November 7, 2021

Kel Amstutz

Ain't No Hood... Like Motherhood...

Motherhood. 

It's literally one of the toughest jobs on the planet. 

I mean... you are responsible for keeping these tiny humans alive... for like years... and years... until they can walk and talk... then you need to teach them about life and survival. 

AGHH...

The days of having Mom be home all day, playing the part of the ideal homemaker, in heels, perfectly curled hair, and of course... 

the pearl necklace... 

living to dust with the feather duster while setting the dinner table and prepping the casserole to have it perfectly timed to arrive on the table when Dad walks in the door after his long day at work... are gone! 

Though... I am really not sure if the women in my family partook in this reality, as it seems through old pictures and such that they were always busy picking up groceries or tending children, whose ages were in great spans.  

 

But my point is... things have come a long way baby!  

 

Moms now-a-days work full time, outside of the home. Dinner comes from that local McD's or some other food chain that Mom's pass on their commutes from work.  Things have definitely changed since Leave it to Beaver's day.

Just a century ago... 

• the life expectancy averaged in the mid-50s. 
• Infant mortality was high. 
• Women has limited job options. 
• Women could NOT vote. 
• Women could not hold office. 
• Women rarely held executive positions. 
• Women's contributions were relegated, for the most part, to the home... and it was a home that looked very different from the appliance ridden homes we occupy today.

 

I think about these times when my own life gets tough. I see my Dyson vacuum that sits behind my desk. I think about those little modern conveniences that we have today to make our households run so much smoother. The things we truly take for granted in today's day and age. 

The Convenience of Cleaning.

Cleaning a house would require around 40 hours per week. It wasn't like the cleaning we do today. I am talking cleaning soot from fireplaces, smoke from stoves, thoroughly cleaning lamps, blackened walls, drapes, and soiled furniture. Every single day any glass in the home would need to be wiped down and wicks would need to be trimmed or replaced. And, floors were scrubbed, rugs were taken outside and beaten, windows were washed and everything was dusted. 

I mean.. we can all relate... right? I say this as I take a pre-moistened wipe out from the package and push it around my crumb collecting counter tops. Or I fill the bottle of my handy mop with water and put a new pad on the bottom and walk around the house "mopping" my floors. I should grab a soda from just thinking about all the work that needs to be done this week!

 

The Grueling Task of Cooking.

The other night, I was trying to bake some bread, that I did make, and my oven would NOT light. I was so upset and put-out that I nearly lost my mind. I mean... all I wanted was to bake some bread. What was I supposed to do? I mean... if all else failed, I could use the air fryer... or perhaps the countertop oven.... but, really? You have got to be kidding me. I have an oven that is suppose to be working!

I didn't think something as simple as my oven not lighting would put me in such a tizzy... I was seriously stressed out. And... the thing is... all I had to do was shut it off, wait a few minutes... and start it back up. 

 

Ugh.. as if!

Before there were supermarkets or all these devices that we have in our kitchens that make our lives easier (even if we don't think so in times of dire need), women usually made family meals from scratch in clunky, cast-iron stoves that would require thorough maintenance, regularly. There was so much care that went into sifting ashes, carrying coal or wood, lighting the fires, applying wax to keep the surfaces from rusting. 

 

Seriously.... could you imagine?

 

Back then, women baked the bread, butchered their own meat, plucked chickens, kept a garden, created conserves, among other things, and ground spices, all things that took up most of their time.   

These were the good ole' days after all!

 

The Rotten, No Good, Laundry.

This is, by far, my least favorite undertaking. Washing clothes often feels like it's the most tedious, thankless task ever. I mean... first it was little clothes... wash, treat stains, wash.... Then that thought that the little clothes would be no more... Well folks... they became bigger clothes.. and they take up more space in the washer, which results in more loads to be done... then there is the whole business of hanging this piece up... nope, not that one... and so on. Dirty clothes amass at a relentless pace! 

On a weekly basis, I procrastinate like no other Mother... as I haul a piled high basket to the laundry room, start sorting and... let it sit until the motivation hits me to start the process of washing, hanging, drying... all over gain. And don't get me started on folding. I mean... our clothes get extra rides in our dryer regularly!

But, before we had these great machines for 

washing (and drying) our clothes... 

not only did women have to lug around 

the heavy bundles of dirty linens, 

but many also had to transport and  

HEAT about 50 gallons of water 

from another source... 

hopefully nearby... 

to complete just  

ONE SINGLE LOAD 

of laundry. 

 

Then this laundry would need to 

• soak
• be scrubbed
• boiled
• stirred
• and then rinsed before 
• wringing out and pinning on a line, one by one, to dry...
  

