KICK ASS BIZ MAMA #20 – LISA MINETT, MY MAMA SAID

Dear Ladies,

Today we are in the presence of movement, dance and theatre greatness, with Lisa Minett, former Head of Movement and Dance for NIDA, who now runs an amazing studio in Seddon. Combining the best of barre, pilates, yoga and dance to help women stay strong and healthy, Lisa is a powerhouse of inspiration and energy.

I wish my mama had told me about this before!

Collette

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Tell us about your business – when did you start it and what is it all about?

My Mama Said opened doors on July 13, 2015. I’ve spent my life as an actor, dancer and choreographer. I’ve seen the benefits that having a strong connection to your physical presence can do for people professionally and personally. Unfortunately, most of the training out there cares little about your progress and is uncertain about how to nurture the unique beauty that lies in each of us. I wanted to offer a safe group fitness alternative where you can train in all styles of mind/body workouts.

What inspired you to start your business?

I had been working with actors as a University lecturer for the past 6 years and was tired, burnout and frustrated. I wanted to share all that I knew about movement with people in an environment that was more fun and friendly. I grew up in Williamstown and have always wanted to return and open up my own studios so i can share all of my knowledge with the people in my community.

What was the best piece of business advice you were given when you were starting off?

Focus in on the product – which for me was to deliver quality classes.

What was the most difficult part about starting your business?

Finding out I was 8 weeks pregnant a week before I opened!!!! Probably keeping it small to start. Not trying to do the bigger plan stright off. Let the business build.

Can you name the biggest lesson you’ve learned about running your business?

There are so many extra little costs that you simply forget about. Also, people will ask what seems like ridiculous requests to you. If you can accommodate them, then just do it. You are providing a service to them, not to yourself.

What has been the biggest sacrifice you’ve made in starting your business?

My husband and two year old daughter. I work a lot at night and that means less dinner and down time with them.

What is one thing you wish you had of known before you started your business?

That it will all work out in the end and you will never stop working to drum up business.

What has been your biggest success so far?

The clients who have been with me since day one are inspiring and gorgeous human beings and i would never have met them if I didn’t open the studio. Watching them grow and glow is so rewarding.

After a long day/night/week what do you do to unwind?

I have a massage whenever I can. I’m also partial to a little flutter on a Saturday!

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

Still helping people discover the amazing abilities that lie within the mind and body.

Do You Wish You Had a Red Tent? – Caitlin Fitzpatrick

Dear Ladies,

As the full moon kicks in this week – well, actually a Blue Moon – holistic health specialist Caitlin Fitzpatrick talks to us about the importance of focusing inwards on our bodies and our menstrual flow. It is a time to reflect, reminisce and re-evaluate, to meditate, pray and nourish your body as it performs its natural cycle.

Eat well & hide out in your tent!

Collette

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Do You Wish You Had a Red Tent? – Caitlin Fitzpatrick

In ancient times as a woman approached the dark moon in time with her cycle, she would go to the red tent where she would menstruate with other women. It was an honorable, beautiful and highly respected time.  Women would often leave their communities and families to go to the red tent for answers. They would return with wisdom and insight to share.

In the lead up to the new moon is a very beautiful time, yet so often in our modern society, many women don’t know how, and have never been taught to embrace the profound and divine experience.

I have now have marked in my diary the dark moon and the full moon in each month. I try to not book big events on the new moon, to allow myself this sacred time and space. When it’s a full moon, I plan new projects, make decisions and get creative. And while I don’t have a red tent to go to monthly,  I create my own sacred space.

 (But I sometimes really wish I did have a red tent to go to).

Do you wish you have a red tent too?

Blessings beautiful women,

Caitlin

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Post original appeared here.

The Power of Nurturing – Caitlin Fitzgerald

Dear Ladies,

It has been a while since we added a new post here, but I am so excited to introduce a new regular to our blog – Caitlin Fitzpatrick. She is an amazing woman and a big advocate for women’s health, which she promotes through her website and love of DoTerra products. If you haven’t tried their essential oils, I highly recommend the Wild Orange – I carry it around with me in my purse, and add it whenever I need a little pick-me-up or when my water is getting a little boring.

Happy reading!

Collette

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(Originally posted here on Caitlin’s blog: “Why Women Want to be Men”)

Many women are demanding equal rights and feeling the need to be seen for their strengths. They are fighting for equality and yet disregarding their femininity, which is their greatest strength of all. I believe that the biggest strength in women is their ability to express emotion. To be vulnerable and express emotion is not only powerful and beautiful, it is endearing. Many people have a warped idea that being emotional is a sign of weakness, a sign that someone is not strong or secure in who they are. Expressing emotion is often pitied rather than respected and admired.

The power of vulnerability, of expressing your true emotional state allows for immense transformation and personal growth. Vulnerability is actually a courageous expression. Yet often in today’s culture people are afraid of it and will do anything to avoid or prevent it from surfacing, especially in public. Generally women are naturally more emotionally expressive then men yet they are still encouraged by society to suppress their emotions and act tough.

I recommend for women who truly want to be respected and honoured, to begin by respecting and honouring the natural feminine qualities within their own authentic self. Rather than competing with men or living classic male qualities in the hope of being respected and loved, begin by embracing your own birth-given beautiful feminine qualities. This will make you happy, make you feel proud to be the amazing woman you genuinely are! Marilyn Monroe once said: “Women who seek to be equal with men lack ambition.” Why would you want to be a man’s ‘equal’ when you can simply be yourself?

