Janine Esbrand, life and career coach at LightBOX Coaching, lawyer and podcaster is our Boss Mom of the Week this week!

Tell us a little bit about your family and your Boss Mom journey.

I have been married to my wonderful husband for 6 years and we have an adorable 15 month old little boy. Together we are “Team E” and we love us some family time.

I decided at a young age that I wanted to be a lawyer (my decision was largely based on my love of Ally MacBeal and other legal dramas growing up). I worked hard to achieve my goal and qualified as a corporate lawyer. I spent many long days and sometimes nights doing mergers and acquisitions. I enjoyed the buzz of completing deals but there was something missing besides sleep.

In 2011, I went on a legal mission trip to East Africa with the Lawyers Christian Fellowship. I had the opportunity to work alongside a team of lawyers from across the globe to deliver training for prisoners and other vulnerable people who had limited access to justice.

When I returned home from the trip, things changed for me. I realised that I needed to use my God given talents to do more than just help people with their business transactions. I wanted to help people on a more personal level. So, I trained as a life coach and started working with clients as my side hustle.

When I went on maternity leave last year, I used the opportunity to build and grow my business. I now help lawyer mums to design a life that works for them. I strongly believe that It is possible to grow in a career that you enjoy whilst raising a family. With clarity, forward planning and the desire to succeed anything is possible.

Through LightBOX Coaching, I am on a mission to shine light on the potential of awesome mamas and give them the tools to unpack their brilliance.

What are some of your favorite go to meals when time is tight and dinner MUST get on the table?

I try to batch cook meals so that I don’t have to spend every evening cooking. The meals that are often in rotation at our house are (1) Sweet Chilli Salmon with potatoes and spinach (2) Butternut Squash Risotto or (3) Curried red lentils and rice.

Where do you go for inspiration?

I discovered podcasts this year and love them (so much so that I will shortly be launching my own soon). I love the fact that I can listen to them whilst playing with my son or doing chores.

I have connected with some amazing women in online communities and am always inspired by the different experience and stories.

When I am feeling overwhelmed, stressed or off-centre, I draw inspiration from the Bible. It helps me to stay grounded and focused on serving others in the best way I can.

What are you currently reading or listening to (podcasts, books, blogs etc)?

My favourite Podcasts at the moment is The Boss Mom Podcast (of course) – I think I have almost listened to every episode. Dana and NJ are awesome. I also really like The Happy Hour with Jamie Ivey, The Lively Show with Jess Lively and Smart Passive Income Podcast with Pat Flynn.

I am reading a book called The Power of a Praying Parent by Stormie Omartian. It is a great practical guide to praying for your child’s current and future needs. I am also reading Mothers Work by Jessica Chivers which explores how to return to working without embracing mummy guilt.

What is one piece of business advice that you’d give to a mom just starting out?

Do not compare your chapter 1 with someone else’s chapter 20. As mums playing the comparison game is all too common. We need to remember that you don’t get to see behind the scenes of another person’s life. You will see the successes far more than you are exposed to any struggles or failures. Run your own race and enjoy the journey.

What are some of your favorite quotes or words to live by?

“Take the first step in faith. You don’t have to see the whole staircase, just take the first step.” Martin Luther King Junior

“Whatever the mind can conceive and believe, it can achieve” – Napolean Hill

“Everything is figureoutable” – Marie Forleo

“Your time is limited, don’t waste it living someone else’s life…” Steve Jobs

In one word, sum up your life as a Boss Mom.

Unpredictable

What are three core values of your business and how do those values relate to your motherhood?

Be Intentional. Be Authentic. Be Inspirational

It is very important to be intentional about everything that we do in our careers, businesses and family. Without intentional action you can end up being very busy without achieving result. In motherhood being intentional means planning out what the tasks are for the day but allowing yourself the flexibility to go off piste when your role as mother requires it.

Authenticity is about getting to know what works for you. Too many people are living lives based on the expectations of others. In motherhood authenticity means realising that you and your baby are unique so there is no real value in comparing your journey to that of another mum.

Everyone has a story or a lesson to share with someone else. As we grow and learn it is so rewarding to bring others along for the ride by sharing knowledge. In motherhood being inspirational is about teaching our children about the world and showing them what it means to work hard and fulfill potential.

Connect with Lightbox Coaching & Janine Esbrand!

Janine has a 5 Day Challenge called Make Your Mark in Your Legal Career. It is 5 videos, 5 emails and a corresponding workbook delivered directly to your mailbox.  You can sign up here bit.ly/makeyourmarkin5.

I would also like to encourage people to check out our facebook community here – www.facebook.com/groups/TheLiveLoveLaughCafe

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