Zuryna Livermore: This episode of
Operations Unfiltered is brought to
you by The Working Mom Conference.
Listen, moms, if you've been pouring
into everyone else and wondering when
it's your turn, consider this your sign.
The Working Mom Conference is
more than just a conference.
It's a community where ambitious
moms come together to grow their
careers, build their businesses,
prioritize their wellbeing, and
most importantly, connect with women
who truly understand the journey.
Now, this year's theme is
called Power Moves Only.
It's all about reclaiming your time,
your purpose, and your next chapter.
So join me and some other moms on August
8th at Boardie Vineyards right here
in Baltimore, and invest in the one
person who deserves it the most, you.
Now, let's get into this
episode of Operations Unfiltered
welcome back to Operations Unfiltered, the
podcast that takes you behind the scenes
of influencer and talent management.
I'm your host and your favorite
marketing operations girly, Zuryna.
Today, I'm bringing you a
very special Moms Unfiltered
edition featuring an incredible
conversation with Krysta Bright.
Krysta is a mom, veteran,
entrepreneur, and the founder
of the Working Mom Conference.
It's inspired by her own journey of
balancing motherhood, career growth, and
entrepreneurship, and she recognized the
power of having a supportive community.
I mean, don't we all need
a supportive village?
Now, that realization led her to create
a space where working mothers can
connect, celebrate their wins, build
meaningful relationships, and leave
empowered to make their next power move.
Now, you guys know I
love a good action item.
In this episode, we're talking about
the realities of motherhood, building
businesses, and creating community.
We also talked about what it's really
like to thrive while wearing so
many different hats, and we all know
being a mom is multiple jobs in one.
So without further ado, let's
get into this Moms Unfiltered
edition of Operations Unfiltered
thank you so much for joining me on this
very special edition of Moms Unfiltered.
I like to call this my guide for moms.
I want to make sure they have
the right people, processes,
and tools to be successful.
So welcome, Krysta
christa: Thank you for having me.
I'm super excited
Zuryna Livermore: Of course, of course.
Now, for those of us who don't
know you yet, tell us who Krysta
Bright is beyond all the titles
of mom, veteran, and entrepreneur.
christa: Oh, wow.
That's a loaded question
because it's a mess.
No, I'm just kidding.
Like, it's, it's really about what I
like to do, and I incorporate those
things into my lifestyle anyway.
So those titles really do define
me, but in such comma after comma
after comma after comma, like
most of the moms I interact with.
So when I say I'm a
mom, yes, I am a mother.
Yes, I'm a veteran.
I love serving, and there's so much
experiences that I've had with that.
I also do events, so I have my
certification in event entrepreneurship,
and I lo- ⦠I'm a social
butterfly, so I do events as well.
I love business.
I do business consulting.
I don't know, everything's on the side.
I do business consulting
on the side as well.
I love that, too.
I, you know, I do dinner parties, and
I host those baskets, and I do art.
I do so many things.
So when you say a title, no,
I'm super proud of, like, every
single title that I have, and
that probably defines me the best
Zuryna Livermore: Oh, I love that so much.
Well, let's lean into all of
those roles that you mentioned.
So you're a mom.
Tell us a little bit
about your, your child.
Do you have a son or a
daughter or multiple children?
christa: I have one son.
He's super cool.
I like him a lot.
He is like, yeah, he's great.
He has a big, big heart.
He loves to play.
Uh, he is the only child, so that
comes with its own difficulties
in itself because, you know,
the endless amount of Sorry!
games that I've played this
summer, I don't wanna play Sorry!
anymore.
So I always tell moms, likeâ¦
And it's so bad, 'cause they'll, they'll
come and they're having their first child.
I'm like, "Do it again, please,
so that they have a friend.
Do it again or you're
gonna be their friend."
So yeah, that, that part,
he is he's super cool.
I like him.
Zuryna Livermore: Oh my gosh, same.
I, I feel like I might be leaning
towards one and done, but everyone keeps
telling me, "No, she needs a sibling."
I have
christa: Oh,
Zuryna Livermore: four.
christa: no.
Hurry up.
Zuryna Livermore: I know.
christa: No, no.
I'm telling you.
I mean, I have a sister.
We're two years apart, and,
you know, even though she's a
yin to my yang, I wouldn'tâ¦
That's, like, my best friend.
So I would definitely think,
you know, if I could go back 10
years from now, I would've just
did back-to-back and been done.
Zuryna Livermore: You know what?
