CEOMOM October 2021: Moms You Should Know by CEOMOM Magazine

Moms You SHOULD KNOW MEET MOMS WHO ARE LEADERS AND CHANGE MAKERS IN THEIR INDUSTRIES

DR. LIZA EGBOGAH HELPING WOMEN MAINTAIN FULL BODY HEALTH

2021-2022 BUSINESS DIRECTORY FOR MOMPRENEURS

Mixi Avenue produces all natural products using premium

ingredients to give your hair and skin optimal nourishment.

mixiavenue.com

DIRECTORY AT A GLANCE 23 27

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE BEYOND MOTHERHOOD BY: VONNA MATTHEWS

TICKI FAVAROTH HR&CO

DR. LIZA EGBOGAH

ANAIDA DETI

CHRISTI HAIRSTON

ORIEL ROSS MCKINNEY

DR LIZA SHOES

DENTALX

CARRA HOSIERY

THE SMALL BIZ ENGINE

LETTER FROM THE EDITOR

With the Moms You Should Know Business Directory, we aimed to create a publication that focuses on features, giving us the opportunity to spotlight more women. It is our honor to introduce you to incredible change makers and innovators who are revolutionizing their industries. These women have built companies and brands that are disrupting their markets.

Vonna Matthews CEOMOMMAGAZINE.COM

BECOMING A MOM DOESN’T END YOUR DREAMS. IT GIVES THEM NEW MEANING.

THE REASON WE DO WHAT WE DO

FINDING YOUR PURPOSE BEYOND MOTHERHOOD By: Vonna Matthews

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I BELIEVE THAT KNOWING WHO YOU ARE AS A WOMAN OUTSIDE OF MOTHERHOOD POSITIONS YOU TO HAVE A GREATER IMPACT ON YOUR CHILDREN. Being a mother is one of the most rewarding roles in a woman’s life. The immeasurable impact you can have on a child’s life from birth to adulthood is one that can be both fulfilling and motivating. Yet, is it so fulfilling that it replaces any need to be something else? Does your role as a mother remove any dreams you have or desires to pursue a purpose that is not centered on parenting, but rather on who you are? I once heard someone say, “Motherhood is not my greatest calling.” This is a statement that many can argue, and it’s worth the debate. Is motherhood our greatest calling? Should women seek purpose outside of their children? I say a resounding, “Yes” to the pursuit of your own purpose and power. I believe that knowing who you are as a woman outside of motherhood positions you to have a greater impact on your children. The legacy you can leave behind can inspire them to greatness. I have two daughters, and it brings joy to my heart knowing that they will see their mother being her own person. They will see me unapologetically pursue my dreams without reserve. I want my daughters to be empowered to be all that they can be. What better way to empower them than by setting an example of intention and purpose? To all mothers, I give you permission to celebrate your individuality. Celebrate your dreams. Embrace the things about you that make you more than just someone’s mother. You are a woman of power. Becoming a mother doesn’t stop you from dreaming, it gives your dreams new meaning. Here are four tips that will help you find your power beyond motherhood. Tip 1: Write down your dreams. Writing things down tends to be more effective than just saying or thinking them. Vision boards have become popular within the past several years, because they allow you to see your dreams in text and images. You may use a vision board or a journal to be specific about what you love to do, what you want to do, and what gives your heart joy. Do you love to write? Do you love to organize? Do you want to be a public speaker or launch a startup? Is there a ministry or nonprofit organization you have been eager to start? Whatever

your visions may be, write them down and be intentional about making them come true. Writing them down allows you to see how much you want to do that isn’t all about being a mom. Tip 2: Take the first step. Every journey begins with one small step. Moms have a tendency to wait until the perfect moment to pursue their dreams. They want to wait until the children graduate from college or until the children are old enough to drive or until they’ve saved up enough money. When you wear several hats, there is always going to be a reason to wait. Stop waiting and take the first step. It is not the size of the initial step that has all of the power, but the movement that inspires the next step. My grandmother used to say, “Girl, put one foot in front of the other, and get to moving.” It’s okay to start small. Just start. It’s the journey that is going to build and grow you as you pursue your power beyond motherhood. Tip 3: Join a community of working moms who are embracing their careers and passions. The saying goes, "Surround yourself with people who are where you want to be." Being around other moms who are fervently living their dreams will allow you to not only see that you're not alone, but it will give you the opportunity to learn from likeminded individuals, exchange ideas, and receive much needed moral support. Use the internet to find networking groups, specifically for women and mompreneurs. Join mommy groups to find other women who are excited about their individual passions. Tip 3: Celebrate you. This is something women need to do more. Women struggle with taking care of themselves, because we often put others first, especially our children. As we move to living our purpose, we must celebrate the little victories along the way. Celebrate accomplishments by treating yourself to something special. Make sure it is out of the ordinary for you. The more you get used to celebrating you, the easier it will be for you to pursue your dreams and re-discover you.

