Simple Ways to Create Your Mom Village with Nicole Cumberbatch

Hey there, MamaWorkit Tribe. I'm Marissa Lonick, working mom of four, lover of all things flow, family, and fulfillment. You're tuning in to the MamaWorkit podcast where we take aim at overwhelm, mom guilt, and exhaustion and swap them out for big dreams, belly laughs, and productivity that actually fits into your life. Every week we dive into tips, motivation, and a healthy dose of fun so you can slay your day even when you're busy AF. Ready to feel seen, energized, and totally unstoppable? Let's get to work, Mama. Hey, hey, mamas. Welcome back to another awesome episode of the MamaWorkit podcast. I am so glad you're here as always. If you are new to the show, my name is Marissa Lonick. I am the founder of MamaWorkit where we support women in the juggle, the juggle of mom life, work life, wife life, fill in the blank life. And I am also a working mama of four and the host here. And I'm so excited to welcome back one of our amazing guests and one of my biz besties. Love her so much. Her name is Nicole Cumberbatch. So let me just give you a quick and dirty bio on Nicole. She is the founder and CEO of the Motherhood Village, which is a community-centered indoor place center, cafe, and co-working hub in Coral Springs, Florida. Hope again in 2017 as a podcast and in 2021 as a grassroots support group for mothers has evolved into a vibrant brick and mortar village serving families from pregnancy through early childhood with open play workshops, camps, and curated events. After a successful career in corporate finance, Nicole stepped into entrepreneurship, following her own experience navigating motherhood and feeling the gaps in support for women. She set out to create the kind of village she had wished for, one that blends connection, resources, and support for modern families. In addition to leading the Motherhood Village, Nicole also hosts the top-rated Motherhood Village podcast. She also empowers female entrepreneurs through her Mothers in Business cohort and annual Leadership Summit. It's amazing, by the way, I've been helping women build businesses with confidence and community. Nicole's mission is to ensure no mother feels alone and to create spaces where women can thrive personally, professionally, and as leaders in their own lives. Nicole, thank you for coming back. I'm so excited to talk with you and I'm so excited that you get to talk to our whole community today. So thank you. Thank you, Marissa. I'm excited to be back. I think this is my second podcast that I've done this year or within the last six months. So it's great to be back to speaking. So thank you. Yeah, I know you've been totally inundated with the brick and mortar, so I can't wait to hear more about that. But for those listeners who don't know you, I know you, but for those who don't know you, tell us about your journey into motherhood, how it led to creating the Motherhood Village. Just give us a bio. Sure, really high level. And I feel like at this point I can, it's like I have it down packed. I just became a first time mom, crazy to think it'll be almost nine years ago, like just insane because time has flown by. So yeah, almost nine years ago, my son will be nine in November. And I was a corporate executive doing all the things, right? Very high level position. I don't want to say stressful, but you know, it was a high level position. We were still small, so my accounting department managed like a lot of different things and I managed people. I would help with other departments. And I loved it. And then when I had a chat, I was like, oh, people kept asking me, you're going to come back to work, you're going to do this. And I was like, yes, absolutely, absolutely. I have this. And I thought because my husband and I had checked off all the boxes, you know, college educated, we married before we traveled before us, like, oh, we have this, right? We got this. And then my son came and I didn't. I very quickly realized, oh, motherhood entails much more than, and I know it's appreciating the books, but it does. Like they prepare you for maybe what will happen physically, but not emotionally. And it was hard for me and my part, me and my husband to kind of reconnect, which drew me for a loop because we had dated five years before we even got married. And then our son came. So I felt we built such a strong foundation and we even, you know, we're struggling. And I was like, hold on, hold on, hold on. Like why aren't we prepared for the emotional side for some things that may occur, whether it's anxiety, depression. I'm now questioning my identity, this career that I worked so hard for building the corporate ladder that I was proud of. Now questioning it, right? Do I want to be the first one there? I want to be the last one to leave. I found myself rushing to get home. So all of those things. And then through probably the first two years of struggling through that, getting through that, I said, okay, I need an outlet. So I did start the podcast, which was a very long name. It was called Mama's No Best. We got something to say probably before podcasting became what it was. A friend of mine had a podcast. Well, my husband's friend, he had a sports podcast and kind of showed me what to do and was like, listen, if you want to start, just start, get a mic and just start telling, you know, doing what you want to do. And I did. And through those conversations, it just helped me because I realized other