Akron Life May 2022

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[ Managing Editor | Kelly Petryszyn | kpetryszyn@bakermediagroup.com ]

It Takes a Village

Moms need support for success.

For this month’s feature on entrepreneurs on pg. 24, I interviewed two moms. The first, Amy Mucha, named her Daisy Pops business after her five-year-old daughter who sometimes assists her. She had been making cake pops on the side when the COVID-19 pandemic prompted her to reconsider teaching, so she leaped into making Daisy Pops her main gig. She has been starting partnerships with other businesses to grow theirs and her own. Halle Jones Capers also made a change because of the pan demic and decided to open

a strong support system. Mucha credits her team of artists for taking the popmaking reins so she can focus on making business deals. Her husband, who is also a business owner, has been a big help, and her parents watch her three kids so she can work events. Jones Capers raised her son for much of his childhood as a single mother, relying on her parents to watch him. She has since remarried, and as she gets her business off the ground, her partner helps with her now teenage son, who is following in his mom’s footsteps by studying engineering at The University of Akron. I’m thankful for my husband, Tony’s con stant encouragement when feedings go south or Izzy gets fussy. We are learning to juggle as a team. We couldn’t do any of it without Tony’s mom, Carol, (“Lolli” to Izzy) who cares for Izzy through everything from messy blowouts to sweet snuggles. We are also thankful for every person who brought us a meal, sent a card or gift, offered encouraging words or held Izzy so we could do something. When Izzy looks up at me with a glow in her joyful eyes, I see so many possibilities that exist because of how much she is loved. While she is only a few months old, she already has so many people behind her, and so do I. That makes all the difference in conquering the daily obstacles that arise. Join us in cheering on and supporting entrepreneurs who have worked hard to grow their businesses and continue to use their success to help employees, other pro fessionals and the community. And happy Mother’s Day to all moms hustling out there. We see you.

Izzy photo by Jessica Grace Photography

Before I returned from maternity leave in March, I kept running scenarios through my head of how I would juggle being a parent and working full time. I called my sister, who has two kids, and asked how she does it. She said, You just do it. As a new mom, I feel like each day is a race to do it all. Each morning I wake up, head into the nursery, check on our daughter, Izzy, and coo, Hello Izzy girl! Good morning. Mama loves you! I change her diaper, feed her and then either start my workday remotely or pack up five bags, drive her to grandma and grandpa’s Hudson house and go to our Akron office. As the day continues, I pump three times and do it all again after work. It’s exhaust ing and has given me so much respect for those moms who carry out what’s known as the often invisible second shift.

her own civil engineering firm after being in the field for over three decades. She is already working on notable projects and continues to do outreach to encourage burgeoning engi neers. I admire how both found success and pay it forward by investing in others. As I heard their stories, I couldn’t help but ponder Izzy’s future. She is still only a baby whose speech is limited to phrases like “goo” and is just learning to pick up objects, but it’s wild to think that she will one day be a young woman with a career of her own. (I secretly hope it’s something creative like mama!) While that’s years away, dreams start young. So I’m thankful there is such strong female leadership in the community to shape the next genera tion and provide examples. The women I interviewed revealed their secret to success — it isn’t a sophisticated degree or distinguished award — they have

[ Managing Editor Kelly Petryszyn is an adventure seeker, forever a dreamer and an avid supporter of #TeamFiona. ]

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