[BOSS] Christine St. Vil of MOMS ‘N Charge From Self Evolvement to Business Entity

How did you get to become a MOM ‘N Charge? In 2011, I was seven months pregnant with my third child when I left my corporate Human Resources position. I was not happy; stress began to take a toll on my mental and physical health. I needed to make sure I was doing what I could to have a healthy baby. Although my husband and I didn’t have any plans in place for me to leave my job at the time, we knew it was something to do. I stepped out on faith seven months pregnant. After leaving in that environment that’s not where I wanted to be, but I didn’t know what I was suppose to be doing next.

After the baby I realized I needed to start taking better care of myself. I connected with moms online through social media and blogs. I realized a lot of moms were not able to pursue their goals, put on hold, because of their children. I wanted to be able to tell my kids you can be and do whatever you want when you grow up but at the same time I need to make sure that example for them.

Your self-discovery led to your business venture:

MOMS ‘N Charge: Helping Moms Feel Good Without Feeling Guilty

A lot of times moms want to do things, but feel guilty because we’re taking away from our children and spouses. I had to learn how to put myself back on top of the priority list. MOMS ‘N Charge is about empowering women and moms to go after whatever it is they’re trying to go after. You don’t have to choose between your goals, dreams, and being a good mom. You can do both. You have to get some systems in place, a support system and being clear about what it is you want.

Purpose Driven Media is the name of my company; everything I do has a purpose. It’s about understanding, discovering, pursuing your purpose in life so you can be successful and happy.

Since entrepreneurship is a learning process, tell us about one of your "AHA!" moments.

I always knew I had the entrepreneurial spirit in me, but I just needed to find that thing. I remember when I was pregnant with my third child I went to an event called Dare to Live Your Dreams. The speaker stated “God will put you in holy discontent to get you out of certain situations." I’m trying to wait for all these changes at work and what God is trying to tell me is you need to get out of this situation. At the event I realized nothing is going to get better until I make the decision to make a change.

What's the biggest misconception about what your business and what you do? 

Since I started with blogging people think that’s all I do. I went into blogging with a business mindset because I knew I wanted to start a business. I knew blogging would give me a platform and audience to share that business when I decided to launch. I started offering services a year after I started blogging.

Why is business ownership so important today for mothers?

Nothing is guaranteed. I like to be proactive. I can create a life and income for my family regardless of the economy, what jobs are available and it gives me a lot of flexibility.

What type of memories are you hoping to create for your kids? 

Entrepreneurship provides flexibility. I wanted to be available to my kids as much as possible. I wanted to show my kids we could create a life for them that is rich and fulfilling. I want to be an example to them. I tell my kids what I’m doing all the time as it encourages them. I want to leave a legacy and show them what it is they can do.

You and your sister Julian B. Kiganda co-wrote Whose Shoes Are You Wearing? 12 Steps to Uncovering the Woman You Really Want to Be, what are some key elements the audience will receive?

One of the things we decided when we wrote this book was to not just talk about the obstacles and challenges and how we got to the success today. It was really important for us to incorporate our culture, our heritage. We are originally from Uganda. I am one of seven with me and my brother being born in the states. A lot of times we were straddling two continents because we wanted to fit in school, but we didn’t look like any of our classmates. We had a lot of different cultures. A part of

Whose Shoes Are You Wearing is part of a movement for women to embrace all of who they are regardless of their background, culture, or heritage. To embrace it, own and use that as a stepping stool to do whatever you’re looking for in life.

What was your biggest takeaway from working with Steve Harvey and his Success Academy? 

Do things afraid. No matter what opportunity you go after there is going to be a level of fear involved.

At the time I was working with my business coach and she decided to create an online institute for entrepreneurs and personal development classes. She asked me if I would be interested in teaching courses on blogging and social media. I put together 10 weeks worth of content that we were going to teach live. She released it in 2014 and within six months of launch she partnered with Steve Harvey. The program was rebranded and the inaugural Success Conference happened in March. I was honored to be a breakout session speaker. People can get live tutorials online with direct feedback and coaching from the instructors.

I see you have had the opportunity to participate in a White House press conference, how was that experience? 

I’ve been invited to the White House a few times. The first time I was invited to do a press conference with BlackAndMarriedWithKids.com found by Lamar Tyler. First Lady, Michelle Obama, does a youth humanitarian award and I was invited to cover that the last couple of years.

This year I was excited as I was invited to cover the social event for the State of the Union Address. They reached out to some social media influencers asked us to come watch the State of the Union live from the White House where we were able to tweet, share and do live interviews with the Huffington Post that was broadcasted. It was an amazing opportunity.

Very impressive! How did you get to that point?

It goes back to being consistent. It’s about sharing useful information and engaging. Share great content consistently. Be intentional with what you are posting. Go after new opportunities so that people can see you.

One of the things that has elevated my success in such a short period of time I continue to do things afraid and I step out of my comfort zone. Figure out something that will make you a little bit uncomfortable but it will put you a little bit further to reaching your goals.

Let’s have some fun. If you could take your family away for 3 months anywhere in the world, all expenses paid, where would you treat the to? 

Uganda, that is where my family is from. Unfortunately, I never had the chance to travel there. My husband is from Haiti and we were planning a trip in 2008 before the earthquake hit.

For more of Christine St. Vil visit her on http://momsncharge.com and pick up the book Whose Shoes Are You Wearing: 12 Steps to Becoming the Woman You Really Want to Be.

To hear the entire interview listen to the podcast Networking With Michelle available on iTunes.