business focused on the individual. We are all different; in a perfect world everyone's fitness program would reflect that. However, to keep One Tough Mama accessible to as many incomes as possible, I offer the following:
Where did the idea for One Tough Mama come from?
I struggled with many things postpartum. I did not overly enjoy my time as a "stay-at-home mom," feeling empty and alone. I very quickly started working again to feel like me. In the meantime, I discovered I had diastasis recti, and later, pelvic organ prolapse. It not only changed my life, but also how I approached fitness and exercise therapy.
I wanted to change the messaging for moms within Regina and beyond. I wanted to change the messaging for the general population about their core and their understanding of "what it takes" to be healthy and fit. I wanted to be better; to offer better. And I wanted to feel like myself. Rather than searching for a business idea, I honestly felt like I HAD to start One Tough Mama. My passion for core and pelvic floor gave me the confidence and gusto to put myself out there and prove to myself that my information was important and useful. It was terrifying. It is still hard. But it is worth every sleepless night. I look forward to my work everyday. Getting up is no longer a chore — it is a gift. I am thankful to have found this passion every damn day. It's what keeps me going. In one word, describe your life as a Momtrepreneur.
Rewarding
What does your day-to-day life look like as a Momtrepreneur?
I wake up, ready to kick some ass — it's another day, yo! Let's do this! A little work here and a splash of Olivia snuggles and breakfast there, and we are off and running. Another day, another opportunity to learn from and teach women (and men) about fitness.
As an entrepreneur, I likely have at minimum three ups and downs a day. THIS IS AWESOME, I AM DOING GOOD THINGS and FUCK THIS, THIS IS HARD, WHY DID I EVER THINK I COULD? Thankfully for me, the opportunity to work with individuals who feel that what you offer helps them, keeps me going. Having taken some control of my work life, I now carve out some time to work away at a course every week. Learning is one of my favourite things to do. I also write alot. Most I don't share but it's therapeutic to get the thoughts out of my head and on paper. Evenings are all about family time (aside from one). I play with my daughter: we talk, sing, move, and cook until it's time for bath and snuggles. Bedtime is my favourite. We sit quietly in the dark talking about our day and who we love. It's in those moments that I know I am doing the right things in life right now. After bed for my daughter, it's bed for me! Seriously though. What has been the best thing to happen since you started working for yourself?
The best thing that has happened is my mind has slowed down. I am an anxious person, barely able to keep up with the flow of thoughts that cross my brain every minute. Taking control of my schedule has allowed me to take control of my thoughts and manage them better. This has positively affected all areas of my work. It is also allowing me to fulfill the need to be unapologetically me. I can be me in my work and it is a creative outlet for me.
You recently shared the news of your pregnancy — congratulations! How do you see that changing your business?
With baby number two expected to arrive some time in the late fall, there are definitely some short and likely long term changes coming to One Tough Mama. For one, I will not be running most in-person classes for November and December. Being a fitness coach for postpartum women, I see it as my duty to practice what I preach which happens to include the overlooked REST period after birth. In order to serve my clients, and serve them well, I am going to first ensure that my own healing is a priority. This includes taking some physical time away from the business. I will continue supporting my remote fitness coaching clients at all times.
Mental health is a priority for me so, while I have plans for my return to work postpartum, I am being mindful of the fact that my best intentions now may not reflect what is best for my health after baby arrives. My hope is to significantly improve my online program and support to fresh postpartum mamas as I travel through this period the second time around. Who is your greatest inspiration?
My daughter is my inspiration. I see myself in her and yet I see her unique personality that is unscathed by society. I wish to live loudly, with love and authenticity, as a role model for her. I was a shy follower, scared to be noticed due to differences. It has taken me almost 30 years to respect what is unique about myself. Having found it, I feel I can live the life I wish to live and am motivated to share these skills with her so she, too, can live an authentic and kind life.
What brings you joy?
When I see other people happy and successful; my heart can barely handle the happiness. Also, Olivia giggles, Sophie kisses, and popcorn. My husband is pretty damn awesome too. So I guess that means family time over a bowl of popcorn — buttered only. People who eat it dry are weird.
What would you tell someone who is thinking about starting their own business?
Don't wait until your "plan" is perfect — just take action. Grow and improve as you are able. Be authentic and do whatever you choose because you love it, not to make money at first. Your passion will shine brighter than most anything.
Where can we find One Tough Mama?
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We had the privilege of chatting with one of the mamas behind design molloy, a graphic design duo specializing in custom word art. Colette, and her partner Debbie, run two little shops over on Etsy where they have been turning your ideas into beautiful keepsakes since 2014.