 

And, since there wasn't any laundry detergent at the time, lye soap was usually made from animal fat that was leftover from curing the meats for storage. 

 

Dish-pan hands have nothing on what these poor women's hands endured. 

 

Then, the following day was spent ironing and mending. 

 

And I am not talking about grabbing your handy dandy sewing kit... 

 

I mean, using fibers harvested from the cotton or flax fields and hand-spinning them into thread. 

 

Awww.. HECK NO!!!

 

 

All I can say is that I salute these women before us. 

 

I know that we have come so far from these harsh times, motherhood still ranks one of the toughest jobs, but at least we have more help from our partners who take on domestic duties and share responsibilities. 

 

Plus, we can be grateful for all of those conveniences we have been granted within our households. 

 

Not to mention a lot less SOOT!

 

"Cause I'm Bossy" -- Encourage Your Kids to LEAD!

November 6, 2021

Kel Amstutz

"Cause I'm Bossy"

Encourage Your Kids to LEAD... Not Boss

We have been on the topic of being "bossy" in our house lately. And, to be honest... it's been a buzz word in the business industry in regards to women for a few years now. 

 

Bossy Women leaders. 

 

It has lead to public name calling, hostile rants and escalated even further in some cases in main stream media. 

 

Throughout my career, there have not been enough females in the high executive positions. 

 

We can't deny this fact. 

 

I even faced this reality in my own career when I was blatantly told that I was, to be frank, the wrong gender and would never get the position that I was seeking.  

 

It left me hurt, frustrated, and scorn... if I am being honest. 

 

I mean, seriously... this still exists in our day and age. 

 

• I am qualified. 
• I am stepping up and I want to learn. 
• I am shadowing for THIS position... and was lead to believe that it could be mine... was within my reach... only to ask the right questions and be told the honest to goodness truth. 

 

 

This is not what I want my kids to see. 

 

I don't want them to think that because they are females they can't speak up, they can't go after the roles that men usually hold, or even that they can be held back. 

 

But... we call little girls bossy... and by doing that we are discouraging them from embracing these qualities that make effective leaders. 

 

The flip side of this is that young men who are assertive are actually applauded for their actions, while young ladies are given negative labels... and for taking that exact same initiative.  

 

My daughter has a friend who is constantly referred to as "bossy". 

 

She comes over and wants my daughter to play the game this way when it is her turn and changes the rules when it is my daughters turn. 

• They fight constantly. 
• They disagree regularly.  

And... I let them. 

 

I explained to my daughter that she has to fight for what she believes in (with her words) and has to stand up for herself. 

 

But... this friend should have that same right. 

 

Her mother could be coaching her the same as I do my daughter and it is not for me to step in and correct.. it is for me to actively listen and let my daughter navigate. 

There are so many powerful women leaders out there and I think it is so important to teach our daughters that it's okay to take the lead, to fight for what is right. 

 

It's okay to be called "bossy" or be looked at 

as if you are a bossy person. 

 

I am reserved and a bit on the shy side. 

 

But, I have been termed "bossy". 

•  It has not hindered my successes. 

• The qualities that have coined me with this label, have also given me courage to adopt a leadership role within my business, and pursue my interests and passions. 
  

• It has given my fellow Moms the drive to start new businesses and offered my voice to help fellow Moms raise respectable children in the process. 

But, I do want to disclaim that we should check our behavior and that of our children if we are being just down right mean or cruel. 

 

Whether you are a boy or a girl, woman or man, being rude or demeaning is never okay. 

 

But... it seems that being bossy really isn't so bad.

I highly doubt that the expression's negative tenor is the most effective means to help encourage leadership within young women, we can still find something admirable in the spirit of this "bossy" classification. 

 

If nothing else, it spotlights an enduring double standard which allows authoritative men to be routinely respected in society, while women with those same qualities are regarded as another word altogether. You know the one..

 

Gender stereotypes are alive and well, and to discard such, as parents, could really motivate our boys and girls to allow for an open platform for them to speak their opinions and emphasize the positive aspects of leadership. 

 

If we teach our kids to respect our leaders, no matter their gender or background, and push them to take on a little more responsibility and initiative, even if that means we have to be a bit more bossy to do it.  

 

It's OK to...

Be The Boss

Your OCCUPATION is WHAT???? Um... I'm a M O M ...

November 5, 2021

Kel Amstutz

 

Your OCCUPATION is WHAT???

um... I'm a M O M ... 

I have been asked this question so many times. 

For many of us, we acquired skills... or go to college, we build our resumes, start working, establish comfortable lifestyles all within the realm of what we are programmed to do right out of high school.  

