This Mama's Got Mojo - Mary Clavieres
“I journal daily. Coming from a place of gratitude really changes how you think and operate.”
Mary Clavieres, Mom and Serial Entrepreneur.
Mary Clavieres is a force of nature - a serial entrepreneur but, first and foremost, a mom of two young daughters. Mary is the Founder & CEO of three companies. With laser-sharp focus and superior organization skills, she juggles a product-based business - Brief Transitions, a coaching collective for women - The Transitions Collective, and Mary Clavieres Consulting, where she uses her certification in Whole Brain® Thinking. Mary is passionate about empowering women, moms in particular. She is a self-proclaimed go-getter and one of the most humble people I’ve ever met. I wanted to find out how on earth she does it all.
MGM: You started Brief Transitions right after your first daughter was born, and while you were still in your corporate job, how did you juggle all of that responsibility?
Mary: I really worked on Brief Transitions sporadically at the start. My main goal was to bring postpartum mesh underwear to more moms because we deserve to have the products we need for recovery. I wasn't looking at it as a 'real' business that I could leave my corporate job for and work on full-time. I took my time researching manufacturers, deciding on packaging, determining my sales channels, etc., without the pressure of feeling rushed to get it all done at once or make money right away (definitely a lucky position to be in). Also, my husband was incredibly supportive of my mission and helped to pull me out of the extremely stressful times (because those times happen no matter what).
MGM: What motivated you to start The Transitions Collective while you were still growing your first business Brief Transitions.
Mary: I started The Transitions Collective really as a support group for myself. I felt stretched really thin building Brief Transitions on nights and weekends while working at my full-time corporate job and having two young kids at home. I thought I was crazy for trying it half of the time. Friends and family would even ask me why I spent my little bit of free time on Brief Transitions. Building your own business feels lonely sometimes, and I wondered if there were other moms out there trying to do the same thing. It turns out there are a lot of us! What started as me trying to make some mom-business-owner friends really flourished into the community that it is today out of my own passion for bringing moms together.
MGM: What tools have you used to manage three businesses while having two young children? And, what advice would you give moms who struggle to start and run one?
Mary: I use a project management software to keep track of my projects and tasks (my favorite is Asana, and I use the free version). I also apply some of my corporate knowledge and build Whole Brain® business strategies to keep me on track. I'm certified in this method that helps you understand the way you prefer to think. It goes a long way in leveraging your preferences and being aware of your blind spots.
As for advice, focus is really important. You need to be very clear on your priorities and try to resist the temptation to tackle everything at once, it's just not possible. I learned this from experience. You'll burn out quickly, trust me. Also, when things seem especially overwhelming, find out what works best for you to pull yourself out of that space. It might be exercise, reaching out to your community for a pep talk, or focusing only on one task at a time. Figuring out the ways you work best is incredibly helpful for managing yourself over time.
MGM: What are the greatest challenges the Mompreneurs in your collective have faced in their small businesses during COVID, and how have you helped them overcome those challenges?
Mary: The challenges range. For business owners with in-person businesses, I've watched them pivot in incredible ways into the online space. Some have moved their existing offers online, while others have gotten creative offering new types of services. There have also been those who have chosen to pause, or cut back on their businesses, due to the heavy load at home. I always try to be there to support everyone in whatever way helps them the most - whether it's talking through mom-guilt and telling them it's ok to do something for themselves, or telling them to slow down because the pace at which they’re going isn't sustainable. I also share tools and resources that I use for my own businesses, this way they don't have to research everything from scratch. The community provides practical and tangible advice for building and scaling a business. It also provides an outlet and a safe space to relate to each other’s challenges. I truly believe that self, family, and business all go hand in hand, the support is there in a variety of ways.
MGM: Which of your professional accomplishments are you most proud of?
Mary: I've had several features in large media outlets such as Forbes and Business Insider, for example. I am MOST proud of is being a recipient of NPR's 2019 ‘How I Built This’ Fellowship Program. I hit send on the application thinking, "I'll never get chosen for this", yet two months later, I got the acceptance notice. It was an incredible experience to meet other makers at the summit (some of which I'm still close friends with today) and to hear from some of the top entrepreneurs of our time. I sat in the second row while Guy Raz interviewed Sara Blakley, founder of Spanx; I asked a question to Ally Webb, founder of Dry Bar, during a panel event; and I met Stacy Madison, founder of Stacy's Pita Chips, and her incredible team that is working on her latest venture, Be Bold Bars. I also can't leave out the experience of meeting Guy Raz and the whole incredible team at NPR. That experience is going to stay with me for years to come.
MGM: How have you stayed mentally/emotionally/physically healthy while working from home during this crisis?
Mary: This is a challenging question. It's taken a lot for me to stay grounded and healthy during this time. Staying fit physically and mentally is critical to success without a pandemic, so during COVID, it's been even more important. Expressing gratitude is vital and I journal daily. Coming from a place of gratitude really changes how you think and operate. I also see my trainer in weekly virtual sessions. Sometimes, it feels like an indulgence to take that hour or to spend money on myself, but it's one of the top things that has kept my sanity during this time. Not only are the workouts intense, but it releases so much energy and really helps me let go of my thoughts. To supplement the sessions with other workouts, I use the Peloton app (without the bike - they still have great workouts) and YouTube videos (I love Yoga with Adriene). In addition, I listen to an affirmations recording every morning and have recently started to adjust my bedtime routine - turning off the TV earlier and meditating right before bed. It has done wonders to wake up and also end the day by providing my mind with a safe space to be still. I recommend it to everyone!
To connect with Mary Clavieres:
www.thetransitioncollective.com | www.maryclavieres.com | www.brieftransitions.com