Moms Finding Balance- guest post//Trish @ Two Peas in a Pod (+a giveaway!)

{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!}

Trish is a very creative mom who is the owner and designer of Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs! I've personally won a few giveaways she's had and I love her products! I've also enjoyed the connection that we've made online! You'll love her story and advice! And don't miss her giveaway below! :)

Tell us about yourself!

Well, my name is Trish and I own a handmade business called Two Peas in a Pod Homegrown Designs which includes mostly at the moment, sewing pattern designs. I am a wife to the Gardener and Mom to my very own two peas and a sprout (my now 10 year old identical twin girls and my 3 year old princess). For fun, I love to hike and bike and read and eat! Although, I don't get to do those things nearly often enough. My favorite thing about being a Mom, goodnight and good morning snuggles and kisses. Even from my 10 year olds, there is that moment when you stop your day to wish someone sweet dreams or greet them first thing in the morning, and there is nothing else in the world for that moment. Just a hug. A kiss. And silent prayers said for their safety and well being and happiness.

How did you start your business?
When I surprisingly found out I was expecting twins, my nesting instincts kicked in big time! I had sewed off and on for years before that but something about expecting not only a baby, but TWO babies at once, inspired me to sew all kinds of things. My friends started to take note and soon one of them suggested that I do trunk shows and host home parties to sew for others. And so I did. And it was a hit. Too much so. I was sewing so much that I hardly had time for my family and that was not making me happy. I had the "brilliant" idea that I could encourage others to sew for themselves and their friends. I knew that teaching someone else to sew using my project ideas, they would get to enjoy that same joy and thus, my pattern business began. (Although, truth be told, I am way more busy now then I was before - but in many different ways!).

What advice can you give our readers on owning your own business?

My advice on owning your own business, I think it's important to not sell yourself short. Your talent is valuable and handmade is something to be treasured. Be honest with yourself about what is working and what is not working. Don't be afraid to make drastic changes or ask for help. Something that is important to me is to keep it all in perspective. When I consider the time I am spending away from my family on work related tasks, I weigh whether or not there is a true benefit to my family. If I'm doing something just because I love it and it's for entertainment and joy, that's great. But if it is for my business, it needs to be valuable enough to make it worth the time away from my family. I love what I do but I love my family more.

How do you balance motherhood and your business?

To be honest, it is a daily struggle. The season of my life I am in right now with young kids at home is a short lived season. I have no interest in missing not one single moment of it in lieu of being successful in business. I remind myself daily that "you can't take it with you" meaning the riches of the world. What I value most is the relationships I have with others and so I let that rule my day. I take advantage of nap times. I work after bedtimes for a bit but not for long. I think along with being a good Mom I equally try to remind myself to be a good wife. As the foundation for our family, my husband and I need to connect and so I limit my evening work time. I write a lot a lot of lists. I am starting to exercise early in the day in order to boost my energy for the day. I ask for help in business and with our house. And I take it one day at a time. Truth be told, I am currently months behind my own intended schedule for new products this year but my excuse is that my kids needed me. And that is the only excuse I need. I've come to understand (thru much trial and error, many errors) that I don't need to be superwoman and do it all - I just need to keep my family happy and honor the first and most important job that God gave me. Wife and mother. Balance is not something I claim to even come close to doing. It's ok though and I wouldn't wish away this season of my life for anything.

Thanks, Trish! What a great reminder of what the most important focus should be! Here's where you can find Trish online: Shop, Blog, Facebook. Trish will also be on a LIVE radio program tomorrow at 3pm EST. Read all about the info here, and you can tune in here (tomorrow) to listen to her!

Now for an awesome giveaway! Trish is giving away a surprise pack of, yes, THREE patterns and a few other notion goodies to go along with it! Wow!

To enter, leave a comment below sharing one thing you appreciated about Trish's post! (mandatory)

For additional entries... (leave separate comments- up to 4)

- visit Trish's shop and leave a comment here on your favorite item

- Like Two Peas in a Pod on Facebook

- share this blog post on Facebook

(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 Friday night 10/7, 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.