Working Mom Spotlight: Chelsea Jennette
Meet Chelsea! She is a wife, twin mom, corporate attorney with incredible side hustles and a Restored mom.
Name: Chelsea Jennette
Occupation: Attorney, Blogger, Owner of Charley Madelyn
Number of kids: twin girls that are 1 ½-years-old
Favorite candy bar: Reese’s Cup
Tell us about your family, and what’s your childcare solution?
My husband and I live in Sanford, N.C., with our twin girls named Charley and Madelyn. My mom also lives with us, so as you can imagine our house is never quiet, which I honestly love. I am so grateful for a job that allows me to work from home so I can be home with my girls during the day. My mom and I have a system and schedule in place that allows us to have the girls at home and still incorporate educational teachings, activity time and a set schedule in place.
Where do you work, and what is a typical workday like for you?
During the day, I work for a pharmaceutical company negotiating contracts and budgets that govern clinical trials. I also am the content creator behind A Fashionable Believer (a faith and fashion blog). I recently just launched my online faith and fashion boutique named CharleyMadelyn. Due to my work schedule, I typically get up early in the morning and stay up after the girls’ bedtime to do work which I call “mama’s after hours.”
Share some of your goals – personal or professional.
Personally, I am learning to love myself again. Becoming a mom truly changes you. You are no longer the same person you used to be, so I am enjoying discovering who I am again. So, goals are giving myself grace, being gentle to myself and leaning in on who God has called me to be. Professionally, one of my goals is to see CharleyMadelyn successfully grow and flourish.
What motivates you to work?
My girls motivate me to work. I want to leave a legacy for them, and I want to show them that anything is possible with God on your side. I also want them to know that their dreams are within reach, if they just trust God, surrender their plans to Him and work hard. They also, to me, are a representation of faith and hope. Also, knowing the power of encouragement and empowerment, it motivates me to encourage and empower other women. I know how it feels to walk in dark seasons, and I always imagine what I would say to myself in those dark seasons. It would simply be: Don’t give up. Brighter days are on the way. So, I feel motivated knowing that there are women out there who need a personal hype team to let them know of their worth. They need to be encouraged and empowered to keep going.
How do you like to relax?
2020 has taught me the beauty of slowing down. I love spending quality time with my daughters and husband. I also believe in the power of a good pamper day. I always love pedicure and massage appointments!
What is your favorite part of motherhood?
There were times that I never thought I would be a mama, so just to be a part of this amazing community is truly such a blessing. My favorite part of motherhood is watching my girls interact with each other, making each other laugh, and kissing/hugging each other when the other one is upset or crying. I also never get tired of hearing them call me their mama. It’s my best role and my favorite title.
What does Restored mean to you? How has it impacted you personally?
Restored means to me the opportunity to be able to intentionally spend time with God and to be around fellow women believers. Restored has been so affirming and reassuring that all of my overwhelming emotions aren’t unusual, and that I am not alone. In sum, Restored has meant that I know that I am not alone in this walk and that there are so many amazing mamas walking this journey with me as God is leading us all.
What is one of your favorite Restored events to date? Why is it your favorite?
My favorite Restored event was when I went to their encouragement session with Maghon Taylor from All She Wrote Notes. I learned so much about how to stay encouraged throughout the day and how to lead that same encouragement in my household with my girls and husband. Also, Maghon’s energy is absolutely contagious, so I just felt so energized and refreshed after listening to her.
Can you share how you overcome challenges related to the “mom chaos” that settles in when you feel pulled in 100 directions?
Take a deep breath and say a prayer. I just had one of these moments the other day, and honestly I feel like I have them quite often but what I found has helped me has just been to stop whatever I am doing at that moment, take a deep breath, close my eyes and say a prayer. I ask God for strength, to take my mind off of the million things going on in my head and to just be present. He always does. He always finds me wherever I am.
Besides your faith and family, what are you passionate about?
As cliché as this may sound, I am passionate about encouraging and empowering women. I know what it feels like to be afraid of what the future holds. I have been there, but I am passionate about encouraging and empowering women to be confident in their walk and know that the best is yet to come.