That's a smart idea.
I probably should have done that.
Now she's four and I'm like, "Mm,
do I really wanna do it again?
Do I really
wanna go
christa: okay.
That's an okay gap.
That's an okay, that's an okay gap.
Yeah
Zuryna Livermore: are like my friends.
They are all saying the same thing.
Like, "Zuryna, we're waiting on you."
And I'm like, "Well,
look-"
christa: tough.
It, it really is tough, especially
you said you have a girl, right?
So did you have like those symptoms
of a, of a girl comparably to a boy?
I know it's like, depends
on every pregnancy itself
Zuryna Livermore: I don't know that I did.
Like, my, one of my best friends, she has
three boys and she's such a boy mom, and
she didn't really have any symptoms, and I
don't feel like I had any symptoms either.
Now what I will say is now, you know how
they say boys are, are mom, mama's boys?
No,
my daughter is like my literal shadow.
She wants to do everything with me.
I have to play Barbies with her.
So to your point, I'm tired
of playing with the Barbies.
So yes.
christa: call somebody else.
So no, I totally get it.
Uh, the, the hesitation with going through
it all over again, like, I totally get it.
But when I say in the long
run, having a sibling yeah, I
would, I would lean towards it.
Zuryna Livermore: Okay.
I'm gonna put it back in my mental Rolodex
'cause everyone is saying the same thing.
So, okay.
Now you mentioned you're a veteran.
Can you tell me a little bit
about your time in the, uh, in the
service and what branch were you in?
christa: Of course.
So I was in the Army.
I joined the Army in 2013.
I left in 2016, and then that's
when I had my son as well.
So my mindset was, "Okay,
surprise, surprise, baby.
I'm having a baby.
What, what am I going to do now?"
And with the military and their
benefits, I just said, "If this
wasn't the perfect time to, why not?"
Free medical, I get my housing paid for,
I can travel, I can do all those things.
I set myself up for the
career that I wanted, you
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah
christa: of my extracurriculars.
So I just thought, "Hey,
this is a really good time."
And I'm thinking I did all the clubbing
and going out and doing all that stuff.
I did, I did all of that already.
This is the perfect time.
I don't have to pay for anything.
Let me tell you, 25, you
think you did everything.
You didn't do everything.
There's no possible way.
So regardless, I'm really happy that
I had the support of the military
while I decided to take the motherhood
or started the motherhood journey.
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah
christa: that, and I was in Georgia.
But yeah, that was really it.
I did my three years, and I got on out.
Zuryna Livermore: I know that's right.
You got
out in this administration
'cause this is crazy work.
christa: Well, yeah, I think itâ¦
2013.
Don't, don't have me lying.
I don't know who was, uh,
in the administration.
It might have beenâ¦
Nope, I'ma lie.
I don't know who it was, but I
was, I was there and I was happy
Zuryna Livermore: Yes.
Well, I'm glad you had a great experience.
I've honestly heard a lot of people
say that they've had great experiences
in the military, so it's always
refreshing to hear that perspective.
christa: Yeah, I know
Zuryna Livermore: the reason
we're here is to talk all things
The Working Mom Conference.
So what inspired you to create The Working
Mom Conference, and what gap or need
were you hoping to fill for working moms?
christa: So I think as many of us veterans
can understand, I call it displaced.
So when we leave, we're not
around our village at all.
We have to rely on those who are
like-minded or those who are experiencing
the same things that we're experiencing
at that time, and then we kinda come
together and really lean on each other.
So when I got out of the military, I
moved back to Jersey, where I'm from.
Hey, Jersey.
And I got a job offer down in Maryland.
Didn't know anyone in Maryland.
Had literally three days to start
my job, so I just got in the car.
Luckily, I got, like, a, a town home
for a discount, and got into the house.
You wouldn't think from the job,
me going to my job and then going
home, I had nothing in that house.
I had an air mattress with a hole.
I used to wake up on the floor.
The air mattress with a hole, and
I would wake up, and I would go
to work, and nobody would know
that those things were happening.
So there, I had to build a support system.
I had to figure out who was in my
circle who could support me because
my family wasn't here, and I think
he was about three at the time.
Maybe, like, three or four at the time.
So in that, I, I had working
moms around me, and we kinda just
started our own little group.
So therefore, that's kind of where the
Working Mom Conference kind of started.
I thought, hey, if I needed this
assistance and these resources and, and
the support system, I'm sure there are
other displaced mothers or just mothers
whose villages are maybe small or they're
disconnected from their village, and they
want that kind of community in itself.
