Moms Finding Balance- Guest Post// Kristy @ MaryKay

{Welcome to our blog series of guest posts from other business-owning moms, to encourage all you other entrepreneurial moms who either already have your own business or those of you who wish you did! We want to inspire you to follow your dream and give you tips along the way for balancing motherhood, your business/creative passions, and the rest of your life! We certainly don’t claim to have all the answers, so that’s why we want to create a community of encouraging moms here on the Blue Ladybug Mamas blog! View the series intro post here!}


Today we hear from the last mom in our series! Kristy, is a mom of a large family, who has a lot of advice for us when it comes to balancing the responsibilities of family and her Mary Kay  business!

Hi! My name is Kristy Vanderwall.  I’ve been married to my high-school sweetheart for almost 18 years! We are expecting our seventh child in January.  The others range from age 3-age 14.  We count it a privilege to home school our children.  Although busy, I really enjoy the dynamics of a large family!

I’ve been a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant for two years now. I went as a guest to a Mary Kay party simply looking for make up. God however had something more in mind. For months, I had been praying that God would grow me into a woman of confidence.  I had also been praying for a way to move our family back to Fremont, MI where we have dreams to start a family business (white tail deer farm). After falling in love with all of the Mary Kay products, and researching the amazing Mary Kay business opportunity, I realized that this was God’s answer to my prayers.

Balancing motherhood and business…First of all I am so thankful to be part of a business founded on the principles of God first, family second and career first. What does this look like in everyday life?

• God first- Seeking God’s wisdom on a daily basis is a must! If we are not making time for Him, then everything will eventually crumble. If you don’t know what it means to have a personal relationship with Him through His Son, Jesus Christ, please contact me. Really, nothing can ever be balanced in life without Him as your center.

•  Family second- Constantly evaluate your heart. Make sure your family takes next highest priority. As much as possible, involve your children in your business!  They will learn great life skills, and you’ll grow closer as a family. If at all possible, I highly recommend that moms’ incomes be used for “extras,” not necessities. This will allow us to “step down” or “step up” our business as family circumstances (not finances) mandate.

• Career third- If you are serious about building a business, then treat it as a business! Do not use “family second” as an excuse to neglect your commitments! Decide with your family what time will be designated for you to work your business, then hold to it! On a rare occasion something may come up worthy of making an exception. However, if you back out of commitment for every sniffle, whine, poorly-managed school project, unscheduled sporting event, etc. your children won’t see you live out Psalm 15:4b (“who keeps his oath even when it hurts”).  With that in mind, don't over commit. If you have little ones, leave room for the unexpected! Really, they do grow up.

I wish you well in whatever God-directed endeavor you pursue!

Thanks Kristy for that great advice! Wow, so much wisdom packed in there- I feel like I need to take some time to mull all that over! Visit Kristy's online shop or drop her an email letting her know what you appreciated about her post today: kristyvanderwall@marykay.com     If you'd like place an order, or just get to know her a little, you can even call her: 616-887-4035  

 

The Giveaway: Kristy is graciously giving away a yummy Mary Kay lip gloss to one of YOU!
To enter, leave a comment below sharing something you appreciated from what Kristy had to say! (mandatory)

For additional entries... (leave separate comments- up to 3)

- visit Kristy's shop and leave a comment here on your favorite Mary Kay item

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(Be sure there is an email address connected with your comment, or leave it as part of the comment in this format: blueladybugboutique(at)gmail(dot)com, if you would like it be more secure.)

Giveaway open until Monday night 10/31, 10:00pm EST. Open to US only. Winner is responsible to provide shipping information in a timely manner, or a new winner will be picked.