What do I do all day?

If you know me well, you know this question brings out my ugly.

Growing up in Southern California, the busier you were the more valuable you were to the society in general. I fought hard to break this lie/limiting belief, moving to Northern California helped some. It’s naturally slower paced here and people don’t put as much value on what you do or your level of productivity. Although it’s easier here, it doesn’t mean that I’ve fully broken this damaging belief system I have. Nor does it mean I don’t encounter people who judge me based on what I do and not on who I am.

I’ve spent most of my adult life as a stay at home mom – I’ve run and co run businesses, I’ve led ministries and small groups. Yet still none of these things are my identity. This is not a blog about identity – I’m sure I will get there in the near future but this does matter for what I wanted to talk about today – being the wife of a CEO.

Much like being a mom, in this role I wear many hats – HR(being part of prayer filled decisions about hiring/firing, direction, raising moral, etc.), coming in on the weekends to paint, build furniture, stock snacks, finances, sometimes feeding employees, celebrating employees (You think he remembers birthdays on his own?) Encouragement, etc. So, because I don’t have a desk in the office and don’t come into the office to work a 9-5 doesn’t not mean I spend my days rolling around in my mink furs (I don’t even own any) or twirling my hair completely oblivious to the inner workings of the business.

And you know what? I happily do this (ok, sometimes I wine and gripe…I’m only human) because I love and believe in my husband. In order for my family to thrive, it’s all hands on deck! There is a common term describing small biz life – “it’s either feast or famine” even after 20 years, that rings true. I’ve watched my husband pour blood, sweat and tears into his business – not so he could have riches and glory – but so that he could build a legacy for future generations. If that is not something I’m willing to put 112% into, then my objectives are wrong and I need to check my why.

And here is a sweet blurb my husband contributed to this blog:

Musing’s of a CEO’s wife – the husbands perspective

“I think one of the most under estimated areas of weakness for any leader is their own mindset and confidence about how well they are doing. It is so easy for us to have a lot of negative thoughts running through our minds.

At my company I am responsible for so many people, projects and decisions.

I would not be able to continue if it was not for Kathy’s regular support and encouragement to me. If I came home from a bad day at work to a negative environment at the house there is 

no way

 that I would be able to have had the mental capacity to grow my business to where it is.

There are so many things that Kathy does for the company and for me personally, but the one thing that really stands out is how important her support is to me.”

Hoping you have a great, hope filled, un-productive weekend!