So it wasâ¦
It, it leaned on the fact that
I was freelancing to begin with.
So I d- was, like, doing
business consulting, freelancing,
and building websites.
So when I would build the website,
I'm like, yeah, the Working
Mom Conference, this is what it
does, this is what it d- does.
I'm not thinking it would take
off the way that it took off.
So I, I think I launched
the website maybe in April.
By May, I was getting an influx of moms
that wanted to talk, the moms that wanted
to connect, and, and, and big moms too.
Like, these moms are, are super
phenomenal, hard-hitting, on
the floor, very successful moms.
And I'm like, I just put the website up.
So I'm like, I have to do this.
I have to figure something out.
And our first conference was in
Washington, DC, with two-time
Olympian Natasha Hastings.
So this was, like, really, really
good for just moms in general and
just getting the business started
from the, from the ground up
Zuryna Livermore: Yes.
Well, talk about a boss move.
Like, I love that you bet on yourself,
but even more than that, the word that
you hit on that is, that rings supreme
with me is that village and community.
I know for me, my village is really
small 'cause my family is really small.
It's just my mom, my grandmother
passed away, and it was
always just the three of us.
And I just, I was in a weird transition
in my life and I realized, wow, I really
don't have that big of a community.
And so when I see spaces like this,
it really resonates with me and I'm
like, how can I help amplify this?
'Cause this is amazing
and more people need to
christa: Yeah
Zuryna Livermore: it, and it's needed.
It truly is needed.
And I know I posted a video
recently that says moms whoâ¦
You know, working moms is so hard,
but the way you combat depression and
anxiety is thriving amongst community.
And so I really think that this is so
important and spaces like this are so
important, so thank you for creating this.
I, I appreciate
christa: course.
Of course.
No, thank you for even reaching out
and seeing what I'm trying to do.
And, you know, here in
the DMV there areâ¦
I don't know, I call this
like the business mecca of
just networking in itself.
So what I try to emphasize with the
Working Mom Conference is we do things
in a manner that has our mindset, you
know, amplified, our mindset i- in mind.
Because at the end of the day,
we're thinking about things and
we're approaching challenges a lot
different than the average person.
You know, we go from our 9:00 to 5:00.
Some people even wake up at 5:00 and
have a 5:00 to 9:00 during their, like,
workout sessions or whatever they do in
the morning for their morning routine.
Then they go from their 9:00 to 5:00,
and then they go from their 5:00 to
9:00 taking care of the kids, going
to whatever sports they want to go
to extracurriculars for the children,
making dinner, and then they start their
own personal goals at 9:00 PM at night
Zuryna Livermore: Yes
christa: you know, wake up
and do it all over again.
So I, I emphasize those who support the
Working Mom Conference, those who are
involved really think of strategies and
actionable strategies that work for a
working mom, comparably to some of the
other networking events here in the DMV.
I encourage everyone to go
to conferences and seminars.
There's plenty of resources out there,
but how many resources really cater to
the fact that I just got off of work.
Like, please,
Zuryna Livermore: what?
christa: you know.
Zuryna Livermore: Yes
christa: like I just
walked through the door.
Soâ¦
Or, you know, they might have a networking
event at noon right in the middle of
the workday, or even worse, at, at happy
hour when you have to go home and pick up
your child from daycare and, and things.
So it's like, no, I can't attend this
happy hour, and then what happens
when you don't attend the happy hour
and then now you're not getting the
promotion, or whatever the case may be.
All of those things are correlated,
but here working mothers understand
where we're coming from, so they ensure
that the resources are attainable
and realistic, and they make sense
Zuryna Livermore: You are
speaking my literal language.
I love to call myself an employed
entrepreneur, so I definitely
have that 9:00 to 5:00.
So I have to be so strategic about the
things that I do because I never want
my daughter to look at me and think,
like, all I ever did was just be a mom.
I want her to see me going for my goals.
But that does require logistics
and planning and all the things.
And so when I say you are speaking
my language, there have beenâ¦
I can't tell you how many emails I've
sent at 10:00 PM because that's the
only time I'm able to think straight.
And I know people are
like, "This girl is crazy."
But I'm like, "No, this is the only
christa: Only time, it's
the only time you can work.
And if you're like me, and I, I'm just
gonna be honest, I did the same thing.
I would be up till midnight trying
to get The Working Mom Conference out
and marketing and just everything.
