![\"Leslie](\"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Leslie-Bruce.jpg\")
<\/p>\n<\/p>\n
Lives in:<\/strong> Laguna Beach Background:<\/strong> \u201cAs clich\u00e9 as this might sound, I\u2019ve actually been writing my entire life. As a little girl, I always kept journals, and would make little books out of construction paper and crayons. As an adult, I received my graduate degree in journalism at the University of Illinois and worked in magazine publishing for nearly a decade \u2014 at Us Weekly and The Hollywood Reporter. I co-authored my first book in 2013, which became a NYT bestseller, so I\u2019ve been doing the book thing ever since.\u201d<\/p>\n Mission of new book:<\/strong> \u201cMy mission is to remind women that motherhood isn\u2019t just about your children. Women who become mothers undergo the biggest, most consequential transition they will ever experience \u2026 and at some point, we just stopped preparing ourselves for it. We plan for a new baby, but most of us don\u2019t plan for the new women we become. Not only does this book break down the reasons why women are struggling in new motherhood \u2014 and so many are doing so in silence \u2014 but is also putting into words feelings they may not have been understanding at the time.\u201d<\/p>\n What do you hope moms get out of your book?<\/strong> What happened after you had your baby?<\/strong> How do you balance being a mom with your work? <\/strong> How have things evolved for you as a working mom? <\/strong> Lives in:<\/strong> Rancho Santa Margarita Background:<\/strong> \u201cI first had the idea my last year in college at TCU [Texas Christian University], but the thought of entrepreneurship was not something I was ready to embrace. I worked in Houston commercial real estate, got married and had my first daughter. But I hated corporate life and wanted to do something that I was passionate about and would help people. The R\u00edOrganize idea reemerged while simultaneously deciding to move back to Orange County. I presented my business plan to my husband, and he was in full support.\u201d<\/p>\n Mission:<\/strong> \u201cOur mission is to bring solutions for a beautiful life.\u201d<\/p>\n How has your business evolved since opening? <\/strong> Are celebrities your only clientele? <\/strong> How do you help them organize? <\/strong> How do you balance being a mom with your business?<\/strong> Do you have any advice for other moms wanting to start their own business?<\/strong> Lives in:<\/strong> Anaheim Mission:<\/strong> \u201cBellaBar is about empowering women to make healthy and mindful choices about the way they self-care and the products they put on their body.\u201d<\/p>\n How has the business evolved since opening?<\/strong> Do you feel like you\u2019re helping the community? <\/strong> Are your services and products as effective as the traditional brands?<\/strong> How do you balance being a mom with owning a business? <\/strong> Do you have advice for other moms wanting to start a business?<\/strong> Lives in:<\/strong> Newport Coast Lives in:<\/strong> Newport Coast Mission:<\/strong> (Sarah Butler) \u201cThe mission behind Lavender Lane Baking Co. is to use pure nutrient-packed ingredients to provide healthier options for people to stay on their wellness journey while being able to indulge.\u201d Background:<\/strong> (CB) \u201cFamily has played a huge role in starting the business. I searched for alternatives for my newly diagnosed son who has type 1 diabetes, my daughter who [has] celiac and myself \u2014 I have four autoimmune disorders. With these challenges, you give up so much, and I just wanted a chocolate chip cookie! And so it began.\u201d How has the business evolved since opening? <\/strong> You also donate to local charities?<\/strong> How do you balance being a mom with owning a business?<\/strong> Is your family involved with your business? <\/strong> Lives in:<\/strong> Laguna Beach Lives in:<\/strong> Laguna Beach Mission: <\/strong>(Laura Williams) \u201cSpreading joy. When we set out it was chasing that feeling of joy for us whilst finding the perfect fashion items at a discount. And then the joy escalated when we delivered the item to our client. When they feel fabulous and receive compliments: mission complete.\u201d<\/p>\n Background:<\/strong> (LW) \u201cWe started out by taking our friends and family on shopping adventures for fun. It was such a blast. They loved their new looks, the prices and especially the ease of the whole process. We realized pretty quickly that people hated shopping, got overwhelmed with what to buy or simply didn\u2019t have time. We adore it. It\u2019s like a puzzle for us, finding the right vintage, recycled or on-sale clothing piece and pairing it with a specific client. Friends kept saying, \u2018You guys should do this.\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n How does the service work?<\/strong> (LW) \u201cHave you heard of Stitch Fix? We\u2019re like a more personalized version of that. In our boxes we offer high-end items on sale. Your pieces will be a mix of vintage, slightly used and new fashion items always at a discount (we love a deal). We\u2019re kind of like a shopping concierge. You fill out a survey, we meet for a 30-minute complimentary fashion consultation and then we hit the shops for you. In two to three weeks we deliver you a box of personalized fun fashion items to your home. We really keep in mind your personality, your lifestyle and your style.\u201d<\/p>\n How has the business evolved since opening? <\/strong> Do you feel like you\u2019re helping other moms?