SuperMom

SUPERMOM Jennifer BodinBY LIESEL SCHMIDT

Growing up with a father who owned several McDonald’s locations as a franchisee, Jennifer Bodin saw what the entrepreneurial spirit, coupled with drive and a strong work ethic, could accomplish. Boasting a background in graphic design and marketing as well as the health and fitness industry, the former NFL cheerleader for the Saints tapped into that inherent ambition to open the first Pure Barre franchise in the state and expanded to three locations. She owned and operated those studios for close to eight years, loving every moment of her work, until she sold a few years ago to become a stay-at-home mom for a few years as her young children grow. “I learned so much about business from my father and had the best teacher and role model,” says Bodin. “Even though I’m staying home during this busy phase of our life, I know there will be another business venture in my near future because entrepreneurship is in my blood.” her hands full with her kids’ activities and her community involvement. “I don’t think a mom’s ‘work’ is ever done,” she says. “The mental load of a mom, working or not, is a lot. When I ran my own businesses, there were pros and cons. I loved what I did, and it was very rewarding; but there were times I missed out on milestones or had to work during holidays. The work/life balance is always a struggle, especially when ‘mom guilt’ creeps in. Still, I’m proud of what I created, and I hope it inspires my kids to chase their dreams.”

As a businesswoman, Bodin learned some important lessons that translate in all areas of life. “I learned that you can inspire people by being authentic,” she says. “Invest in people and follow your gut. It’s always a good idea in business—and in life—to seek counsel from someone you trust. It’s also okay to take time to think about things before responding.”

cheerleader for the New Orleans Saints during our first Super Bowl victory,” she recalls. “In my opinion, it was the first moment that unified the city after Hurricane Katrina, and it was very special to be a part of that. I will never forget it! This experience was so much greater than me, changed my life perspective and led me to where I am today. Later, owning Pure Barre was empowering because it was a workout and franchise started by a woman, for women, women-owned, and employed all women. I employed over 100 women when I owned my studios. I never felt that because I was a woman, I couldn’t do anything. That probably comes from the confidence my dad instilled in me, and I hope my two daughters will feel the same one day. They can do anything. It doesn’t matter that they’re female. From both of these experiences, I hope to show all of my kids that possibilities are endless when you work for it and stay true to yourself.”

When they’re older, Bodin hopes her children remember the most important things of all: “I want them to remember they have always been loved and cared for, that they can confide in me and that I’ll always be their soft place to land,” she says. “I hope they know that I took my time to appreciate their individual characteristics, understand their feelings, teach them emotional maturity and how to handle conflict. Above all, I pray they have a foundation in Jesus.”

Time with her little ones is incredibly important, and she makes sure that time is special. “Before the new school year starts, I always do a one-onone ‘date’ with each kid tailored to their favorite things,” Bodin explains. “On the first day of school, I always wake up early and make a special breakfast. Bacon is their favorite. And whenever we go to the beach, we always try to find ‘cone’ shells because they know they’re my favorite. We’re seven years in to filling up a huge jar and still have a long way to go. Then there’s Christmas, which is almost a month-long celebration in our house. I try to make this such a special and cozy month for our family. I hope they continue to do this with their families one day.” Our team is highly experienced with special needs, sedation, and hospital dentistry. No dental insurance? Call and ask about our

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