And my bedtime has been 9:00
since I was 17 years old.
I love to sleep.
I wanna go to bed.
I love my bed.
So when I'm working that
late, I would make mistakes,
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah
christa: like, how do you balance the
fact of, okay, this is the optimal
time for me, and this is the best
way that I can show up, but I'm
working because I need to put food on
the table or things of that nature.
So that's why most of the events that
we do are, are outside of work hours
during times that kind of make sense.
Not even like on a Saturday when
you have a soccer game or what-
whichever, just times that really work
for mothers, and then virtually too.
Anytime we, we need those
information or we need that
connection, we can just hop online.
Many moms will just put their phone
right next to whatever they're
doing and continue doing that, but
still making those connections.
So
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah
christa: yeah, it's definitely something
that I hit home about is to ensure
that you're not speaking to just a
woman who, you know, wants to own
her own business or start a business.
You're speaking to a woman who is
working, and that's really, really big.
Yeah
Zuryna Livermore: Multiple jobs.
I always say b- being a working
mom is literally two in one.
You're working two jobs all the time.
The mental load is so heavy.
So
like I said, I'm so grateful
for spaces like this.
christa: Yeah
Zuryna Livermore: theme
is power moves only.
What does making a power move look
like in this season of your life?
christa: So I think that's really what,
what I decided to focus on with this
theme here is leaving with actionable
strategies and leaving with a plan.
So I've gone to plenty of conferences,
not just for work, just for fun
as well, and you're stretched
out between thousands of people.
You might grab one business card.
You might get some of the
goodies that come along with it.
But when you leave, do you have a plan?
Like, where, where does the
speaker come to you and say, "How
can I help you and support you?
What's your power move?"
So then I ask the speakers this year to
say, "Hey, when you get on that stage,
do what I call a three-point touch,
where this is the first time that you're
introducing yourself to our attendees.
Talk to them for the
second time, third time.
Let's get a plan in ahead if it
resonates to what they're saying."
So the speakers this year are talking
about a plethora of topics, but if
something resonates, let's do that
three-point touch so that they leave with
a power move that they can start today.
Zuryna Livermore: Absolutely.
Oh, I love that.
I love an action item.
My full-time job is I'm a project manager.
I'm a marketing ops project
manager, so I love action items.
christa: Hi
Zuryna Livermore: love leaving
with to-do list and, and of course,
that action item is my thing.
So
that gives me the warm and fuzzies.
I'm super excited to see what,
christa: Okay.
I have my master's in project management.
Plug.
Okay?
University of Maryland plug.
Zuryna Livermore: Yes
christa: I took my PMP.
On my, on my social media, I took my PMP.
I failed the first time because I
d- I don't know why I thoughtâ¦
No, I'm trying to tell you.
I really thought, like, I do
project management all day.
Like, why would it matter?
I can do an exam.
That was, like, the worst way to
attack taking a certification,
especially one like the PMP.
So I would just advise you
to read the training that is
on the institute, the pmi.org
institute or website, and then actually
do that, and then you'll be just fine.
Zuryna Livermore: Listen,
christa: I did that the second time
Zuryna Livermore: that,
avoiding it like the plague.
I took the CAPM, the entry level one,
christa: Yeah
Zuryna Livermore: for a week for that,
and I passed it on the first time
because my job was paying for it.
And I just, I have this thing,
like I refuse to pay for the
training if my job offers it.
So I knew I was gonna try
to pass it that first time.
But you're like the second or
third person that's told me study.
Study, study, study.
So I'm gonna have to
get back
christa: I would say that, you know, I, I
think what I did the first time is I went
through just outside external resources.
Like, I wanted the free resources
to try and just hit the study
guide or whatever, and I'm gonnaâ¦
It didn't work for me the first time.
It might work for others,
but it didn't work for me.
So therefore, I went through PMI, and when
I went through PMI, I'm like, "Okay, cool.
Zuryna Livermore: Okay,
christa: This works."
Zuryna Livermore: the second time,
christa: I passed second time,
PMP, comma, what- whatever else.
So yeah, this is it
Zuryna Livermore: Okay, I love that.
I love that.
Well, you're inspiring me.
I'm definitely gonna put that on
as like a Q3, Q4 goal 'cause I've
been avoiding it for some years now,
christa: No, it's attainable.
Yeah.
Zuryna Livermore: okay.
