Dreamers Into Doers -- marthastewart.com

Your Personal Best?

A little over a decade ago I was a fashion design major who modeled on the side. I knew who I was, I knew my style and I knew how to create it.

Now, I am a stay at home mom with three little ones. The two youngest are 1 and 2 years old. My oldest is almost 8. When his sister was born over a year ago, he developed so much anxiety that he literally couldn't function. And neither could I. I tell you this to illustrate that sometimes he's more work than my littler ones. Oh yeah, and I started a business this year. I am busy. My body has changed with time. My lifestyle has changed. And somewhere in all of that, I got lost from a style standpoint. I no longer knew how to dress myself. I no longer felt like myself when I got dressed in the morning. Half of the time, I didn't want to look in a mirror.

But, lately, since I have a business in which I am a designer and an artist, since I have people stop me and ask where I got my jewelry or where my daughter got her shoes, I find that I have a need to present myself well whenever I go out. I want to look the part of the artist. I want to look the part of the put together business woman, so that people will feel confident buying from me.

And so, I have taken more care in selecting clothes. And this weekend I got a haircut. It's definitely not a mom cut. It's artsy, and fun, and me. I find that with these small changes I am more confident when talking to potential customers. And I am wondering what took me so long to figure this out.

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Comment by Alyice Edrich on July 29, 2011 at 3:01pm: Having been one of the mommies who forgot to take care of herself while she took care of everyone else and ran a homebased business, I applaud you! Congrats and keep it up girl, you rock!

Alyice

www.alyiceedrich.net

Comment by Susan Vermillion Woods on July 15, 2011 at 5:30pm: Thank you, ladies! How I would love to know you in real life!

Comment by The 9 Nanas on July 15, 2011 at 11:30am: Susan, as the grandchildren would say, "you're rocking that cut!"

Darling, although we started the business after all the children were grown and out of the house, we too lost ourselves by being good wives and mommies. It wasn't until we'd taken pictures and really "saw" what others were seeing that put the "spring" back into our steps. All of us keep regular manicure appointments. The little sales clerks at Talbots Petites, Dillard's, J. Jill's, and J. Crew know us by name.

All of that said, we still love our husbands, maintain our homes, growing a business, love on those children, but we learned it's quite alright to love and appreciate ourselves too.

You hang in there!

Nana Sandy & Nana Mary Ellen

Happiness-Happens Ambassadors

Comment by Lisa@HR Creative Design Studio on July 15, 2011 at 1:18am: Hi Susan, yes, I can relate and feel the same as you do in wanting to dress the part of business owner, artist. It's amazing how a new hair cut can help you feel more confident and put together. Love the cut!

Comment by Kimberly Cawi on July 14, 2011 at 4:23pm: Hi Susan,

Sometimes our focus is so completely centered on others needs that we forget the simplest things for ourselves. I am a stay at home mom too. Your appearance is a walking advertisement for your business and your hair cut is great!

Comment by Susan Vermillion Woods on July 14, 2011 at 1:57pm: Thank you all! I am really enjoying the cut.

@Renee, how is that for a job? One would think it would be fun to dress people, but then, I have worked with people and know there can be, let's just say strong opinions when it comes to something so personal.

Comment by Renee - *Nostalgic Summer* on July 14, 2011 at 9:23am: Great post Susan. And I totally agree, we sometimes lose our "style" selves when we reach certain milestones in our lives. Before I started my jewelry business I was a personal stylist (which I still do on the side). I always told my clients to build a basics wardrobe, and you will always feel confident. It's amazing what you can do with a great basic dress with a few accessory changes....from a running errands look to a night out.

And I love your new haircut!:-)