Welcome to Chicago North Shore Moms Meet a Mom series where we celebrate the triumphs and daily struggles of local moms. This week’s Meet a Mom is non other than local influencer (31K on just Instagram – gasp!) Alyssa Goldwater, Content Creator extraordinaire for A Glass of Goldwater. For the last four years Alyssa has been creating content that marries real mom life and entrepreneurhood with humor and sarcasm. Seriously, who can’t relate to that? This mom of two toddlers left her steady full-time job just 3 months ago to grow her brand and it’s most certainly working. No, it wasn’t easy and took careful planning. Alyssa is 100% self-taught and continues to build her brand out of patience, love and… more patience (a.k.a. the “e” word – experience) Here’s how…
Where are you from originally and how long have you lived in town? What brought you to your current town?
I’m originally from Louisville, KY, but I’ve lived in Chicago (West Rogers Park) for the past 4.5 years because my husband is originally from Highland Park.
You’re a mama! How many kiddos do you have and how old are they?
I have two toddlers. Miri is 3.5 years old and Azi is 2.5 years old. We’re busy!
What’s your favorite thing about being a mom? Please share at least one mom “hack/tip” that makes your every day life a little easier…
My absolute favorite thing about being a mom is seeing my kids love and play with one another. Watching that bond between siblings grow is priceless. A hack we started using when my oldest started potty training was to keep a Baby Bjorn Toddler Potty in our trunk. We’ve had to pull over on the side of the highway MULTIPLE times, and it’s proven to be VERY useful. Between us, I may have even used it once or twice, LOL.
Least favorite mom job?
I absolutely HATE cleaning up vomit — I’m not sure who likes it, but it’s the worst. Close second is bath time. It kills my back.
One thing people would be surprised to know about you…
I used to want to be a marine biologist! I’m obsessed with dolphins, whales and all sea life!
Favorite local places to spend with the family?
We love the Exploratorium in Skokie, Museum of Science and Industry and Indian Boundary Park. The splash pad there is really fun!
You are a true mompreneur! Tell us about your business!
I started A Glass of Goldwater as a hobby almost 4 years ago. When brands started reaching out, and I realized how much I love doing this, I started to turn it into more of a side hustle. In the last year I started AG Creative Consulting where I help small to medium sized businesses develop brand identity and grow via social media and digital marketing. I now run AG Creative Consulting and A Glass of Goldwater as my full time businesses!
What was/is the inspiration and/or training involved behind your business? What is your background and how did your background help with getting involved in your business?
Like so many men and women, I was stuck going to a job, that was exactly that. A job. And nothing more. I’ve always been a good writer. I write like I talk, so people find it pretty entertaining and easy to read. I’ve always been active on social media, but I never thought I could turn it into a business. None of my formal education gave me a background for what I do now. I’ve taken a lot of courses, done a lot of research and learned as I grew my own brand. Just three months ago I mustered up tons of courage and I left that job that had me feeling so trapped! Today, I am living a dream that I’m my own boss and CEO. I make a difference in the lives of women every day, and I help other businesses to grow and do the same. Some days are hard. Way harder than any day I had at my old office. But when I get through those hard times and come out the other side, more qualified and more successful because of it, I feel fulfilled. I feel proud of my hard work! So, how do you know when it’s time to quit your job?
In your blog and social media feeds you keep it real. We love your tone and encouraging notes to other women and moms. Please share one of those 🙂
I own my crazy, and I’m dang P R O U D of it. Once I stopped letting others’ opinions and belittling THOUGHTS rule the way I ACT, I was FREE. 🦄 Free to be myself and love who I really am. And what everyone else thinks? It just 👏🏻 doesn’t 👏🏻 matter 👏🏻. ✌🏻#lovetheskinyourein
Yes, mama, preach! Thank you for sharing your post from Instagram this past September.
Can you speak about your Jewish background and how that fits in or doesn’t fit in with your mom blog?
I grew up in a Conservative Jewish home, and now I am an observant, Orthodox Jew. I think it’s great that I am able to show people a more normalized version of an Orthodox Jew vs. the stereotypes that are in the news and portrayed on television. It’s part of my life, so it really fits right in. I’ve never had to and never plan to sacrifice any of my values for work opportunities. When something comes up that I can’t participate in, either because the food isn’t kosher or because an event takes place on Shabbat, I think of it not as a missed opportunity, but it just wasn’t meant for me!
What are some of your proudest moments with your business where you said “wow, I did that”?
Definitely landing a brand deal with Pampers. I feel like I’d made it in the “mom blogger” space. Also being invited to do a segment on a local Chicago morning show, and being asked to speak at a Social Media Summit in New York. All super proud accomplishments.
Can you tell us more about the women’s summit that you recently spoke at?
The JWE (Jewish Women Entrepreneurs) is a non-profit organization based in the New York area. They offer mentorship programs, as well as conferences, seminars and trainings for Jewish women (of all religious-observance levels), and I was invited to speak about practical social media advice, during their Social Media Summit at the end of September. I spoke to over 200 women live, and my session was also live-streamed. It was really incredible, and the feedback was even better. It was exhilarating to know that I was able to help so many women.
Please offer advice to other moms out there.
My biggest piece of advice is to know your worth and own it. Not just for monetary purposes, but also for your own confidence. You have something amazing to offer the world, and nobody can take that away from you. Take that confidence and run with it. Own it and repeat it to yourself over and over until it lives your heart.
How important is it for you to have a passion outside of being a mother?
Very. I think it’s different for everyone, but you need to do what makes you happy in order to be the best mom you can be. If that means having a passion and career outside of being a mother, then do it.
When parenting gets hard, what’s something you tell yourself that gets you through?
Netflix and Chill + ice cream always helps me unwind, but there’s also nothing like a night out with some good girlfriends to just get your mind off of things.
Follow along with the funny, the real and the great with Alyssa on Instagram, Facebook & Pinterest!!