Now, what is something that motherhood
has taught you that has made you a
better leader and business owner?
christa: Uh, so having an only child means
the attention I have to give comparably to
kinda just navigating the world by myself
and just doing things on my own time.
I think that's really important.
Simultaneously, I did get
a promotion two years ago.
S- which, yes, so now I am a supervisor,
which is a lot different comparably to
what, what, you know, just me minding my
business and going to work and leaving.
So I think when it comes to this
particular child, because when
motherhood is, changes with every child
and how you address every child, this
particular one is an empath and I'm not.
Not that I don't care, I'm just
like a, not a natural ⦠I'm not
like a natural em- em- emp- like I
have an empath kind of personality.
I can't, you know, I have to
sit and kinda resonate before
I feel what you're feeling.
He can look at you and just feel
all of that at the same time.
So I had to be
Zuryna Livermore: He sounds like me.
I'm such an empath.
I cry when people cry.
I- it's, it's bad
christa: Yes, he definiteâ¦
He is, what is he?
April.
What is that?
An Ariâ¦
What is that?
Aries?
Yes.
Mm-hmm.
So
Zuryna Livermore: Oh, he's an Aries.
Oh, Lord.
I have a baby Aries too.
Lord, I'm praying for you
christa: he feel, he feels, he's
a, he's ⦠Yeah, he feels, and
in, in that, because I'm ge-
generally not a person, I had toâ¦
I just need to be more cognitive
of how you make people feel, and
I think that's really important.
It's suchâ¦
It's a cliche.
We have all heard it.
People don't remember what you did.
They remember how you make them feel.
So in turn, being a mother and a
mother of, of my son, I'm really
cognitive of, okay, what impact
am I making on this person?
And not just what I'm doing as a
supervisor or a leader, but how am I
making them feel at the end of the day?
So, I would say that, excuse me,
that in turn is the retention.
Knock on wood, I have I have retained
my team for a long time, and I think
that's really a, a, a testament of
just me just being aware of the fact
that you should feel good because
majority of your time is spent at work.
So if you feel horrible, then I'm
pretty sure people don't leave
their job, they leave their boss.
So I'm just like, "Yep, we're
just gonna work it out."
So yeah, that's really it
Zuryna Livermore: Oh, I love that and
I love that perspective because it is
truly, it's how you make people feel.
So I, I love that.
And kudos to you for acknowledging
that because I know a lot of people
look at empathy as a weakness.
But I do think that there
is some strength in that.
So g- thank you for
christa: No.
Yeah, abso- absolutely not.
I just, I'm very aware that
I'm like, I don't feel that.
So I'm trying to feel like it, like
yeah, but it's something I'm working on
Zuryna Livermore: some of your traits
because I think I feel a little too much.
Like, I can tell when someone looks like
something's off, and then I'm like, "Oh,
no, what's wrong?"
And it justâ¦
I, I need to work on that.
So I need to strengthen
the other arm, if you will,
christa: Okay.
Yeah, we'll b- we'll
both work simultaneously.
We'll both figure it out
Zuryna Livermore: Of course.
Now, you mentioned you got your
promotion, which congratulations.
christa: Yeah.
Zuryna Livermore: lot of times we need
to talk about balance and motherhood.
We- m- most moms say balance
really doesn't exist.
So what does balance or harmony
look like for you in this new
stage of being a working mom,
an entrepreneur, all the things?
christa: Yeah, I've heard
that too, and I, and Iâ¦
It's not comical as the, as a mother
who says, "Oh, there's no balance," and
they're literally balancing everything.
I think there, it's more of a literal
term where they're thinking, oh, you
say balance, it's 50% of your energy
in this and 50% of your energy in
that, and that's not really the case.
It really just depends on the
season of what you're trying to
do in your life at that moment.
So how do you balance those things?
And how I prioritize or what my
priorities are are gonna be totally
different from another mom, you
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah
christa: who, might be more focused
on the toddler stage, and she might
be more invested in the, comparably to
an 11-year-old who is more independent
and, you know, walking home from
school for the first time or whichever.
I can kinda shift gears to the,
the goals that I want in, in, in
the season that I'm in right now.
So I think it's about just being very
intentional about your priorities
and then balancing those out.
And then whenever they shift, your
priorities shift, or it's time for you
to focus more on here because of maybe
his school, or you're trying to get
him into an all-star program, or you're
trying to start your own business, but
it's just really about shifting your
priorities that make it work for you.
So I, I do believe it's balance,
but just not maybe the literal term.
