Working Mom Spotlight: Erica Burger

Name: Erica Burger

Occupation: Regional Sales Manager, HR/Payroll Services

Number of kids: 2

Favorite candy bar: Reece’s Peanut Butter Cups THiNS

Tell us about your family, and what’s your childcare solution?

I married my college sweetheart, and we’ve been married for 17 years (as of Nov. 8). We have two awesome kiddos. My son is 11 and is absolutely a video gamer. My daughter is seven and is your typical girly girl who loves Barbie dolls and LOL Surprise dolls. Both my husband and I work full-time, and pre-COVID, we had them in year-round school and track out camp. 

Where do you work, and what is a typical workday like for you?

It’s interesting to see the shift in how I work, based on the world we are currently living in. I am a regional sales manger for CertiPay, a boutique style HR/payroll company. My job is so much fun because I get to serve as a connector for my clients. I love helping them achieve their business goals. A typical day consists of Zoom calls, virtual networking events, client consultations and phone calls. 

Days are long for this mama, getting up around 7 a.m. to get myself ready, then breakfast/tech set up for kids at Virtual School. Once they are settled, I have three to five virtual meetings each day (with lots of “mom I need help” breaks) and facilitate their schedules. Luckily, my husband loves to cook, so we have some delicious food (he likes to smoke meat on his Traeger – YUM!) and after the kids go to bed, lots of couch sitting and relaxing from the long day. 

Share some of your goals – personal or professional. 

Personally, goals have always been a priority in my world. With COVID, I’ve had to adjust both personal and professional goals to allot for self-care and mental health. While I know things will get back into a normal routine, I am giving myself a ton of grace this year. 

What motivates you to work? 

I love helping others achieve their goals. So, my motivation stems from the joy I get in seeing others achieve success. 

How do you like to relax?

I love to read all types of books! A book and a bubble bath are my favorite way to self-care and relax!

What is your favorite part of motherhood? 

Watching my children make good, kind choices as they grow up. 

What does Restored mean to you? How has it impacted you personally?

I’ve been attending and supporting Restored since it started. I was not a person of faith, and was lost for many years. I started coming to Restored to support my friend Allie, but what I found was beyond what I ever thought. I was able to be in community with like-minded women who struggle with work/motherhood/faith/self-care/love, and it helped me see that I was not alone. Sometimes we get so caught up thinking that no one else is feeling the way I do. That’s what community gives us, that knowing, that group hug that we are NOT alone. I was not a believer when I started attending Restored. I became a believer through the women God placed in my path to help guide me back home. Back to Him. My gratitude and amazement in how He works, can’t be put into words. 

What is one of your favorite Restored events to date? Why is it your favorite? 

Oh that’s hard to choose, but a few years ago there was an excellent event how self-care is not selfish. I can’t remember who the speaker was, but it was so impactful for all of us to remember that we cannot serve those around us from our own empty cup. 

Can you share how you overcome challenges related to the “mom chaos” that settles in when you feel pulled in 100 directions?

Surviving and advancing has been my mantra for the last eight months. I now see that it is GRACE for myself and those around me that is helping me overcome the chaos. I get to be reminded of the pause this time has given us, to topple down any false idols I was prioritizing and see the calm in the storm. I know this time is not permanent, but what I choose to do and see through it, that’s how I know we will be ok.  Also, the laundry never ends, so GRACE mama – we will be ok!

Besides your faith and family, what are you passionate about? 

It may sound weird, but I’m passionate about healing and helping others recognize the generational chaos. I want them to see how we can become who God created us to be so that our daughters and sons see how strong and joyful and broken and humble and GRACE-filled their moms are. I remember talking to my husband a few years ago about what I like to do in my “free time,” and I couldn’t think of anything except long strolls down the aisle (child free) at Target. It took me awhile to realize that I am OK and fueled by the need to center myself and heal, and it was ok to be “passionate” about that. I have a strong desire and need to be a light in dark places. To be a place of hope for other people who feel lost. To be a human reminder of God’s unbelievable grace and love. And I couldn’t be more honored to hold that space.