women, whether they were entrepreneurs, they were stay at home moms, they were educators, teacher, therapists, all different, really, I don't want to say walks of what life, but different women, because at the time the podcast, the two requisitions to come on was either how to be a mom or you had to be in the space of supporting families. So I learned so much and through learning on the podcast and talking to these women, realizing I'm not alone, realizing what I'm going through is perfectly normal. I said, okay, how do I bring this to the forefront? How do I go past just a podcast conversation that, yeah, people will listen to, but really helping moms within my own kind of 25 mile, 50 mile radius of where I live. And then that's what kind of really started the motherhood village community that was 2021. So goodness, five, five years ago. And then we just took off. We started doing mom's night out, but really not so much that it was more the support groups, as I say, grassroots, we did three a month. And there were some times that some moms would come to all three during the month to really build in community. You've got to think this is after COVID. So we have a lot of women who are transplants, right? So they're here in Florida without their family. So we really built community and these women five years later are still part of the community have become great friends with each other. And yeah, so the, the support groups, we would, I would collaborate with some of the guests that came on the podcast, we do workshops. And then it just organically grew. And then yes, the person development summit. I wanted to do something for moms coming from corporate. I've been to my fair share of conferences for personal, for professional development. And I was like, where does a mom go for personal development? What if I'm a stay at home mom, but I still need inspiration. I still want to, you know, develop as a person. That's what spawned inspiration behind the motherhood village summit. And then it just took off. And then last year, I know, I'm sorry, the end of 2024, I got the opportunity to take over a play center that had unfortunately closed, but they were really geared towards five and under. And after thinking about it, we said, okay, we'll do it. Let the motherhood village have a home. But really going and saying, let's take this a step further with the mission behind the motherhood village in general, that yes, it's a place center. We're going to offer it to many families, especially those multi-aged families and still give back to the resources, do the community events that I'm known for. I just now have a space for it. And it happens to be a place where kids could play and moms can drink coffee and work. And then that's kind of what I've been doing the last almost year because April 7th will be our one year anniversary. So that's kind of getting in that shot. Wow. Wow. Yeah. The last time you were on the show, I mean, I have to look back at what year that was, but it was probably pretty early in that journey. It was, I want to say maybe 2022, 2023. Because I had taken your mama work at cohort that you had. Because I was talking about it. Yes. Yes. Because, and I'm sure this is part of our conversation, you know, and whoever's listening, if you built something like it wasn't supposed to be a business. When I left corporate, I guess I'll say that I left corporate focus on motherhood village, but also to do my own kind of corporate accounting for business owners. So I did like bookkeeping and some accounting work. That's really what I, what I knew what to do. The motherhood village was, I don't want to say a hobby, but it was just something I was developing. So I was trying to do all the things to figure out what am I even building here? What is this? What systems do I need? Because I didn't even know it's something truly that happened serendipitously and very organic because that wasn't the nature. I just wanted to support moms because I needed support. And as it grew, I just took the next, what I felt viable step to get to wherever it was that, you know, that seemed to make sense basically. I love that you said that. And I think that's so powerful because I think a lot of times when we have this innate calling to do something, it doesn't always make sense. It doesn't always make sense on paper. It doesn't always make sense even in our heads. We don't necessarily know what's beyond the next step. Sometimes we don't even know the next step. But something's telling us to do it. And for you, what turned into this thriving business now and what you're doing full time was just almost like an intuitive calling that you just needed to pursue. Like you said, like I just did it kind of as an outlet. It wasn't even like something I thought was I was going to monetize at the time. Yeah. And it took some time for those systems to grow. And even to even still not having the space, like I don't come from knowing what the intricacies are of owning a space and what I've learned. Oh my goodness, the lessons, the lows. Everyone's like, oh, you're doing great. I'm like, yeah, but it's hard. Last year, very transparent. I looked at my husband. I was like, I don't know if I can do this. This is hard, you know, just of really what goes into running a business of because now I just have overhead right now. It's like, doesn't matter if, oh, well, maybe I won't post this week. It's like, no, I still have rent due. I still have salary due right