Then... we have K I D S !

Guess what happens then.... those skills that we had acquired from those high school and/or college courses expand again to something that is so far beyond anything we could have imagined. 

You know it's true...

 

I mean... once those babies are born, we all of a sudden are experts in: 

• Law Enforcement. Sure, we don't get to cuff 'em or put them in jail (c'mon ya'll... where is your mind at!), as parents we have to get more creative than our local police officers when it comes to figuring out what punishment fits the crime! Then... we have to interrogate effectively and don't even get me started on the negotiations that take place at my dinner table... "If you eat one more piece, you can get up..."

• Investigation. I mean... we have to solve all the mysteries that happen around the house from finding the lost shoe (I mean, seriously... How do you lose one shoe!) to active listening to see who is still up at 1 o'clock in the morning! Thank goodness I love true crime.

 

• Gymnast. I can't do handstands, but I have had a squirming kid, especially on that tiny changing table surface where I was navigating a diaper change, buttoning all those buttons on the onesies, and dealing with the dirty diaper. I think about times now... and getting the kids ready to play in the snow... heavy socks, snow pants, boots, gloves, coat, hat.. EEK! So many layers. And I get to be the acrobatic who squishes their hands into the gloves... or their feet into the boots. Who knew so many things could be achieved by one person? Literally!!!

• Scientist. I mean.. I HAVE to smell the milk before we pour... what is the expiration date? What are you cleaning my counters with? I mean... we question the safety of household products and investigate our healthy habits for our families daily. This effort helps provide a better, safer environment for our kids... and let's face it... we get to be the Leo D.'s of our planet!

• 
  Event Planner, Kelley. I mean... I literally drive them everywhere.. including to the bus stop (at the end of our driveway, ya'll!). Not to mention that I cook dinner... every night, bake cakes for birthdays and special occasions, (and cookies and brownies), handling crisis management (I mean... water gates opened when the flute was left at school last week... I had to talk her down)!
  

• Garbage Men. I mean, it all starts with those dirty diapers... then spit-up and the stains... now with COVID, I swear I walk around with the Lysol can as a permanent fixture. But, it's countless clean ups and fixes and picking up. We are also always anticipating the next disaster!

• Tech Support. Thank you for calling the help desk... how can I help. I mean I should have an engineering degree by now, especially after constantly putting together all those toys that come in a million pieces (thanks Santa) and furniture (I mean... IKEA is my JAM), figuring out the strollers now a days, pack n'plays, the stupid car seats... and flash forward to my life today and these Apple IPhones... um, I have a SAMSUNG.... or figuring out why my computer isn't connecting to the internet. Lord have mercy!

• Singer/Songwriter. And, who could forget all those times in baby-hood when we had to SING... SING.. SING (and rock). I mean, at one point, I even made my kid her own song... (true story) 

 

I joke, but I would not trade any of this for the world (most days), because although it is a demanding job, and not for the weak, being a parent is awesome. 

And with my unsung talents, although they may not be resume worthy, every once in a while it is smile worthy to be recognized and appreciated for the small feat that comes with the title. 

Let's face it... whether you are married, or single, whether you have one kid or a dozen 

(I mean, if you have more than two I seriously worship your greatness and pray for you!), 

it is essential for you to have a tribe of supporters, and/or sympathizers! 

So, welcome to my blog. 

It's a safe place for Moms to find encouragement, a little guidance, and most of all... 

a place to celebrate ALL that comes with being a Mom. 

 

It's time to Interact! 

I have a question...

What skills do you think you have gained through Parenthood? 

Be sure to put your answer in the COMMENTS!  

 

 

Working with a Company That Gives Back to Both Families and the Community

November 3, 2021

Kel Amstutz

 

Working with a Company That Gives Back to Both Families and the Community

The holidays are fast approaching and soon we will all be nestled around the dining room table with a turkey (hopefully) in front of us and warm mashed potatoes and gravy piled high on our finest china, giving thanks for the year behind us and finding the positive in the time before us. 

This made me think about giving back to my own community, as well as working with a Company that is so compassionate, and family oriented, they actually help me through coaching, on ways that I can incorporate giving, even with our already busy schedules, which can make it difficult during these seasons. 

How fortunate am I, to have found a company that helps me to succeed with both my professional and personal goals with Marketing Moms.  

Coming from the corporate world, holding the demands that come with being a good employee was stressful. I was losing my hair, not sleeping, always tired, and just not being the best me. And to top it all off, my heart wanted me to be a better Mom. I was a Mom who didn't even know who I was, and I didn't have the time to even begin to think about ways to give back to my community. 