<\/strong> Do you have any advice for other moms wanting to start their own business? <\/strong> By Jessica Peralta<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" From writing to baking and organizing, these OC mompreneurs are putting their own unique stamp on business. Leslie Bruce Lives in: Laguna Beach With: husband, Yashaar, and her daughter, Tallulah, 5, and son, Roman, 1.5 Profession: Author; writer of \u201cYou Are A F*cking Awesome Mom\u201d Connect: @leslieannebruce on Instagram, @lesliebruceamin on Twitter, unpacified.com Background: \u201cAs […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":3,"featured_media":33958,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[3081],"tags":[],"post_folder":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-33797","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-oc-moms","8":"entry"},"acf":[],"aioseo_notices":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33797","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/3"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=33797"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/33797\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/33958"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=33797"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=33797"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=33797"},{"taxonomy":"post_folder","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/post_folder?post=33797"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}
\nWith:<\/strong> husband, Yashaar, and her daughter, Tallulah, 5, and son, Roman, 1.5
\nProfession:<\/strong> Author; writer of \u201cYou Are A F*cking Awesome Mom\u201d
\nConnect:<\/strong> @leslieannebruce on Instagram, @lesliebruceamin on Twitter, unpacified.com<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAs women and mothers, we focus so much on everything we\u2019re not doing that we fail to give ourselves the credit for showing up. Every morning we wake up with the intention to do our best for our families, our careers and ourselves. We are so hard on ourselves that we forget to recognize that even our presumed shortcomings and our mom guilt are all just reminders that we want to be our best for our kids \u2014 and that makes us f*cking awesome moms.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhen my daughter was born in 2014, I felt really lost in new motherhood. I adored my baby girl, but mom life had thrown me a real mental and hormonal curveball. Early motherhood can be incredibly isolating, and it\u2019s easy to start believing that you\u2019re blowing it when you\u2019re alone and only have social media as a way to grade yourself. After the fog of newborn land had worn off, I realized what I felt really isn\u2019t uncommon, so I wrote this book as [a] way of connecting with other women as they make the transition into motherhood. New moms shouldn\u2019t have to feel alone, especially because they\u2019re not.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI removed the word balance from my vocabulary a long time ago. I think it sets us up for unrealistic expectations, because there is no way to truly balance everything we need to handle and nurture in our lives. Something will always end up slipping through the cracks, and then we beat ourselves up because we can\u2019t manage it all. Instead, I practice the art of mindful prioritization. Whether it\u2019s every week or month, I make sure I choose at least one day to give 100 percent of myself to one aspect of my world \u2014 my home, myself, my work, my kids, my friends, my husband, etc. And the goal being that while I can\u2019t give 100 percent of myself every day to each part of my life, that by the end of the week, two weeks or a month, I will have made each a priority. For me, I spend most of my days prioritizing my career and my children, and then spend one day a weekend focusing on my home and myself, and the other on my friends and husband. That\u2019s not to say I don\u2019t do a little bit of the others every day, it\u2019s just about what I\u2019m choosing to prioritize.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cPrior to having children, I was a night owl. Most of my writing would take place well into the early morning hours while I was parked on our couch with a glass of red wine. Nowadays, I no longer have that same luxury \u2014 particularly since my kids like to wake up with the sun. I\u2019m now so much more efficient with my time, and really try to stick with a firm writing schedule regardless of whether or not I feel inspired to write. It\u2019s definitely not as sexy as Carrie Bradshaw made it seem.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n![\"Ria](\"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Ria-Safford.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nR\u00eda Safford<\/h4>\n
\nWith:<\/strong> husband, Conner, daughters, Landry, 4, Sawyer, 2, and son, Jack, 6 months
\nProfession:<\/strong> Professional organizer; owner and CEO of R\u00edOrganize
\nConnect:<\/strong> @riorganize on Instagram, riorganize.com<\/p>\n
\n\u201cR\u00edOrganize launched in March 2016. What began as a part-time gig with me as its sole employee has morphed into a phenomenal team of R\u00edOrganizers tackling multiple projects a week.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cWhen you hire R\u00edOrganize, we treat all of our clients like a rock star. But in all seriousness, an aesthetic and functional life is not exclusive to celebrity and I desire it for every person. Our clientele is eclectic and I love this aspect of my job.\u201d
\nHow did you develop a celebrity clientele?
