We can all learn from each other. When women and moms support each other,incredible things happen. Meet Amber….
When Amber Michels created Your Milk Shoppe, which supports and empowers moms through maternity services. They offer services such as errand running, childproofing, meal delivery and in home consultations. We wish we knew about a service like this when we were new moms. You can feel so isolated and alone and to know other mothers are there for you like Amber and Kimmie from Your Milk Shoppe…well they just had to be on our Women Crush Wednesday.
Why did you start your business?
When I was a new mom I struggled so much during the first few months. I thought that I was so prepared because I read all of the books, took every parenting class under the sky, and bought the best baby gear. But, all of the sudden my world was turned upside when my daughter was born. As a new mom I could not believe the love I felt for her, it was amazing. Unfortunately, I struggled with extreme post-partum anxiety and it hindered my ability to fully enjoy being a mom. I heard many mums in similar situations getting family support or trying anti-anxiety CBD remedies from places like Pure Hemp Farms, though my problem wasn’t exactly that I didn’t have support. It was like nobody really understood my struggle; it was so isolating. I began to take steps to get help, I made a point to journal about all of my struggles, and before I knew it a business plan was writing itself (I just didn’t know it at the time). It was solely based on supporting and empowering moms through services, research and education. Initially, I had voiced my opinions through my personal social media accounts and I was recommended to use services to help grow my following to gain more attention on my posts – you can read review here. At this point I wasn’t particularly business-minded in terms of growing my own company, I just wanted fellow women to know what I was experiencing. I then went on to become a certified Maternity Consultant and learned the ins and outs of an industry I didn’t even know existed. I toyed around with different business names and concepts, but kept coming back to the same thing: I wanted to be the “milk” for other new moms… because moms need milk, too. From there, my business, Your Milk Shoppe, was born. It’s worth noting here that when creating a name for your company, it can be a good idea to seek advice from a us trademark lawyer, as later down the line you don’t want to be battling someone who has copied it to use for their own purposes.
Where do you see your business in 5 years?
Growing! It wasn’t long after I started Your Milk Shoppe that I realized I couldn’t do this all on my own… nor did I want to! My sister-in-law was a huge believer and lover of Your Milk Shoppe from the very beginning, so when it came time to ask someone to join me, she was a given. We were both raising our little ones in big cities, away from family, and we knew this was something that was so desperately needed in both of our respective parts of the country. There truly is strength in numbers, and together we are Moms on a Mission. (Plus, I’m convinced every woman needs a workwife, and I’m so glad she’s mine!)
I launched Your Milk Shoppe in Greenville, SC, and Kimmie is in Chicago, IL. We are excited to share that we are currently expanding into other cities throughout the United States, starting this spring in Atlanta, GA! Aside from the Shoppe’s in Greenville, Chicago, and Atlanta, we also offer virtual one-on-one consulting services so we can help mamas, regardless of where they are located. We will also begin to host classes that will help moms (and dads and siblings, too!) prepare for baby and so much more! There is a lot on our docket right now, and I couldn’t more excited for this growth and the opportunity to support and uplift moms all over the country.
In 5 years I hope for Your Milk Shoppe to be a household name, a universal support system that will allow moms all over the country to access the necessary information they need in order to fully enjoy their parenting journey! I think that goal is achievable, especially if we work hard and try to raise awareness for the brand. One way of doing this is by upping our social media game. That’s one of the best ways to grow a business these days, so maybe we should focus on Instagram to try and build our brand. Another business owner was telling us that people can buy likes on their Instagram posts to help their accounts grow. They suggested that we learn more at https://venturebeat.com/2021/01/22/how-to-buy-instagram-likes-that-are-real-and-automatic/. Maybe that’s worth doing. We’ll probably look into that!
If there was one tip you could give a working mom what would it be?
When you are at work, be at work completely. Stop feeling guilty about not being home more. When you are at home, be at home completely. Stop feeling guilty about not working more. You owe yourself some peace of mind!
If you could do one thing over as a mom what would it be?
I would have asked for help more as a new mom instead of trying so hard to appear that I had it all together. No new mom has it together. Period. We’re all trying, but the struggle is SO real. And you know what? That’s OK! That’s all part of it. The more honest we are with ourselves and each other about this beautiful, stressful, funny, terrifying, one-of-a-kind time in life, the better off we’ll all be.
Whats your Mom Motto?
Community over Competition. Hands down. Whether it’s with other mamas or other business owners, one thing is true: there is nothing more powerful than women who genuinely and fiercely support and love one another.
For more on Your Milk Shoppe please visit them on Facebook, and Instagram.