TICKI FAVAROTH PEOPLE ENGINEER | FUTURE FORWARD IN HUMAN RESOURCES

We are disrupting human resources with new innovative concepts, ideas, and strategies to move organizations forward in the future. Photo Credit: For Beauty Sake, Octavia Whitlowe

Describe your business. At HR&Co., we lead with humanity, authenticity, and honesty to create better global citizens. We strive to reinvigorate organizations to unleash the full power and potential of their people. We are a human capital resources provider and advisory services firm to growing commercial organizations and government agencies. Our clients are continually seeking ways to maximize their businesses, operations, and people resources. At HR&Co., we seek out clients who are continually seeking ways to enable and optimize their talent. Backed by our dedicated team of people experts, our broad perspectives, and industry knowledge, we help our clients tackle their top people priorities. Our human resources services enable organizations to achieve optimal results by providing the tools, solutions, experience, and expertise that allow companies to flourish. Our success comes through being partners, advisors, problem-solvers, and solution builders to co-create the right path forward.

What inspired you to start your business? There was a defining moment in my career- due to the lack of the visibility and access to coaching at the executive level- I decided to start providing executive coaching to diverse talent, providing insights on developing their executive presence, how to navigate the corporate landscape successfully, and to land the right opportunities. It became clear that these leaders had little or no internal support from their organization or had an internal partner that could help. When I launched HR&Co., I made an intentional shift to change my long term relationship with Corporate America to serve her in a different capacity. It was a tough decision, but I knew it was time, a soft exit to a long term commitment to be able to support many individuals across the world. After taking the time to reflect on my journey – lessons learned and opportunities, failures, and puzzling moments, accomplishments, and all the relationships I’ve established over time, I had an epiphany. I realized I could better serve Corporate America in a different

capacity; I could dynamically serve her and many individuals as strategic partner, people advisor, and people engineer. I started HR&Co. to bring a diverse voice to the table from many angles. We aim to be the preeminent HR strategist, executive coach, and forward thinkers dedicated to helping organizations and government agencies flourish through its people and human resources practices. I continue to believe in the successes of organizations, cultures, and people. Today, it gives me great joy to provide HR advisory and strategies to many well - known organizations and their leaders. How is your business changing your industry, the world? Our team actively seeks new ways to consistently challenge the status quo and disrupt the old ways of doing HR. We are focused on executing new innovative concepts, ideas, and strategies to move organizations forward in the future. We are helping people at the individual level; we are CEOMOM DIRECTORY | 9

helping companies at the organizational level. After more than 20 years of corporate human resources expertise, we are always creating solutions that puts people first. We’ve created a one – stop shop for customized advisory service and have established excellent partnerships with technology providers that simplify HR. We are enabling a better work experience and thought leadership. What does being a CEOMOM mean to you? Being in CEOMOM, will be extraordinary! To

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be in a lineup with other leading CEO moms will create a new type of community and lane for HR&Co. and me. I welcome the opportunity to share my story, to help others find their story, and to use this engaging platform to connect with other leaders and individuals, to communicate how they can excel in their careers or business. I want your readers to know that they can partner with a preeminent HR strategist, executive coach, and forward thinker dedicated to helping organizations flourish through its people and human resources practices.

Ticki Favaroth

HR&Co.

EMAIL ticki.favaroth@hrandco.com

TICKI

CONNECT WITH

COMPANY

PHONE 832.445.9369

INSTAGRAM @hrandco.levelup

WEBSITE(S) www.hrandco.com

STATE OF BUSINESS Texas

YEARS IN BUSINESS 7

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DR. LIZA EGBOGAH SHOES DESIGNED BY A DOCTOR FOR HEALTHY ALL DAY WEAR

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After over a decade of treating women for high heel related pain and having suffered from my own foot problems, I was inspired to start dr. Liza shoes.