Tell us about your business.
Recently, we expanded and started offering downloadable art in our sister Etsy Shop, where clients can purchase pre-made designs and print them instantly. We also have a handful of clients who ask us to complete different projects for their commercial needs. This service includes creating large banners, posters, print advertisements, infographics, and more.
How did design molloy get its start?
Debbie contacted me by email in 2013 and asked me if I wanted to collaborate and create a birth story for her son. The rest is history! We worked together on that first design and the process and result came very naturally to us. After being friends for over a decade, we decided to take a stab at being business buddies. I own design molloy and Debbie is a consultant that I pay for service. I suppose that first project together just felt right. We are both highly intuitive people who trust our gut instinct.
How do you generate new ideas?
Usually through daydreaming. I suppose in some ways by meditating. A spark of something will ignite and images/visions of how it may unfold play in my mind until I settle on something that is worth trying to represent tangibly. Sometimes it works! We are at the point now in our business where we don't force anything 'new' into our product line. Everything new is organically grown and can happen at any time.
What would you say are the top three skills needed to be a successful Momtrepreneur?
In no particular order... the ability to multi-task well, top-notch organizational skills (you need a system because you can not rely on memory alone!), and a sense of humour. You need to be able to let the little things go and laugh off a lot.
Can you share a time when you've had to laugh something off?
Autocorrect hasn't always been nice to me. Let's just say I accidentally used a bad word in a hurried email reply to a client. Luckily, she had a good sense of humour.
Any advice for new Momtrepreneurs, other than proofreading?
Believe in yourself, believe in your product, and be willing to adapt and learn.
What do you find most challenging about running your own business while raising little ones?
Mindfulness. Ensuring that I am a mindful mother, while also being a mindful business owner. Tuning out the business and shutting off the phone notifications while parenting is a challenge but it is so important for our family's well being. And vice versa... forgetting about doctor's appointments, school commitments, and play date schedules while sitting down and focusing on the business. This isn't a unique struggle, as I am sure most Momtrepreneurs feel this tug-of-war for their attention. Being mindful and fully aware of each present moment is something I strive for.
What is in store for the future of design molloy?
I would like to explore different print mediums to present our designs on. This would vastly expand our product line. Our business is growing steadily, at the right pace for our families and busy lives. If this growth continues, we will be in a fantastic position of working during regular school hours, while our children attend elementary school. The last child, of our combined 5 youngsters, will be in Kindergarten in 3 years time. We see ourselves having more regularly set business hours instead of just trying to fit things in where we can. We very much look forward to that growth in our company.
Who do you admire most in the creative industry?
We have a huge amount of respect and admiration for illustrator, Breakfast Jones. Her talent and creativity is seemingly endless and she has always been encouraging and supportive of our business. She has a consistency in her brand that we admire.
Any last details you would like others to know about design molloy?
We love to create in collaboration with our clients. It makes us happy when we can help someone's vision come to life. We are honoured when art has a healing effect on a client. When a client shares a part of themselves with us, when we learn the back story or the motivation behind a purchase, it fills us with pride to know we have been trusted with the project. It means the world to us! We wish everyone knew how meaningful and therapeutic it can be to create art.
Where can we find design molloy?
Visit either Etsy Shop and use code MOTHERHOOD15 from September 1 - 10 and save 15% on your order!
In addition to our weekly MC activities, we have been getting to know the Mommy Connections Director for Regina, Jaclyn Roach. For the past four weeks, we have been learning more about MC and how it got it's start here in the Queen City. This week I decided to change gears and ask about down time.
What do you do for yourself outside of momming and running MC?
I always love hearing about what other moms are doing for themselves. After that needy newborn period ends, and you begin to see a glimpse of your new normal, it is so important to take that time to reconnect with yourself. Whether that's trying something new or rejoining something old, it feels good to practice some self care. That's how Ventures in Motherhood was born. I needed a little push to kick that mom-guilt to the curb and take some time for me. And my daughter loves seeing her mom find joy in new and old hobbies.
We have just one class left! If you missed one of the weekly MC articles, you can catch up here!
In case you haven't heard, we've teamed up with Mommy Connections in Regina to give you the inside scoop on what these programs are all about. Each week, Rowyn and I attend a session at a new location and try an activity geared toward her age group. And while we're at it, we thought we would also take the opportunity to get to know Jaclyn, the program's director for the Queen City.
Why do you think programs like MC are so important for families?
