I’ve always been the outsider, the bystander. I like to watch and report. I want to reflect and share the stories of my peers. I did it while working on MuchMusic about pop culture and now I’m doing it for motherhood at YummyMummyClub.ca
Where would you like to be five years from now?
I would like to not be in front of my computer as much as I am now. I hope I’m out in the community empowering women, and more importantly, spending lots of fun time with my kids and husband.
Any advice for people getting started in your industry?
Get ready to put in a shitload of hours into building your business. Especially if you’re involved in the world of blogging and social media, the amount of time you put will directly relate to your level of success in building relationships and audience/readers.
What are your favourite media outlets, not including your own?
Best interview you’ve ever had?
My favourite interview is usually the last one I’ve done because I get smarter and more accomplished as time passes.
Worst?
Do you mean someone interviewing me or me interviewing someone, because I play both sides of the coin.
Best advice you’ve ever been given?
What rule(s) do you live your life by?
What’s the most important tip you can give PR pros?
Remember that moms who blog are often professional writers trying to make a living. If you want them to promote your product, treat them with respect. Pay them for their time. Don’t patronize them/us.
Best experience you’ve had with a PR pro? We love to hear about #wins.
Duri AlJarami isn’t a PR person per se. He was, until recently, the head of Digital Social Media at Ogilvy and he understands how to create great relationships with influencers and respect the work they do. When I work on a campaign with Duri, he doesn’t micromanage the content.
Instead, he has carefully researched his influencers and then lets them free to write, blog, tweet anything they feel inspired to say in relation to the brand and product. He (and his clients) benefit by having loyal social media bloggers who always give him more than he asks. He understands the importance of authenticity in social media. I am an ardent fan of his. All media types and brands could learn from him. Tell him I sent you.
I hate?
Negativity, especially online. Mean-spirited comments and tweets break my heart.
Bureaucracy. It’s dumb.
Wasteful government spending. Too prevalent.
Wasting time when there’s so much awesomeness to do.
I love?
My kids and husband who made me a yummy mummy, and give me the freedom to devote so much time doing what I love, which is building my “Ehm”pire and connecting with amazing women.
Reading?
Just finished Pride and Prejudice to coincide with my family tour to the U.K.
Best place on earth?
My home. It’s fun to venture out, but its heaven to come home.
Dinner guest?
I’d love to have all my Yummy Mummy staff and bloggers over for dinner. They are an inspiring, intelligent and passionate bunch. Although we all have different passions and interests, we’re all struggling to maintain our sense of self while giving so much to our families. There is so much to talk about when we get together! And if Oprah wanted to show up for dessert, that would be fun, too.
Hero?
That’s a tough one to answer because heroes come in all shapes and sizes. From local mom Heather Hamilton who lost her son and is on a mission to do good in his name, to Oprah for building her empire, to my mom for inspiring me with her personal and professional power. I am in awe of so many women who have a dream and make it happen.
Favourite app (or whatever you are downloading these days)?
Hootsuite and my flashlight app.
Pool or ocean?
A farm in the country with a babbling brook.
Voicemail or email?
Twitter.
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