Describe your business. dr. Liza shoes is an innovative line of heels and flats designed by a doctor for healthy all day wear. The first line of designer women’s shoes to be clinically tested for optimum comfort, dr. Liza shoes feel as great as they look. The doctor designer boasts over a decade of experience as a body and posture expert treating a long list of celebrities, political leaders and CEOS, improving not only the way they feel and function, but also the way they look. dr. Liza shoes was launched in March 2017 as a solution for women who wanted to wear beautiful heels all day without suffering from pain or disfigurement. What inspired you to start your business? After over a decade of treating women for high heel related pain and having suffered from my own foot problems, I was inspired to start dr. Liza shoes. Patients would ask me to recommend shoes that they could wear that wouldn't cause pain and disfigurement but also heels that didn't look orthopedic. At that time I could not make any good recommendations and decided to design my own line of shoes that women could wear to look great and feel great.

How is your business changing your industry, the world? Women have been conditioned into believing that they should wear uncomfortable heels in order to achieve a certain look or respect in the workforce. Most of the designs commonly worn by women like pencil thin stilettos and sharp pointed toes were designed by men and sadly cause excruciating pain and permanent disfigurement for many women. They also slow you down as you aren't able to do what you need to do effectively while wearing them. dr. Liza shoes is changing the industry and improving women's lives around the world by showing women that fashion doesn't have to hurt. We can look great and also feel great without causing permanent harm to our bodies. What does being a CEOMOM mean to you? Being a CEOMOM means creating balance between being a mom, a CEO and leading a happy fulfilled life. The great thing about owning a business as a mom is that you can focus on things that you are passionate about while setting a schedule that is best for your personal and family life to thrive.

Dr. Liza Egbogah Dr. Liza Egbogah

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8102 GUA

EMAIL hi@dr-Liza.com

DR. LIZA

dr. Liza shoes

CONNECT WITH

COMPANY

PHONE 416-366-1703

INSTAGRAM @drLiza | @drLizashoes | @thefixtoronto

WEBSITE(S) drLizashoes.com | dr-Liza.com | thefixtto.com

STATE OF BUSINESS Toronto, ON, Canada

YEARS IN BUSINESS

3.5 years the[fix] - 13 years CEOMOM DIRECTORY | 15

ANAIDA DETI Photo Credit: Lgh Art Photography & Media

SHIFTING LEADERSHIP IN DENTAL CARE DentalX Is Setting Trends for Dental Hygienists

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DENTALX

Dental Industry

SHE’S THE BOSS Describe your business. DentalX is an award winning dental office. We offer all dental services from dental cleanings and check ups to complicated extractions and implants. What inspired you to start your business? I wanted to be a dentist since I was a little girl. The dental profession somehow fascinated me and that feeling grew a lot more as I got older. On the other hand, I was also terrified of going to the dentist. Let’s say going to the dentist back home was not fun at all. My first dental appointment was when I was seven years old and what I remember from that appointment was being scarred for life. My next dental appointment was a decade later and I went only because I was in extreme pain. I always used to say to myself that, “when I become a dentist, I will make sure that the patients look forward to their dental appointments.” And that was the biggest thing for me all these years, making sure that my patients look forward to their dental appointments. How is your business changing your industry, the world? I wanted to do something different compared to traditional dental offices. DentalX is an alternative option for the public, we are slightly different from traditional dental offices. We focus more on the preventative side of dentistry by offering longer dental appointments which include oral hygiene instructions in a more extensive way

including visuals. The office looks different as well, giving you more of a spa feeling than a dental office. We offer different relaxing techniques for the patients, making the dental appointment more relaxing and less scary. We specialize in seeing nervous patients that do not like going to the dentist. Our warm environment and techniques make them more comfortable. It is an amazing feeling when patients come in and tell us, they look forward to their appointments. DentalX gives back at least twice a year by offering free dental services for people that cannot afford to pay. One is in April and one during Christmas time. Our office has offered free dental/dental hygiene services to 30 people from Red Door Family Shelter. And not only that, we had a whole day planned for them, with lunch, a magic show, and Santa made an appearance and gave the kids Christmas gifts. Last December, we offered free dental/dental hygiene services to 25 teenage moms from Jessie's centre in Toronto. Again, we had a whole day planned for them and their kids. I founded Mission Kind (Kids In Need of Dentalcare), to help children aged 6-16 obtain much needed dental work at no charge. Also, I like to offer advise for oral hygiene instructions and dental health in general to the community. What does being a CEO mom mean to you? I think the most difficult thing as a female leader is to juggle family and business. During the time I opened my business in 2014, I also got pregnant with my daughter. I had a

