Today we’d like to introduce you to Onteria West.
Thanks for sharing your story with us Onteria. So, let’s start at the beginning and we can move on from there.
After becoming a mother, I began to lose my identity and wasn’t exactly sure who I was as a woman anymore. After a couple of months, I eventually realized I was still the same ambitious, driven, tough, and loving woman I’ve always been. I just had to get used to this new, and most important, role of being a mom, as well as a wife. Essentially, I rediscovered myself.
I chose to become a motherhood and lifestyle blogger with a goal to send a consistent message that would hopefully resonate with wives, first-time moms, and moms in general. You can live purposefully in your roles as wives and mothers, yet still, stand firm in your own skin as the woman you are and have always been. You just have to learn the art of balancing it all!
Has it been a smooth road?
Absolutely not smooth at all! Even just the entire process of starting a blog, doing photo shoots, and learning my audience while managing the needs of my infant son was and still is at times extremely overwhelming. There have been plenty of times that I’ve gotten frustrated, didn’t think this journey was for me, and I just wanted to quit. Luckily, I have an awesome and supportive husband, and whenever he hears me make comments that seem as though I’m doubting myself, he simply says “You’re already doing it!” Don’t get me wrong, I’m thoroughly enjoying the journey, and it’s fun! It’s just hard since I have so many other obligations, but obviously also doable.
I have three pieces of advice for other women starting their journey, and for those that follow me, they’ve already heard me mention these:
1. Whatever you want to do, just take the leap and do it. Stop waiting for the “right” time or the “perfect” circumstances because they’ll likely never come. I started creating a blog with a five-month-old. If I told myself that I’d wait until I was less busy, or he was older, I wouldn’t be where I am now.
2. Don’t compare yourself to others. Run your own race. This is so important because if you look to your left or your right to see what other people are doing and compare yourself to them, you’re essentially doing a disservice to yourself. It’s so easy to do and I know because I’ve done it. I’ve had to realize that this person that’s got 20,000 followers on social media has been doing their thing for a while now. I just started a few months ago! Pace yourself, be true to yourself and do things on your own terms. Don’t beat yourself up. Everything will fall into place.
3. You probably won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, but that’s ok! Some people prefer coffee, and others like hot chocolate. That’s totally fine, so don’t stress out if everyone doesn’t always agree with, or even like your perspective. Diversity is what makes the world go ‘round and variety is the spice of life!
So, as you know, we’re impressed with Our West Nest – tell our readers more, for example, what you’re most proud of and what sets you apart from others.
Thank you! My main objective is to bring my audience transparent content around my family, home, marriage life and how I balance it all. I’m actually a very private person, but I still want to always be truthful and share my experiences in my day to date as a career woman, mom, and wife.
What I’m most proud of with my brand is that I’m just true to myself. What you see is what you get. I know that I can be a total professional yet still be fun and have a conversation with anyone like they’re a good friend.
Do you think there are structural or other barriers impeding the emergence of more female leaders?
I believe, in general, the biggest barrier is that we’re still achieving “firsts.” For example, we have yet to see a female President in the U.S. I think once we get over the firsts, whether it applies to race, gender, or other categories, we can make strides to do more.
Are there any apps, books, podcasts, blogs or other resources that help you do your best in life (at work or otherwise)?
I recently took a professional development course and from it, they recommended a book called Emotional Intelligence 2.0. The book speaks to understanding your Emotional Intelligence Quotient which includes Self Awareness, Self-Management, Social Awareness, and Relationship Management. So far, I’ve found that this book has been helpful in all aspects of my life.
Since I’m fairly new to blogging, I’ve also found some favorite podcasts I like to listen to that give lots of advice on how to navigate the blogging world, cultivate your niche, and become a vetted influencer. Julie Solomon’s podcast, The Influencer Podcast does this well, and she keeps it real. I also love to listen to The Mattie James Show, because she gives the same advice, but also throws in simple tips on doing blogger/influencer work while being a mom and businesswoman. She also has an awesome blog. She covers things like how you can continue to blog consistently and balance your 9-5, how to find your confidence as an influencer, etc. She’s so real, yet also tough, like me. I love that!
Contact Info:
- Website: www.ourwestnest.com
- Email: support@ourwestnest.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/onteria_shaki
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/onteriashaki/
- Other: https://www.pinterest.com/onteria_shaki/
Image Credit:
LaJoy Cox
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