Nurturing spirit is a profoundly beautiful gift and natural talent that most women are comprised of. Yet along with emotional expression it is often deemed a weakness. Communities of today are in need of nurturing qualities. The rate of mental and emotional illness is extremely high, and the assistance that is being offered to sufferers is often not supportive or effective in the healing process. Nurturing is a great skill, and I believe it should be embraced more in today’s world. My ambition is to empower more women to regain their nurturing qualities, first of all for themselves, then for their children, other women and men.

PEACE,

 Caitlin

Hush, Hush…Things They Don’t Tell You About Pregnancy – Michelle, 35

Dear Ladies,

Finally I get to start the last of the series I have set up for this blog – this time, using the voices of women who have been in your shoes, women who have struggled, enjoyed, cried and laughed their way through pregnancies. Here they are – unedited and completely in their own words – women’s truth and what they learned. No judgements, just experience.

I hope it helps you in your journey!

Collette

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Things to Consider Before, During & After Pregnancy – Michelle, 35, mother of two kids (3 and 5)

Gosh…where do I begin! When Collette asked me if I was happy to contribute my experience being pregnant, and now a mom of two cute little kids, I thought it would have been an easy task! Two weeks later, I still don’t know where to begin! Being a working mom for a 3 and 5 year old is a constant juggling act. Not having any family living in Perth with me no matter what does make a big difference to my daily life. I do envy friends who have aunties or parents who are more than happy to have their kids even for an hour for you to grocery shop peacefully for one hour! Trust me…it does make a BIG difference when you shop with or without kids. And if you have one child or multiple kids!

Right after I got married. The first question you will get from everyone is when are you having kids? It will be so cute! Your babies will look so cute! The husband also said the same thing. I want my mini-me running around and I can’t wait to start a family! They all paint such a beautiful picture that it is so easy to have babies. I had one friend who was the only one who was honest to us. She even wrote in my baby shower card wishing me good luck and told me to say goodbye to my sleep and freedom forever! I thought she was so negative and mean for saying that instead of being happy for me to be a mommy soon. Boy I was so wrong and she was so right!

Before you decide to have a baby…here are a few questions you need to ask yourself first…

• Is your husband/partner really onboard with this? Is your relationship so strong that you know he will definitely be there for you when you need him the most? Because you do need help believe it or not!
• What are your parenting strategies? Are you guys on the same page? Because it will be a BIG problem to start with if you are not on the same page. And no he won’t change after the kid is out. Do not even expect that!
• Do you have any family members or anyone whom you can really rely on to help with some baby sitting or the house work? Not everyone has the luxury to hire a nanny!
• Do you plan to go back to work? Are you an ambitious type? Having a child is a real commitment and no matter what some women might say about you can have it all! I still think it is bulls@t. No matter what, some things will have to be compromised. If you want a successful career, it will mean that you will have less time with your kids…even if your kids can travel with you to work…you will not really be present as a parent emotionally and mentally for them. It is the quality time that you spend with them that creates the bond. And an alternate to get your kids their own iPad or iPhone and shove them in front of the television is the worst thing you can ever do to your child. I am sorry but it is lazy parenting.
• What is your relationship like with your husband? Because it does change your relationship with your husband. To have the whole family together is great. You may work so well together as a team parenting your kids but are you great as lovers? So you guys need to sort these priorities out and be on the same page.

So you are now pregnant…intentionally or unintentionally…what do you do now?

• Enjoy all the attention you and your bump is getting now! Because once the baby is out…no one really cares about you anymore!
• Enjoy your freedom while you can! Do everything you want to do as if you are still a free person! Go on lots of date nights with your partner especially to any festivals or movies as you won’t be able to do too many of them or any of them once the bub is out!
• Eat anything! I ignored all the advise on what you can eat and what you can’t eat. Just be sensible! Of course you can eat salads! Just be sensible! If they look fresh and you are eating at a good outlet…why not! I had poached eggs…smoked salmon…lots of cold cuts…soft cheese…sashimi…everything! My rationale was…kids these days have too many intolerant and allergies…maybe we are being too careful! Both my kids can eat anything and have zero allergies. I would like to think that my theory is somehow right?
• Buy only clothing that is comfortable with great quality material but still look good! I did not invest at all in any maternity clothing because most of the maternity clothing out there were pretty ugly. Where was AYLA Maternity (thanks for the plug Michelle!) when I needed pretty and comfortable stuff! I loved showing off my bump so everything I wore was tight but comfortable.
• Don’t let yourself go! Yes you are pregnant and you can eat anything you want…but be sensible too…getting rid of those extra weight after your baby is born is a lot harder as you will not have any time for yourself at the gym! Dress well even if you are pregnant because when you dress well and look good…you will feel good too!
• Happy mummies make happy babies…it is so true!
• Enjoy ME time! Take a break for yourself and enjoy quiet moment for yourself because you won’t have much of that once bub is out!
• Have a sleep routine figure out before your bub is out…Read a book about sleep routine and start planning ahead on how you would like to establish a good sleep routine for your baby. There are so many books out there and it can be overwhelming. Find one book that you agree with in terms of routine and stick with it. Just remember…to have a successful routine established…you need to follow exactly what you are taught and it will take a good 10 – 14 days before your child gets the hang of it. Just have faith and trust that it will work. If you start from day one…you will enjoy the benefits a lot earlier…I have been to Ngala (sleep clinic) twice with both my kids…and I am forever thankful for all the strategies that I have learnt. My kids are the best right now when it comes to their routine…

No matter how tiring it is having kids…I never regret being a mommy…you do realise then what is unconditional love and those kisses and cuddles and giggles that you get from them…outweighs every hardship. It makes my journey more worthwhile!

Michelle

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