Baby, Bump, & Business

Balancing Mom Life and University: My Honest Journey (Podcast Ep. 26)

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Introduction

In this inspiring episode of Baby Bump and Business, host Bee chats with Elsie Kibue-Ngare, a Kenyan-British photographer, about the real challenges and rewards of juggling motherhood with a creative career. They dive into topics every mompreneur can relate to: time management, setting boundaries, and building a supportive community.

Elsie opens up about her journey through university as a mother, transitioning to freelance photography, and navigating career changes post-COVID. She shares practical tips on saying no, prioritizing what matters, and leaning on a network of fellow moms and creatives for support.

If you’re a parent pursuing your passions or curious about balancing work, motherhood, and creativity, this episode is packed with advice, motivation, and real-life stories you won’t want to miss.


What Infertility, Miscarriage, and Burnout Taught Me About Slowing Down – Baby, Bump, & Business

Motherhood does not have to kill your creative career. Stephanie Brown shows how she built an art practice, a coaching business, and a healthier relationship with success without burning herself out. If you are a creative mom, entrepreneur, or high-achiever trying to make room for a baby and a brand, this conversation will hit close to home. Bee welcomes Atlanta-based photographer and interdisciplinary artist Stephanie Brown, whose work spans interactive installation art, education, and creative business coaching. Stephanie opens up about moving beyond traditional photography, designing art people can physically engage with, and using psychology, education theory, and play to create work that sticks. But the conversation goes far deeper than art. You will hear how Stephanie financed her practice with project management and operations work, why she shifted from “I have to make the sale” to building sustainable revenue through speaking and coaching, and how a fertility check, family loss, and a miscarriage changed the way she thought about timing, planning, and motherhood. She also breaks down the hard truth behind workaholism, the panic attack that forced her to slow down, and the unlearning required when your self-worth has always been tied to productivity. We break down: – how Stephanie turned her background in operations into a service arm that funds her art – why she chose an interdisciplinary path and what interactive installation adds to her work – the reality of conceiving while juggling remote work, a business, and emotional burnout – how she redefined planning, downtime, and asking for help – what it really takes to protect your energy while building a life and business around a child Stephanie also gets real about parenting a toddler while running a business, navigating childcare costs, and creating a family rhythm that supports both her son and her ambitions. Her perspective is a reminder that the goal is not to do everything perfectly – it is to build a life that can hold your creativity, your family, and your capacity. Essential listening if you are trying to grow a business, protect your peace, and figure out how to become a parent without disappearing in the process. Stephanie Brown is an Atlanta-based photographer and interactive installation artist, as well as the host of In Between Artists, a podcast focused on sustainable creative careers. Her work explores identity, access, and the lived experience of people of African descent, while her coaching helps creatives build strategic, sustainable businesses. Links to Stephanie: http://www.instagram.com/createdbrown http://www.instagram.com/stephaniesquared_ http://www.stephaniebphotos.com http://www.stephaniesquared.com
  1. What Infertility, Miscarriage, and Burnout Taught Me About Slowing Down
  2. Survived Pregnancy Loss, Postpartum Depression & Built a Thriving Business
  3. The Hidden Cost of Business
  4. Unexpected Disruption That Changed My Business and Motherhood Forever
  5. Letting Go of Control in Motherhood & Business

Key Takeaways

  • Balancing motherhood and a creative career is challenging.
  • Having a calendar helps manage time effectively.
  • Pursuing education while being a parent requires determination.
  • Freelancing can be difficult with young children.
  • Setting boundaries is essential for mental health.
  • Community support is crucial for creative moms.
  • It’s important to celebrate each other’s successes.
  • Navigating motherhood and career requires constant learning.

Guest Bio

Elsie Kibue-Ngare is a Kenyan-British photographer based in London, UK. Her focus is on portraiture, sports, documentary-style photography and events. She has completed various assignments, and her work has been published in numerous print and online publications, including The BBC, The Scotsman, The Times, The Guardian, and Culture Trip. In addition to her photography work, Elsie is a co-founder of The African Photobook.

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What Infertility, Miscarriage, and Burnout Taught Me About Slowing Down – Baby, Bump, & Business

Motherhood does not have to kill your creative career. Stephanie Brown shows how she built an art practice, a coaching business, and a healthier relationship with success without burning herself out. If you are a creative mom, entrepreneur, or high-achiever trying to make room for a baby and a brand, this conversation will hit close to home. Bee welcomes Atlanta-based photographer and interdisciplinary artist Stephanie Brown, whose work spans interactive installation art, education, and creative business coaching. Stephanie opens up about moving beyond traditional photography, designing art people can physically engage with, and using psychology, education theory, and play to create work that sticks. But the conversation goes far deeper than art. You will hear how Stephanie financed her practice with project management and operations work, why she shifted from “I have to make the sale” to building sustainable revenue through speaking and coaching, and how a fertility check, family loss, and a miscarriage changed the way she thought about timing, planning, and motherhood. She also breaks down the hard truth behind workaholism, the panic attack that forced her to slow down, and the unlearning required when your self-worth has always been tied to productivity. We break down: – how Stephanie turned her background in operations into a service arm that funds her art – why she chose an interdisciplinary path and what interactive installation adds to her work – the reality of conceiving while juggling remote work, a business, and emotional burnout – how she redefined planning, downtime, and asking for help – what it really takes to protect your energy while building a life and business around a child Stephanie also gets real about parenting a toddler while running a business, navigating childcare costs, and creating a family rhythm that supports both her son and her ambitions. Her perspective is a reminder that the goal is not to do everything perfectly – it is to build a life that can hold your creativity, your family, and your capacity. Essential listening if you are trying to grow a business, protect your peace, and figure out how to become a parent without disappearing in the process. Stephanie Brown is an Atlanta-based photographer and interactive installation artist, as well as the host of In Between Artists, a podcast focused on sustainable creative careers. Her work explores identity, access, and the lived experience of people of African descent, while her coaching helps creatives build strategic, sustainable businesses. Links to Stephanie: www.instagram.com/createdbrown www.instagram.com/stephaniesquared_ www.stephaniebphotos.com www.stephaniesquared.com
  1. What Infertility, Miscarriage, and Burnout Taught Me About Slowing Down
  2. Survived Pregnancy Loss, Postpartum Depression & Built a Thriving Business
  3. The Hidden Cost of Business
  4. Unexpected Disruption That Changed My Business and Motherhood Forever
  5. Letting Go of Control in Motherhood & Business

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