Motherhood, it changes you.

While there’s a whole list that involves sagging and wrinkled, exhausted and emotional that can be wrapped in there, for many women becoming a Mom takes life to a whole other level.

It brings out our genuine loves, forces them into places creatively and personally that reveal talents and ingenuity unrealized until that point.

It inspires.

Moms see a need and create the solution.

So, with this monthly series we celebrate the genius of Comox Valley women who turn the lessons of parenthood into a resource for the community.

We celebrate local mom entrepreneurs.

Name: Christina (Tina) Willard-Stepan
Age: 39, My husband’s name is Jim, and I have 2 children, age 7 and age 4.
Business: Seeds Natural Food Market, 2733 Dunsmuir Ave., (250)336-0129
Town: Cumberland

Tell us a bit about your work: Seeds is a small, full-service Natural Grocery store in the heart of historic Cumberland. Our focus is mostly, organic, natural, and locally grown and manufactured foods. We welcome families and have a small children’s play area to occupy the little ones while grown-ups are shopping. We have many gluten free items and other food items for special diets.

I have always wanted to work for myself. My husband also operates a business and after watching him work through its set-up and operations, I felt I had the courage to “take the plunge”.

My work history is mostly in education and Wellness coaching. I have been a teacher, a manager and also work as a personal Life coach. I have always loved food markets, and used to teach cooking classes.

All of this experience combined with my interest in helping my community become a more sustainable Village added up to “Go for it!”

The never-ending juggle – and staying committed making sure that my family comes first and the kids don’t feel as if they are being juggled.

Keeping track of both home and work schedules and making sure that they fit is a daily challenge! I think that all parents can relate to that.

Wow. I’m not sure I remember what that is like!

I would most likely go on a wilderness retreat of some kind.

I destress by Writing, painting, singing.

Outdoor activities.

Nature and exercise are my life-line when I am feeling anxious. Also, playing with my kids – really playing, not just supervising.

Two things – firstly, word of mouth. We are dedicated to doing a fantastic job, and love to hear when people spread the word about it.

Second – I like the more creative aspects of marketing. Placing an ad in the paper is okay, but I enjoy the more interesting stuff that also develops community. For instance, we sold veggie kebobs at Market Days to raise money for the lunch program run by Cumberland Community schools to feed kids in need.

In the Fall we will be creating an educational program for elementary school children to help them understand where their food comes from. The educator in me prefers to make a difference and have fun while getting the word out about our store.

How to find the “off switch” when I am at home.

I am dedicated to being as present as I can with my children, and for the first two months after we opened, all I thought about was work. I found I was not really ‘with’ them, even when I was physically there.

Things have finally settled into a routine, and I’m having much more fun both at work and at home now that I can really take time away.

My husband has definitely been my business mentor - he’s amazing.

I also have an Aunt who has worked in the industry for a long time and gave us many invaluable tips on how to get started.

We have a very family-centric focus in our house-hold.

Both my husband’s business plan and my own had balance written into them. Often this means making a little less money in order to pick kids up from school or attend a choir performance.

I know that this time with my children will pass quickly and both my husband and myself are committed to savoring it as much as possible.

What does this mean for me?

Far less time to pursue hobbies or have time to myself. But I sort of feel like it’s not my turn right now. And if I can think of my business as my creative outlet, then I am a little less sulky about not having time to take an art class. And if I can think of working on my feet and lifting boxes all day as my exercise, I am a little less sulky about not getting to go for a run.

I’m one of those idealist sorts that thinks world peace and all of that touchy feely stuff is possible. I don’t want to dominate the world - I just want to help my little piece of the world, let it evolve and be the best it can be. (plus I’d like to make enough money to retire some day while I am at it!!)

Go for it!

Part of me feels this huge weight of the responsibility of it all, but most of me feels complete freedom, because it is my own, and I call the shots.

N/A

Comox Valley Kids
Vancouver Island Regional Library
TED.com (for my own intellectual stimulation)

Honestly – I don’t have a lot of time to spend on line! When I get home, I usually don’t want to look at a computer – I’d rather play with playdough