We had the good fortune of connecting with Heather Smith and we’ve shared our conversation below.
Hi Heather, what was your thought process behind starting your own business?
I started Mompreneur Co. because I felt alone and unseen in my struggles. I felt overwhelmed on how to actually manage and balance life, motherhood and business ownership and as I started to meet women and mothers within my community, I quickly realized I wasn’t actually alone in this struggle, so many others were feeling the same exact way I was.
I’m a solution finder and I always have been so, as soon as I saw the need within my community, I started to brainstorm ideas on how I could create a safe yet fun space for women and mothers to come together, learn from others, support each other and share what tools or systems are currently helping them manage different aspects of life.
My thought process behind my business was how can I serve and support others within my community? Because ultimately we are better together and we shine brighter when we shine together.
What should our readers know about your business?
Our motto is community over competition and I believe that truly sets us apart from other events or groups within the small business community. We don’t limit our events per industry, there is no drama or competition, women are able to share their stories in a safe space without judgement and we all have a mutual respect or care for one another.
We believe we shine brighter together and trying to dull someone else’s sparkle will never make yours shine brighter.
I am so proud that I have had the honor to watch new friendships form, exciting business connections being built, partnerships between brands happening and the opportunity to teach women how important it is to reinvest in themselves.
Every time a woman says yes and secures a ticket to an event, I can’t help but do a happy dance because I know that bringing her in this space is going to show her that she isn’t alone and that so many other feel this way too. In this space we are here to listen to her story, celebrate her progress, support her dreams and empower her through this wild journey of life, motherhood and business. That is worth celebrating!
I am so excited for the future of this brand and business, it all started with an idea last February and has quickly blossomed into something so incredible and impactful for our community. Our first summit last April had almost 60 women in attendance and our summit last month in September doubled in size to 120 women in attendees. We are growing, glowing and not slowing down! For 2025, we have almost 7 different events already on the books and they are all going to be incredible for the women, mothers and business owners in our community.
How did I get to where I am are today business-wise? My two passions in life have always been helping others and designing events. Parties and all types of events has always been my specialty. I was the go to girl for Christmas parties, baby showers and everything in between. I was a wedding planner when I have 18 and my first styled shoot was featured in a wedding magazine. I love everything when it comes to designing, coordinating and executing events.
Most jobs I had I found myself in leadership roles, designing floorplans or even marketing for that location or industry. I love caring for others so I spent a few years in medical care working within a family clinic as well as a hospital setting.
When our daughter became a preschooler in 2022, the balancing act began of how to manage homelife and work full time. I found myself in a pivotal moment and that’s when I launched my very first business called The Clothes Line LLC. A laundry service I created out of our home, where I picked up laundry off your porch, washed, dried, folded or hung it up and then I delivered it back same day. It was a HUGE success. I grew from 1 customers to over 120 customers within a year of business. I soon began mentoring other stay at home mommas on how to start their own too. This business opportunity allowed me to stay at home, make an income and have the flexibility to raise our daughter, go on trips and much more.
As this business began to grow into 2023, I found myself in an overwhelmed or alone state of mind. I didn’t really feel connected to anyone, I tried to network but I just didn’t find “my people” who understood what it was like to raise a business and a baby. I created a post asking if there was an event or conference for women in business in Oklahoma to come together, help each other and learn together but I didn’t find any local, most things were out of state.
After connecting with a few women on Facebook, I started to realize this was a need in our community, we need a day or two for us women to get together, learn and support one another. In June 2023, I co-hosted a two day sold out women’s business conference with over 50 women. It was truly magical. The support, love and connections made are still carried with me today.
Fast forward to January 2024, life and business is busy which is a blessing but still overwhelming. We made the decision to homeschool our daughter, I help manage my husband’s automotive/diesel shop, Auto Industrial LLC and I’m also operating my laundry service full time with an average of 120-140 loads of laundry a week. The struggle is REAL.
I started to see just how big the difference is of running a business or being a mother AND running a business. The task list and work load is very different. This is the point in life where I knew there had to be a way to manage and balance them both.
Mompreneur Co. was created for women and mothers who are handling both, who want to succeed at both and learn to balance them both well.
Now I could write out all the highlights of my life or business and makes it sound easy, like things just magically happened and always worked out for me but that’s not the case at all. Every single business, idea, and dream took countless of hours of work. Long days and even longer nights, endless phone calls and conversations. I went to dozens of networking meetings and many events, always learning or pivoting on how to be become better, how to keep growing or relearning things to change my mindset or perspective. But just because a dream takes work doesn’t mean it’s not worth it. Hard work always pays off!
What are the lessons you’ve learned along the way? Some of the biggest lessons I learned along the way is to set boundaries AND communicate them.
• When people show you who they are, believe them.
• You can’t expect YOU from other people.
• Just because someone doesn’t see your vision or dreams for the future doesn’t mean you should give up on it.