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My family encourages me to do better everyday. I am a big feminist and I love to empower women.

complicated pregnancy. My daughter was a twin, but I lost one of them which made my pregnancy high risk. The doctor told me I had to be in bed for the remaining seven months. I told her, that was impossible. She made me sign a waiver and told me that I was nuts for refusing bed rest. Unfortunately, I had no choice. I tried to be very careful, but I was very scared knowing that I would never forgive myself if something happened to my daughter. But she is a fighter just like me. We made it, and this amazing little girl completed our family. I worked till the last day of my pregnancy. The delivery went well, and she was just perfect. Three days later however, I had to return to work. When my staff saw me at the door, they could not believe their eyes. For the first two months, I drove home for lunch to breastfeed my daughter and then went back to work. It was hard. When people say to me, they cannot do something because it is hard, I tell them what I had to do when I was pregnant with my daughter and after I had her. We face

challenges everyday with daily tasks. The hardest thing I find is to balance business and family and prioritize tasks. Being a mom of two, with a teenager and a toddler, life gets difficult. My family encourages me to do better everyday. I am a big feminist and I love to empower women. I think that all of us together can change the world. I really believe that women have a special power in them. We can multitask so well that it’s unbelievable. We do not have it easy, because often we have to take care of the family, home and business. Even though we might make it look easy, we do it day in and day out. I have known many strong women in my life, beginning with my mother and my mother in law. They have shown me that women can do anything. Through it all, we need to love and support each other.

Anaida Deti Anaida Deti

EMAIL info@dentalx.ca

ANAIDA

DentalX

CONNECT WITH

COMPANY

PHONE 647-839-1374

INSTAGRAM/TWITTER @dentalx.ca/@DentalXSmiles

WEBSITE(S) dentalx.ca

STATE OF BUSINESS Ontario, Canada

YEARS IN BUSINESS 8

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Picture Me Photography

Revolutionizing How Women Wear Hosiery

CHRISTI HAIRSTON CEOMOM DIRECTORY | 20

Photos provided by CARRA Hosiery

FASHION

Describe your business. CARRA ("CARRA") Hosiery is a luxury hosiery brand that's changing the perception of hosiery. Founded by Christi Hairston, a marketing guru and avid fashion lover, the entrepreneur turned her obsession with hosiery into a company of her own. Named after her late sister Carra LaVonne, Carra was a fashionista before her time and our products serve not only as a legacy to her impeccable style, but an accessory that all women can use to express themselves and take their wardrobe to the next level, no matter their budget. CARRA’s patented hosiery design of high quality is sustainable and fashion forward, Made in the U.S.A. with runresistant fabric. Additionally, our keen awareness of living a hygienic lifestyle makes CARRA unique with its antimicrobial finish that banishes bacteria and a moisture wicking gusset. CARRA is headquartered in the Washington, DC area and sold exclusively online at carrahosiery.com and ships domestically and to select countries worldwide. What inspired you to start your business? I was stuck in my career and ready for the next challenge. I was reading a magazine and came across an article about two college roommates that started a sock collection from their dorms. I thought to myself, surely if they were able to form a company from their dorm I can start one from my house!! I began to think about my likes and dislikes, what was I passionate about that can be turned into a profitable business and what was missing from the marketplace. Hosiery was the answer for me! I worked diligently for 2 years to learn about legwear development and fabric testing. I managed to find a course with extensive training that covered sketch to packaged product, where creativity sparked the catalyst for my first collection and ultimately the birth of CARRA Hosiery. How is your business changing your industry, the world? Through my Free the Panty campaign, CARRA aims to reshape the way the modern day woman wears hosiery while eliminating the longstanding stigma of women going commando. My brand is bringing a beloved accessory into the marketplace targeting hosiery lovers age 16-60 with fashion forward designs that are both sustainable and affordable. CARRA's products are worn by both women and men alike with men being a niche market. CARRA is breaking gender barriers and social norms in fashion by showcasing men in hosiery in a way often frowned upon.

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My brand is bringing a beloved accessory into the marketplace targeting hosiery lovers age 16-60 with fashion forward designs that are I both sustainable and affordable.

What does being a CEOMOM mean to you? Being a CEOMOM means showing pride, leadership and tenacity for an experience you never have to call work. A CEOMOM is a natural leader who is managing all things related to motherhood, career/entrepreneurship, relationships, and finances. It also means being true to yourself and setting an example of strength and dedication to your children.

