Are You Ready to Be a Brand New Mommy?

MN: Are all moms a “brand”?

KTB: We all have to be a brand and you should think about yourself as a brand. When you say ‘just a mom,’ you diminish yourself. You are in charge. If I don’t work this week, I don’t get paid. It’s the same way with my ‘brand’: if I don’t take care of myself, I don’t feel good and I’m not the best person I can be. I have new needs that I need to redefine.

Like any other brand it’s about consistency. The Brand New Mommy has to re-write the rules and re-capture our confidence. The Brand New Mommy wants to get out of her mom jeans, but she also wants to get her blood pressure down.

MN: What else have you found out about sisters and motherhood?

We’re proud and private and have been taught from an early age to take care of ourselves. We put an H on our chest and handle it. We don’t want our business on blast, so we live in a box. I hope The Brand New Mommy will be a place that moms know they can come to and have those conversations, share their stories and know that they are not alone.

MN: What are the first steps that every mom needs to take to start reinventing themselves?

1. Recognize that you are a brand.

2. Build a team – when you watch successful women and peel back the layers, it’s all about a team. That’s what is going to keep you sane.

3. Put together a mom advisory board – they help you see the big picture and will be your advocates.

4. Run your brand as a corporation – schedule everything from meetings to workouts, and if you can, get a babysitter.

5. Create a vision board – on my vision board, I am LeBron James. You’re going to lose, but ultimately you are going to win, and when you win, do you want to be disheveled?

6. Realize that, as someone recently told me, behind every successful woman is herself.

7. Renew your passion – Do you want to write a book or design jewelry? Don’t be afraid to monetize your growth.

Karen Taylor Bass can be found on Twitter @TheBrandNewMom and @PRExpert. Visit her websites: The Brand New Mommy, Karen Taylor Bass and Taylor Made Media PR.