Today we’d like to introduce you to Audra Rodriguez.
So, before we jump into specific questions about the business, why don’t you give us some details about you and your story.
I’m a career woman, turned wife, turned mother and on an endeavor to have it all. I believe that all women are badasses and have the capability of being anything they want to be.
I want to be living proof of that. I wanted a place where I could share my struggles and wins of life, let every woman know – it’ll be ok.
I knew at a young age, I wanted to be a successful career woman. I also knew that I was going to have to work extremely hard to get there. I always held a job since I was 15 years old, learning work ethic from my mother and my drive from my fancy taste. I graduated from Florida State University in 08′, which was the worst economic time for any graduate to try and get a job. Nevertheless, during my internship at a local TV station, I asked the bold question and inevitability got the job. I kept my head down and sold as much TV and Internet as I possibly could. I pulled the typical “Millennial” move and said “there is more out there for me”, sold all of my belongings and my now husband and I moved up to NYC; where we had a mission – build our resume. Living there for 3.5 years, we did just that. Moved to Atlanta with my previous company, went through acquisitions; my most recent one, being Oracle – where I was the Senior Client Partner, leading the Telecommunications Vertical for Data Sales. To my most recent success of becoming Director, Demand Sales for a wonderful startup called, Eyeota.
Now, that’s my short insight into my career. However, I knew I wanted a family…
When I met my husband and knew that I wanted to have a family with him. After over a year of trying we got pregnant with our baby girl. Queue the Googling, research, and stress that comes with the unknown. What I began reading made me feel inferior and that there was no way I was going to succeed at being a mom.
I hated breastfeeding and in fact, pumped for four months before calling it quits, my child eats Mac and Cheese/Pasta/Chicken Nuggets regularly, she goes to daycare, she was sleep trained and I’m a traveling working mom. I’m doing the complete opposite of what those other blogs and research told me to do. However; through that, I learned that my child is my child for a reason, she’s a part of me and understands. She’s showered with love, cuddles and given an amazing dose of real-life advice.
What I want to get out to the world, is that your life is your life. How you do things within your family is perfect for you and YOUR family. Comparison of motherhood is never a good look, we are all out here winging it and trying to keep these tiny humans alive. Bring humor and wine to parenting, it’ll do you wonders.
So, through the struggles of being a career woman, wife, and mom – I knew I had to create a place to share “you’re not alone, momma!” and that is how Baby and a Biscuit was born.
Overall, has it been relatively smooth? If not, what were some of the struggles along the way?
Not to sound overdramatic; but yes, I feel like every day I encounter a struggle. But, that is life; it’s honestly how you handle these struggles that makes you, you.
For instance, when I quit my job and moved to NYC, I was naive; but determined. I didn’t have a job for the entire month. The stress set in; hiding your stress during interviews is an art within itself. However; you cannot get a job in NYC unless you have an apartment, you can’t get an apartment in NYC without a job – Crazy, right? So, we had to get crafty, do some real trickery to make sure we had an apartment, we could barely afford. But, with the mindset of the future and our goals, that drives you to make bold decisions and keep your head down. With that in mind, I prevailed and got an amazing opportunity within the industry I’m currently in.
Another tough struggle has been playing to the corporate politics game. Not a fun one and quite frankly, its BS. But, nonetheless, you must play to some degree. There is always that one person, that tries to insert dominance – could be a boss, a co-worker, a peer; etc. But, you need to know where your path lies. Who you ultimately need to impress and keep your head down, focus. If your boss is the one you need to appease, then determine the long term goal. I’ve had several amazing bosses and few not so great. I’ve fallen into deep depressions over it and it changed my entire life. Don’t do that. Determine if you will be fulfilled in a place like that; then, make your move.
In mom life, my previous story about struggling with breastfeeding and if you’re a mom, you know how much pressure you receive for doing something like this, I would cry and cry because I couldn’t get it to work. After so much backlash and pressure; I decided to fold and give my child formula, funny story. She’s 100% healthy and thriving.
I say all of this to say that, my advice with struggles, is to remember your end goal. Stay bold and ALWAYS stay true to yourself. Do not change for anything or anyone, it’s not worth it. In the end, you’ll be successful in anything you do. You will encounter so many struggles, but without those, you wouldn’t be where you need to be.
Please tell us more about your work, what you are currently focused on and most proud of.
For my day job, I work as a Director for Demand Sales for Eyeota; where we work with marketers, data owners and research companies to provide distinct, comprehensive and qualified audience data for marketing.
I’ve been in this industry for over ten years and could not love it more. I love how it’s changing and evolving, every day is a new adventure. Every day is a new problem to solve.
My “other” job is my Lifestyle Blog, Baby and a Biscuit (www.babyandabiscuit.com). This is a place where I share my real life struggles. Things I’ve encountered in life, ways I’m working through mom guilt, career life and giving you my take on those experiences. For instance, why I’m sick of being pressured into having more kids, why I think New Year’s resolutions are BS and how being on the hot mess express, is ok.
I believe the fact that I’m so real and raw with my feedback and perspective, is what sets me apart. We live in a “perfect” world. Where everything is perfectly curated and it gives society the stress and struggle to live this “Made for TV” life. I’m not perfect and I struggle every single day. That is what I share and that is what I hope to bring to this world.
There’s a wealth of academic research that suggests that lack of mentors and networking opportunities for women has materially affected the number of women in leadership roles. Smart organizations and industry leaders are working to change this, but in the meantime, do you have any advice for finding a mentor and building a network?
Always, always stay in contact with people you work with or have met. If you have a terrible memory, write their names down or even a fun fact about them. The human connection is so extremely important. One of the things I pride myself in, is keeping in touch with as many people as I can. You never know where that will take you personally and professionally.
Find that one person that you admire, that has a unique perspective on life/career. I always recommend someone you get along with, but they do not always have to have your same view – it’ll open your eyes and help you perceive things in a different way.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.babyandabiscuit.com
- Email: audra@babyandabiscuit.com
- Instagram: audra_elise
Image Credit:
Roberto Rodriguez of Little Llama Productions, Margaret Wright
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