Mama Thriver ™ Inspiration Series - Interview with Audrey McClelland

I’m so excited to feature Audrey McClelland in our Mama Thriver series today. Audrey is a proud mom of 5 – four boys (William, Alex, Ben and Henry) and one little lady (Victoria) – and Co-Founder of one of the first Mom blogs I discovered in the blogosphere Mom Generations – a digital space devoted to Fashion, Lifestyle, Family, Travel & more. She is one of the original Mom bloggers with a truly inspirational story, and her journey to becoming a wildly successful digital influencer has been showcased on NBC’s Today in the show’s “Business of Blogging” feature. She now runs the Permission to Hustle community & group on Facebook with her partner & Co-founder Vera Sweeney, with another amazing platform launched under AudreyandVera.com focusing on women’s interests and lifestyle. The two are forces to be reckoned with, and giving themselves ‘permission to hustle’ has earned them the 2017 Iris Award for “Entrepreneur of the Year”! They have also been cast on TLC’s new show What She Said.

Without further delay, here it is, my interview with the ah-mazing Audrey McClelland:

1) Tell us a little bit about yourself, your family and the purpose behind your business/project/platform?

I’m Audrey McClelland, co-founder of MomGenerations.com and co-founder of Audrey & Vera / Permission to Hustle (on Facebook). I’m a mom of 5 – four boys and a little girl. I started in social media about 10 years ago because I wanted to find a career that would work well with my family life. I wanted to try and create a schedule around my children, which was perfect when I first started out! Since then I am now the sole provider of our family with my blog and social media endeavors beyond blogging. It’s been incredible to be passionate about what I do and really show my children that you can find a job you love and making a living at it. I also love being part of the mom blogging community. I have met best friends and really have felt part of something for the last 10 years. It’s been amazing being able to share bits and pieces of my life, as well as blog about issues and topics that are near and dear to my heart.

2) When did you begin your business/project/platform and what propelled you to make the leap? Is it a “side-hustle” or full-time endeavour? Do you have another career also?

I took the leap BIG time 9 years ago. I saw people making money at this “blogging” thing and figured I wanted to try it out. I was amazed that there was a group of women online and it was wonderful to see and read about their lives. Brands started to get into the social media mix about 8 years ago and that’s when my business really (for me) started to grow. The kick in the butt for me was my husband getting laid off from work in 2012. All of a sudden our safety net was pulled. I was terrified. We had 4 little boys and we were relying on his paycheck. At that time I was only making (maybe) $400 a month, not enough by any means for a family of 6 to live on. I literally just said to my husband, “Give me 9 months and if I can’t make this blogging thing work, I’ll get a job.” And so… I went head down and just worked like a dog. I didn’t stop. I had a goal and I wanted to accomplish it for myself and most of all – for my family. I was able to make up his salary in 6 months. I’ve always said and I believe this… incredible things can come from a point of fear, and especially when you have a family. That was my fire for me!

3) What was your “why” for starting your business/project/digital platform?

My WHY was being able to create something from nothing and make it work for my family. Before this I worked in NYC at a job I liked, I didn’t love. I made great friendships and really enjoyed the City, but I was working long hours and my days were always focused on somebody else and their needs and wants. I have always had this entrepreneur spark in me, so I really wanted to find that “thing” for me and create something from nothing! I was driven to blogging because I was always on forums during my pregnancies with my 2 older sons on BabyCenter.com and I loved the coming together of women and the sharing of stories. It really helped me focus and made me feel good to see people sharing and helping each other. And then… I started seeing blogging pop up! It was awesome to see this new piece come into play.

4) One of the biggest blocks to Moms acting on their aspirations is finding the time. How do you make time amidst a busy family life to pursue your passions and/or meet your business goals?

Yes, this is the hardest part for me. I try my best to get as much done as I can while they’re at school. I kind of think of my work day as a 8:15AM-3PM day because this works best for my family. On the weekends, I try not to do much work (if any at all). The one thing I’ve learned is that when you really budget out your time, you can get things done. I used to just go with the flow, and nothing was getting done. Now I say – from 9-10:30, blogging – from 11-1, conference calls, etc. I really hone in on what time I have and time block things out. It’s helped dramatically!

5) Have you met any resistance/judgement/blocks/obstacles while pursuing your endeavour? If so, what were they & how did you persevere?

Oh, yes! I do a ton of pitching for my work, it’s something I love… but it’s also something that can come with a bunch of No’s, too! For every 100 pitches, you hope for 10 yeses! It’s something that you just need to get good at being OK with a NO or if a company isn’t ready to take the leap yet.

6) What are your biggest sources of inspiration (quotes, people, experiences, etc.)

My biggest source of inspiration are my 5 kids. I’ve said it a million times before, but I became a better businesswomen when I became a mom because all of a sudden, the stakes were higher. I had something extra to work for, strive for and do well for. My kids are everything to me and I want them to see a strong woman working hard for them, but most important – doing something that fills her up! But my kids… they are it for me!

7) What advice or encouragement would you give a Mom who is ready to take the leap, but feels stuck or fearful?

My biggest advice is to give YOURSELF the Permission to Hustle! That’s where our FACEBOOK group came from… give yourself the permission to go out there and do what you want to do! We are sometimes so overcome by fear or rejection or not succeeding, and you will never, ever know if you don’t try! The most successful women in the world have failed and it just makes the stronger and more ready for something else. My best advice? Just do it. Don’t sit on the idea. Get out there and HUSTLE!

8) What motivates you to keep going, even when it gets overwhelming?

In all honestly, my livelihood! I’m the sole provider of our family, if I don’t work – it trickles down to everything. I don’t need to live in the biggest house or drive the fanciest car, I’ve always said that… but I do need to provide for my family and that’s everything to me. When I get overwhelmed, I think of my family and what I need to do. Is it a lot of pressure? Yes. But does it keep me going? Yes.

9) How has your family responded to your endeavour?

My family loves what I do! It’s unconventional for sure, but it’s something that my kids have grown up with and know inside and out now! My husband is fabulous and helps me when I need it. What I do is a family endeavor, many times my kids and husband get to do things with me and it’s been incredible. I never in a million years imagined how this “job” would be and turnout 10 years ago, but what I love the most is that I get to being them in a bunch!

10) What have you learned about motherhood that can’t be found in a parenting book? (Be as raw, real and candid as you wish!)

I’ve learned most of all to embrace the ordinary moments. You know, those moments of just “regular” life. Eating dinner together, doing homework around the counter, working on school projects. I think as parents we’re all so programmed to remember the extraordinary moments… first steps, first smiles, first date, first day of school… and those are amazing moments to remember. But! I’ve learned that it’s the ordinary moments that will be the ones I cherish the most someday. Snuggling on the couch. Saturday afternoon movies. Sunday night family dinner. The moments that aren’t extra special, but mean so very much.

Thank you so much for sharing your incredible story and words of wisdom, Audrey. I’m blown away by your tenacity and ability to turn your family’s financial situation around in just 6 months time! So inspired by your success being new to this digital influencer realm myself. Not only admirable as a businesswoman, you can feel the love you have for your family in everything you put out.

I can identify with the challenges of business-building from home with littles in the mix, and really enjoyed her post “Work Rituals: Top 6 For Work From Home Parents”. I’m also looking forward to reading more of her Mompreneur advice column she puts out every Tuesday on MomGenerations.com.

More from Audrey and her latest, exciting endeavours can be found on Facebook | Instagram | Twitter | YouTube