It’s easy: ig-zek-yuh-mah-muh. That's it!
My name is Akilah S. Richards, and as a working mother committed to her business ventures and prioritizing her family, I represent a growing breed of women, whom I've dubbed "Execumamas." Execumamas by definition are in the 21 to 35 age range, and many of us are entrepreneurs and WAHMs making our way through the working motherhood maze, and making names for ourselves and our brands in the process. My particular soapbox is my pursuit toward debunking the long-standing myth that women must sacrifice their career pursuits in order to have children, or vice-versa. In 2006 —as a first-time mother in my mid-twenties —I put my career goals aside for fear of not being available for my child. As I scoured bookstores, Web sites, and libraries for self-help materials that spoke to young women on the topic of how to maneuver life as a committed parent and a successful professional, I was left disappointed at my findings. It was then that I decided to write a guide for the thousands of women who must have been in similar situations.
My self-published work, entitled Execumama: A Pocket Guide for the Twenty-something Mommy on the Move (Wheatmark), was the result of several interviews with young women —attorneys, RNs, social workers, entrepreneurs, etc. —who were living proof that women could in fact, be successful businesswomen and excellent mothers. I was so inspired by these women's stories, that I ultimately extended the Execumama pocket guide into a blog, a brand, and now, a movement. My Web site offers women opportunities to showcase their businesses, and equally important, share their insight as mothers who actively pursue business ventures, be it entrepreneurship, corporate gigs, or some blend therein. Since 2007 when the book was published, I've received numerous emails, phone calls, and blog comments from women who were inspired and motivated by my book, and now my blog. Through my blog, I've been sought out by companies such as Disney, Scholastic Books, Suave, AllModernBaby and Uprinting for my perspectives as a popular Mom Blogger. Today I am clear about my responsibility to give young mothers a boost of empowerment by giving them opportunities to network, shine, and be inspired by other Execumamas around the globe. I've been interviewed on local television, radio, and most notably, Essence magazine, for my commitment to the Execumama credo: Design, Define & Live your fullest version of WOMAN!
In 2010, Execumama Enterprises, LLC, my writer-for-hire, real estate, and women's empowerment entity, will be launching a series of workshops (available both online and live) designed to create networking, barter exchange, and growth opportunities for women in the 21 to 35 age group. Oh, and if I wasn't busy enough with that, as a freelance writer and co-owner of Voz Visual Designs, a graphic design boutique agency, I've helped launch campaigns, revise copy, and write articles for a variety of print and Web-based entities, including Mommy Too! Magazine, MySalonScoop.com, Odyssey Couleur Magazine, IONA Magazine, MamaUsedToSay.com, e-biz Jamaica, Shepreneur Magazine and Cariblifecentral.com. As you can imagine, my proverbial plate is full, and I can use all the simplification I can get. This is why Outright.com gets a long-term high-five from this particular Execumama! Prior to registering both my husband's and my business with Outright.com, I was fumbling through receipts, gathering shoe boxes, and getting my serious "Cranky Nancy" on while trying to manage the paperwork factor, especially when tax time came around.
Thankfully, that was the past. Today, Outright.com, along with my ShoeBoxed account helps me (and my dear, sweet accountant) minimize the tax-time angst, and keep my administrative "housekeeping" efforts to a minimum. I was so impressed with Outright.com's features, I blabbed about them in detail here. I'm guessing Outright.com helps all entrepreneurs, male and female alike, but I can say with certainty that for SAHMs who help their hubsters with their businesses, WAHMs trying to keep it together, and women who own businesses that have them ripping and running in between their kids' soccer, piano, dance, and mandarin Chinese classes, Outright.com is nothing short of a godsend! Amen?!
I’m so psyched about joining the Outright.com team! I will do my absolute best to represent the Execumama perspective, and help my fellow young working mamas by presenting news and views relevant to the beautiful chaos of working motherhood. Drop me a line from time to time, so I know what you need and what’s been working for you. Deal?