now. People are counting on me. So when, nothing I didn't recognize that, but when it kind of hits, I was like, oh, and then finding out we're expecting like it was just a lot at one time. And I was like, I don't know. But I had to really lean in, which is why having a village not only in your mom life, but it's in your business side, professional life, if you're an entrepreneur and really went to some mentors that kind of pulled me up and was like, no, you haven't even been open a year. You have to give it at least a year or two to see the cycles. Learn from your mistakes and just don't repeat them and keep going. That's the only way. And I was like, all right. And then and they were like, but only only a true person knows inside if they can. They were like, I'll never tell you to close or do whatever. You have to know that. However, I think you have something. Do you believe it? I was like, I do. They're like, then just roll. You just got to know it's going to be hard. I was like, all right, but I'm like, big girl boots and just down, kicking the doors. So. Yeah. Yeah. And I mean, I think you need a village in every season, right? Like you said, like whether you're an entrepreneur, but even even if you're a career woman, a corporate working mom in the medical field, like you need people that get it to be able to talk to, to be able to lean on, to be able to mentor you for you to mentor as you go through seasons, right? Because it's all about giving back to, I mean, I'm a big fan of like the endorphin rush that you get from doing for others as well. You know, 100%. So, and I'm sure you get this daily doing what you do, but let's talk about the season you're in right now. Yeah. You're currently pregnant. You're pregnant with baby number two. Yes. And it's a very different pregnancy, I'd imagine, than baby number one, not just because it's, you know, you've done this before, but also like you're in a completely different career season, like part of your marriage, all of it. How has this season in particular shaped your perspective on community? Ooh. Um, oh gosh, big time. And I actually posted something on LinkedIn that when I reflected, because I'm, I'm seven months. Um, and reflecting back when I was seven months pregnant with my son, I was praying from maternity leave in a corporate position. And the physical amount of stress, right? Again, when am I going to come back to work, you know, all these conversations that rightfully being in a company would have, right? Who's going to do, you know, what is the stress that came with that? Plus being a full, a first time mom to now I'm kind of like, Oh my God, like, I don't really necessarily have a maternity leave, but I have a team. We're planning things. I can technically bring baby. Like I'm already foreshadowing what that looks like my postpartum. I have built the community that I needed eight or almost nine years ago. Just in terms of breastfeeding support. Oh my goodness. Like you name it. Any psychologist, like I now have a roller decks of people I can reach out to and have reached out to the amount of support and pouring. They're like, Oh my God, you have poured into us. We want to pour into you type of thing that I wasn't even expecting. But, um, so yeah, it's been great. And then my husband and I, and I've said this, I think for so long, my, it took my husband and I a while to kind of get back on a full charge. We've had good, any other marriage. And I think because we got pregnant so quickly after getting married, I don't think it was necessarily the pregnancy. I think it was the normal, um, I guess obstacles or things that marriages face when you've been together for a long time. It just so happened that it was also with a little bundle with us that we were navigating. So we had still lows, highs, we're still figuring it out. Um, and even when we were debating about having another one and trying, nothing was happening. And then finally, I think we kind of got over that hump and like really just, I don't know, I felt like we found each other that was like years ago. And then boom, I got pregnant. Like wow. One, like just I let it go. Him and I reconnected. Yeah. When I think about that, um, and I think about when baby comes, like we're already having those conversations of like, listen, I remember some years ago, this is what I felt. I'm feeling some of the pregnancy rage again that, you know, um, that I talked to him more about, right? Like, um, that I know with postpartum hormones, I'm older. I'm eight years older. So physically I'm 42. Um, what that looks like. So yeah, it's very different season, but very, very grateful. I'm in a very grateful season because I literally have the village and I tell everyone, I'm like, if I can bring baby here, then we have a problem. Baby, I will be wearing her. And, um, so yeah, so community has really stepped up for me and I'm just, I'm just very grateful. I love that so much. Thank you. I also really love that when I asked you this question, the person that you spoke the most about was your partner. And I think that we all have this idea of what a village is when you're raising kids and a lot for a lot of people, your brain automatically goes back to like older times, maybe even your own childhood. Um, those and, and, and thinks that's what a village is and like puts it in this box and those ideas or those circumstances, they might be quite different now. Even like, whether that's generationally different, you know, how your life