\n\u201cI did not set out to work with high-profile clients. I have to give a lot of credit to celebrity hairstylist Jen Atkin. She has been so generous with her praise for the work we did on her spaces \u2014 and when Jen Atkin endorses you, three million people are going to know you very quickly. As a result, I have been fortunate to work with supermodels, star athletes, well-known musicians, actors and influencers.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cCelebrities are just like us! They have the same issues we have with organization, albeit on a grander scale but it\u2019s all relative.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI have been a working mom since day one. Most momtrepreneur life is not for the faint of heart that is for sure. I naively thought this job would afford me more downtime by \u2018being my own boss,\u2019 but boy was I wrong. It is still not easy to find that perfect balance between work mom and home mom. The mom guilt is strong having such little ones. Growing R\u00edOrganize has been such an exciting thing for me, and year three of my business has been epically exciting and challenging. I continue to strive for more growth, balance and patience as I navigate through this crazy phase of life.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cMy advice for moms who want to start their business: Just start! Envision what your business dream is and take that first step towards making it a reality.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n![\"Eunice](\"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Eunice-Montes-Hamaguchi.jpeg\")
<\/p>\nEunice Montes-Hamaguchi<\/h4>\n
\nWith:<\/strong> husband, Heath Hamaguchi, and daughter, Kyra, 5
\nProfession: <\/strong>Beauty entrepreneur; owner of BellaBar
\nConnect:<\/strong> @bellabaroc on Instagram and Facebook, bellabarbeauty.com
\nBackground:<\/strong> \u201cWhen I got pregnant more than five years ago, it was a very confusing time. I started to question a lot of things, one being the ingredients in my skincare products. From researching I found that chemicals in the products we use daily like deodorants, shampoos, makeup, etc. find their way into our bloodstream and can pass onto the baby. I wasn\u2019t OK with that and when trying to switch to natural products, it was frustrating at the lack of regulations and false marketing by the entire industry. There was no local clean beauty store or organic spa to visit when I was pregnant, so I had to create my own.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cBellaBar opened in summer of 2017. We opened with a small treatment menu and with only five organic makeup and skincare brands. We\u2019ve been open for more than two years now and have grown our product selection to over 30 different organic lines from bath, body, shampoo, makeup and even supplements. We recently launched our new Express Facial Bar delivering affordable all-natural facials in 30 minutes or less and also have an online store to make it easy to shop for clean beauty.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cDefinitely, what we\u2019re doing is not only providing a safe place to receive non-toxic services but also educating the community on the importance of choosing cleaner products. We\u2019ve become a resource for all things wellness and even partner with holistic healthcare practitioners on events to help educate our clients.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cAbsolutely. I personally test every product we carry and use for efficacy, quality and pureness. I have strict standards when it comes to the products we carry because I want them free from any harsh chemicals but I also need them to work. We don\u2019t allow any synthetic chemicals, fragrances and dyes in the products we carry. So many products on the market are filled with inexpensive ingredients and fillers. Everything should be safe and derived from natural ingredients.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cI don\u2019t ever feel like it\u2019s fully balanced but I know I couldn\u2019t do it without the encouragement and support from husband and family. We also homeschool our daughter, so it gives us flexibility to focus on things we love to do most and spend more time together as a family.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n\u201cIt\u2019s OK to ask for help. It took me a while to get to the point of realizing I can\u2019t do it all on my own.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n![\"Christine](\"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Christine-Bren-Sarah-Butler.jpg\")
<\/p>\nSarah Butler & Christine Bren<\/h4>\n
Christine Bren<\/h5>\n
\nWith:<\/strong> significant other, Chad, twins are at college, and dogs and cats
\nProfession: <\/strong>Co-owner\/baker at Lavender Lane Baking Co.<\/p>\nSarah Butler<\/h5>\n
\nWith:<\/strong> husband, Keith, daughter, Emma, 20 (is at college), and son, Will, 17
\nProfession:<\/strong> Co-owner\/baker at Lavender Lane Baking Co.
