Ep 61 Sassy Mom Diaries with Damire Winn

Damire Winn is a Sassy Mompreneur, creator of sassy mom shirts, custom wearable merchandise, and the founder of The Sassy Mom Diaries Co. 

Born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, this island girl moved to NYC at the age of 18 to continue pursuing a career in apparel design (an industry she fell in love with and started in at the tender age of 15). 

Now with over 20 years of experience in design and marketing, she is passionate about helping other Mompreneurs grow their business by helping them define their message and who they want to serve, add an additional revenue stream to their business, and share their brand’s message through her Sassy Mompreneur program. 

“I wanted to help moms feel seen and heard. I wanted to help them go after their dreams, achieve the life they want by helping them clarify their message/mission and really get clear on who they want to serve so they can grow their business, and help them ditch the mom guilt by achieving mom life/business life balance.” -Damire Winn

CONNECT WITH DAMIRE

• Visibility Breakthrough Consultation   https://calendly.com/thesassymomdiaries/visibilitybreakthroughsconsult
• Website: www.thesassymomdiaries/com
• Instagram: www.instagram.com/thesassymomdiaries
• Facebook: www.facebook.com/thesassymomdiaries

 CONNECT WITH MANDY:

• mandysawyer.com
• mandysawyer.com/merch
• Mandy's Vision Gig (fb group)

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Transcript

Mandy:

Hey, everybody, I'm so excited for you to meet my guest today. I am with Damire Winn. She is a sassy mompreneur. And she's the creator of sassy mom shirts, custom wearable merchandise, and the founder of the sassy mom diaries company. She was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. She moved to New New York City at the age of 18, to continue pursuing a career in apparel design, which is an industry that she fell in love with at the age of 15. Now, with over 20 years of experience in design and marketing, she is passionate about helping other mompreneurs grow their businesses. So Damire, thank you so much for being 

I'm great. 

Damire:

Thank you so much for having me. I'm so excited. This is so much fun.

Mandy:

So tell everybody a little bit more about yourself.

Damire:

Yes. So, I am the head sassy moment charge at the sassy mom diaries. What I do really is I'm extremely passionate about helping open doors after all of these things that I've learned. And I've gone through over my 20 years of experience. You know, I started working when I was 15 years old. And I learned so much. So when I became a mom, I just became really, really passionate about helping mompreneurs really define their message, define who they want to serve, and just help them grow their businesses by doing what they're passionate about. And then, of course, you know, being a military wife, my husband is a Navy veteran. So, I also have a Ph.D. and move into a one-bedroom apartment in 24 hours. Who's backing it up moving it and unpacking it. 

Mandy:

Yeah. 

Damire:

And then I'm also a mom to two little rascals. They're three and four. So that's always been fun. I always try working on the pursuit of finding that mom life business life harmony. Yeah. So of course, I'm like, you know what, I need that. So you know, whatever I learned I'm fine. Let me just go ahead and help other mamas, the mompreneurs do the same thing. 

Mandy:

Absolutely. So describe your products and services for us.

Damire:

Oh, how much time do we get? I have so much. 

Mandy:

That's awesome. 

Damire:

So yeah,  the first thing I do really is I like to start out with my sassy mompreneur coaching program. the reason for that is because a lot of the time, I see a lot of moms that have this amazing idea. they have this mission, this passion, and they want to move it forward, and they want to bring it into creation. But then when it comes down to it, they are lost as far as like, Okay, how exactly am I going to do this? 

Mandy:

Yeah, what are the steps?

Damire:

Yeah, what are the steps? How am I going to do this? How am I going to stand out from other people that are doing the same thing that I am, and then that imposter syndrome starts coming in, and then they stay at that idea stage? And then they just kind of, you know, when you don't realize your dreams, you're just kind of like, oh, man, I should have done that. I would hate for anybody to be in that state of regret because I do believe that we can all be entrepreneurs in one way or another. So that's where we come in and I helped them defining that message. Get that mission out of them, and truly define it in a way that will resonate with their ideal tribe. I don't want them to spend hours and hours and hours, even years. 

Mandy:

Even years?

Damire:

Yeah, throwing spaghetti at the wall and hoping that it'll stick you know, and then getting down on yourself. Because when you're like, Oh, my gosh, I have this amazing product. I have this amazing service. I want to serve so many people, but nobody's touching in, nobody's buying, nobody's reaching out, nobody's engaging.  Am I doing wrong? And a lot of the time is because either you're confusing people with what you're throwing out there because you're trying to emulate everyone else in your industry that's doing it, whatever they're doing, you're trying to emulate that. Which there's nothing wrong with looking for inspiration. But a lot of the times, the language is confusing, so it can turn some people off. 