turned out different, where you live different, all of it, who or what to you is the modern day village composed of? Ooh. I do think it's different for everyone. Um, for me, it's definitely my husband. I mean, for sure. I was reading something that like, like you, like, I think we're at the, at least for me and we've, we've had these conversations where I'm like, wow, this is like my person. Like, I don't know, not that I didn't feel that 10 years ago, but we've gone through just so many obstacles and things that might have maybe pushed just away, right? There was a time I remember being so hormonal looking at my mom, I'm like, I can't stand him. Like, I don't even know. And my mom was like, that's normal. I'm like, this is not normal. She's like, of course it is. And really having to understand that, but communicating that with him and understanding that why I'm feeling this way. So definitely my husband, my parents. Um, and then my girlfriends and other moms, I think in every season of life, we'll have different things, right? Um, like, I mean, think of who your best friends are from school. And I still have some of them from middle school where we don't talk every day. We said memes and reels and different things. But then I think of like Maria Smith's of the world who we met online and we box her every day. We don't even see each other every day. I don't even think she's been to my house. This is crazy. But I feel so close to her because we know we're in the season that we're in and we talk the way as, as often as we talk. Um, so I think it looks different for everyone. Um, but I think a village is when you have people around you that truly support you, that you can count on, um, that you can be vulnerable with and that you don't have to be afraid to share maybe things that you're going through. And I really am proud that what I've created with the motherhood village is that like I said, a lot of these women are very close friends, even now having the space, um, the moms that come that see each other regularly. I think they've now met up for play dates like that. That is what, well, one of the things that pushes me forward because if they don't have the conventional village, the parents and all of that, like, um, familial, um, village that they have other moms that they can be like, listen, today was just a hard day and the mom could be like, I hear you like that is someone that's a village. Yeah. You've created a safe space for that. Yes. A hundred percent. A hundred percent. I want to go back to something you said. And if you're aware, unaware, Maria Smith, who Nicole just mentioned, she's a mutual friend we have, and I want to give a very quick backstory on how we all met. So Nicole, Maria and I years ago, you know, we're ambitious, high achieving women, moms, we were all kind of, uh, dipping our toe in the entrepreneurial space. We were working corporate jobs and we got to know each other on Instagram. Yeah. And we became super close, you guys, like we became each other's village in that way. And I mean, Nicole and Maria just so happened to live near each other. So they met in person. This was probably a little bit post pandemic or maybe even during the pandemic. But yeah, I did not meet Nicole and Maria in person until 2024. 2024. But we were close friends. We were each other's village in that way. And so I want to encourage you if you're listening and you're like, well, damn, I wish the motherhood village existed where I live, because if you're not local to South Florida, like this might not be an in person possibility for you, you can still create this incredible village with women across the country and become super close. I mean, like you said, you talked to Maria Daly, me too. I mean, we're all connected so frequently. Like I feel like sometimes these women know things about me that, you know, friends I've had for 20, 30 years don't. Yeah. For sure. That's what I mean. That's why, you know, it's beautiful to see that it's not just one thing. It really isn't. You just have to find, especially as you get older, it will look different, right? It would just look differently. Some of my friends that aren't entrepreneurs, cannot understand and not in a bad way what, what I'm going through. And I've had to tell some friends, I love you. But I just can't. Like my, I literally, I was like my triangle. This was the beginning of last year, right when we opened and I saw how, how difficult quickly I was like, oh, just because I already have a brand that doesn't equate to sales. I have a different, I have to now rebrand myself. Now I'm no longer just a community. I have to reeducate them that I have a space now, right? So it was a whole totally different thing. And I was like, listen, my triangle is myself, my own health, my immediate family, my son and my child, plus my mom was dealing with some health issues. So we were dealing with that. And my space. I don't really have the capacity for anything else. I was like, I love you and I would try and be there as much as I can, but please understand that this is where I'm at right now in my life. Um, and I just had to set those boundaries. And then of course, rely on you, the Maria's of the world to talk and say, Hey, this is what I'm going through because yeah. So yes, I love that you said that because the village doesn't have to look like one thing. Um, and even if you have someone that lives, I mean, at the time you were in California, so on the other side of the country