You know that Instagrammer that you start to follow….and then they follow you back….and then ya’ll just have a thing. You don’t even know what the thing is, but its an energy. When I pressed follow on Mommy Matters there were several reasons why I needed to interview this woman, mama, BOSS, and for the sake of LOVE.
Antonia is a multifaceted boss ass woman. Shes taken on the title and responsibility of hairstylist, instructor, manager of cosmetology, business owner, and MOM all before the age of 29. She’s warm, and fun, and operates with a serious purpose. On June 17th 2017, she left her job and set out to build her brand.
To “Go from having a steady paycheck to having to make my own paycheck” is something that is admirable. She started as a young mom- “I got pregnant at 19 and had him at 20 and never really had that support system” so she built her own community of moms where they could talk and shoot shit without being judged. In her podcast introduction she says…
“I believe as mothers we shouldn’t let motherhood stop us from pursuing our dreams, being true to ourselves, and living our best lives. Our journey through motherhood shouldn’t be one were judged on but instead celebrated and supported.
”Its not about you, its about making someone else’s day. – Antonia
Tell me about your morning routine?
I think as time went on my morning routine has changed for the better. I used to be guilty of just hopping on social media which is very bad so I had to set the tone for the day. I still wake up with my phone in my hand but I changed the way I went about it. I found me a little bible app and I do my morning devotion to spend 15 minutes in my own time before I start my day.
If I don’t have my kids I will marinate in bed for a while, then step into my little office space and I will journal. I will write down affirmations and thoughts for the future. Writing things onto my life that are positive are important. I love affirmations…and speaking things onto your life helps with a lot. Your words have power.
She talked about reading the four agreements and how it was life changing. This is my all time favorite so it was nice to connect with her on this book. Please read it for your life.
What is a day of self-care for you?
I feel like I make time for myself throughout the week so I couldn’t imagine having a whole day to myself. I will maybe have a glass of Rose’, take a nap, and read a good book. I love books on self-development.
What advice would you give to your younger self?
Don’t care what anybody has to say about you or think about you….just do what you wanna do. The younger me cared, and as I get older I think “Why did I care?”
What do you love most about yourself?
I love the ability that I have adapted to communicate with people. I was a horrible communicator. I didn’t know how to say how I felt and talk to people. I now consider myself an ambivert. I can be introverted and socialize, but I still need to go back and recharge.
If you had to leave this earth tomorrow, what is the one thing you would do?
Jeez that’s a good one. I guess I would get all of my friends and family into a large room, have a really big party, and let them know that I really do love them even though I don’t always communicate it well.
What does women empowerment mean to you?
I go back and forth with this women empowerment thing. I love that word but I hate it because I feel like its been taken advantage of.
Antonia talked about how sometimes women hold events that speak of women empowerment while women are still being disrespected.
I am passionate about it because I feel like we need to build each other up and have each other’s back. There are women out there that actually want to see each other win. I feel like we are slowly getting it.
If I didn’t have …I would go insane
If I didn’t have silence. Its always good to enjoy peace and quiet….it’s needed for sanity. I don’t even turn my TV on sometimes. Before, I would never sit in a room or a restaurant or a bar by myself and be with myself silently….and now it’s like I can.
Have you encountered any issues as a woman in the workplace/business environment?
I never really encounter issues now, but in hairstyling there was a little bit of favoritism towards the men. It was more sexual for me in a way…you had to look a certain way/be made over.
One thing I admire so much about Antonia is her…she ain’t taking no shit mentality. Her job became something she didn’t want it to be when they tried to make her into something she didn’t want to be and when I asked her how she got passed it, her answer was simple….”I quit” (BOSS)
What advice would you give to someone starting a podcast (Or any business/brand)?
Do it! It’s a way for you to connect. You learn a lot from other people, the conversations are good….and you will meet people that you never thought you would.
Mentally and Emotionally it’s going to be stressful…it needs to be known. You need to be disciplined enough to where you can pull yourself out of it. Have a good support system that can help you pull yourself out of it. I couldn’t say that I had a whole bunch of money to start…but I pulled my little paychecks together and I had a plan. I literally started recording from voice memos on my phone and then I upgraded from there but it takes time.
Fear gets in the way of a lot. What would you tell someone that wants to quit?
Please don’t…just don’t.
I felt that way many times. 3 months in, 6 months in… a year in. Think about how much you’ve done and how much you’ve grown. You gotta look back at it.
I said yesss look back at it! ‘two chains voice’
Tell me about one woman that inspires you…
Ronne Brown. I started following her a few years ago and her drive and passion inspired me to keep going.
I did some digging into Ronne and she really is inspiring. I listened to her Ted Talks and my favorite part of it was how she talked about how our shame comes from listening to other people and the way they look at life….as a primarily female audience clapped. She broke it DOWN and helped me to personally understand how important is to share your shame.
Thanks Antonia for that plug and thanks to Ronne B. Perfect example of how women coming together can make a difference. Even through Instagram.
What does LOVE mean to you?
LOVE is unconditional. Its unforgiving….it is patient and I know that sounds cliche’ but its so true. I look at my kids when it comes to love and how naïve they are. You can discipline them one second and the next second my youngest is right back in my face. They are just so happy regardless and blissful.
Just look at a child and be like that child and that would be love for me. You will be so much better as a person if you forgive and LOVE.
I kind of LOVED how this circled back around to relate to the inspiration that Antonia gives to the world. Our kids are blessings and show us true LOVE while giving us a title that MATTERS. Although it can be difficult, it ain’t impossible and girl you are a true example. Follow Antonia’s IG @mommymatters , download her app, and subscribe to the podcast.
4 Comments. Leave new
That’s was dope!!!
You are. Thanks again!
Hi there! Such a great article, thank you!
Thank you for reading!