Your Name: Erin Baebler
Business Name: Magnolia Workshop, an inspiration and support service for women
Type of Business: Coaching & Consulting
Business Location: Seattle, Washington, United States
Website www.magnoliaworkshop.com
Twitter @magnoliawkshop
Reason for starting
After I became a mom, I felt completely lost. I had had a career for years and was now home with an infant who seemingly needed more than I had to give. He had become sick on his one month birthday and had spent the next six weeks at Children’s Hospital in Seattle. I was so grateful that he had lived through his ordeal so I felt guilty when I had moments of despair over my life with him. When our son was about six months old, my husband took me aside to say that he had noticed I wasn’t as full of life as I had always been and he was concerned. I had worked with coach a couple of years prior with great results so when I started thinking about what I wanted to do, coaching came into my head. Once I started my training, it became clear to me that helping other new mothers navigate their changed world was the way to go. I’ve been coaching for 10 years and absolutely love helping moms navigate life with children.
Biggest Success
My biggest successes come from knowing that I’ve helped mothers feel better about having their own needs and wants that are separate from those of their children. I work with moms who have big dreams of their own. Those same moms tend to feel guilty for their aspirations because pursuing them takes time away from their homes and their children. Most of my clients own their own small businesses which, as we all know, takes a lot of time and effort. Many of these women have contemplated quitting their dreams so they can spend more time with their kids. They have the mistaken notion that if they had more time, all would be well. My work with them often helps them see that their fulfillment and contentment makes a very positive impact on the lives of their children. I feel most successful when I’ve helped women see that it’s not them or their children but them and their children. You can and should choose BOTH!
What is your top challenge and how have you addressed it?
My top challenge is finding the time to pursue all of my interests. I’m what Barbara Sher calls a “scanner” which makes it very difficult at times to be a small business owner. I have idea after idea on how I can reach more women and help them pursue all that they wish to pursue. I’m currently working on a book project that I hope will help more entrepreneurial moms get the support and understanding that is so often missing when we are toiling away on our own. Because of the heavy writing load, I often forget to market my business the way I’d like to. In addition, I’d love to interact with women on Twitter more often but find that I have long absences. The way I’ve addressed it is to let it go. I pursue what I can and keep a long list of “would-like-to”s. In that way, I feel a bit more in control of my days and honor the fact that overdoing it makes me crazy. One thing at a time!
Who is your most important role model?
My most important role model is named Martha Beck. She doesn’t have a clue who I am, of course, but I follow her fairly closely. Her career is my dream career in that she spends a lot of time writing but seems to still work one-on-one with women. Martha has written several books and is a regular contributor to O Magazine. Her witty approach to life’s trials and tribulations speaks to me because humor is one of the most important characteristics in my world. She inspires me to keep going.