This is a conversation that my ten year has been talking about since we passed a gentleman who was down on his luck and standing on a street corner, clearly shivering. She said, "Mom, we should knit him a scarf. That would help him stay a little warmer." 

• It was honest. 
• It was true. 
• It was out of the mouths of babes, and it was a small step and a gentle act of kindness. 

It made me think about this business that I am creating. 

Marketing Moms. 

• What do I want our values to be? 

I was to be a company that is dedicated to bringing Moms HOME to live their lives. 

 
There is always such an internal struggle that goes with being a working mom, always wishing for more time to be with our families. And then there are the stay-at-home Moms who are looking for ways that they can still earn money for their households. 
 

Marketing Moms allows women from a variety of backgrounds to find a kind of balance between these two, very demanding, very different, worlds. And the ease from the stress of always being torn between working and being a Mom.  

 

Starting this business, I feel so blessed to work from home. 

 

I feel like I am truly enjoying my family, seeing my husband, being present in my kids lives, and I am still earning an income. 

 

But, the icing on the cake is being able to knit scarves for my community with my kids. 

 

I am showing up, working, being with my family, instilling values, and giving back... because I have left the stressors of working at a high stress, corporate office in the dust. 

 

Marketing Moms is a newer business, directed at Moms, and founded in Oregon, Ohio. I had a vision and am working hard to build it, brick-by-brick. We are a marketing organization that was created to represent one primary business and we are growing and expanding, showing Moms how to work from home on either a part-time or full-time basis, to be present for their families. 

I spent over 16 years in the traditional corporate world, holding down high stress roles throughout my career. I now am able to set my own hours that work around my families schedules. With Marketing Moms, there is no party planning, no inventory to keep, no risk, and the company also has a nonprofit component. 

I truly feel that I have been blessed to find my purpose, and to be a part of an organization that promotes philanthropy. I really believe that giving back to the community is extremely important, and I can not wait to show my daughters the important of giving to others. This year we will start small, but I hope that it leaves an impact and will turn into something bigger and better each year to come. 

To learn more about Marketing Moms, please visit MarketingMomies.blogspot.com.

Email me! to set up your TOUR today!
 
Don't hesitate.. I have a great incentive (until NOV 18 2021) where you can qualify for:
 

$1 MEMBERSHIP for your 1st YEAR!

 

{this is crazy HUGE}

 

Store Tour with Kelley

 
 
Let's ENHANCE our lives together...

 

Have you HELPED someone TODAY?

 November 2021

Kel Amstutz, Marketing Moms

 

Making the Right Career Choice for Your Family 

"Is This Job Right for Me?"

 

Hi There! 

It's Kel here!

 I am so glad that we get to have a chance to chat today! I have a 

HOT TOPIC here that directly associates with 

MY personal LIFE... and I have been hearing it over.. 

and over again from others out there, like me. 

Hello & Welcome to Marketing Moms

Hello & Welcome!

Introductions.

 

 

Hi there!

I am so excited that you found me!  

 

I want to take a minute to introduce myself and give you a brief overview of who I am and what I am all about. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

First things first...

 

My name is Kel Amstutz.  

 

I am a wife to an amazing man who I have been lucky to call my husband for the past fifteen years, and a mom to two amazing kids, both girls, twelve and ten. 

 

I have a dual major degree in Business and English with a minor in History and spent over 16 years in corporate America, most recently working as an Executive Assistant for a small Ohio City. 

 

My life consisted of being away from home for all hours, working late meetings, not being present for my kids, because let's face it... the version they were getting of me was EXHAUSTED, over-worked, BURNT OUT, and grouchy! 

 

• I was tired. 
• I NEVER saw my husband because his work schedule was the complete opposite. 
• I was ALONE.
  

 

Something had to change...

You know... my story is not at all any different than what I have been hearing from several working moms who were experiencing the same feelings that I was. 

 

Here I am, trying to BALANCE working full time and home life and, to be frank... I was SUCKING badly at it. 

 

It's so hard to spend so much time outside of the home, especially in today's day and age. I mean, I have a tween that is so techie... she scares me! 

 

And, coming home exhausted at the end of my long day.... the last thing she wanted to do was interact with me. 

 

Not to mention the grind to get homework done, put dinner on the table, clean up, maybe throw a load of laundry in the machine... and that was the nights we were not traipsing off to the grocery store because the shelves were empty.  

I'm not here to tell you that I quit and things started coming up roses. 

That is crazy talk! 

I am here to tell you that you have options. 

 

There are other ways to find balance... to stop that ache that lies under the surface that is telling you...screaming at you... that your Life's Purpose is NOT what you are doing right now. 