I think this type of programming is so important to families in our community for lots of reasons! Finding friends who are at the same point in their life as you after having babies is a crucial piece of wellness postpartum. It’s important for moms to feel like they have other women to connect with, to rely on, and to feel safe with.
The programs are also a great place for little ones to learn how to be around other little ones too. It's the perfect way for moms to meet each other, for babies and tots to play, and for services in the community to reach their audience. I love Mommy Connections and truly believe that what I’m doing is a valuable part of the community.
There has been a real push for better postpartum services in our city and I definitely agree that getting out and connecting with other moms is an essential part of that support. Whether you've just had a baby or are making the transition to stay-at-home mom, Mommy Connections is a great way to get out of the house each week and meet other mamas.
This week was our make-and-take — something Jaclyn offers during every program so you have an opportunity to create something with your little one to keep. Our project was a wall hanging that we decorated with an assortment of materials. I used stickers to spell Rowyn's name and then let her fill in the rest. She chose markers, crayons, and more stickers, of course! It will adorn the wall in her playroom along with some of her other works of art.
This week was also our picture day — another staple for the sessions. Lauren Murphy from Serene Photography came out for a complimentary session which I think is such a great idea. Moms tend to be the picture takers so I welcome any opportunity to grab a photo with my daughter.
Our activity was originally scheduled to be outdoors but was moved to Amazing Adventure due to possible rain showers. They have a party room upstairs that was perfect for this and the kids got to climb on the indoor playground afterward. It was a packed afternoon of rainy-day fun!
If you're looking for something to do with your babe this fall, registration is now open! And if you missed an episode and want to get caught up, just click here!
I'm back with my third installment of the Mommy Connections Weekly, where we will be getting to know all about their programming as well as the mommy behind our Regina location, Jaclyn Roach. This week is about the challenges of growing a new business: something I'm sure all you Momtrepreneurs can relate to!
MC is still fairly new to Regina; how have you been successful in building the MC programs so far?
"In September I offered my first Mom & Baby Class and was (and still am) so grateful for the 10 moms who were willing to take a chance on me and participate in that first group."
On June 10 we celebrated 1 year of Mommy Connections Regina with a party at the Eastview Community Centre. I am so grateful to the moms who have joined my programs and given me their feedback and helped me make the programs better. They are still not perfect but I am growing and learning everyday as a business owner and I am so excited to see where the next year takes me.
Check back next week for another edition. Miss an article? Click here to catch up!
We are enrolled in the Mommy Connections Parent & Tot session this summer and this week we visited Pointflex Dance Company for a dance class. If you've never participated in a structured activity with your toddler, it is something best described as herding cats. Classes offered to this age group are generally short and require parent participation, and you'll leave feeling more exhausted and sweaty than your toddler. But we love trying these types of programs because it's how our wee one will build confidence to one day partake independently.
Our session was 30 minutes which left us with some time to visit at the end while the kiddies snacked. I think this was the most cooperative they were the whole session; it was just one of those days! Side note: I need a better camera for capturing moving toddlers — so many blurry limbs!
If you're not sure what would be a good fit for your little one, Mommy Connections is a great place to start. You get to try a variety of programs over the course of a session without the commitment. You can then register for something you and your child enjoyed or continue to use the à la carte offerings of MC!
Two weeks ago, I mentioned the awesome Parent & Tot group Rowyn and I joined through Mommy Connections here in Regina. I also mentioned the lovely director, Jaclyn Roach, the mama and superstar behind the organization of all the great programming available. I hadn't heard of Mommy Connections before this past year so I wanted to know how she came to head the Regina location. I decided to feature a bit about her and her business for the next five weeks so we can learn more about the programs, and the mama behind them, together!
How did you get started with MC?
During my year off, my husband and I found out we would be moving to Regina for his job and that we were expecting baby #2. We wanted me to be able to step away from my career (I am a high school English teacher) while we raised our babies but needed something that could give me the stimulation I needed outside of kids and something that could hopefully bring in some money to supplement my husband's income - it's too hard these days to live in a one-income household! I started looking around and came across the Mommy Connections website and they were looking for a director for Regina! I was so excited that I got on the application process immediately and within a few weeks was all set up to start Mommy Connections in Regina.
Next week we'll learn more about how she's grown her business this past year!
So what did we get up to this week? On Wednesday we had the opportunity to check out the STARS Air Ambulance hangar. We live near the airport and often see them flying overhead so Rowyn was thrilled for this tour.