Mandy:

Yeah. 

Damire:

And a lot of the times they're not very clear and who they want to serve. You have no idea how many clients I get that. I'm like, okay, who's your ideal tribe, who's your ideal client, and they'll be like, Oh, I just want to be let women and girls know that they have everything they need inside them. 

Mandy:

Yeah. 

Damire:

And that's when I go into that's a beautiful mission. But who exactly? Who is that woman who is that girl that you're trying to help? So I work with them on that. And of course, then we go into letting them know, or just kind of outlining and strategizing on the different revenue streams that they can have for their business. I'm a huge believer that you can't put all of your eggs in one basket, right? Especially now with a pandemic, you got a pandemic proof your business is huge on that now. So you got to be able to kind of make the shift and changes and just have different revenue streams, right? And so then, of course, you're going to touch lives, you're going to grow that tribe. Let's go through the connection avenues, and go ahead and see where you're going to connect with the people that are going to resonate with your message and your mission or what you're trying to do. So, I go through all of that. And then, of course, I also have the sassy mom diaries, custom merchandise, and this is more for the mompreneur that's a little bit more established. You know she's got her business, she knows her message, she knows who she's targeting. And then I just helped them add that additional revenue stream with creating custom wearable merchandise. The main reason I focus on that is because a lot of the times when people think of merchandise or promotional items, they think I'm just going to slap my logo on a T-shirt, or I'll do kitchens, or a pen or a notepad. And here's the thing. notepads and pens are great, they're more affordable. But what happens when the ink comes out? What happens when the papers are awful? 

Mandy:

Yeah,

Damire:

I'm trash. So wearable merchandise, definitely, I think it's a Lego, it lasts longer because nobody throws away a free t-shirt or a free hat or a free tote bag. Nobody does that, right? But the approach that we take on that side, the person that we take on that is if it's more than just slapping a logo on something unless you're someone like Nike or Gucci, or Louis Vuitton, or Chanel, just your logo, and your information isn't gonna do anything for anybody. People are just kind glances all over. I mean, nowadays, we're bombarded with so many logos and brands. And so the approach that I take is more of creating a conversation, a conversation piece. That's when I work with my clients. And I'm like, listen, I want to get to know you. And the reason you started your business, and from there, I create certain designs that will help their ideal tribe resume. So it might just be a saying, for example, I have a client that owns a woman's entrepreneurs network, and they're all about no-nonsense business strategies. You make your connections, you collaborate, no-nonsense. So her desires, I mean, she also loves she was like, I post a little bit. So I'm like, you know, basically, she heard the designs that I came up with. I help people mind their own small business, and then connect at value and basically make the habit. You know what I mean? She was like, Oh my gosh, yes, this is it. This is me. But here's the thing, when you were that or I'm always a huge believer, if you're doing a giveaway, guys, tip, this is like tip time. Okay, if you're doing a giveaway, make it branded? Why not? You know, you're already making the investment. I'm giving something away. Why not give something away? That will be walking around advertising, and marketing you. You know, it's like the best, like the best. And so it's something that when you're wearing it, and you're out and about somebody would be like, Oh my gosh, I love your shirt. And you're like, Oh, well, actually, it's from my business. And it just kind of rolls up the phone. Right? You start talking about what you do. And the cool,

Mandy:

Really natural. 

Damire:

Yes, it's natural, and they come to you as opposed to you going to that, right? And you know that if someone resonated with that message that you have on your shirt, or your tote bag or your hat, guess what? They're part of your tribe because they resonated with that. That's what your business is all about. So that's the fun part about that. 

Mandy:

I like that. 

Damire:

Yeah. And of course, I have my sassy mom boutique, which is where I create comfy casual graphic tees for unapologetically sassy Mama. Then really it's all about helping moms feel seen and heard. All of the designs are inspired by mom life moments like brutally honest mom life moments, right, kiddos. How I felt at a time, at the time as a mom like the one I'm wearing today says every good mom drops the F-bomb. We've all been there. There's no way I don't care who you are. If you are a mom, you have dropped the F-bomb at least a handful of times in one day. Let's be real.