and still build those relationships. And if you, there are, listen, if your kids go to school, there's at the park, say hello to someone. I think, you know, there's, um, there's power in that. And truthfully, if you want to start your own mom group, mom, someone asked me, what do I do? And I was like, honey, just find some Facebook groups. I'm sure whatever city you're in, whatever state you're in, you can find a Facebook group for some moms. And if it's not create one and say, Hey, I'd love to do a meetup and you'll never know, you'll, you'll be surprised at what will happen. Yeah. You know, it sounds so easy, but I think a lot of women struggle to put themselves out there and to do this. There's such a vulnerability in that. Yes. Why do you think that's the case? Um, I think. Well, especially once you become a mom, maybe, because I think, I think back to like when I was pre kids and single and maybe dating my husband or whatever. Um, like think of where we met people's at work. Right. So you kind of went and you hung out. You, you stuck with what you knew. I think a lot of times once we have kids, even though we're around about families all the times, it does become more isolated because as for me, just from what I've seen and maybe my experience. Moms want in and out. We don't have time. Um, if the kids are maybe a little cranky, we start getting anxious. I know that was my experience, especially with Jason in the beginning. Um, so I didn't have time, even when I knew that he had friends, like I kind of went to one of the moms in the beginning like, Hey, you know, your son knows my son, like we should do a play date, but we're so fixated on the next thing. We got to pick up our kid. We got to go to the next thing that we don't really have time. And to your point of vulnerability, like, yeah, I don't even know so much. It's, it's bad either of like, will they like, cause I think as you get older, it's not so much will they like me, will they not? It's just, I don't have time. Right. And my focus is getting home, cooking dinner, whatever it is that you have to do. Then if you're a stay at home mom, you're trying to find things for them to do. If you're in, if there's nap time, there's like so many factors, outside factors. Um, and I think I had talked about this once on my podcast and I forgot who I was talking to, but what they had recommended was they kind of get out of your own head. Hmm. And just kind of pause, like just pause. And I think as moms, we're always, we're always trying to do the next best thing because, not the next best thing, the next thing that we have to do because that's just, that's just the reality of the mental load of motherhood. Right. Um, so it's difficult for us to pause and kind of be like, wait, who's around me? Oh, there's like six moms right here. Like, why don't I just go say hi? Like, what's the worst that can happen truthfully? You know, I think you'll, you'll weed out and okay. This one, you know, whatever energy, however you kind of like vibe. Um, but yeah, I think it's just because moms aren't, we're in our own head. We got to get to the next thing. We got to get home. We got to go to publics. We got to go run an errand. Like it's just, we're always going, going, going. Yeah, I agree. I've struggled with that to like remain present and just really be in the moment. Yes. Uh, absolutely. I think too sometimes because it's hard for us to do that. We assume everyone else also is that busy? Is that like doesn't have space for that? Um, and I love what you're doing because you're like creating that space for that. A physical space where it's like time can slow down here. You can be present here. Everybody wants the same thing here. Right. When you walk into the park, you don't necessarily know that everybody wants to make a new friend, but when you walk into the motherhood village, it's a different vibe is what I'm hearing for sure. Yeah, at least we tried to be right. I mean, um, it's so funny. I can tell the moms who have like one child and the moms who have like multiples. And the moms who have the one first time mom, I remember being there like, you're more like, um, still not being present. Still watching, still behind. And I'm like, Oh my gosh, you're too like, let them run. Like when you see the space, it's literally, we have 36 seats, like right in the middle. And then like all the play is around. So there's like one of the safest places that your little one could be to play. And then you have the ones who have multiples that are like, no, he's good. She's good. Let me, let me work or have a cup of coffee or say hi to someone or talk. Right. You can kind of see. So, um, I always see that dynamic. And I'm like, gosh, you know, it's so true the first time mom and how anxious we feel as mom. So when I see that, I'm like, okay, how can I, how can I help? Like now, how do I solve that problem? So I'll go up to the mom, like, Hey, no, let them relax. Or, Oh, did I introduce them? I'll try and kind of be that icebreaker. Um, but yeah, for the most part, the vibe is you'll see moms working. They're talking. Um, they'll do play dates. Um, yeah, it's, I'm very, very proud of the, um, of what we've created, transforming into the physical space. Yeah. So for the mom listening, thinking, I don't have a village. I feel really alone or I just, I just don't have this and I want it. Where can she start? I know you mentioned like posting on social media. Give us like a few tips. Yep. I would say