Today, at the SOKO MRKT event, three distinguished “mompreneurs” shared their insights on balancing the challenges of being a business owner and a mother. Speaking at the event were Saria Hawkins-Banda of Manifest Your Purpose, a stationary brand for Black women; Lakeisha Turner of Keisha Elise Cosmetics, a vegan cosmetics brand for mothers and daughters; and Tammeca Rochester of Harlem Cycle. The panel discussion was expertly moderated by Arielle Brown of Bea’s Bayou.
The founders all articulated their recognition of a gap in the market which they sought to address. Hawkins-Banda observed the absence of stationery representing the beauty and boldness of Black women. Turner saw an opportunity to create a brand that would allow her to bond with her daughter while shopping for cosmetics. Meanwhile, Rochester established the first and only indoor cycling studio in Harlem. Their collective message resonated in the shared belief that when one cannot find what they need, sometimes they must take initiative and create it themselves, understanding that others likely seek similar solutions.
Hawkins-Banda emphasised the value of embracing failure as an integral part of the entrepreneurial journey. She expressed that failure is a critical aspect of achieving success. “The most important lesson I wish I had learned earlier was that you have to experience failure multiple times to ultimately succeed,” she explained. “I recall when I first started out, there were many things I did not know. I was driven by a passion to create stationery for Black girls and women, and I needed to learn those challenging lessons in order to avoid repeating those mistakes.”
Turner disclosed that her business recently secured a $10,000 grant from the NAACP and L’Oreal inclusive beauty program. The funds will be dedicated to establishing an education fund for mothers and entrepreneurs to pursue their education. This achievement holds profound significance for Turner, as she encountered substantial challenges in completing her education as a single mother. The panel concluded with the uplifting remarks from Rochester: “Y’all, chase those dreams. You are not crazy. Go big, and do all of it!”
Rochester, who initiated her business as a single mother, surmounted numerous obstacles to ensure the success of both her business and home life. She underscored the importance of granting oneself grace and not being overly critical as a mother. “Extending grace to myself as a mother, means finding grace for your business, your customers, your team, and everyone else, but not being as kind to oneself. As a mother, I have come to realise that there will be days when we may have cereal or pancakes for dinner, and that’s okay,” Rochester remarked. “The child will be fine, and you are not a failure as a mother because of it. So, I allow myself that grace to understand that some days I will be an exceptional mother, and on other days, an exceptional businesswoman. Many times, those may not coincide.”
In conclusion, the event illuminated the challenges and victories of mompreneurs, along with their adeptness at harmonizing the demands of entrepreneurship with the obligations of motherhood. Their insights stand as a source of inspiration for those aiming to reach a similar equilibrium in their lives.