Eirene Heidelberger is a Chicago-based parent coach and a mom to three boys. Her business, GIT Mom, is dedicated to helping parents Get It Together so they have more time for the activities they most enjoy. When moms have the right tools to create family balance, they have the freedom to create happy mommy time for themselves. Happy confident moms raise happy confident kids! Read our interview with the lovely Eirene below…
What motivated and inspired you to start your own business?
When I had my first son Cole, 12 years ago I did not have a strong village to guide me. I constantly thought to myself, “Why is all of the parenting information huge tomes that I can’t even concentrate on because I am so sleep deprived?” I wanted straight-forward tips that worked. Fast forward to when Cole turned 9 months old and I had gotten it together. He was sleeping through the night and on a 2 nap schedule and because of this I was able to fit in my needs around his. My mommy friends took notice at how much time I had and they wanted the same life so I began sharing my tips and secrets to attain a zen mommy life. For 10 years I casually coached friends on sleep training their babies and figuring out the right mom/woman balance. My last free client was a girlfriend whom I helped get her 4 month old to sleep through the night and create the right feeding and 3 nap schedule and a month later she said, “I can’t get over how easy this is, you need a business!” And because I remembered back to wanting my own mommy tools and I had figured out how to raise a happy family around my own independent one – I decided to go for it.
Tell us about your business.
GIT Mom is a parent coaching business. We work with moms in their homes or by Skype solving any parenting issue they are struggling with, from sleep training to family scheduling to positive discipline strategies… our services are endless! We begin with a complimentary 15 minute call with either mom or dad or both, to learn about what challenges they’re facing, then set a future time to work together where we provide them with straight forward, 1-2-3 customized steps to fix their parenting struggles. Our bread and butter is sleep training for babies through children up to 8 years old, getting babies on a schedule, followed by getting mommy ready to go back to work, introducing a new sibling to the family, positive toddler discipline and easing power struggles between mom and dad. GIT Mom is the only parent coaching company in the country focusing on the happiness of mom rather than her kids. We show moms that happy, confident, independent moms raise well-adjusted, self-assured and confident kids.
Are you currently running any promos?
Yes! “Like” our Facebook page and comment on any post “Lady boss blogger” to be entered to win a free session with Eirene the GIT Mom for you or a friend. And if you don’t want to try your Lady Luck mention “Lady Boss Blogger” when booking a session with GIT Mom to save 20% off a single meeting or on any of our packages.
List awards/certificates/accomplishments.
Eirene is a certified parent coach from Comprehensive Coaching U and has a bachelor’s degree from the University of Wisconsin-Madison.
Where is your business based?
GIT Mom is based in Chicago. We see our local clients in their homes or over a meal or glass of vino and for those living out of state we coach by phone.
What were the first few steps you took to get your business up and running?
I needed to think of a business name and create a logo. Next I hired a web designer who lives in New Zealand (of all places!) to create my website. We had an initial Skype call then we communicated by email and continue to do so as the site has changed and grown. After that I joined social media and set-up accounts for Facebook, Twitter and Instagram. I had resisted joining Facebook before owning a business because I didn’t want tech distraction so for me learning how to post on all of the different mediums was the most difficult and scary part of starting a business. I officially launched my business by giving a presentation on the 7 steps to Getting It Together at my very favorite boutique gym in Chicago called Shred415. The rest is history.
What has been the most effective way of raising awareness of your business and getting new customers?
Social media! Facebook is my favorite tool for growing brand awareness and informing my audience what we do at GIT Mom. Monday-Friday I post once a day using either a daily hashtag, making sure it keeps with the brands meaning and voice and always has a motivating quote for mom and why she needs to read the article and take action to fix her life unhappiness.
What have been your biggest challenges so far?
The biggest challenge at GIT is when a spouse contacts us for help, but the other parent is not on board or doesn’t think anything is wrong within their family unit. It’s my job to support the parent who reached out and then speak with the partner without alienating either person’s feelings.
How did you overcome these challenges?
Immediately we always say, “GIT Mom is a judgment free zone” and there is nothing a client can say that will surprise or shock us or that we haven’t already heard before. We are here to improve your family life and make everyone calmer and happier and the more details and examples provided, the sooner we can fix the issues. We don’t want to move in to people’s homes and stay indefinitely. We want to make you the happiest people, not just parents – so let’s talk and get going.
How do you keep motivated through difficult times?
Being a #mompreneur is not a straight-forward way of business. I wear an intense amount of hats. Every day I remind myself I am not living a basic life and not to compare my business to others. I live by these core principles:
- I come first, I schedule in what I need to make sure I’m rested and calm.
- My family comes second.
- Then my client needs.
- Then growing my brand awareness through partner pitches and social media.
- I recognize raising 3 kids calmly and happily takes a lot of energy so I never forget my business is MY business and who cares what anyone else has going on.
How do you distinguish yourself from your competitors?
GIT Mom is the only parent coaching business in the country that focuses on the happiness of the mom, rather than her kids. Sure, there are many parent coaches moms can hire, but GIT Mom’s twist is we provide easy to follow parenting solutions with the end goal of always carving out happy mommy time.
What is the best advice you have received recently?
“I love everything you’re doing, you’re saying and keep on doing you.” I was in the middle of a blow-out and a GIT Mom follower – a mom to 2 young boys approached me and said she loves everything we are doing at GIT Mom, she sees me around the city enjoying life, loves our mom confidence message and enjoys reading our social media. I was extremely touched and inspired because it took guts for this stranger to approach me and she made my day because she made me happy! Which is the same goal I am trying to achieve for my followers. It was also a nice reminder that I am making a difference in mom’s lives.
What advice would you give to other entrepreneurs?
If you want to create a business – you start today. You don’t need to work at it 10 hours a day you just need to start and if it’s only 10 minutes a day you’re doing more than you did before you started. The hardest part is starting, but momentum creates action so get going. And lose the “What if I fail?” mentality because those closest to you only want your success and the negative nellies should mean zero in your brain.
What is your favorite business tool or resource?
Networking. I schedule in at least 2 meetings a month with new resources because it’s important to connect in-person and share our business journeys to learn and grow from each other.
What social media outlets do you use? List them below.
Facebook @GITMom
Twitter @git_mom
Instagram @eirene_git_mom
Website www.gitmom.com
Email eirene@gitmom.com
What is a good article or book you have read recently?
A Podcast called Science vs. Attachment Parenting. Science weighs in, and you can’t mess with science, right, on the effects that babies whom have raised by attachment parents.
What are you currently learning about for your business or looking for help with?
This month I begin working with a media coach to polish my on-air media presence. I have never had any formal training for my live television segments and I want to be the best I can be to really connect with my moms and feel as comfortable and relatable as possible.
What are your goals for the next few months and how are you striving to achieve them?
In 2017 my goal is to book a TV segment on a national television show. I want to create a unique segment highlighting what we do at GIT Mom to bring awareness. If you’re an unhappy mom you can fix your life, your kids tantrums, your chaotic family and here’s exactly how to do it!