Q&A with Michelle Henderson
I’ve only met Michelle Henderson in person once. She came to the February Femfessionals event after learning about our community from another member’s post on Instagram.
Besides being gorgeous {jealous} and fit {double jealous}, she’s clearly a go-getter. One of the first things I learned about Michelle is that she simultaneously began a new career and welcomed her first baby in the last few months.
I was both awe-struck at her ambition and curious about how she was doing three months in to her new endeavors. Meet new mom turned Realtor in this Week’s Working Mom Wednesday.
Welcome to The Free Mama’s Working Mom Wednesday, Michelle! Tell everyone what you do.
I am a real estate agent with Keyzio – a local startup brokerage. It is such a cool company and they are doing really exciting things in real estate from new technology to challenging the conventional pricing structure {cheaper!} all while offering premium service.
You mentioned this gig was new. What else is on your resume?
I worked at an event planning company buying gifts for incentive trips for the past couple of years. I have also done pharmaceutical sales, interior design and marketing.
What prompted the job change this time?
When I found out I was pregnant, I knew immediately that an 8-5 wasn’t going to make sense for me. My husband travels a ton and I needed way more flexibility and to be able to set my own hours.
If real estate hadn’t worked out, what would you be doing?
A friend, Ashley Kappelman, and I started Damage Control and it is all about the pursuit of wellness with a glass of wine in hand. We post recipes, workouts and, of course, wine on our Instagram account (@damagecontrolblog). We have big dreams to create a wellness experience in Kansas City in the future so stay tuned!
What is a typical day like for you?
Every day is definitely different but generally it involves cooking and eating breakfast with my husband {I love that we both work from home!} and then squeezing in work during nap times on the days that I don’t have childcare. On the days that I do have childcare, I generally will have a client appointment and get a workout in. Oh, and a lot of pumping.
They say it takes a village. Who else helps you with your son?
My husband and I are both from Oklahoma and almost all of our family is back home. I would give anything to have my mom or his mom here. Thankfully we have some cousins in town who are willing to help out and our friends are like family – we would be lost without them!
What has been the best part of motherhood so far?
The gummy smiles! I was just telling my husband that I don’t want him to get teeth because I will miss those smiles!
On a scale of 1 to 10, how sleep deprived are you these days?
Let’s call it a 5. Though I will say it isn’t as bad as I expected it to be. I think I slept more after he was born than at the end of pregnancy. That was a rough few weeks!
What did you not know about parenting that you wish someone had told you?
How hard it would be. People kind of tell you but they talk more about the exhaustion or the fussiness. No one really mentions that you won’t feel like yourself {still waiting!}, the sheer fear you feel when your husband goes out of town for the first time, or that you will question every decision you make, always wondering if it’s the “right” one.
What is your favorite part about being a working mom?
It helps me feel more like my old self, which makes me a better mom.
What’s the hardest part?
The scheduling. It’s a nightmare. Last minute appointments come up all the time and figuring out the logistics can be hard.
What do you hope your child gains from you working?
I hope he learns to go after what he wants out of life, whatever that may be and that it is ok to do things for yourself.
[tweetthis]”It’s okay to do things for yourself” #momtruth[/tweetthis]
What keeps you sane?
Working out, wine and my husband – he is pretty good at talking me off the ledge.
What one product or service do you love so much you could be a brand ambassador?
Class Pass – genius idea. It allows you to visit most boutique fitness studios in the KC area four times a month for $79. Now if they could just figure out the childcare situation…
What’s your best piece of advice for other working moms?
Hire out what you can so you aren’t spending the limited time with your kids cleaning or doing yard work. And HyVee grocery delivery…game changer!
I’m on a quest to having it all. Do you think you have it all?
Having it all to me is working part time – it is definitely the best of both worlds. I am still working on the right balance, but I am headed in the right direction!
Whether you’re looking for help with your next home purchase or sitting back and perusing Instagram, be sure to hook up with Michelle at @keyzioinc and @damagecontrolblog.
Want to be interviewed for #workingmomwednesday? Contact me to find out how.