You know. And lastly, I do host my mompreneur breakthrough summit. And here is, this is like my heart, just because mompreneurs come together. Our mission is to help mompreneurs form that mom life, business life, harmony, reduce that overwhelm, and just really get you to create in your mind.  Create a lifestyle that fits you because balance and harmony looks different for everybody. Right? Because our lifestyles are different. So that's a little bit of what I do while I'm raising a three-year-old and a four-year-old, 

Mandy:

Yeah, bless your heart. I just oh my God, I don't have kids. I had students. That was plenty for me. And I was a dog mom at one time. So but that's Yeah,

Damire:

Oh, what kind of puppy?

Mandy:

She was a lab mix. I don't know what dad was. But Mama was a black lab, but she was blonde and fuzzy and so cute and sweet. But she got sick. So. Okay, yeah, I don't talk about it anymore. Okay. All right. So let's move on. You mentioned the brutal honesty, as far as what sets your business apart from the rest, because you know, some people were like, okay, yeah, so what she sells t-shirts, but talk a little bit more about what sets you apart.

Damire:

Really, what I would say is brutal honesty with me, what you see is what you get. I'm that person that I will listen, I like to listen, that's one thing that I've learned over the years to listen, yeah. If I'm able to help you, I will be like, Hey, I can definitely help you. But if I can sense from listening to you that you're not ready, you're not there yet. Or you don't necessarily need me. I will also tell you, let's say that I don't think you need me at this time or I don't think you're ready for this yet. Maybe I will give you a recommendation based on what you tell me. But I have no problem. It's not that I'm not in it for the money. I'm really honest in helping. And if it's not a good fit, I will tell you it's not a good fit right now. Maybe, later on, we can circle back if you want, if you still feel like you're missing that. But really, it's just what you see is what you get, you know, brutal honesty, that's really my thing. Like and just helping everybody. Like I like to be that person that I needed when I started. Because when I started this where I live there was no support system. It's just me, my husband, and two toddlers. You guys toddlers are brutal. They scattered, they are brutal. They're scary. I mean, it's so you know, at the very beginning, it was very lonely. So if I can help someone not feel how I felt when I started, like that funk that I was in on my I'm all there. 

Mandy:

Yeah. I think that seems to be a lot of people, a lot of entrepreneurs, who feel that way. They're like, man, if I can just help somebody skip all this other part that I went through, trying to you know, flailing about trying to figure things out. If I can give them something else to hang on to, to guide them a little bit better then they'll have a better time of it. I guess it's kind of the same principle as parents wanting something, wanting their kids to have a better life than they did, you know, and trying to make things better, a little bit easier. I don't know. I don't know if that's necessarily a good thing or a bad thing. I don't know. Because part of it is the journey that we go through, trying to overcome those hard things. But I mean, yeah, to try to get somebody from point A to point B quicker so that they can find success quicker. You know, that's not a bad deal either. So.

Damire:

Yeah, it's more really on the side of like, at least with me, there are so many guys, let's be real. There are so many coaches out there. There are so many different people out there that do pretty much everything I do. There are so many people and here's the thing is I think that’s the beauty of it. When you have so many people in your industry, it's kind of like they're not you. They'll never do it the way you do it. 

Mandy:

Right. 

Damire:

And so with me, it's more, it's not so much about doing it for you or like just dumping all of this on you. It's really more about Listen, this is kind of what my experience has been. But it's really up to you to really go through that journey. I'm just giving you kind of like the bullet points right on the first stage, and you got to go through your own journey because like you said, making things easier. That's one thing that drives me crazy too with my kids. When I see everybody's like, oh, we'll just do that for them. They're so young. there's so little like I had my kids. My kids have been picking up their own toys since they were 18 months old. 

Mandy:

That's good. 

Damire:

And even my mom she was, they're too young, even my husband, they're like they're too young. And I'm like, No, they're not. They need to learn. They're smarter than you think. And that's the thing, they have to take that journey. They have to learn. Same thing with my clients. I tell them to listen, I can sit here and tell you all day long, how to do something, but it's not going to be the same. You can do things, how I do them, you have to do them, how you do them with your approach. And I think that's more kind of my style. Just kind of, I'll be that accountability partner and just hold your hand along the way when you need that support system. But you have to go through the journey.

Mandy:

Yeah, yeah, absolutely. All right. How do you mark? Well, you kind of touched on it a little bit about marketing your business about like, kind of being the walking billboard with your T-shirts in your bags, and things like that. So is there anything else that you'd like to add to that? How do you market your business and which tactics have been most successful for you?