Zuryna Livermore: Love that.
I love that, 'cause I, I, you are correct.
A lot of people think, "Oh, you
have to do 50% here, 50% there,"
and it's rarely ever that.
And as someone navigating the toddler/I
think I'm independent four-year-old
stage, it's truly a lot of balance.
So I, I love that you said that,
and we have to stop appro- uh,
approaching things with putting
a direct number on it and just do
what works for each individual mom.
I think that's what makes
christa: And do what works for you.
Zuryna Livermore: That's what all,
that's what makes us everyone an
individual and what, you know,
helps us shine, so I love that.
Now, what's one challenge you
face as a working mom that
most people don't talk about?
christa: And this is, this is interesting.
So I believe ⦠Did you hear about
the Breakfast Club with Jess Hilarious,
Zuryna Livermore: Yes
christa: comes back from
maternity leave and the, the whole
⦠Zuryna Livermore: awkward.
christa: feel like A lot of people,
and, and though it was emphasized
and, and was publicized, and we talked
about it, I still feel like we still
need to talk about it, you know?
Just that impact of what it looks
like to choose motherhood or, or
decide to be a mother, and then
what effects happen at the workplace
because you chose motherhood.
And I think that tho- those kind of
negative impacts we don't address enough
to say, "Hey, just because I left for
m- maternity leave, this is not the
opportunity to discount all the work that
I've done thus far, or if I come back, you
know, position myself in a way that I feel
as though I need to work even harder to
get where I was before maternity leave."
Zuryna Livermore: Oh, yes.
Ugh,
christa: I think it was just like
really ⦠It, it hit, really hit home
when, when Jessica was talking about it.
I'm like, we're not friends.
I don't know you at all, but I'm like
I really feel for that kind of fear
when it's time for you to do maternity
leave, or it's time for you to even
just leave early for a school play, or
a school pickup, or your kid is sick,
or just those types of things that
happen as a working mother that other
people in the, in corporate America
or whichever don't have to experience.
So I think we just always have to work
just a bit harder or just even be a
little bit more aware of what is going
on in the office that could negatively
affect us because we are mothers.
So here's what I do, and I, and I'm
very ⦠When I start to, when it's
my time to choose a job, I look at
what the culture really looks like.
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah
christa: is it a balanced culture?
I look at how leadership i- is designed.
Is it, do they look like me?
Do, is there anyone that looks like me?
Is there anyone that can
res- resonate with me?
And then if not, well, how, how do they
allow for like flexible work hours?
What does PTO look like?
All of those things, the job, they're
gonna teach you how to do the job.
I leave that alone, like whatever.
I don't necessarily need to
be an ex- unless I'm a doctor.
I don't need to be an expert at
what the job is teaching me, but I
really need the work life culture
to work with me being a mother and
then not be negatively affected.
So that's really what, what I
think we need to talk about a lot
because even in the Army, a lot of
decisions were made in the smoke pit.
I don't smoke.
Like, I'm breastfeeding like right now.
I don't smoke.
I don't do, I don't do
any of those things.
So I would be in the office
just minding my own business.
They go out to smoke.
I'm like, "Yeah, whatever."
They come back.
They're like, "Okay, here's
what we're gonna do."
And I'm like, "Who is we?"
And then, "How did we get to this
de- how did we get to this decision?"
And a lot ⦠And you know, soldiers
would say, "I don't even smoke.
I just stand out there because
I'm going to miss something."
When it comes to working moms, if you're
not at the happy hours, if you're not in
the office or in the room because you left
early for work or you need to go pick up
the kids, you could miss these things.
So I think being more aware and just
having a leadership that kind of
understands and accepts you for, for
your role as a mom is really important
Zuryna Livermore: I love that so much,
and honestly, from your mouth to God's
ears or whoever the higher power is,
people need to have that conversation
at the conference because I feel, I
would love to hear from Jess about
how that impacted her, especially her
christa: Please.
Zuryna Livermore: that
is so crazy, and I have, have experienced
that firsthand, and I didn't realize
how much culture impacts your mental
how much it impacts your logistics,
your day-to-day, especially if
you're a primary parent like I am.
It's just, a lot.
And to feel like you have to work 10
times as hard because you chose to have
a child, I mean, like, my boss, you're
christa: Come on.
Zuryna Livermore: Like, could you imagine
if someone treated your mom like that?
So yeah, we definitely need to
talk about that more, and I love
that you mentioned that, and I'm
gonna clip this specifically so
christa: Oh.
