As a senior advertising supervisor for a nonprofit, a content material creator, and a mother of two, L.A.-based Meghety Foudoulian has so much happening. And, like many dad and mom, she discovered that making the soar from a full-time profession to splitting her time between work and the parenting of young children was a tricky one. After the delivery of her daughter in 2021 she says, “I realized just how tough motherhood can be.”
Initially from Lebanon and born to Armenian dad and mom, Foudoulian was dwelling half a world away from her bigger assist system when her daughter was born. She all of the sudden felt very alone.
“Motherhood had always been sugarcoated for me, especially on social media, and I didn’t know how much I’d need a village until I didn’t have one,” she says.
Simply two weeks postpartum, feeling alone and craving neighborhood, she launched her Instagram account (@lifewithmamameg) whereas up in the midst of the night time to breastfeed. It mixed her love for comedy, allowed her to be inventive, and served as a lifeline each for herself and different mothers. Since launching in 2021, @lifewithmamameg now has practically 65K followers.
Working mothers are sometimes celebrated for having the ability to “do it all.” However there’s a lot extra to the story of balancing a profession and constructing a model whereas elevating children on the identical time. We caught up with Meghety Foudoulian over e-mail about all issues motherhood and content material creation.
What’s your “personal brand” — what are you hoping folks will get out of your web page @lifewithmamameg?
[It’s] all about being sincere, actual, and humorous. I at all times say my web page screams, “Let’s laugh about it so we don’t cry about it!” I really love making folks snicker! It’s one in every of my favourite methods to attach.
On the identical time, going by means of the ups and downs of motherhood has introduced out a extra reflective facet of me. I typically write about my feelings as a result of I understand how lonely it might really feel if you’re within the thick of it and really feel such as you’re not being heard or seen. I would like mothers to really feel much less alone, to know that somebody will get it.
I don’t consider in sugarcoating motherhood. That’s why I share the arduous moments proper alongside the attractive ones. By means of my posts, I hope to construct belief with my viewers in order that they really feel like they’ve a digital buddy in me; somebody who’s there when they should snicker, cry, or simply really feel seen.
How a lot do you make in a month out of your content material?
Round $3-4K per thirty days. This trade may be very unpredictable. Some months I make nothing, and a few months I make 5 figures.
Relating to sponsored content material, how do you establish what will get a sure and what will get a no?
I’m very intentional concerning the manufacturers I select to work with. My viewers trusts me, and I take that critically. I’d by no means suggest one thing I wouldn’t or haven’t personally used. Earlier than transferring ahead with a partnership, I ask myself, “Would I purchase this with my own money?” I’ve turned down so many partnerships up to now just because the product didn’t align with my values or way of life.
On the flip facet, there have been manufacturers I really beloved as a buyer, however after working with them or seeing how they convey or deal with content material creators and their work, I used to be upset. Poor communication or a scarcity of mutual respect is a giant crimson flag for me, and it’s typically sufficient to make me cease supporting the model altogether. On the finish of the day, integrity issues, each in what I share and who I select to work with.
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High three issues you may’t stay with out as a mother:
Moreover my supportive husband, in fact, I’d say my mother, who just lately relocated to the US. She’s my whole village. As a working mother, I couldn’t do it with out her. She helps a ton with taking good care of our youngsters and steps in for once we want date nights. Her assist is a real blessing, and I discovered methods to love from her.
Subsequent is my Zoe double stroller! We actually by no means go anyplace with the youngsters with out it. It’s light-weight, sturdy, and spacious sufficient to carry all of the snacks, toys, my espresso, and every part else my children would wish.
Lastly, Instacart and DoorDash for grocery supply. As a lot as I really like a superb grocery retailer run, I actually depend on grocery supply apps to avoid wasting time and vitality. It’s one much less factor I’ve to consider, and it retains me stocked up on necessities with out leaving the home with two toddlers who at all times wish to run round and contact every part!
Credit score: Photograph courtesy of Meghety Foudoulian
High three issues you may’t stay with out in your skilled function:
My Skylight Calendar: It’s actually my second mind. Between conferences, deadlines, content material planning, and household life, having every part visually laid out retains me sane and on monitor.
Positively Canva: I take advantage of it day by day as a marketer and a content material creator. Whether or not I’m designing carousel posts or placing collectively advertising visuals, it’s my go-to inventive device that makes every part look extra visually interesting.
Lastly, my residence workplace. Once we lived in a smaller house, I didn’t have a devoted work space, and now that I do, I can really feel the distinction. My productiveness has improved a lot! I’m much less distracted, and mentally, my mind is aware of: “OK, we’re in work mode now.”
Is there something about being a mother that has helped you together with your profession?
First one is adaptability. Motherhood throws so many sudden moments your manner. Simply if you suppose you have got it found out, a brand new curveball is thrown at you. Routine modifications, automotive naps, sleep regressions, teething, potty coaching, and a lot extra. I’ve discovered to pivot rapidly, keep calm beneath strain, and make the perfect out of conditions I can’t management. That mindset has been extremely invaluable in my work as a nonprofit marketer, the place priorities can shift rapidly, sources are sometimes restricted, and it’s good to keep solution-focused whereas holding the mission entrance and heart.
Second one is talking up. Rising up, I wasn’t very assured in my expertise, particularly as a result of I thrived within the inventive world and never within the conventional tutorial areas, and that wasn’t at all times valued or inspired in conventional college settings. I typically stayed quiet, stored my opinions to myself, and doubted whether or not my voice actually mattered.
However changing into a mother modified all of that. Relating to my kids, I noticed that staying silent isn’t an choice. Whether or not it’s talking up at physician’s appointments, advocating for assist, or questioning what’s greatest for his or her well-being, I rapidly discovered that my voice will not be solely highly effective but additionally essential.
That confidence has carried over into different areas of my life too. Now I converse up extra at work, I share my concepts with confidence, and I belief that what I convey to the desk has worth. My direct supervisor calls me the Concept Generator and that makes me so pleased! Motherhood gave me the push I wanted to lastly personal my voice.
What do you would like extra folks understood about working mothers?
Individuals typically assume that when you work, you’re not the one elevating your children or that you simply’re by some means neglecting your loved ones. The truth is, my job is a big a part of who I’m. Sure, being a mother is my most vital title, however I’m not solely a mother. I’m a spouse, knowledgeable, a sister, a daughter, and a buddy. All these roles matter to me, and all these roles make me who I’m and fill my cup.
And relating to my job and my web page, they each remind me of what I’m good at and what I can accomplish. And that model of me — fulfilled, assured, seen — is the mother I wish to present up as for my children. I wish to encourage them to see that they will pursue their passions, be assured in who they’re, and at all times fill their very own cups with issues that make them them.
What recommendation do you have got for somebody seeking to do what you do?
Simply begin. Even when it feels such as you’re not prepared but, go forward and take that first step. Actually, I don’t suppose anybody is ever actually “ready,” however I do know that you simply’ll be taught and develop as you go. The one factor that’s actually stopping you’re your individual doubts. And sure, some days you’ll nonetheless query your self and really feel such as you’re simply one other voice in a sea of extra distinguished ones. However bear in mind, your voice is exclusive. It has the facility to vary somebody’s life in methods you may not even understand.
This interview has been edited for size and readability.
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