Christi Hairston

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EMAIL christi@carrahosiery.com

CHRISTI

CARRA HOSIERY

CONNECT WITH

COMPANY

PHONE 301-442-5781

INSTAGRAM/TWITTER @carrahosiery

WEBSITE(S) carrahosiery.com

STATE OF BUSINESS Maryland, Washington, DC Region

YEARS IN BUSINESS 5

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ORIEL ROSS MCKINNEY THE SMALL BIZ ENGINE, A MCKINNEY BRANDS CO

Photos: The Canovas Photography, McKinney Brands, Emerson McClain

Describe your business. The Small Biz Engine® is a consultancy for high impact strategy and growth. I work with entrepreneurs and companies to drive results. We work with organizations, teams, and solo entrepreneurs to help them operate efficiently and expand with intention. As the moniker suggests, The Small Biz Engine® works with you behind the scenes to propel your business with new ideas, growth strategies, removing inhibitors, and refining your processes. Whether you’re looking to explore your business passions or separate yourself from the pack, we're your partner. SBE is my foundation. I invest in others and I also own a restaurant, a real estate brokerage, and a travel agency. I am also the reigning titleholder for the Majestic International Pageant (Ms.) 2021-2022. How is your business changing your industry, the world? I had a number of ideas that were given to friends through casual conversations. As I followed their growth, I realized my ideas

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were an integral part of their stories or success. I knew I had something special. After a while, investing in seed ideas and manufacturing growth became my passions. What does being a CEO mom mean to you? It means continually working in harmony with competing priorities. Some days my kids suffer because of my business and some days my business suffers because of my kids, but at the end of any shifts I have to make sure my family knows every effort is to create the best environment possible.

COMPANY The Small Biz Engine

EMAIL info@orielross.com

PHONE 407-504-7677

INSTAGRAM

We build brands that are driven by emotion and individuality. Oriel Ross McKinney Oriel Ross McKinney

@thesmallbizengine

WEBSITE orielross.com

STATE Florida

YEARS IN BUSINESS 14

LEGACY IS NOT WHAT YOU LEAVE TO YOUR KIDS, BUT WHAT YOU LEAVE IN THEM.

DAYNA L. REED Photo Credit: Didomi Photography

WELCOME BACK? It’s still fresh in my memory: returning to church after giving birth to our first child, Jaicie. My husband Franklin and I were so excited for everyone to finally meet our baby girl. We arrived a little after the service began, so most of our friends would have to wait a while to get a closer look. Throughout the service, other moms periodically glanced our way with bright eyes and enthusiastic smiles, appearing just as ecstatic as we were about our new addition.

GUILT-FREE MOMMY

Things took a turn, however, when feeding time came and I pulled out the Avent baby bottle. As I sat there feeding my baby, I noticed a few of those warm looks strangely turn to scowls. Somewhat puzzled, I looked around, wondering if I’d missed something that was said, not realizing that those frowns were meant for me. The service couldn’t have ended fast enough for some of those moms to make a beeline to where we were sitting. But it wasn’t so that they could finally meet Jaicie or greet me. Instead, it was to grill me with questions such as: “What’s with the bottle?!” “You aren’t nursing?!” “Well, are you at least pumping?!” “Please tell me that’s not formula in that bottle!” I was so caught off guard by the ambush that my initial response was shocked silence, followed by: “Whoa . . .Wait a minute! What?!” My happy moment quickly deflated and I felt as if I’d shifted from being in the House of the Lord to the courtroom of Judge Judy. What they didn’t know was that I’d had an emergency C-section followed by a tough recovery, and my new baby was a bit colicky – all factors that had led to my decision to discontinue nursing earlier than I’d hoped. And although things hadn’t worked out quite the way I had planned, everything was still good: my baby was healthy, I was healing, and we were happy! Needless to say, I left church far from uplifted that day. Instead, I left feeling discouraged and questioning everything I had done for my baby those past couple of months. Although I’d been able to shut down the interrogation successfully at the time, the uncertainty their words produced and the feeling of having failed lingered for days to come. I desperately wanted nothing but the best for my baby. I began to wonder if I was giving her that. I didn’t know it then, but this wouldn’t be my last encounter with this incriminating analysis over how I cared for my children or the second-guessing it created within me. In fact, it was only the beginning, and would unexpectedly grow into something more troubling than I could imagine. Something, my friend, I would eventually come to know as mommy guilt! Order your copy of Guilt-Free Mommy at https://www.daynalreed.com/.

CEOMOM