\nConnect:<\/strong> @lavenderlanebakingco on Instagram and Facebook, lavenderlanebakingco.com<\/p>\n
\n(Christine Bren) \u201cOur products are always gluten-free, grain-free and paleo-friendly with vegan and keto options \u2014 and free of soy, GMO, trans fats, lactose and artificial ingredients.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n(SB) \u201cChristine came to me with this concept and I immediately was on board. We have been friends for 20 years and she knew I was seeking anti-inflammatory products for my family due to health issues \u2014 everything just clicked. Our families\u2019 health is always on our mind as we evolve and grow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n(SB) \u201cWe acquired our own gluten-free commercial kitchen in Costa Mesa in November 2018 and we launched our website in February. We continue to grow month over month with new online orders, subscriptions and distribution at local coffee shops.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n(CB) \u201cOur long-standing personal connections and passion drives many of our donations. I have been on the board and involved with ChildHelp of Orange County, Children\u2019s Hospital of Orange County and JDRF for many, many years.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n(CB) \u201cBeing a mom comes first. Luckily, because we are both moms, we can tag team when important or urgent things come up.\u201d
\n(SB) \u201cOur kids are our best supporters and taste-testers! We also feel that we are strong role models, thus a support for our kids in a different way by showing you can follow passions with hard work.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n(CB) \u201cOur kids are our best supporters. My twins are both in college, but remain personally attached to the business. Samples are sent for tasting and feedback and my daughter, Avery, currently manages Lavender Lane Baking Co.\u2019s social media from her college apartment.\u201d
\n(SB) \u201cMy daughter is in college and an avid taster\/feedback provider (doing focus groups in her dorm). \u2026 My son is a senior in high school and wears many hats \u2014 a certified food handler, he washes dishes, helps with inventory, makes deliveries \u2026 all done with a smile.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n![\"Laura](\"https:\/\/parentingoc.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/Laura-Williams.jpg\")
<\/p>\nLaura Williams & Bri Cohen<\/h4>\n
Laura Williams<\/h5>\n
\nWith:<\/strong> husband, Emmett, and sons, Joey, 11, and Riggs, 9
\nProfession:<\/strong> Personal shopper; co-owner of LB Personal Shopping<\/p>\nBri Cohen<\/h5>\n
\nWith:<\/strong> husband, Jonathon, sons, Kayden, 8, and Wesley, 7, and daughter, Abigail, 5
\nProfession:<\/strong> Personal shopper; co-owner of LB Personal Shopping
\nConnect:<\/strong> @lbpersonalshopping on Instagram, lbpersonalshopping.com<\/p>\n
\n(Bri Cohen) \u201cOur website and Instagram launched January 2019, when our online presence was announced. We had been shopping for local friends and family before the grand opening but as word spread, we happily opened our doors to clients all across the states.\u201d<\/p>\n
\n(LW) \u201cAbsolutely. We get text messages every day from moms relaying what their spouse said about their outfit that morning or how many people stopped to comment on their new yellow, chunky-knit sweater. People chat to us at after-school pick-up and say, \u2018I saw so and so at the park. She was wearing this boho dress and she told me it was $300 but you scored it for only $25!\u2019\u201d<\/p>\n
\n(LW) \u201cOh yes, just start. If you have a passion or an idea and the time feels even a little bit right, go for it. Talk to people, start writing down ideas and test these ideas with friends. Don\u2019t be afraid of failure, instead be excited and encouraged by the what if.\u201d<\/p>\n