Zuryna Livermore: it on social 'cause
christa: Absolutely.
Zuryna Livermore: to talk
christa: Tell her, to come by.
We're in Baltimore, so just come home and
Zuryna Livermore: Yes.
christa: tell us how you feel.
Zuryna Livermore: I know
she's here.
christa: Mm-hmm
Zuryna Livermore: Now, to that point, what
do you hope every woman walks away with
after attending this year's conference?
christa: Like I said, I'm very
intentional about actionable strategies.
Please, if you do not leave with
the connection that you expected
or, or wanted, uh, I would say you
tried really, really hard not to.
Like, we want to ensure that you
have a network when you leave.
And, and some of the mothers have
testimonies where, excuse me, now they are
doing conferences and seminars with a lot
of the speakers who are more nationwide.
So I, I, I am not a speaker.
I don't wanna get on stage.
But if I have to, I shall.
But I leverage those speakers
who have large communities.
So therefore, whatever you decide to
do or wherever you want to go with your
goals, tell me so that I can network.
I can do that network, and I
can do that connection for you.
With the Working Mom Conference
now that I do very, very well
is get those connections.
I get about three to five
speaker applications a day.
These are mothers who go from just
starting their speaking journey to
mothers who are on Fox News, CBS,
mothers who are very, very established.
So I can do those connections coming here.
That's what I do very well when it
comes to the Working Mom Conference.
And even if you look at the speaker
lineup just this year with Lisa
Summers, and, and, and she's huge.
Zuryna Livermore: I love her so much.
I
christa: She is
Zuryna Livermore: with her so much.
I love her.
So I, that alone, I was like, "Oh,
I can't wait to be in the building."
christa: Yes, she's
really, really awesome.
So even, even though it's, if it's
something that you're interested in, these
are more intimate conferences on purpose.
It's designed that way.
That way you're not sitting in, in
a stand, you know, I don't know how
many feet away from the speaker and,
and she gives you 15 minutes of a
motivation and you don't have a plan.
So I want you to leave with that network.
I want you to leave with a
plan and in, in itself, and I
want you to leave just getting
comfortable with telling your goals.
Like even if it is, whether it's
your career and you wanna get
promoted, if it's in motherhood and
you wanna be more present, if it's
you starting your own business, 60%
of the attendees are mompreneurs.
You wanna start your own business,
then yeah, like let's, let's do
something and, and you leave with,
with something that you can action.
Zuryna Livermore: Oh,
that gives me the chills.
I truly cannot wait to be in the room.
This is gonna be so
christa: No, that's fine.
Zuryna Livermore: Yes.
Now, if you could give one piece of
advice to the mom who feels like she's
falling behind, what would you tell her?
christa: You're not.
Zuryna Livermore: I'd
love it
christa: if you feel like you're falling
behind, I, I want you to probably
sit in that for a little bit and just
work through why you feel as though.
Is it social media?
Is it your, your other friends?
Is it this?
We're allâ¦
We came in here with our mom.
Mm-hmm.
We came in here with our mom, and then
we're going to leave s- by ourselves.
So let's, let's focus and be a little
bit more selfish in that sense and,
and not compare each other to what
lane everyone else is moving because
compare- comparably, they might feel
as though they're behind, and you
might feel as though they're ahead.
And, and now you're, you're
comparing yourself to saying,
"Oh, I'm falling behind."
You're right where you need to be.
If, if you're looking for support or,
or a network or community, that's when I
say, you know, Google is your best friend.
Go out.
If it's not my community, it
could be any of the speakers who
have their own community from
2024 all the way up to 2026.
Look at their communities and
see how, how that intertwines.
If you're here in the DMV,
there are so many hobbyist
communities that you can join.
It really is about who you know.
With that cliché, it's not what
you know, it's about who you know.
And even if you sit and just make one
connection with one person, you'll be
surprised at what the opportunities open.
So, yeah.
My message, you're not behind at all.
You're right where you need to be
Zuryna Livermore: Well, I receive that
because I sometimes feel like that.
So thank you for that.
I appreciate it.
And you, what you're
saying reigns supreme.
It's not what you know, it's who you know.
And honestly, not being afraid to
ask those questions or reach out
and, 'cause the only thing someone
could do is either not respond
or say, "No, I'm not interested."
So yeah,
christa: Yeah.
Okay.
And I'll move on to to the hun- the
hundred of other ones that I list through.