Damire:

Yes. So I'm huge on collaborations. I love there's nothing I think there's strength in numbers. And I'm huge on that collaboration side and partner up with someone. Listen, you guys, if you see if someone's in your industry, doing the exact same thing you're doing, don't look at them as a competition. Just be like, Oh my gosh, this is my partner. Because again, even though it's the same industry, even though it could even be the same product, they'll never do it as you do it. Right, you have two different approaches. So why not partner up and just make it that much bigger, that much more amazing. And imagine all the lies that you can touch by partnering up as opposed to being like, because I've encountered at all, I've seen people are like, Oh, that's the competition and they start putting other people down. And I'm like, 

Mandy:

No, man, that doesn't look pretty. 

Damire:

Yeah, that doesn't look pretty on you, honey. And so I'm huge on that collaboration part. So now especially since you know, this past year everything, clubhouse has been huge for me. I've been connected with so many people in clubhouse.

Mandy:

Okay, talk more about that, because I have not ventured into the clubhouse thing yet. So I don't know if I will. But like, I haven't done that yet. So tell me more.

Damire:

Yeah. So clubhouse I mean, you have a podcast. I mean, clubhouse is the place to be, I'm telling you. Clubhouse has a little bit about a little bit for everybody. What I like about it is its voice. So you're not on the video says like, you have to dress up. And you don't have to do anything. It's just a video. And it's really, really cool. Because you get to connect with other people. There are so many rooms, you can literally plan a row for your specific market or people that you're looking to collaborate with or anything like that. There's room for collaboration or service for networking. It's really such a fun experience. You get to share and people get vulnerable. And literally you become best friends with these people and you don't know them in person. That's cool. It's like social media. It's kind of almost Facebook on steroids. But in a good way. 

Mandy:

In a good way. Yeah. 

Damire:

Yes, in a good way, because you're talking. So it's not so much you're typing, or you're doing a live which is like I don't mind doing the lives. But I still feel like there's not that necessary connection, because you're on a video and they're typing. And you can see the comments and there’s sometimes delay No, here you're talking. So it's like you're on the phone with your mouse.

Mandy:

Okay. Interesting that you don't have to wait for somebody to invite you or whatever.

Damire:

Yes. So as of right now they have it too, I think that's like the exclusivity side of it?

Mandy:

Right. 

Damire:

Where you get that you have to get an invite, but they; The good thing is, now they have it on iPhones and androids. In the beginning, it was just an iPhone. 

Mandy:

Okay, 

Damire:

So now it's on both. And you do have to get an invite. But I think right now there's so many somebody you know, will probably have beyond clubhouse and can send you an invite. And if you can, I would say do it and test it out. And just sometimes you can just go in and listen half the time. I mean, I've hosted rooms on clubhouse where I have people that will just be listening, and we'll be talking and the conversations will get good. Then all of a sudden they raise their hand and they're like, Oh, I got something to say. And it's so much fun to see that and you learn so many different stories and what people do. There are so many cool things about it and you'll learn a lot of golden nuggets.

Mandy:

Cool. Okay, all right. I might dive in then.

Damire:

Let me know because I got my mumpreneur breakthrough club and I would love to have you co-moderator room on podcasting. Let me know when you do. 

Mandy:

Okay, I might do that. Cool. All right. Okay, so what have you learned in your business that would be helpful to listeners who are starting their own business like what to do, what not to do. Just kind of an overall thing.

Damire:

Okay, so one thing I've learned throughout the years is, and I know this, this sounds super cheesy, because you hear all the time, but listen to your gut. I'm just saying, learning how to listen to your gut, to your potential clients, to the people around you, to those who support you, even to those that don't necessarily support you, and they think you're crazy. And that you can do it. Listen, listen to them, too, because they'll give you when you listen to them. I'm saying, Listen, but don't take it to heart because they'll give you all the different objections that you might encounter later on down your business career, and then to your supporters listen to them, because they'll give you those additives that you'll need to add. So you can make your brand, define your brand and be like, okay, I hear this a lot. Like, for example, the main reason my business is called the sassy mom diaries is because every time my friends or my acquaintances described, they're like, oh, you're sassy. You're sassy that I became a mom. And they're like, oh, you're now, you're a sassy mom. And so I mean, you know what it feels like? Oh, my gosh, that's perfect. Yeah. And yeah, that's just kind of helps you really define that, and also, listen to your gut. Someone will probably try to convince you that something is amazing. And that it's great for you. I've encountered this, like everything. There are so many programs out there. There are so many things out there. And I'm like, Yes, this is for me. And then I spend the money, and then I get it. My gut is like, what did you do the whole time? I'm like, No, don't do it. But I'm like, No, this is for me. I convinced myself because they're talking to me about how cool this is. And it's gonna change my life. And I'm like, yeah, I'll do it. Then it turns out my gut was right. 

