Our community is comprised of entrepreneurs and artists and creatives – folks who have chosen incredibly difficult professional paths that often don’t offer any safety nets or guarantees. Nonetheless, we regularly hear that being a parent is a far greater challenge and so we asked some of these folks to open up to us about the things they’ve done as parents that they feel will have a meaningful and positive impact on their child.

Jasmine Sykes | Maternity, Newborn, and Family Photographer

I am a mother of 6 children. I feel that it is very important to demonstrate to my children that you can do anything you set your mind to regardless of circumstances or poor outlook. I constantly tell my children, and myself, that we have to look beyond ourselves to see the larger picture. I tell and demonstrate to them that they have to put their goals and dreams in front of them and reach for them. “I can’t…” or “I don’t think…” or “I don’t know how…” are completely unacceptable modes of thinking in our household. I provide them with the support and advice they need to achieve anything they set their mind to. In today’s world, we have resources at our fingertips. Though my children are young, I try to get them to understand that they are able to find the answers they seek in books and online. Independence and perseverance are two traits I encompass that I would what my children to have also. Those two coupled with the knowledge of knowing that they can do anything they set their mind to, sets them up to achieve greatness! They will make their Mommy proud one day, and I am all for it. Read more>>

Milk | Creator – Poet – Podcaster – Author – Host

I think the most important thing I’ve done as a parent is hug them, kiss them, talk them and more importantly listen. I try my best to let my kids see me in a full human experience. I also explain to them what life really is making them feel like they can do anything they want to do in this world as long as they have a realistic plan with realistic adjustments. I could keep going but last I tell them to challenge things you doubt to see if it’s the truth including what I tell them. Read more>>

Rodriquez ‘Drek’ Thomas | AUTHOR,EDUCATOR,MOTIVATIONAL SPEAKER ,CEO /FOUNDER OF OUR KIDS OUR FUTURE LLC,DEVOTED FATHER

The most important or impactful thing for me was showing my sons thats it’s okay to show emotions. That it’s not weak or soft to cry and show feelings. I invested the importance of respect ,love and family values. As a father of 4 sons, I planted seeds of purpose to be the one to write the paycheck and not the one waiting for one. I think the relationship I have with my children is amazing because we have an open door policy that we can share with each other. It allows them to talk to me about their feelings, girlfriend issues, sex, drugs, etc. and they know I’m going to give them the real truth. I’m my kids first role model, super hero, best friend, counselor and just an ear for when they want to vent. I also think one of my most important points of impact is my consistency of being available for when they need me. I’ve always shown them that TOUGH TIMES DONT LAST BUT TOUGH PEOPLE DO. Read more>>

Brittany Carpenter | Portrait Photographer

It’s one thing to say to your kids, “you can be anything you set your mind to” but I think it’s even more important to show them. I try to show my daughter you can build the life with want through hard work, patience, and a heart for others. Finding the right work\life balance is just as important. I bring my daughter to the studio to help me set-up for shoots, so she can feel included in my work. I also have dedicated “fundays” that I take off each week just to spend quality time with her. When I first started my business I took every client that wanted to book and ended up working every day. Now I set boundaries for my time and even share my “fundays” with my clients on social media. Now they respect the boundaries I set for my life. Read more>>

Stella Ihenacho | Founder, Women Doing It Afraid

As a mother to three Queens all under the age of five years old, one of the most important thing I have done as a parent is to accept the truth that I am whole and a work in progress at the same time. In My background and how I grew up, I had a shaky relationship with my mother, and so I did not fully appreciate the depth of her sacrifices until I became a mother. She gave up her life, so we can have ours and hers, and thought she would say this was her purpose to raise us, I see the dreams in her eyes that she has buried for so long and is now getting reawakened. I see her trying to redeem her years and her youth. With this knowledge, I am having to raise my daughters knowing that I am the first picture of purpose they see. I am a representation of the world they get to meet first and first impression matters a lot, and so I do not take this assignment for granted and in that same breath, I am having to show them what growth is, what mistakes are. Read more>>

Ashley Hall | Personal Chef

As a Mother and business owner, the impact of owning a business has made my children see that having a strong work ethic along with goals/dreams are attainable. My children see and admire my determination and independence. They witness the highs & lows of running a business, they pitch to help me and give me major support/encouragement. The most important thing is that they know. .”if Mommy can follow her dreams, so can. Read more>>

Tejah Coffey | Director, Photographer

If I were a parent, it would be vital that I expose my child to a variety of appropriate things. As a child, I had a very curious mind. I loved music from all kinds of eras, art forms from different cultures and countries, poetry, dance, theater; the list goes on. However, if I could go back, I wish I had more in depth exposure to these things. I wish I was introduced to playing instruments long before middle school. I wish my introduction to theater was beyond church showcases for holidays. I wish there was filmmaking and photography clubs for children, like they do for sports. I was never into sports, however, my younger brother and sister were all-stars in their athletic endeavors. I, on the other hand, struggled with finding my niche. I knew it wasn’t sports, but access and resources towards the arts were slim to none. Often I found myself isolated in my room, reading books, writing stories, or making faux music videos. Or learning a new dance, or playing piano or saxophone. I deeply yearned to find counterparts who had the same interest and passions as me. Read more>>