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INDIANAPOLIS — For many central Indiana mothers, life is a balancing act — having a purpose, while also providing for her family, work, and community.
According to the U.S. Department of Labor, 70 percent of mothers with children under the age of 18 are in the workforce, and 75 percent of those moms are employed full time.
Kelly Sutter, of Fishers, is a mother of two little ones and an entrepreneur with her own marketing business.
"I feel like people have kids, and they feel like they need to make a choice," Sutter, owner of Wild Flamingo Marketing, said.
Sutter worked nearly 15 years of her marketing career in the corporate world before making a decision that would change her life.
"It was just this past September, I decided that I have the experience and the passion for marketing and wanted to go out and do something on my own," Sutter said. "And that's when I started Wild Flamingo Marketing."
Sutter said her day-to-day workflow is priceless compared to what her schedule was like working a corporate job Monday through Friday. She said she used a simple tool to help her make this new business endeavor work.
"I've joined some networking groups where I have seen other moms do it and I was inspired by moms being able to somehow find that balance," she said.
Sutter is one of hundreds of Indianapolis' working mothers utilizing support groups focused on women just like her.
One such group is the Indy MOMpreneuers, started by Stephanie Fischer in Dec. 2017.
"We pretty much look into our community to see who is very good at something and who would like to teach other MOMpreneurs about it," Fischer said.
LEARN MORE | Indy MOMpreneurs on Facebook
Fischer owns a women's clothing boutique and wanted to create a networking group that mothers can attend, even with kids in tow.
"Today we have a CPA coming to discuss taxes and the new tax laws," Fischer said. "Every meetup has a different discussion, different thing to learn, and it is free for every mom to do it."
Another popular Indianapolis group is The CityMoms led by Desta Ntamere, who owns her own interior design company.
"We just try to share our knowledge and resources and connect people to each other," says Ntamere.
LEARN MORE | The CityMoms on Facebook
It is Hoosier working women, who are also mothers, simply supporting other Indy women making these busy lifestyles work, together.
"I think that gives you a sense of purpose and not losing who you are because you can be lots of things and not just mom, you can be a business woman, you can be a friend, you can be out in society and not just being mom," Ntamere said. "I think it helps you be a better mom if you were being the best you can be and for a lot of women that means pursuing their purpose and their dreams, whatever that might be."
