WRAL Meet This Mom: Michelle Lieszkovszky-Fausnight
Stephanie Llorente, owner of Restored, is a regular contributor to the WRAL-TV Go Ask Mom blog where she writes about relevant topics for working moms. We repost that content here.
Thanksgiving has come, and what better way to celebrate than profiling a mother who works for an iconic Thanksgiving brand? Butterball is undoubtedly a central part of this week’s celebration for families across the nation, and I am admittedly biased.
I worked there for about eight years. When I left at the end of 2015, I was managing the brand’s PR programs and had forged friendships with so many people in the corporate office.
I met “Michelle with the really hard last name” (that’s exactly how I reference her to my husband) when she first started her role in the marketing department. She’s a pure gem – equal parts kind, smart, funny and an amazing wife and mother — and I’m so thankful you get to meet her, too.
Happy Thanksgiving, everyone!
1. What’s your name, and in what part of the Triangle do you spend most of your time?
Michelle Lieszkovszky-Fausnight, Cary
2. Tell us a little about your family and one activity you enjoy together.
We have lovingly branded our crew as the “M&M Family” and call our home the “M Den” as everyone has an M-name: Mike, Michelle, Madeleine and Miles.
3. Tell us about your current career and how long you’ve worked in that field.
I lead new product development at Butterball, LLC, bringing new, exciting turkey solutions to consumer households. I’ve held several positions in marketing over the past nine years. It’s a pleasure to be a part of America’s favorite turkey brand.
4. Where will you spend Thanksgiving?
At home! My husband and I have been hosting Thanksgiving every year since we’ve been married for the past 16 years. It’s one of my favorite holidays — and we give the turkey time to shine before any Christmas celebrations or decorations unfold.
5. What’s your favorite Butterball product?
Outside of the fabulous tender and juicy whole turkeys, I love Butterball’s turkey dinner sausage, breakfast sausage and burgers. What great crowd-pleasers and quick meal options when you’re trying to get little tummies fed after a hectic day — in a healthy way, to boot!
6. What do you love about parenting as a working mother?
Leading my children by example – having clear goals and ambitions. As a working mom, I get to set an important example of embracing your own identity, spirit, and purpose outside of the home, too. While we are “Team M&M,” we also appreciate each other’s unique talents and characteristics!
7. Tell us about a challenge you’ve overcome as a mother in the workplace.
I would question Every. Little. Thing. from the time I had a newborn. Should I use formula or breastfeed? Should I join the stroller moms’ group? Should I pack lunches and bake cookies? Cookies from scratch or is the frozen dough okay? I had to learn that just because I CAN do something, doesn’t mean I SHOULD do it. Being a mom means whatever I want it to mean to me — and I had to build a strong filter to help make choices on how to use my energy. There will always be a challenge, a demand on your time, an unexpected turn of events — but knowing your identity as a mother AND accepting it helps you move through the struggles with ease and grace.
8. What are you passionate about outside of work and family?
Fitness and Disney vacations. Especially, for my health focus, I love Pure Barre and have completed 250+ classes at the studio in Cary Crescent Commons where the members come together to lift, tone and burn! I’m also a CorePower Yoga student at the Waverly Place location and enjoy the C2 class equipped with Vinyasa flow where you turn stress into sweat moving through postures to challenge your flexibility in a heated environment.
I’ve also come to know and love all things Disney as a mom of young children. You might be surprised to hear that I wasn’t always a Disney person, however. We took a vacation once, and I swore I would never go back — too overwhelming. But, when I was pregnant with my son, I wanted to give it another try before we became a family of four, and I used a travel agent. I had a whole new lens afterward and now go to Walt Disney World two to three times a year!
Two years ago, I received my certification as an authorized Disney Travel Planner through MousePros Travel Agency and guide families with their vacation planning (@Michelle.MouseProsTravel on Facebook). I do this, not only as a fun hobby, but because I really care about making sure families experience the magic. I focus on their needs and interests while being a trusted source of information giving technical guidance, but also emotional support to ensure they have a stress-free experience. And, I love meeting new people and getting to know these families through the planning process!
What is one book, podcast, article, social media account, blog or other resource you can recommend for moms?
I have two resources that I recommend that have positively impacted my quality of life as a working mom:
- Kate Byars at The Good Life Institute
- https://www.goodlifeinstitute.org/podcast/
- Laura Dewey at The Self Leadership Lab
- https://www.theselfleadershiplab.com/podcast
- https://www.lauradewey.com/
10. If you have a favorite go-to spot in the Triangle, what is it? (dining, park, activity, entertainment venue – anything!)
I’m a big fan of all-things in Cary. Specifically, I enjoy Waverly Place to play, exercise, dine, shop, relax and celebrate — and I’m now getting excited to spend more time in the newest mixed-use development, Fenton, too!
11. Is there anything else you’d like to share?
To all the working moms out there, know that you are not falling short — even if it may seem that way in your head. You’re exactly where you need to be, and most likely, killing it. Save your energy to do the things that matter most to you and the rest is good enough. We all have gifts. Celebrate yours!