Interview with One Hour Parties! (Cont.)
something a little bit more flexible as you started your family. Did your life change more than you thought it would once you actually started the business and you became a mom?
Leanne: I think I was strategic and I chose a great business partner. That has been, in hindsight, probably one of the smartest things I've done. I'm not saying that women should not work independently, I think many people do that well. But I feel like I have been able to lean on my business partner so I can have the kind of lifestyle I want in terms of flexibility with my family. I don't know that we would have accomplished what we have separately, and I really don't think I would have accomplished it on my own. Not only does he (and by the way, it would have been the same if he were a woman — I just happened to have a man for a business partner) bring a lot to the table, but when you do have young children, it's difficult to put the time into an early stage business that it really needs. So I always had him to lean on for time. And he's not just great because of that, I just think that in my case, having a partner really is an advantage. Two heads are better than one.
I think that women tend to venture out on their own and depending on what stage they are at in their lives, they may want to consider a partner. I encourage people to consider that option, and of course you have to consider whether or not that person is the right partner for you.
Sarah: Absolutely, because if you partner with the wrong person, it can really be a problem.
Leanne: Everything has pros and cons. Definitely.
Sarah: What has been the hardest part of being a mom and owning your own company?
Leanne: You know, I think that you just still have to be realistic. You may feel like you have your days figured out and your schedule in place, but kids still have sick days and a lot of vacation days. So my biggest challenge is that I tend to be a little bit dreamy about that day will look when my son is home from school. I've really learned, especially over the last year, that it just really doesn't work out that well. It's just really hard to work seriously when your six-year-old is bored, or sick. There are times that you just have to set aside what you're doing at work, even if it's not convenient. I can easily be there for him on my normal schedule, but when the schedule gets a little wacky — like during the holidays — I feel torn. I think that's really a challenge, a challenge for anyone, really. I have to be really clear to myself about my working hours and what I'm really going to be able to accomplish that day. And there are moments when I just realize that I need to stop working.
I think this is the same for moms that aren't even in their own businesses but who get to work from home. I mean, it's definitely a blessing, but there are times when you're home that you're drawn to work, and you really probably shouldn't be.
Sarah: I've never put it in those words, but I actually couldn't agree with you more. I've had those moments where I just have to push the computer away and say, "Enough – what am I doing?"
Leanne: That, and yes, you have to have realistic expectations.
Sarah: So what is your favorite thing on a day-to-day basis about being a business owner and a mom?
Leanne: I'll give you an example. Yesterday my son's school had started a new thing in gym class, rollerblading — which they do every year for a couple of weeks. Last year, my son was just petrified. So yesterday, I left work at 12:40, was at his school by 12:45 (I have to mention that his school is only two blocks away, I'm very lucky). I popped into the gym class, I helped him get his blades on and I got him comfortable and then he said, "I don't need you anymore."
I stayed there and helped a few other kids. It was a 45 minute class and I was back at work 5 minutes after the class was over. I mean, who gets to do that? What company do you work for where you could manage that with no questions asked?
That, to me, is just huge. I left that school with such a smile on my face. Like I had just staged a coup! You know what I mean? Look what I did! I did it all! It was one of those great moments when we realize that all of the struggles are worth it. I can do that at any time. I mean, there are times when I can't get away from work, like if I'm on an interview or at a conference or something. But there is a great deal of time where if I need to run over to the school, or offer myself up to volunteer, I can do it without even an ounce of guilt. I love that. I've worked at places where you get a lot of guilt for that type of scenario, and it's really not fair.
When was working with Christopher at our last job, I was raising my niece, who at the time was about 12. I worked for a female owner and I had made the assumption when I took the job — (Continued)...
