Working Mom Spotlight: Amanda Leggette
Name: Amanda Leggette
Occupation: Small business owner of The Homestead Haven + CEO of the Leggette home ;)
Number of kids: 3
Favorite candy bar: Reece’s
Tell us about your family, and what’s your childcare solution.
We have 3 boys, Miles (7), Graham (4) and Weston (10 months). I feel fortunate that I’m able to be home with the boys due to the flexibility of owning my own business. On the contrary, this can also prove challenging at times. I’ve found that when I stick to a more structured routine for the boys, as well as the business, I’m able to dedicate my time to each and give it my all.
Where do you work, and what is a typical workday like for you?
I own The Homestead Haven, which was started in 2017 with the hopes of sharing my love for design and curated items for the home. We offer hand painted signs, giftables and custom goods for the home. A typical day looks like spending time fulfilling orders, whether from online orders or direct orders from customers and realtors who love to gift meaningful closing gifts that are unique to their clients. I dedicate days within each month to prep inventory which means I’m cutting wood for signs or designing new products. Most of the inventory are wooden signs which have to be cut down to size (we have standard sizes, but also make custom upon request), sanded, and painted, and the framing sanded and stained. I absolutely love this part and find it therapeutic. If I have a custom order, I will design it, often with 1-2, sometimes 3 design layouts/lettering for the customer to select and then paint the order accordingly.
Share some of your goals – personal or professional.
Personally, I want to get back to writing, whether it's going back to journaling more or finally tackling my laundry list of content for the blog and projects for the home. This also ties in with professional goals for my blog which has a big picture plan in the works.
What motivates you to work? My family and the ability to give back to charitable causes via proceeds from the sales in the shop. I also love that the boys see first hand that I’m creating products from start to finish. They see how excited I get when new products are delivered to customers and launch in the shop and are often the first to tell me they are beautiful or, “so nice mom. You made that?!” My husband is also my #1 fan and motivator. He is involved in inventory prep and long term goal planning, which we have so much fun doing together. If you’ve met him, you know he’s the life of the party. He motivates me to reach my goals.
How do you like to relax? Ideally, time alone with a good cup of coffee followed by a run/walk at one of my favorite trails while listening to music. Being in nature brings me so much peace.
What is your favorite part of motherhood? Navigating the unexpected and learning from my children. For example, our middle child being diagnosed with mild/moderate sensorineural hearing loss. I grieved the diagnosis and didn’t understand why we had to navigate uncharted territory. Yes, I had to be his “teacher” and advocate in so many ways, but he and his brothers have all proven to be my teachers. God gave me strength when I didn’t think I could handle another appointment, another sedated MRI, another set of tubes, learning about hearing aids, etc. I’ve learned so much from their tenacity and resilience.
What does Restored mean to you? How has it impacted you personally? Restored means so much to me. I was in a challenging space mentally a couple of years ago and remember praying for a sense of community. I never pushed myself outside of my comfort zone in years past, but in this difficult season, I vividly remember my prayers being answered and finding motivation to WANT to get out and meet people. I’ve found lifelong friendships and community with like-minded women.
What is one of your favorite Restored events to date? Why is it your favorite?
I cannot choose ONE. They have all been impactful in some way. I’ve never left a Restored event without some takeaway.
Can you share how you overcome challenges related to the “mom chaos” that settles in when you feel pulled in 100 directions?
A friend once shared a quote with me, “we will always feel like we are at max capacity with whatever is on our plate. Whether it's being a mom to one, two, three, etc, while working, running a business, you name it, we will always feel like we are at our max.” I have felt this so many times looking back at each season of my life. I’ve learned that sometimes the best yes is also saying no at times. It takes practice but it has helped with the “mom chaos.” More importantly, being selfish and taking time for me each day. Personally, that looks like getting up before the rest of my house to enjoy coffee, a devotional/time reading and getting in a good sweaty workout. I’m ready to tackle what the day brings after I’ve had this dedicated time alone.
Besides your faith and family, what are you passionate about? Helping and serving others. Staying active with my family, finding new adventures locally and traveling as a family to new places. Our family thrives when we hit the road and get out.