Regina has two choppers that they use to respond to remote accidents and emergencies. Both were available for the kids to explore at their leisure. As excited as Rowyn was in the lobby, she was reluctant to climb aboard at first; by the end she was prepping the stretcher for a snooze. The paramedics, nurses, and pilots on site were all wonderful with the kids.
If you're currently on maternity leave, parental leave, or are a stay-at-home mama or dada, check out the fall programming now available through Mommy Connections. Jaclyn also loves supporting other momtrepreneurs, so send her a message if you want to collaborate with her to help get the word out about your products or services to more mamas!
My husband and I celebrated our third wedding anniversary last week so I thought I'd get all nostalgic and share some of the details from our big day. I wanted it to be a celebration of our love and the life we'd already been building together before we made it wedding official. I gathered ideas and inspiration on Pinterest and put together something best described as antique/rustic. I had so much fun planning and pulling together the little details of the day. It was fun, unique, and totally us.
Our Love Story
Our Wedding
It was very much a DIY wedding. I collected recycled glass jars of all sizes and used them for vases and candle holders. I enlisted my best gals to help me decorate them with lace, burlap, and string. Some I spray painted in an antique white. Our seating chart was hand-painted on a pair of antique windows. I collected an assortment of china patterns and used the plates for our supper, the side plates for dessert, and the teacups to serve coffee. I also crafted dessert stands from found platters and candle sticks.
My sister-in-law created all of our stationary, including the mad libs we had on the table for everyone to fill out. She and her husband own a printing company so she also helped me create the ceremony programs that I printed on paper bags and had my brother-in-law fill with popcorn for the wedding. I had a very talented friend draw our guest book tree that everyone signed and stamped with their finger prints; it's now hanging in our home. We purchased our florals from a local flower shop and my bridesmaids helped arrange them in all the little vases. I chose very wild looking flowers to match our rustic theme. I placed a pin from my childhood on my bouquet wrap and wore my late grandmother's pearls. We hired a string quartet to play at our ceremony. I had always dreamed of a full orchestra playing me down the aisle so that was the next best thing. They arranged two pieces for us including one by my husband's favourite band, Pearl Jam, for the signing of the marriage certificate. We cut thrifted lace table cloths into strips and tied them to the chairs and the railing outside the hall. We ditched the traditional wedding cake for an assortment of our favourite desserts. Instead, we had mini pies, macarons, and my favourite cookies from my mother-in-law. We also splurged on our midnight lunch and had a local food truck stop by with a custom menu of tacos, corn dogs, and sliders. Who doesn't want street food after a night of drinking and dancing? Vendors
Photography: Chris Graham Photo | Wedding Coordinator: Old, New, Borrowed & Blue Wedding and Event Planning | Stationary: Clements Printers Inc. | Ceremony Venue: Pense Town Hall | Music: Carmelle Pretzlaw | Linens: Creative Touch Wedding Designs | Reception Venue: RCMP Heritage Centre | Bride's Dress: David's Bridal | Bridesmaids' Attire: J.Crew | Hair: Luxe Hair Studio Inc. | Makeup: M·A·C Cosmetics | Accessories: Ava Hope Designs | Groom & Groomsmen Attire: Moore's | Florals: Gale's Florist | Catering: RCMP Depot | Mini Pies: Evolution Catering | Macarons: Le Macaron | Midnight Lunch: Beak's Chicken
I often see new and stay-at-home moms looking for suggestions on what to do to fill the long days of being at home with their little ones. Getting out of the house is imperative to me and my sanity so my daughter and I get out a lot. Like everyday. Even if it's just for a quick walk or to grab a few groceries. A change of scenery can do wonders on a toddler who has passed on her nap and appears in need of an exorcism.
We also participate in structured activities. It provides my daughter with that critical social interaction she misses out on at home with me and she learns new skills like following directions, taking turns, and participating in a group. I always have my eye out for new things to try, so when Jaclyn Roach of Mommy Connections Regina invited me to join their summer Parent & Tot group, I responded with an enthusiastic, "Shit yeah!"
For those who aren't familiar, Mommy Connections runs programming all over Canada for moms and babes/tots to introduce them to other local moms as well as programs, services, and activities geared toward their kid's age group. It's a great way to meet new mamas and try some new things with your littles. They are also offering dad and parent sessions this fall for those stay-at-home dads, too.