Mandy:

Yeah. 

Damire:

So, if something is telling you don't do it, if you have doubts about it, if you're not sure about it, don't do it. 

Mandy:

I kind of had that situation yesterday, actually, just, it wasn't a bad situation. It just, I kind of knew before I got on this call that probably wasn't the right thing or the right time for me. And so I just pray. I was like, Lord, just guide me, show me, you know, if this isn't the right thing, help me to not get sucked in or whatever. And so it all panned out. Well, the other person completely knew that it wasn't the right thing. So at the time, 

Damire:

Yeah, 

Mandy:

I mean, especially when you've done those things, and you've bought programs that are like Got Damn it., why did I do that later? But I think, I don't know, maybe you need to do that a few times, just so that you can get that. That gut feeling that like guidance that says now wait a minute, remember last time.

Damire:

Exactly. I always say your gut feeling is the Holy Spirit telling you or talking to you. 

Mandy:

Yeah, 

Damire:

That's your gut feeling. That's one thing. Even in motherhood, too. So many times, people are like, Oh, if you could give mom advice, what would you give them? Like, listen to your gut. That's the best advice anybody can give you. Because I don't care how many degrees you have. I don't care how many years of experience, you know, nobody knows your child, like you do. Just you and God are the only ones that know your child the best. So if your gut is telling you to do something, you do that. Just don't worry about what anybody else says the same thing in business. It's kind of like, you know, what's right for you. But like you said, sometimes you need to, we all need to make mistakes, right? And to make mistakes, we can learn to listen to that gut. But just listen, listen, I think that's the best thing I can say is just listen. 

Mandy:

Yeah, I like that. Definitely. What's the hardest part about being an entrepreneur? And then what's the part that you love the most?

Damire:

So, the hardest part of being an entrepreneur, I would say, is learning to let go. Okay, because as entrepreneurs, we were 20 million has, especially when you're starting, you know, when you're starting out, the budget is strict. A strict budget, it's pretty slim. So in the beginning, a lot of the times you're doing it all. But then as you start growing, you're able to kind of expand and bring people in, but a lot of times when we bring people in, we still kind of want to keep good hands in it. 

Mandy:

Yeah, yeah. 

Damire:

You kind of want to keep your hands in it. And it's just learning to let go and just delegate. Understanding your wheelhouse, what's your area of expertise. Sticking to that to help the business grow and just hire people or bring a team together, that they each have their own specialty and they are the best at what they do, I think but letting go it's tough. Yeah, it's really tough for a lot of entrepreneurs. 

Mandy:

Especially when you have started out by yourself and you've just kept going and keep going and keep going and you just tackle all the things. but yeah, you have to learn how to let go which kind of the story of a teacher too like they juggle. We juggled so many hats, so many balls in the air at the same time. So just try to get them to delegate to like their students, like your students can do more than what you think it's you. And then you got like 25 plus kids in your classroom at any given time. You need to delegate some things. They can handle some procedures, some things like in your classroom. So that was always something that I tried to teach new teachers as you can delegate. They may not do it perfectly. They won't do it perfectly at first, but you gotta train them.

Damire:

It’s like your husband doing, you know, you'll be like, Okay, I'm gonna let go. Some household stuff, let him do it. And then you watch him doing you're over here like, Oh my God,

Mandy:

I know like I could do that 10 times faster.

Damire:

Yep. So you got to delegate. 

Mandy:

You gotta let it go. 

Damire:

Otherwise, you're gonna burn yourself out. 

Mandy:

Exactly.

Damire:

And I really like learning. Another thing, I think what is really hard is learning how to set boundaries. 

