Writing bios for yourself is not always fun so bare with me as I try to introduce myself! I am Erin Montgomery founder of Piper Media, which is a boutique communications agency that specializes in social media management and blog assistance. I am a fashion and beauty writer by trade and have been working in the social media world for 4+ years. Aside from my work I am a mom to two little ones and lover of all desserts! Starting my own business has allowed me extra time at home and to create a life I am proud to have. When I am not staring at my computer screen you can find me travelling, dancing or binge watching new shows on Netflix!

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

I am a mom to two awesome kids, ages 6 and 4, and my husband and I just celebrated our sixth anniversary this past July! My Boss Mom journey has been in the making for about a year and it is a story I am very proud of! Back to the very beginning; to say the release of The Devil’s Wear Prada in 2006 changed my life is a bit of an understatement. When that movie came out, I was busy studying to become a Social Worker but my heart wasn’t in it. After watching that movie, I knew that a career in Fashion was where I wanted to be so I made the switch. (Side note: I know, it’s a big jump from social worker to fashion journalist!) I was a fashion and beauty journalist for close to 8 years. I wrote for various online and print publications and then I landed a corporate gig as a community manager in the beauty industry. But the hours were long and the travel time was upwards of 3 hours daily.

Fast forward to 3 years later and I launched Piper Media, a boutique communications agency that specializes in social media management and blog assistance. I left my corporate job and a week later I launched my business! It has been a whirlwind of an experience and one of the best decisions I have made. Piper Media is thriving and I couldn’t be happier to be setting my own hours and finding the perfect balance between work and family.

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

I love my slow cooker! Pop the food into it in the morning and by dinner time, it’s ready! Some of the favourites at home are:

• – Pulled Pork
• – Sweet & Sour Meatballs
• – Mushroom Chicken over Rice
• ** Also, have you ever tried cooking French Toast in the slow cooker? It is seriously amazing and your house smells delicious in the morning!

Where do you go for inspiration?

I draw inspiration from all kinds of places! I am a magazine junkie, so I definitely pull inspiration from magazines and online blogs. I am also a member of many different Facebook Groups and I find them to be a great source of inspiration. They are a place I frequent when I have questions or am experiencing writers block. It is always great to bounce ideas off of like-minded women who are in the same boat as you.
I also find that I can get a lot out of local events. I enjoy attending conferences where the speakers are fellow female entrepreneurs. I feel that we can learn a lot from each other and inspiration always seems to fill the room at those kinds of events.

Plus, I usually get my best ideas in the middle of the night! Maybe its my dreams, maybe it’s because I am calm and not thinking about anything else, but that’s when inspiration tends to strike! I keep my phone beside the bed so I can joint down an idea, even at 3am!

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

I am a big reader of Belong Magazine and Badassery Magazine, which are great resources for small business owners. The best part is, they are fun and lighthearted too!

I also just discovered the glorious world of Podcasts! Naturally, I am a listener of the Boss Mom Podcast but I also enjoy GirlBoss Radio and Amy Porterfield.

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

Just Do it! I know it’s a cliche slogan but it’s true. If you are a mom and you ready to make the leap from 9-5 to Boss Mom, you just have to dive in. It is 100% scary and leaving that security is not something you can take lightly but it is worth it. You just have to jump in and be ready to hit the ground running! Don’t let fear hold you back. There will always be another dead end corporate job but you only get so many chances to live the life you want.

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

Those who don’t believe in magic will never find it – Roald Dahl

Life isn’t about finding yourself – Life is about creating yourself – George Bernard Shaw

Don’t be scared of all the no’s you’re going to get. No one is getting a yes all the time – Even the most successful people have been told no again and again – Whitney Port

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

Liberating

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

Approachability, loyalty and simplicity.

These core values relate to motherhood in so many ways. I want my kids to be approachable, to conduct themselves in manner that shows other kids that they are friendly, helpful and won’t judge. I want my kids to be loyal to the friends they make at school, to understand the importance of sticking by one another and not allowing views of others to cloud their judgement. And simplicity – less is more – understanding that value does not come from an iPad or a cell phone.

Connect with Erin and Piper Social Media!