It is time for WAHM Spotlight – a monthly WAHM interview, and this time, I’m delighted to shine the spotlight on Melissa Vandermeer, a mom, an entrepreneur and someone I’m proud to call a friend.
Here is Melissa talking about her life as a mom entrepreneur and work-at-home mother. Read on to find out how this work-at-home mom juggles a business along with her home and family.
Tell us a little about yourself?
I’m a kindergarten teacher turned mommy entrepreneur, itching to make a big difference online. I love all things gray.
What motivated or inspired you to launch Zayth?
My sweet mom stayed home (and still does!) when my brother and I were growing up so she was available at all times. She was the carpool, library volunteer, Meals on Wheels delivering type of mom. Having that role model, I always dreamed of being a stay-at-home mom.
However, when my dream came true I found myself overwhelmed, depressed, lost, and longing for information to help me deal with the emotions I was feeling. I spent many hours after my girls were in bed reading blogs, searching online, downloading eBooks, and taking personal development courses online.
I found invaluable resources, but the time it took searching for them was wearing me down. I wanted one central spot to find all the information and services, and that’s how Zayth was born.
What does a typical “WAHM” day look like for you?
This has been quite a challenge for me and a huge on-going process.
As a teacher I was very organized and scheduled, but I tend to be less disciplined at home. I know exactly how to train my girls to play independently while I work, but I struggle with that internally. I want to be fully present when they are awake, so right now I only work when they are sleeping or with family.
Our mornings are spent exercising and having play dates and then I work during naps and at night. This means I take on really late nights, but I’ve even been bucking that system lately as it isn’t practicing the kind of self-care I need right now. I struggle daily with feeling as if I need to work constantly or respond immediately to emails, but it’s getting easier each day to put myself and my family above my business.
Truly, I think it’s important to set the precedence now for what I want my work schedule to look like in the future, even if my business is in the ‘extremely new’ stage.
What do you think are the major challenges a work-at-home woman faces? How do you think one can deal with them?
If you’re like me, your mind is constantly scanning your home for all the “must do’s” the minute you walk in the door. When you work from home you’re surrounded by this constantly.
It takes a lot of focus and re-focus to attend to one task only. I’ve found it not only necessary but incredibly freeing to practice the art of simplicity.
I worked hard to simplify our closets and our bedrooms so they are rarely cluttered. We use only a few cups and plates in the kitchen so there is never a pile up of dishes. We have a very simple living room set-up and our garage is organized where we can find everything easily. I will say I haven’t found a simple way for laundry though…that’s my biggest challenge!
What’s next on the plate for Zayth?
My dream is to be the hub for all things digital…the place where women release their best offerings into the world, build their own business, and help others find the support they need to rock their lives along the way. There are so many women who have amazing things to share with others and no platform for doing so. I plan for Zayth to solve that problem once and for all.
Thanks, Melissa!
If you have a digital product or service for women, wives, home managers, moms, you’ve GOT to check out Zayth. It is the coolest online women-centric marketplace and lets you set up your own store and drive more sales to your products and services. So, go ahead, and check it out NOW!