•People might not remember the little things on the table, the colors or songs played but they will always remember how you made them feel, be someone who makes others feel loved, valued, seen and appreciated.
• Not everyone is meant to stay in your life, some people only stay for a season and some stay for life. Appreciate the lessons and blessings they gave you and move on. Somedays it won’t even cross your mind and somedays it’s all you can think about. You are allowed to cry, get upset and question it but trust me, it will get better with time.
I’ve made many mistakes in my life and I’m far from perfect nor will I never will be, but I’ve learned that when you hurt someone even if the hurt can’t be fixed or the relationship can’t be mended, the important part is that you apologize, learn from your mistakes and improve your actions. Don’t repay evil for evil.
What do you want the world to know about you or your brand and story?
I want the world to know me by my kindness, I want to remind people of how loved, valued and appreciated they are. We all have struggles and just because many of us carry them well doesn’t mean they aren’t heavy too. This world will make us feel alone in our challenges and tell us lies that we aren’t important or good enough to be this or that, that’s simply untrue.
You were given your special talents, abilities and skills for a reason. Use your gifts for opportunities of goodness.
You are good enough and will always be, no title, status, or opinion of others can take that away from you.
When people see my brand, I want them to see community, happiness, genuine support, inspiration and positivity for their future.
When they hear my story, I want them to know they can be a wife, mother AND a business owner. You can do many things and do it well. The best piece of advise I can give is, find your community because there is power in community, making connections and partnering with others. Alone we can only do so much but together we can do so much more!
Let’s say your best friend was visiting the area and you wanted to show them the best time ever. Where would you take them? Give us a little itinerary – say it was a week long trip, where would you eat, drink, visit, hang out, etc.
Oh I love this question! Here’s some of my favorite places to take friends in Oklahoma City and surrounding areas.
We’d grab dinner at Charleston’s or Pub W because the food and service is always top notch and when in the mood for tacos, I definitely recommend Ted’s Cafe Escondido. Desserts at Katie’s Pies & More or Ice Cream at Boom Town Creamery is a must!
If it’s basketball season, we would definitely be grabbing tickets to a Thunder Game, the energy and excitement is the BEST.
For a night out on the town, we’d spend the day getting our hair done at SP Hair Co. and having a spa day at Three Graces Day Spa, shop for new outfits at The Cargo Room or Classic Charm Boutique then we’d grab drinks at the speakeasy, Lunar Lounge or visit the bank vault turned into a bar, Library of Distilled Spirits and then afterwards head to Up Down Arcade Bar!
We’d spend Saturdays walking the Farmers Market at Scissortail Park and stopping for lunch at Spark.
One of my favorite places to take friends to shop in Oklahoma is The Painted Tree! It’s a market that holds dozens of small business booths, you get to shop a wide variety of booths all in one place, they have two locations that I love in Edmond or Moore.
Now depending on the season friends visit, we’d definitely be visiting of my favorite events:
In Spring, The Mama Mixer at Wheeler Park hosted by 405 Moms Club
In Summer, Wear The Bikini Bash hosted by Kalee Isenhour with The Self Love Club
In Fall, OKC Blogger Closet Sale hosted by Danielle Webb
In Winter, Safari Lights hosted by The Oklahoma City Zoo
Shoutout is all about shouting out others who you feel deserve additional recognition and exposure. Who would you like to shoutout?
When it comes to my success, I truly have to thank God. He has blessed me countless of times, continues to be faithful, and has preformed miracles throughout my life and my families lives.
A person who deserves so much recognition for my success in life and in business is my husband, Chance. He is my biggest supporter, always cheering me on, and helping me work through any problems or struggles that may arise. He is an incredible husband and father and always puts his family first in every situation. He’s made countless sacrifices to put me and my dreams first and I will be forever be grateful for him.
I would like to highlight my mother and mother-in-law for always being willing to provide childcare, for being a listening ear and giving me the encouragement to keep going.
There are so many others who played a huge role in my accomplishments and success but I know I don’t have room to list them all, so here are a few I definitely have to mention.
Mandie Spiegel, my soul sister and best friend for life. The most loving, caring and God-filled woman I know, love and adore.
Megan Henderson, the sweetest friend a girl could ask for and the biggest hype girl.
Britney Behenna, a gentle soul who calms, cares and loves so deeply.
Kayla Burch, a friend who has changed my world and my mindset forever.
So many incredible women helped me along the way and for them, I am forever grateful.
Blythe Donovan, Brandi Gilstrap, Paige Mitchell, Ashley St. Clair, Lilana Provencial, Crystal Oakes, Kalee Isenhour, Gena Fletcher, Cori Maag, Danielle Throckmorton, & countless more.
Website: https://www.mompreneurco.live
Instagram: @mom.preneur.co
Linkedin: Heather Smith
Facebook: Mompreneur Co.
Image Credits
My personal photo upload is by Ashley St. Clair Photography
All other images are by Mandie Spiegel with Spiegel 3 Entertainment