How has SeekingSitters changed your life and your family as a whole?
Born in NY but raised in Altamonte Springs after my parents divorced (I was 2, Brett was 5). Raised by my mother who boldly raised 2 children without any child support. I married my high school sweetheart (Benji Howard) in 1995 then moved to G'ville where Benji owned his own business. I decided to obtain a degree in Elementary Education.
In 1997, my husband decided to close his business in G'ville to move back to Orlando. It was difficult to find a teaching job that paid well. So, I then started working in the Construction Management field. After only a few years in a rough marriage, we divorced. I was working for an architectural firm at the time. Then the lightning strike! I met Carlos Sobrin. We got married in 2003 and had our first child, Gabby, in March of 2004.
I made a decision to stay at home with her for at least 3 years. Almost 2 years into it, I enrolled her at the Jewish Community Center and they hired me to teach. I was able to do what I loved while watching her blossom at the same time. I cared less about the pay and more about being able to serve her a warm meal at lunch time and attend her little school functions. They were very flexible with me, allowing a sub to come into the class while I attended her specials or took her to the doctor, etc. I had the best of both worlds.
A few years later, I took a leave of absence after having my second child, Oliver. Gabby was 4 and still attending the J. I was a stay at home mom for almost 2 years and although I loved spending time with my son, I felt lost. We both needed to be more engaged. After 19 months, I enrolled Oliver at the same school assuming that I would be able to begin teaching again. Because the economy had taken a turn for the worse, enrollment was way down at the school so they were not hiring, they were letting teachers go. There was no longer a position for me.
For a few months, Oliver was attending school while I was still at home… taking care of the house, our rental property, and volunteering at my daughter's elementary school. In the beginning, we were fine. However with Oliver's tuition costing almost $950 a month, I felt like I needed to contribute financially. I had no idea what I was going to do. But I knew that a flexible schedule was necessary as my daughter needed to be picked up by 3:00 and my son by 5:00. I was very important that I be available for them should they get ill, etc… My husband and I were trying to come up with ideas… Some were quite ridiculous now that I think about it. "Write a Children's Book!!!!".
Thankfully, my brother called me from Albany. He had used SeekingSitters and LOVED not only the service, but the concept as a whole. He did some research and noticed that they were located all over the United States but NOT IN ORLANDO!!!!!!
"This company has your name all over it!". He and I immediately called the founders of SeekingSitters to ask 4,000 questions. Long story-short (sort of), I bought into the franchise with no business background. However, I still had all the confidence in the world. I knew so many teachers that would love to babysit and I knew so many parents that needed sitters (all through the school where I use to work).
In the blink of an eye, I changed from a bored, laundry folding house wife to an entrepreneur - "Mompreneur". The pride I feel is indescribable. Although my house is a mess and I only grocery shop once every 6 months (lack of time management skills….but getting better), I'm excited. Broke, but excited (hee hee). (okay…not really broke, I just …. made other people money… again, I'm learning).
I now get out of the house (networking, brochure dropping, PTA functions…) and meet so many wonderful parents, women, sitters, Mompreneurs… I've only just begun and I have already learned so much. Not to mention, I'm finally able to contribute to our household income while still being able to take care of my family. Some days I work so many hours I almost forget to pick up my children (or that they're still in the car) JUST KIDDING. Other days, I don't need to work at all. Most importantly, I am available for my family. I love the flexibility of owning my own company and the service that I provide.
Every single day, I get a compliment; from a member, from a sitter, from a stranger - about how amazing the concept is or how cute my truck looks or how much the sitters love working alongside me, how adorable I am…….. :O) And because of SeekingSitters, the support I have received from other women, the friendships I have made, I'm fulfilled!
The best part is my husband and I have sitters to turn to at any time for a date night. And my children feel like they're getting a treat~ I'm guessing the girls are a lot more fun than we are and don't yell at them to clean up the playroom every 45 seconds :o)
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