Working Mom: Reflection on the Past!

This blog is a little different- everyone has heard about my health and family for several blogs now. At this point in time I find myself reflecting on the whole working mom lifestyle and the corporate world I have come from….. good, bad and the ugly.

Working moms, how did you stumble into your career? Did you actually study for it, or did you just trip and fall into it like I did? I mean, who wakes up one day and thinks, "You know what? I want to be a property manager!" Most people are confused by the title and what it even entails.

Honestly, I spent my entire middle, high school and college years dreaming of belting out show tunes on a massive Broadway stage. I know, I used to thrive on the stage, it was my happy place, where my confidence grew. Just like my daughter has softball, I had the power of my voice to make me feel whole.

Not to bore you with my life story, but after college, my dad was kind enough to set me up with a starting job while I chased my Broadway dreams. But let me tell you, the theater world is as cutthroat as a reality show, and I quickly realized I wasn’t ready to serve lattes to make ends meat. I realized that having a family and being able to support them in a certain way was something that was important to me as I grew into adulthood

Somewhere along the way, I found myself surprisingly enjoying property management. And no, my dad didn’t hand me a golden ticket to a high-paying gig. I started as the assistant who answered phones during the receptionist's lunch break. No special treatment here—I learned the ropes from the ground up, one awkward phone call at a time! Most weeks, I clocked in over 60 hours, and lived off Starbucks! I was lucky enough to climb the corporate ladder during my two decades with the company. Working in luxury high-rise condos and beautiful co-ops in Manhattan with a crew of the most honest and talented pros was a wild ride—one I didn’t fully appreciate until I have had the time to catch my breath. You’re so busy with clients and juggling a million tasks that it’s easy to forget you’re in the middle of a skyscraper-sized adventure. Your mind is constantly going leaving notes on your bedside table at night to ensure the clients receive the best possible service.

Having respect for your leadership team makes an employee want to work for the company and show pride! One of my most cherished memories is that every morning, my father would walk through the office, greeting employees and genuinely cared about their lives. He racked up the frequent flyer miles going back and forth across state lines weekly to make sure his companies were thriving and that he was right in the mix. The employees, the professionals, the vendors—they all still have much respect for him.

Alright, let’s not get all mushy here, but I’ve got to give a shout-out to my dad for his impressive achievements. Lately, I’ve had a lot of time to ponder life, health, and family—basically, all the keys to daily life! And you know what? It’s a real hustle to build a business and earn respect, especially as a woman in today’s wild world and this particular industry, especially as a woman. Trust is hard to gain as a women in the workforce, so I tend to be direct as well as waste no time beating around the bush. Just get shit done and service the clients.

Last week, I got a call from my old crew in Manhattan during their holiday lunch. They were sending me good vibes and making me laugh, which got me thinking about how as a women we have to show strength, confidence and assurance to our clients; I was trained….. not to second guess yourself. This amazing team I built actually cared enough to check on my health while munching on their Carmines annual holiday feast! 🤣 I do have a lot of pride for these fantastic professionals and the relationships I’ve built. I’ve got board members wishing my family well, residents ensuring I get VIP treatment at hospitals, managers sneaking in snacks while I’m stuck in a hospital gown, vendors showering me with flowers, and boards still reaching out for my advice. It’s so easy to overlook the good stuff when life throws you a curveball!

My confidence in the work world is so much more than when it comes to my health or parenting. Any other working moms feel that way? Work has always been a massive part of who I am, and now I’ve got the time to reflect on why that is. So, what I’m really trying to say is, it’s never too late to take a step back and think about who you are, what you do, why you do it and what  makes you the strongest version of yourself! How can you mold aspects of your work personality into your parenting and health confidence challenges.

I didn’t ask to be sick and don’t want to be by any means. My strength each day seems to dwindle due to the pure frustration. However, I find myself using this time to work on reflection of my priorities as well as life choices that have led me to this moment in time. I think sometimes reflection on the past and current circumstances as well as people you have allowed into your life can help you to gain a new perspective as well as set boundaries. Get to know yourself through your history……anyone find that their past plays a large part in their coping mechanisms daily?!

As always thank you for the love, support and messages on a daily basis. Life doesn’t give us more than we can handle, even though it may seem so. We are given challenges to rise with class and dignity!