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This week in our Moms Who Inspire series, we're sharing a fellow military spouse-owned business from our sweet friend Stefanie Weakley. We first met at the grand opening of the R.Riveter shop here in the Maryland and we made an instant connection. Stefanie is a mama, an Army wife, and the owner of Abby Maddy Designs - a shop with the cutest clutches and keyfobs we've ever seen. We hope you love Stefanie as much as we do!
TELL US A BIT ABOUT WHAT YOU DO.
I am the owner/designer of Abby Maddy Designs, a boutique-handmade company specializing in ladies clutches and accessories.
WHO INSPIRED YOU TO START YOUR OWN BUSINESS?
I grew up working in my grandmother’s thrift store and developed a love of retail at very early age. I started my first business from my dorm room at age 19 but never considered majoring in business, though I’m not sure why! It wasn’t until my babies were born and my husband was deploying again that I really sat down and contemplated entrepreneurship. I took that first little step and as they say, the rest is history.
WHAT’S YOUR BEST TIP FOR JUGGLING YOUR MAMA AND BUSINESS RESPONSIBILITIES?
Get Organized! I have a date book that I live by, and a separate datebook that stays in the kitchen for daily tasks. We also plan meals, sync calendars regularly, and keep babysitters on speed dial lol And I’ve learned to say “no” when I need to!
TELL US ONE SPECIAL THING YOU DO TOGETHER AS A FAMILY—WHETHER IT’S A WEEKLY CELEBRATION OR AN ANNUAL TRADITION?
I work A LOT, as most mama-preneurs can probably relate to. So, I try hard to keep Saturday afternoons free for family lunch date and fun. I don’t schedule meetings or calls on Friday night and my husband and I usually have an “at home” date night then. And we always take some sort of trip for Spring Break and our annual Hilton Head summer trip that my business pays for. I think it’s important for the kids to see mama working and what that work translates to in the form of fun! I guess that was way more than one thing…lol
WHAT DO YOU DO TO TAKE CARE OF YOU SO THAT YOU’RE THE HEALTHIEST MAMA YOU CAN BE?
I’m big on prepping lunches every Sunday so I eat a healthy lunch when I’m working because I’m really bad to skip meals and then eat whatever is in front of me! I’m also a HUGE fan of bubble baths and try to take one every night, even if it’s just 20 minutes before bed, with lots of oils and salts. It’s my personal time to relax and de-stress and it quiets my brain and my soul.
WHAT INSPIRES YOU TO KEEP DOING WHAT YOU’RE DOING EVERY SINGLE DAY?
My kids, but my daughter specifically. It’s not lost on me that I’m raising a future wife, mother, leader, and hopefully entrepreneur. I want her to see me setting goals and accomplishing daily benchmarks. I also want her to have the courage and confidence to know she can blaze her own path, whatever that looks like.
WE ARE QUOTE LOVERS AROUND HERE AND WOULD LOVE TO KNOW WHAT YOUR FAVORITE QUOTE IS!
“I am not afraid, I was born to do this” -Joan of Arc
AND FINALLY, STEFANIE'S TOP TEN:
1-Favorite food - Anything I don't have to personally cook
2-Favorite color - Navy
3- Coolest place you’ve traveled - London/Paris
4-Favorite book - Anything business that I can listen to on Audible
5-Household chore you hate to do - Fold laundry
6-Favorite place to shop - Ann Taylor Loft
7-Place you’d most like to visit - Italy
8-Favorite room in your house - My bedroom/bath
9- Favorite movie - Down with Love
10-Your guilty pleasure - Bed picnics and dorky history shows with my hubby on days when I am exhausted.