So yeah, definitely with, with 100 nos,
there's one yes in there somewhere,
and that could be the person, so
Zuryna Livermore: Absolutely.
Oh my gosh.
Okay, well I wanna get to the fun part.
We're gonna play a little bit of would
you rather, just the mom edition.
You
christa: Okay.
Mm-hmm.
Zuryna Livermore: so the first
question is would you rather have
unlimited free childcare for a year
or unlimited groceries for a year?
christa: Okay, so my son's 11 now.
I'm gonna say groceries.
Mm-hmm
Zuryna Livermore: He's eating you
out of house and home, I know that.
christa: Oh yeah, the boys.
Mm-hmm
Zuryna Livermore: Uh, yes.
Okay, would you rather never fold
laundry again or never wash dishes again?
christa: Laundry, please.
Please take, please take this laundry.
That laundry was stay in that hamper
until it's time for laundry again.
It's so bad.
I will take that
Zuryna Livermore: living the same life?
'Cause I literally have three weeks
worth of laundry that I need to
christa: Just put away.
Zuryna Livermore: put away.
Yeah, it's a lot.
It's a
christa: It is Mm-hmm
Zuryna Livermore: Okay, would
you rather have a personal
chef or a personal assistant?
christa: A chef.
The Virgo in me will get it done.
The Virgo in me, I got a little checklist.
But as far as standing on my
feet after coming home from work,
Zuryna Livermore: Yeah.
christa: let me just get a personal chef
Zuryna Livermore: Love that.
My grandmother always says, "You
need to pay for convenience."
And
christa: Yes.
Zuryna Livermore: believe her.
I thought she was like,
"Granny, you just doing a lot."
But now, oh,
I get it.
My cleaning lady, please.
christa: Oh yeah, every two weeks please.
Yep.
Zuryna Livermore: Exactly.
Okay, the last one: would you rather never
have to say hurry up again or never hear,
"Mom, can you help me with dot, dot, dot?"
christa: Ooh, it's tough
'cause I'm an only child.
So if, if I'm rushing, he's
right, he's right there with me.
I would say hurry, hurry up.
If I don't have to say hurry
up again because yeah, I canâ¦
If I had multiple children, it'd
probably be like, "Where's my stuff?"
But I can keep track of one person's.
Zuryna Livermore: I love that.
Well, thank you for playing that.
And
christa: Of course
Zuryna Livermore: wrap up, can you
tell everyone how they can get tickets?
What's the, the location?
How they can find you and keep
in contact with you o- for all
things The Working Mom Conference?
christa: The Working Mom Conference is
being held at Broody Vineyard August 8th.
So please follow us at The
Wo Mom Network on Instagram.
You can email at info@thewmconference.com
and you can purchase tickets
at www.thewmconference.com.
We actually have a discount until Sunday
for 50% off, discount code Work Bestie.
So I hope that everyone can attend and
really enjoy the experience for working
mothers here in the Baltimore DMV area.
Zuryna Livermore: I love it.
Now how long is the conference?
And you said it's at Bordelais Vineyards?
christa: Mm-hmm.
Re Vineyard.
It's about like 20
minutes from Center City.
Beautiful, beautiful ex-
views and experiences.
We'll actually have a wine tasting,
Zuryna Livermore: Ooh
christa: involved in your ticket.
We have major giveaways from our
keynote, so please look at the
website to see those giveaways.
Sheâ¦
I know one of the biggest giveaways is
she will personally design a gown for you.
So I know gala season is coming,
or if you wanna go to a sneaker
ball or whichever, that's one of
the big giveaways that we have.
And her- one of her personal books
she will be giving out as well.
So we have some of those.
We have the Mompreneur Marketplace where
you can support women-owned businesses
and small businesses here in the Baltimore
and DMV area, so that's really big.
And it's just a time for us to, to
choose us and get out for the day.
It's only a day.
It's not started super early.
We're starting at 10:00 AM.
But this is a time for you to just really
come together with your work besties,
with your mom besties, and just have a
really, really good time at the vineyard
Zuryna Livermore: Yes.
Oh my gosh.
Well, thank you so much for joining.
Like I said, I love to make sure
my moms have the right people,
processes, and tools to be successful.
And this is one of those events that I
feel like you should add to your toolbox.
So I'm excited to see everyone there.
And again, thank you so much
for putting this together and
for helping us moms feel seen.
So thank you again,
christa: No, thank you for having me
Zuryna Livermore: Of course