Holding On: Navigating Motherhood, Entrepreneurship, and Unwavering Resolve.

I have a big "Wait, what? Just HOLD ON, Lindsay!" voice helping run my show (life) and it keeps coming back every time I feel like I am losing my handle. Here it is.

I started a six-figure PR consulting business almost eight years ago with toddlers, a baby in my belly, at my breast, and on my hip, all while working from a home nearly two hours away from the closest metro. Like most women who are moms, I was on the hunt for balance, success, and more time with them.

In those beginning years, I had consulting jobs I absolutely loathed (just to keep the fridge stocked), I held on and business grew, like everyone else, I lived through the pandemic. For me it was with a husband working in public health and three kids I was now teaching at home while running a business, I had no choice but to hold on. I've also led seemingly impossible to grasp PR campaigns to launch $50M+ projects and others to save a lot of organizations from ultimate doom. Talk about holding on. 

Sure. I've lost my grip plenty of times.

And you can bet it's tighter today because of it.

So, when I think about how this all works and if I have a "Wait, what?" story from my entrepreneurial journey, it's when I found some type of spiritual power within myself to just "hold on!" And sometimes hold on for dear life.

This way is NOT a fix-all approach to balancing motherhood and career. And it may not be for everyone. It was a choice I felt forced to make due to the ungodly expectations placed upon working moms and a bit of my gritty but obnoxious optimism to fight against all odds.

As I continue on my way, I realize that I'm soooo not alone though. In fact, there might even be more of us out there than we think. We're all doing what we have to while attempting to find some peace and joy along the way.

We're all trying.

We're holding on.

We're messing up.

We're creating meaningful work.

We're choosing ourselves + our families.

And, God damnit, we are mommin' loud and hard.

I believe we're making things better for some but not without recognizing that plenty of women are facing the exact same challenges and not able to escape them.

But still, we hold on.

Hold on.

Hold on.

Today, I have a Haddie (12), a Grady (11) and Huck will be 7 next month. You can bet we're close. No coming in between these ships. And we're above ground, soaking up our Vitamin D sunshine together, breathing in and out as slow or as fast as we need to.

Would I do it again?

I see no other way.

And I am so glad I held on.

- Lindsay Scheidell , Owner & Community PR Advisor for Hadley

In a world filled with unattainable expectations and seemingly insurmountable challenges, the journey of motherhood and entrepreneurship forges a path that demands relentless determination. Lindsay's story resonates not just with fellow mothers navigating these waters, but with anyone striving to maintain their balance and purpose amidst the chaos.

Several valuable lessons can be learned from Lindsay:

Resilience During Adversity: Life's challenges can be daunting, but holding on and adapting is key to moving forward.

Embracing Grit and Optimism: A positive mindset in the face of adversity is powerful. Lindsay’s willingness to tackle challenges head-on, even when the odds seem unattainable, stresses the importance of embracing a gritty attitude when pursuing one's goals.

Community and Support: Strength can be found in a support network. Whether it was her husband, her children, or the community of working mothers she acknowledges, having a strong support system can make a world of difference when confronting challenges.

Celebrating Small Victories: Progress isn't always about giant leaps; celebrating the small wins along the way can provide motivation and a sense of accomplishment.

As we navigate our own paths, we can draw inspiration from Lindsay's story. Through the chaos and uncertainty, the voice that whispers "Hold on" can become our steadfast companion, urging us to persevere, create, and thrive. 

So, let us remember that holding on is a declaration of our commitment to our dreams, our families, and ourselves.