Shannon with Nolan and Brynn
In today's Do It All Mamas (& Papas) feature... the spotlight is on Shannon Cavanagh-Estrada, mom to seven year old Brynn and 2 year old Nolan, and co-owner of the public relations firm Pitch! Press.
Examiner: Tell me something unique/interesting about yourself.
Shannon: I work best under pressure. Efficiency is part of my survival guide. The more I am dealt, surprisingly, the more I embrace and get to the task of problem solving and delivering. It’s the producing of results and accomplishments in both my professional and personal lives that gives me the greatest pleasure. That, and a really, really great pair of shoes!
Examiner: What is your business all about?
Shannon: Pitch! Press is a press service for fashion industry clients seeking on-going editorial and media placement. We represent designers in the fashion, beauty, children and lifestyle categories and secure editorial in national fashion, lifestyle, and trade publications, as well as online, and in the tabloids and daily newspapers.
Examiner: Why did you start your business?
Shannon: I started my own business for freedom. And I believed I had something unique to offer the market in the public relations arena.
Examiner: What secret do you have to share with other parents about "having it all" with your family and business?
Shannon: Know you CAN do it. Starting your own business takes a positive attitude, hard work, problem solving, and the occasional compromise. When things get tough, I approach a situation as, “Okay, what are we suppose to be LEARNING from this?” as opposed to “Panic!”
My secret is simple: prioritize & organize. I prioritize and organize both my professional and personal lives daily. I get the quick, small things outta the way first, so I can focus on the larger projects. I created a gift closet so that I am not having to run out in the 11th hour and scramble for birthday or hostess gifts. Holiday shopping is year round, if the gift fits, buy it! I make weekly menus and cook two meals at a time so it frees up every other night in the kitchen and gives me more time with the kids. I get the kids involved; I started Brynn with chores at 3, simply making her bed (read: pull up the covers) and now she gets a small allowance and has daily chores that get done without complaint…my son is next.
Examiner: What is the number one piece of advice you have for other parents?
Shannon: Make sure you have a partnership on the home front. My husband and I both work long, stressful hours, but the home front is split duty. It not only makes our household run smoothly, it teaches our children how to be a team and that men can do dishes and women can use a screw gun.
Examiner: What is your (and your kids) favorite family activity?
Shannon: Movie Night.
Examiner: Anything else you want to add?
Shannon: Life is full of opportunity. How you approach it is how it will play out. In times like these, it is important to embrace change and heartache, learn from it and apply it to our lives. As Americans, we are so lucky and blessed beyond belief. Make sure your glass stays half full.
Read all the other moms and dads stories and inspirations that have been featured in this series HERE.
This is article is part of the series of stories called Do It All Mamas (& Papas).
The goal of this series of stories is to feature hard working parents who have started their own business or venture and are using their skills/knowledge to make other parents’ lives better.
The above a conversation is meant to inspire you and give every parent (no matter what your job or where you work) tips on how to successfully get the most out of your time.
Want to be featured in a Do-It-All Mamas (& Papas) story or do you know someone who should be?
The goal of this series is to feature hard working parents who have started their own business or venture and are using their skills/knowledge to make other parents’ lives better.
Does this describe you or someone you know or do business with? Then email me at parentingexaminer@gmail.com with a short one or two sentence description of your business and what makes it/you unique. Also provide a link to your website so I can see what you’re all about.
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