I’ve known Xenia for quite some time, having collaborated with her on a few projects. She is such a delight to work with. Xenia is hard working, dependable & seeks to go the extra mile for her clients.
Xenia also knows how to multi-task (with baby in tow), having witnessed it first-hand when we met at a coffee shop to discuss a project. She has great enthusiasm & passion for her clients. Xenia spends a lot of her time sharing success stories of her clients & brands that she works with, so it seems only fitting that she gets the opportunity to shine here & share her story with others!
Please meet the latest Real Mom of the SFV, Xenia Moore!
(Image source: Xenia Moore)
How/why did you begin your business?
Xenia: After having my now 10-month-old baby boy, I quickly became familiar with the multitude of mommy/baby products and services provided to moms like me. Some of the companies were life-changing for my entire family, and I wanted to tell every mom I ran across about them. That’s when I combined my passion for supporting other moms like myself, along with my background in public relations to create XM Public Relations. XMPR is a boutique firm specializing in the mommy, baby, child industry, for the sole purpose of sharing amazing products and services which I love, to other hard-working moms all through the power of writing and the media.
As a working mother, what is one tip or piece of advice that you would give to other female entrepreneurs?
Xenia: I believe that no matter how busy my business becomes, that my baby always comes first. It’s not an easy task to balance both a baby and a business simultaneously. My business is important to me, but I’ve learned that I perform best at work and with my son, by being in the moment and focusing on each responsibility separate from one another. I enjoy my baby and my business most when I give them their own time and attention. Which as a result, helps me be the best mother I can be, and the best business woman I can be. The secret? I owe a LOT to Natalie Willes, who we consulted with to sleep train our baby. Because he naps consistently, and at the same times every day, I am able to know exactly when I have time to get work done while the house is quiet, with the peace of mind that my baby is napping and sleeping at bedtime for the recommended hours that a baby should for good health. Another resource that I highly value as a mompreneur, which brings both my baby and business together, is going to networking playdates, such as those that Playdate Connection offers. At these playdates, I can get the best of both worlds, and business network while my son plays and has a blast with other kids at kid-friendly play spaces. Thankfully, there are so many resources and opportunities out there today for working moms that help make our full-time, around the clock jobs so much easier. For that, I am grateful.
What do you like best about having a business in the San Fernando Valley?
Xenia: I grew up in the San Fernando Valley, so in that sense, it’s home to me as I’ve always been a “valley girl.” I’ve developed great relationships and connections in the San Fernando Valley, which has been advantageous to my business networking abilities. I’ve also always appreciated the extreme diversity in the San Fernando Valley. Everyone comes from a different background, which adds a variety of perspectives and ideas to the table when doing business with other San Fernando Valley mompreneurs, bloggers, and media.
If there was one thing you wish you knew before you began your business, what would that be?
Xenia: That launching a business while raising a baby would be a much greater challenge than any full-time job I’ve ever worked! I knew the task would come with great challenges, but what I didn’t know was exactly how much sacrifice it would involve in order to be the mom I wanted to be, while also being successful in my work-from-home business. In order to make it work, I had to sacrifice many other areas in my life that I was involved in on a regular basis before “raising” a baby and a business. However, I don’t think any of these new changes could ever truly be understood until they are fully experienced. It’s one of those situations, like many experiences in life, and in “life” overall, that require trial and error, learning while you go along, making adjustments where needed, asking for help from professionals who have been in your shoes, and trying your best regardless of which inevitable obstacles come your way. Because at the end of the day, when I feel I could have done better in any area relating to my business, I remind myself that my baby is only young for so long, and that he’s my priority above all. One day when he’s in school, I know I’ll be able to dedicate more time to my business. There’s a time and place for everything. I absolutely love that my son will grow up knowing that mommy loves him and gives him my all, but that in order to also contribute to the family and take care of him – that mommy works. As a hard-working mother, I am confident that I will be able to raise my son to know the value and importance of a good work ethic, among many other values I hope to instill in him with God’s Word, for the rest of his life.
It is so true what Xenia said about how life is all about “trial & error.” You learn & grow from your mistakes, as a mother and as a businesswoman. I also love Xenia’s strategy regarding being “in the moment.” I’ve learned that you only have so much energy to give as a mom, spouse, friend & employee/employer. I think the key is to do the best that you can, in all areas of your life & accept the life lessons along the way!
Check out the website for more information on XM Public Relations & don’t forget to “like” their Facebook page so that you can get the latest updates.
Disclosure: No monetary compensation was received for this post. All images are my own unless otherwise noted. As always, my opinions are 100% my own.
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