post on social media. Um, Facebook, I think Facebook is really underrated for, for that. Um, Instagram, although I've connected on Instagram as well, and you can, you can find maybe groups on there. Um, maybe a class again, if you're a stay at home mom, join a class. Um, see what's in your area that they have mommy and me classes, any events. Um, Facebook, look for actual groups. I know in Florida, I like to say we are the OG mom group and there's how many several more, um, that have come up and they actually do play. They meet up at now the motherhood village. Um, but search, you know, for mom group. And then if you can't find it, create one yourself or just post, you know, in some forum, maybe your city has a forum or something. I just feel like now that's becoming more, um, much more of a thing. I'd say, Hey, I'd like to meet up with a mom. I'll be at this park, you know, maybe we can, you know, my, my child is two years old or whatever. Um, if you're a working mama, kind of the same thing, you know, if your little one's in school, um, maybe find out who your child's friends are and, and work up a conversation, do a play date. I was very thankful that I finally did that with my. Fun's best friend in preschool and from his mom and I put instantly when I finally reached out, actually reached out to the dad. He's like, I'll connect you with the wife. I was like, yeah, I think our kids like each other. They're friends and they want to agree or four and now, you know, eight years old, they don't go to the same school, but we're always trying to get them together. She's part of the motherhood village. Um, and yeah, it's out, right? So yeah, just reach out where you can, um, join a class for yourself. So this is taking away from just something to do with your child. You know, really try and find that time and not just self-care, but do something like take a dance class, go on a Vembrite or class pass, see if there's any classes that maybe don't even have tied to motherhood, not even like a mommy polo. This class or a prenatal postpartum, just a class to get you out and to meet people because your village could also be someone who doesn't have children. Um, you just want to surround yourself with, you know, people that you feel aligned with, um, trying new things, you know, I know for me, once I became a mom, I really appreciated my alone time. So like I love going out to eat alone. So I don't ever have a problem with that. I could go to the movies alone. I love traveling alone. Like I really, really appreciated my alone time more. So now after becoming a mom, um, so like I'll show up to places, but I know I'm okay with that. Cause my friends are asking me, how are you going to that networking event alone? And I'm like, like, cause worst case can worst case, if I don't connect with anyone, I'm eating something alone and having like a quiet time. Like that's how I like tell myself, you know, um, so I don't go in stress. I'm like, worse case. I'll leave early and I got a little time to kind of get out the house and do something for me, you know, um, so yeah, look for hobbies, maybe get, join a new hobby, find a class, do something for you. Yeah. Yeah. So many great ideas. And there's, there's something that'll work for everyone there, whether you have a really high demanding work schedule, whether you are a stay at home mom, whether you're a mom, whether you're a mom, whether you're a mom, whether you're, you know, whatever it is, I think there's something that can work for everyone. It's just, it's got to be a priority to you to want to do it. And I know that's tough. It is. And I still remember when I did your mama work it, your biz mama, biz mama, um, uh, program. And I remember one of the things and it's always stayed with me. And I say this often, even in my mother's and business program, it's like, do you not have time or is it just not a priority for you? And if it's not, that's okay, but tell yourself that. And I do just be honest. And I'll do, and I'll look in the mirror and I'll say, no, that's actually not a priority priority is this right now. And I will eventually make it a priority because I do want to do that. But right now this is what it is. And that mindset shift changed everything. Um, even though I kind of knew it, but to hear it said from someone else and then repeating it back to myself whenever I'm in one of those like, oh, well, I should be, it's like, well, should I, or is that just not something I really want to do? And I'm like, no, I don't really want to do that right now. I need to focus on this. Well, then focus on that. And whatever I need to do, done when I can prioritize it again. Yeah. Yeah. Because we also kind of tend to try to prioritize everything and that's unreasonable. You get burnt out by it. It's impossible. No. But if you're feeling that void for the village, maybe it does need to become a priority for you in the moment. Yeah. If it's affecting your mental health, if you're depressed, absolutely. I mean, and then of course seek professional help, you know, check your insurance, you know, if that's different, but absolutely. Like if that is a priority to find, then yeah, then look for different ways. Cause whether you're, you know, an entrepreneur who's running a play center, pregnant, you know, and I never tried to throw in someone's face. Like, listen, you're busy. Like we're all busy and we all have different things. Whether you're working in business, whether you're pregnant, maybe