The Balancing Act of Business and Motherhood with Jessica Fox Wilson
In celebration of mothers, we are sitting down with Jessica Fox Wilson - Cake Artist and Owner of Take a Bite Bahamas!
For this segment, we explore Business and Motherhood to understand the unique experience of work-life balance for women that run their own companies.?
Sign Island (SI): First question! Are you a boy mom, or girl mom? ???
Jessica (J): I’m both!!!?
SI: OMG, what a blessing! So, Jessica, take us through your journey of becoming a cake artist. What made you choose this career and what inspired you to open Take a Bite Bahamas??
J: I always had a creative background, and cakes along with desserts became that outlet for me while I worked corporate. After 10 years in the corporate world, I decided to take a leap of faith into entrepreneurship! I just had a strong conviction with this decision. It was like God needed me to be on this journey to fully use this gift that he blessed me with.?
SI: Where in your career journey did motherhood begin for you (i.e. before, middle, recent)? How did you find the experience of embracing change??
J: My journey actually began shortly after the birth of my son, who is now 14. Being a new mother, going to college, while being a wife and having a full time job was very taxing, and once again, my cakes were my escape. Now when it turned from a hobby into a career, unfortunately, it was extremely hard to balance. I never had time for anything anymore, including my kids. Which also led to my decision to leave corporate! Now being 8 years fully self employed, I am still working on balance, but my kids are ultimately the top priority and they are happier for it! They have become extremely independent and also hold entrepreneurial traits!?
SI: A lot of people point to the negative impacts of working as a mother. Are you able to share any positive impacts you've experienced??
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J: There are definitely positive impacts, especially if you are doing something you LOVE. Your children get to experience a happy, passionate and fearless parent. Your children get to see that hard work does pay off. We have to remember our children are sponges and they are a reflection of US. Therefore, my children show traits of bravery, confidence and they never feel foolish about any ideas they present to me. Now, there is nothing wrong with being a stay at home mother, but we have to realize not every mother wants to be home! It’s all about being a happy and joyful parent overall.?
SI: How do you find the balance between business and life? Did you find motherhood helpful in striking that balance??
J: Motherhood definitely made it challenging and I placed myself on the back burner for a verrryyyyy long time. I had gained weight and experienced all kind of issues along the way. But I finally took control and got myself back together when my kids became teenagers.. haha… now they help me
stay on track with my fitness goals. Finding balance in life on the whole is definitely an ongoing journey. Days where I am fully off, I do not take for granted and enjoy it to the fullest.?
SI: Random, but... were any of your mothers chefs/bakers? Do you feel, in some way, they have influenced the journey you're on now??
J: My grandmother always baked breads and tarts when I was a little girl, but ironically I didn’t like sweets!! My husband was a sweets guy and that’s how the journey started – me being a homemaker.?
SI: What's a piece of advice would you lend to new mothers, and professional women, that are now exploring motherhood??
J: The best advice I can give, wishing I took myself is, time flies. Do not let any amount of money, career or relationship come before your kids. God willing, you only have them under your wings for 18 years, 18 years of opportunity to pour into them before they make their own decisions. You also have to take care of yourself as an individual human, don’t lose yourself. Take care of your body and your mind! Because the happier you are with yourself, your children get to experience the best version of you!?