Today we meet South African mom blogger Janice Windt, who blogs at Janice Windt.
1) What do you normally get up to on an average day? (Give us a brief description about yourself)
I’m a busy working mom who loves God, her family and her work in that order. Work wise, I am a Time Management Coach for Working Moms. I contract to various corporates as a Coach and also work directly with moms via Skype. As a side passion, I run my Time Management Makeover Course for Working Moms at various corporates as well as (once a year) to the public. I keep a very tight schedule, but my first priority is always my family… my wonderful husband, two rambunctious boys and two rescue pups who I focus on with all the energy my Mamma love, caffeine and vitamin B shots can muster.
2) How do you feel about motherhood – what are your struggles and joys?
I’ve always believed being a Mom is the most important job I would ever have the privilege of doing. However, I’m also incredibly ambitious. When my first son was nine months old and I was pregnant with my second I was offered the corner office at a leading Investment Bank. I knew I couldn’t take on that job and also be the mom I wanted to be so I said no… and spent the next 6-8 years discovering who I was without my previous source of identity: Climbing the Corporate Ladder. It’s hard to be a Mom. It’s the hardest work you will ever do. But it’s also the most rewarding. Harold B. Lee once said, ““The most important of the Lord’s work that you will ever do will be the work you do within the walls of your own home.”
3) Tell us about your kid(s)
I have two wonderful little men to raise. They are 6 and 7 now and I am just LOVING EVERY MINUTE with them! They have such distinct personalities, are both very confident and articulate and are always coming up with new business ideas that I encourage and try find a way to help them fund… They get on so well and play like a house on fire! Except when the wrestling gets out of hand and my hubbie has to pick the one off the other like little bear cubs. But there is so much love between them that every tussle ends up in hugs in the end. I’m incredibly grateful to have them in my life.
4). How did you start blogging?
I started blogging when I was still working at the Investment Bank. I was a new mom and, quite simply, I wasn’t coping at ALL I started interviewing my colleagues… women I respected. Working moms who looked like they had it all together. I would take them for coffee, record the interviews and write them up afterwards. I ended up writing for the Huffington Post and eventually interviewed one hundred moms from seventeen countries around the world. What I discovered is that, although we all keep up a very brave front, not one of us really has it all together. We’re all like ducks… perfectly calm above the water but underneath our little legs are going wild just trying to stay afloat. #THEJUGGLEISREAL
5) Share with us a valuable blogging tip you’ve learnt. (or more)
I believe that very few people make money purely from their blog. Even the most successful bloggers who win awards and get product sponsorships are just making a trickle. I believe that a blog must support your business concept, rather than be the business in and of itself. The question to ask is what is the one unique thing you have to offer the world and base your business on that… the rest will follow naturally and blogging is an indispensable marketing tool to enable your dream. I’ve found Marie Forleo (www.marieforleo.com) incredibly helpful in guiding my thinking around online business.
6) If you make money from your blog, give us a breakdown on how you do it. Give us some of your methods on how to get started on this, or any tips or advice.
I make money from my Coaching Business rather than from the blog itself. But I LOVE writing and enjoy using my weekly articles and newsletter to get the word out and to share really valuable and practical advice with moms who may not want to pay for coaching at this stage of their lives. It’s such a privilege to reach and encourage so many moms on a weekly basis. I also give away some really awesome audio training to the moms who sign up for my newsletter. You can find out more at www.janicewindt.com
Melissa Javan (@melissa_nel) says
I love this interview – it’s really interesting and I love the take on blogging for business. Thank you.