 

Your life's purpose is SO MUCH BIGGER. 

The thing is... hearing that echo in my mind... feeling it within each nerve ending... it's a nag... until, well... it ISN'T. 

Let's Break It Down...

I know, right now you are saying... 

 

"Kel, how did you go from working full time to starting your own business and WHAT the HECK do you DO anyways?" 

Such a VALID question... and if you aren't asking that.. YOU SHOULD BE.

So... for a few years now (since 2016) I have been doing a little online shopping for my families essentials with a Membership Manufacturing Company. I have been a repeat customer because I love the high-quality you find in the products, the affordability and the fact that they are healthy and have science that actually backs it up. I ran out of my laundry detergent from said company and knew I was going to need to restock. I excitedly received my box and inside was a pamphlet from the company and on the cover it read :

"$6.5 Billion Paid! To families just like YOURS!" 

Catchy, right! 

 

I mean, who wouldn't read that [above] and want to know what the heck these families are doing that I am missing out on?!?

To be honest ... I have known about this whole other side to my online store for a while now... but the thought of taking this leap of faith and jumping into this who BUSINESS.... it was scary and something I really wasn't 100% sure was right for me. 

OK, so let's fast forward a little bit here... 

 

...so things got crazy with my work life... 

 

...to the point that I felt like God was actually reaching down and shaking me to give me a sign that I was not doing what he had intended with my life. 

 

That is when I woke up. 

 

Truly. 

 

 

I sat down and said... WHAT DO I WANT TO DO... then came the LISTS, because I am a list maker! 

It all boils down to this:

- I want to HELP people

- I want to educate the world on another way to help our planet

- I want to build an honest, successful business where I am able to learn and grow along with others. 

After I looked at what really makes my heart sing... I was able to see it clearly. 

 

I was an excellent candidate to start my business : Marketing Moms ... around the Educational pieces of the online store. 

 

 

Why can't we all be a part of that $6.5 Billion paid? 

 

The risk is little, as I am already a shopper and with my business model I am NOT SELLING ANYTHING... nope. 

 

If you are here to be SOLD... walk away!

 

I am simply here to INFORM and EDUCATE you on another way to buy the products that you are already buying, but products that are more effective, safer for your family, and easier on your pockets. 

 

I want to save you money!

That is my bottom line. 

I want your family to be a part of this bigger opportunity. 

But... I do want to mention... I work. 

 

I work harder than I did in my Corporate Career... and I have learned things I never knew I would have to, technology wise. 

With that being said, I feel like I have found my purpose and that God is guiding me through this incredible journey. 

I have hit so many goals already, that I was not sure going into this... if I would be able to. 

 

I just keep climbing. 

Now You Know WHAT I Do... Here's What YOU Can Do...

 

As a potential customer:

• Watch the overview with me. It is a short 30 minute video that highlights WHAT this online manufacturing company IS, what some of the products are and really digs into the savings you can find for your family. Plus, you will have an opportunity to SIGN UP and get your membership!
• Ask questions. I am here to EDUCATE and HELP you learn about this online store and get you started with the incredible products. 
• Keep in Touch. I am not just going to tell you about the store and be done. I am here to help you throughout your product purchases. If you have a question about how many loads of laundry that little bottle of detergent will wash... I have the answer!

As a potential business partner:

• Yes! You can start your online business, too! And I am here to help you with your journey. We will be partners and help build and grow with some great tools I have acquired through my journey and the help goes beyond me, as I have several successful business partners backing me up. 
• Build consistency and set goals. Don't be afraid to "jump in" and make this business YOURS. I am here to hold your hand... but the business side is ALL YOU.
• Be a part of the $6.5 billion paid - and build RESIDUAL income. Yes.. I said it! Residual income- which means guaranteed monthly income... on top of commissions. This is why this opportunity if TRULY unique. And all residual income can be willed to your children. [read that again] This was the GAME CHANGER for me. My kids can still get this income that I am building today... even when I am gone. 
• Support. You will get support from ME. My team. And the STORE itself. 
• NO INVENTORY. We aren't selling ANYTHING!

 

One Last Question...

Are you ready? 

 

Let's get SHOPPING ... - or -   Let's build success!!!

 

 

 

Contact me at: 

• KAM0900@yahoo.com 

to set up your TOUR today! 

 

Don't hesitate.. I have a great incentive (until NOV 18 2021) where you can qualify for:

 

$1 MEMBERSHIP for your 1st YEAR! 

 

{this is crazy HUGE}

 

Store Tour with Kelley

 

 

Let's ENHANCE our lives together...

 

Have you HELPED someone TODAY?