Name: Deanna Gibbons
Occupation: Administrative Graphic Designer
Describe Your Occupation: I am part secretary, part graphic designer for a small sports memorabilia auction house. I handle all of their eBay sales. I scan cards and list them on eBay. I also create all their advertising materials from magazine ads to website banner advertising. I am also currently working on a redesign of the company website.
Tell us about yourself: I have been married for 14 years coming up on August 4th. I have 5 children, toddler to teen. I actively volunteer at their schools. I am the high school girls basketball team secretary and on the yearbook committee at the elementary school. I am also a girl scout school coordinator and soon to be Daisy leader for the elementary school. In my spare time (if you can call it that) I’m working on a book selling business and book review blog.
Tell us what a typical day is like for you: My summer schedule isn’t bad. I wake up, get myself ready for work, usually do a load of laundry, feed whichever kids are up (usually cereal or toast). I check that my websites are up and check my email. Then I head to work. I stay busy at work by working on ads, scanning baseball cards, listing cards on eBay, sending cards sold, etc. At lunch time, I take off for home. (I live a mile away) Usually my husband is home from work already and has lunch made. I eat with the family, lay my son down for his nap, read with the younger girls before quiet time, then head back out the door to work. At five o’clock, I head home where dinner is waiting. After dinner, I do housework, maybe do some website work or write review. Then it’s bathtime for kids, maybe some tv time or games. Once they are in bed, I settle in and watch some tv with my husband. Once he’s in bed, it’s back to the computer to get any high concentration work done. By 11 o’clock, I’m in bed. That pretty much covers it. During the school year, as you can imagine, it gets much more hectic in the evenings.
What are some of your challenges?
My biggest challenge is trying to balance time with my husband and kids with household work and trying to start a business. When I concentrate on business, I feel guilty for not spending time with family. When I am spending time with family, I’m thinking of all the things I need to be doing for my business. I never really feel like I’m giving anything my full attention.
How do find balance in your life?
Balance? What’s that. I hate to sound like the stereotypical working mom, but these things become stereotypes for a reason, right? I am constantly searching for balance.
What do you do to take time for yourself?
My time for myself consists of working on my business. I’ll have time for myself when my kids are grown and my business is running on multiple streams of income.
Do you have any advice for other working moms?
First off, enlist the help of your family. My children and I do a group housecleaning on Saturday mornings which is a big help. My husband does most of the cooking. Secondly, don’t sweat the small stuff. Focus on the good, quality time you spend and don’t worry so much about the other stuff.
Do you have a favorite tool or resource that you use to help stay organized?
I use a small wire file holder that holds all my business and volunteer information. It goes in my van with me everywhere. If I need any information while at work, I can run out and get it. I don’t know how else I’d manage.
Where Can We Find You Online?
I am a Barefoot Books Ambassador at www.kidsreadbarefoot.com. I also maintain a book review blog at www.thebookwormblog.com And you can find me at www.deegibbons.com which leads you to all my social networking sites! (it’s the newest website and I am still compiling it)
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