Nicole Bowyer, Founder of Coco on the Go, shares her journey as a stepmom to four children and a mom to Kingston. She discusses the opportunities of calibrating her business alongside motherhood, she reflects on the dynamics of supporting her four stepchildren and her only son, while navigating the physical, mental, and emotional journey of IVF. Nicole recounts the instability caused by her husband’s professional gambling career and the impact of being raided. Despite these setbacks, she highlights her resilience and the growth of her business, which now has over 300 retail stores. Nicole emphasizes the importance of a supportive team and personal strength in navigating life’s challenges.
“I don’t think anyone could say anything to prepare you for the amount of sleep deprivation, and still trying to be career driven and chase your dreams and still be an amazing mom to your babies and raise them better than you were raised, and give them more than you were given.”
Learn more about: Stepmotherhood and Early Motherhood Challenges
- Nicole opens up about her challenging relationship with her stepmother and how it shaped her own parenting style.
- She shares the emotional experience of how becoming a mother brought up memories of past childhood abuse and the moments of breakdown that came with it.
- Nicole reflects on her ongoing journey through therapy and personal growth, highlighting the importance of healing and self-discovery.
Navigating Step-Parenting
- Nicole shares her initial approach of being a friend to avoid making the same mistakes as her own step-parents.
- She recounts the difficulties of dealing with attitude and attitude from her step-daughters.
- Nicole emphasizes the importance of earning the trust of her step-children and maintaining a balance.
Balancing Step-Parenting and Personal Relationships
- Nicole discusses the complexities of being a step-parent and maintaining a relationship with her husband.
- She shares a story about her step-daughter’s attitude and the need to remind herself that she is the adult.
- Nicole talks about the supportive role her husband’s ex-wife played in her step-parenting journey.
- They discuss the importance of co-parenting and not letting personal conflicts affect the children.
Journey to Motherhood and IVF Process
- Nicole shares her husband’s decision to undergo a vasectomy reversal to have a child.
- They discuss the challenges and emotional toll of the IVF process.
- Nicole recounts her own experience with the IVF process, including the physical and emotional challenges.
- They talk about the importance of having a supportive team to manage the business during maternity leave.
Building Coco on the Go
- Nicole shares the origin of Coco on the Go and its mission to empower women through confidence.
- She discusses the sourcing of fabrics from South America and the brand’s focus on athleisure.
- Nicole talks about the early days of running the business while working full-time and waitressing.
- They discuss the importance of building a strong team to support business growth.
Impact of Professional Gambling on Family Life
- Nicole discusses her husband’s career as a professional gambler and its impact on their family.
- She shares her initial admiration for his charisma and work ethic, but later resentment due to instability.
- Nicole talks about the challenges of balancing her career with supporting her husband’s unpredictable income.
- They discuss the emotional toll of the raid on their home and its impact on their family.
Pivoting to a Stable Business Model
- Nicole shares how the raid forced her to take control of their financial situation.
- She discusses the steps she took to ramp up her business and secure new accounts.
- Nicole talks about the stress and challenges of the past year but also the growth and resilience it brought.
- They discuss the importance of finding silver linings and reframing negative experiences.
Personal Growth and Emotional Healing
- Nicole reflects on the emotional challenges of the past year and the importance of processing her feelings.
- She shares her experience of breaking down in front of friends and the need to release pent-up emotions.
- Nicole talks about the ongoing nature of healing and personal growth.
- They discuss the importance of creating safe spaces to talk about emotions and being vulnerable.
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