Our first session was held at Get Air, a place I had never been before. I was actually nervous to go after reading the recent stories circulating about it being unsafe for children under the age of 5. Rowyn is a cautious toddler — something I am occasionally grateful for — so we went to check it out and meet the other moms. I was pleasantly surprised by the setup. They have a separate toddler area called "Little Air" that has four small, vertical trampolines and two foam pits for their enjoyment. It also has a nice carpeted area all along the side for parents to sit and watch their kiddos. My toddler did end up doing a little jumping but she mostly threw foam blocks into the pit and sat on the trampoline for others to bounce her. I was a little relieved and I got to visit with the other gals without worrying.
We have five more sessions, all with different locations and activities for us to try. I will be blogging about our experience each week so you can get a feel for what Mommy Connections is all about. If you decide it's something you'd like to join, check out the website for all the new classes starting in September!
Quinoa bites have been on our menu since my daughter mastered the art of eating. They are portable, delicious, and full of all the good things making them a great lunch or snack. Plus, they're easy to make and can be frozen — two things I love as a busy mama. I tried many recipes and tested several baking methods to get these little bites to hold their shape and easily come out of the pan and I am finally ready to share the best recipe possible. Because nothing sucks more than wasting your precious mom-time making a dud.
I am sharing the recipe complete with all of my tried and true methods. This includes spritzing the pan with a bit of oil before baking and using a silicone muffin pan. I purchased myself a Kitchen Spritzer from Pampered Chef so I can use my own oils instead of store-bought aerosols. You can lightly grease your pans with whatever you like, but definitely lube them up. Silicone muffin pans are also a necessity. I grabbed one of each from Bed, Bath & Beyond and use them all the time for portioning and freezing meals. When it comes to baking, I normally prefer my metal pans but when I tried baking my bites in them, it ended in a sticking disaster every. single. time. So then I started rolling my bites but I found that messy and more time consuming. Now enter, silicone baking pans. Life changing.
Choose a quality ham. I had been purchasing great deli ham from Dad's Organic Market but they are no longer offering deli counter meats. So instead I picked up a black forest ham and chopped it myself in my food processor with the slicing blade. Then I just had to do a finer chop with my knife. I bought a 600g chunk so I had enough to slice and freeze two additional portions for next time. When they're gone, I'll go one step further and try smoking a ham roast from Cool Springs Ranch now that I see how easy it is to slice on my own.
If you're looking for something quick to keep on hand for those busy days or to mixup school lunches, these are for you. And be warned, they are very delicious. If you make them mini, they are easy to just keep popping in your mouth!
DIRECTIONS:
Combine quinoa and broth in a medium sauce pan. Bring to a rolling boil. Reduce heat, cover, and simmer until all the liquid has evaporated, about 15 minutes. Remove from heat and let stand 5 minutes. Fluff with a fork and set aside to cool to room temperature. Meanwhile, place broccoli in a steaming basket over water. Bring to a boil, cover, and steam for 5 minutes. Remove broccoli from basket and cool to room temperature. Finely chop. Preheat oven to 350°F. In a large bowl, lightly beat eggs. Season with ground pepper to taste. Add cooled, quinoa and stir to coat. Add chopped ham and broccoli and stir until combined. Add cheese and mix well. Lightly grease a silicone muffin pan (regular or mini) and place on a cookie sheet for support. Fill each cup with quinoa mixture, pressing down to firmly pack. Bake for 15-20 minutes for mini bites or 25-30 minutes for regular, or until golden brown on top. Carefully place muffin pan on wire rack and let cool 10 minutes. Turn pan upside down onto rack and gently squeeze each cup to release onto rack. Wipe clean and repeat with remaining mixture. Make ahead and freeze cooked bites on a large cookie sheet. Store in freezer bags for quick lunches. Just thaw and/or reheat to serve. Yield: 2+ dozen mini or 1+ dozen regular
This week was my last class with Carla at Cathedral Art School & Studio. It has been such an incredible 8 weeks of learning and making. I have always been a lover of art so this ended up being a perfect fit for me to reconnect with that side of myself. If you are looking to explore your inner-maker, I highly recommend the mixed media classes.
Now onto my final project. We were each given a stretched canvas and three cups of pouring medium to tint with acrylic colours of our choosing. I picked a teal, a shimmery gold, and blended myself a coral. Then you just drizzle and swirl, adding more paint where and when you want. I have never been a fan of paint as a medium, but this is a project I would try again.
I would choose different colours next time but I love the way you can change the design by holding it a different way to let the paint run or by adding more colour. Less is usually more, but in the case of pour painting, more is more. All of these supplies can be acquired locally which is another thing I have appreciated about all of the works we have created. In the end, you get a unique high-gloss painting to adorn your walls. Give it a try!
What colours would you choose? |