taking care of your family, I'm like a, like a parent, right? Yeah. We all have busy seasons. It's just, you have to be honest with yourself. What do you need right now? And what are you willing to prioritize to fulfill that need? And then making sure that then whether it's your partner, if you're a single mom, I bow down to you. Um, you know, that you, you try and find those outlets and resources to help so that you can do what you need to do. Mm hmm. Absolutely. Absolutely. Nicole, we're going to move into our lightning round now where I love to ask random personal fun questions so our listeners can get to know you a little better. You ready? Okay. Yes. Let's go. Okay. If you could go on vacation tomorrow, anywhere in the world, where would it be and why? Greece. Um, just because I watched a movie on Netflix, I think with Harry Connick Jr. And it was recently and I just fell in love with Greece. That's how I fell in love with under the Tuscan sun and went to Tuscany. So I'm manifesting one day I will be in Greece. Okay. Yeah, you've done it before. You'll do it again. All right. If they made a movie about your life, who would you want to play you? Jennifer Lopez. I love her. Oh, yes. Hands down. Absolutely. Black. Yeah. Yeah. Why not? Yeah. All right. I know you're not, I know you're not drinking these days, but what's your cocktail of choice? Oh, I cannot wait. I cannot wait. It is prepesado tequila with a splash of actual pineapple juice and some jalapenos. Chill. Okay. Yep. Last question. What's something most people may not know about you? Ooh. Probably that I'm more sensitive than not. I think a lot of people see and I have this, um, um, pretty calling that aura, but representation of myself, presentation of myself that I'm strong and I am, but I am actually very sensitive and a very big empath. Um, like I'm always crying. I cry during commercials. I cry. I can be a song can come on and I'll sing it. I'm like, yes. And I'm crying. Like I am really big sensitive and empath and I don't think a lot of people, um, know that. Wow. Is that heightened right now with your pregnancy? It is. Oh yeah. Absolutely. Well, good and bad, right? The tears and the anger, like all of it, all of it. I just woke up annoyed the other day. And it's so funny because I've been, I've been really good. And then like I'm heading into the, I am in the third trimester. So the annoyances and I don't even know what I was annoyed for. Um, but yes, definitely more sensitive, but yeah, I'm just an overall, like I, I feel things, man, I really, really do. And maybe it's, it's what made this work, what it is. Um, because I really do lead with my guts and, and the feelings of it. You know, maybe you've said not to, but trying to be smart business wise, but still giving back. It's a thing that I deal with every day. Love that. I get it. I'm a deep feeler too. And you are a very savvy business woman. So I think you've got the balance down. Yeah. Well, yeah. Yes, I do. Thank you. Um, and I'm trying to, I'm always thinking of, I'm that if that's one thing like super power is, I mean, I'm walking my dog and I'm, my brain is never shut off. I don't think ever. And not in a bad way. I talk to myself in my brain. And then I go to chat, GBT, and then I'll have a conversation, always business. I'm like, Hey, this is my thought. This is not really going well in my business. I need you to think like a CFO or CEO. What could we do? And then, yeah, and that has, that has really helped me. I'll have some ideas. So in that way, yes. Um, but yeah, running a, when you have a mission and having a thing and you're not a 501 C or nonprofit, it is hard because you have bills to pay. So yeah. Yeah. Well, I'm so excited for what you're doing. And I, I imagine that the South Florida community is just so appreciative and grateful for this space and this community. So thank you for bringing that. And hopefully the next time you're on this show, you've expanded into multiple locations and we can talk about that. So I'm rooting for you. Thank you, my dear. I appreciate you so much. It's so good to see your face. And I appreciate you for giving me an opportunity to speak and share my story. Yeah. And just tell our listeners where they can learn more about you, connect with you. Sure. Um, so website, motherhood village or the motherhood village.com. So Shamedia, it's either motherhood village for all springs. That's for the location or motherhood village, the motherhood village one. That's from my community and podcast. And on LinkedIn, um, under Nicole Gonzalez, come back. Nicole, thank you so much. Thank you, Marissa. Bye. That's a wrap for this episode of the Mama Work It podcast. I hope you feel empowered, inspired and ready to take your next step. If this episode spoke to you, share it with another amazing mama and don't forget to subscribe and leave a review. It helps us show up wherever you get your podcasts. Be sure to head over to mamaworkit.com for free resources, coaching support and new ways to mommage your days as a busy mom. Until next time, keep on working it, mama. It's hard to concentrate when you're worried about your health. It can feel like there's a wall between you and the rest of the world, like you can't be fully present. Hello, AXA Health. How can I help? At AXA Health Insurance, we build our teams with people who care. So when you need us, we're here to support you. For cover that cares, search AXA Health Insurance. Pre-existing conditions are not covered.