Mandy:

Yes,

Damire:

Yeah, that's one thing that even boundaries not with just with other people, but even I think mainly with ourselves. Because when you're an entrepreneur, you love what you do. You got into that business, and you started that business because you love this. It's not necessarily a job for you. This is your thing. It's so tempting that every time you're kind of supposed to be taking time for yourself sitting idly, I guess you could say and just be with your family or do whatever it is you're doing. It is so tempting to just grab that phone and check that one more email, or one more email. Let me see what’s going on in my business account on Instagram, let me say, and then you're just like, oh, maybe I think you'd be creating this on Canva. I could be doing that. I don't know. But anyway, right? It's rest time.

Mandy:

It's rest time. You got to do this self care, self-compassion. You get to click off from all the things at some point in time to say, Yeah, that'd be that that's the hardest part about doing your own business, because you are the business and it's in you and around you at all times. So you have to figure out what those boundaries are. I was always the person, especially the last job that I had, that was always telling all my co-workers “boundaries, boundaries”, because they would stay really late. They would do all the things that I did as early on in my career, staying late and staying up late and contacting parents at night, you know, I'm like, No, no, no, no, no, no, no. Boundaries. So, and it's funny because they'd all come back. You're like, I know. You're right. “boundaries”, you always want to tell us, tell me boundaries. I'm like, yeah, cuz I'm right. You got to take care of yourself. So ain't nobody. knew that for you.

Damire:

Exactly. If not you, who? You know exactly what it is. But now on the flip side of this thing I love the most is that I am not working. I don't consider it work, 

Mandy:

Right. 

Damire:

Like, I mean, technically it is work, but I'm passionate about it. It's my thing. It's what I love to do. So that's one thing that I love, that I'm working on my passion, and I'm able to make a living out of it. And you know, just being able to have that freedom. And I want to use that kind of lightly because yes, everybody's like, oh, when you're an entrepreneur, you have that freedom of your schedule, you can set your own schedule. And it's kind of like, Yes, I know, right? Because it's like, you can set your own schedule. You know, I'm a huge cheerleader for setting your own business hours. And having a rest day during the week where you do not work. You don't do anything, just for the kids or doing whatever it is that you want to do. But it's one of those things of knowing where to find that balance of Okay, yes, I'm setting my own hours. But you got to make it. You'll have to get those that work done. 

Mandy:

Yeah, exactly.

Damire:

So it's one of those that you know, you can. I'm a huge thing on time blocking because of that I can time block. Yeah, do time blocking and set my fun time, family time. That's one thing I love letters. You can set your family time. It doesn't necessarily have to be in the evening, or at night. It can be in the afternoon, if there's something going on and you want to go with your kids to I don't know, the pumpkin patch. With fall and everything. You can do that in the middle of the day. But then once that's done, you got to be disciplined enough to come back.

Mandy:

Right. Exactly. Yeah, because there are times whenever I need to go help my mom. So I blocked those whole days off for her. But you know, I tried to make up for it in the evening or maybe a little bit on the weekend or whatever. So yeah, the good thing is that it is flexible. You can be flexible with your time. And I'm very thankful about that. I'm very thankful that I can just say, okay, mom, just let me know ahead of time, so I can work it in and, and schedule around it, and we're good to go. So yeah, I'm very thankful for that. That part of my life. Now, I don't have to ask off, I don't have to feel guilty for taking off. I don't have to worry about a sub. I don't have to worry about piles of work when I come back.

Damire:

And you're able to handle emergencies better. 

Mandy:

Yes. 

Damire:

Because it's one thing that you are able to do something were to happen, God forbid you were able to just okay, drop what you're doing, handle the emergency, and then you're able to squeeze in to make up for it later on. That's one thing, especially with having, I mean, and you know, this because you're a teacher having kids, or just dealing with the kids, you know, they have emergencies, 

Mandy:

Oh, there’s fire. to put out all the time, all the time.

Damire:

All the time. And so that's one thing that I'm thankful for because I remember when I was working in corporate America, and we had our, he was our IT director, and he had twins, and they were born with cerebral palsy. But it was in an advanced stage. So they were essentially in a vegetative state. So they will have a lot of doctor's appointments. And there's two of them. So it was very difficult for his wife to take them with her. He would have to take off a lot of the time. And this company ended up firing him. Because every time he was like, “I take my kids to a doctor's appointment”. They were like, “Again?”, and I'm over here like, You do realize his children have cerebral palsy. Like, you know what I mean?

Mandy:

It’s not like,  it is a regular little checkup or whatever.

Damire:

Yeah, it's not a cold. It's not you know, and they ended up hiring him for that. And I was like, You know what? No, I'm not going to have anybody tell me no, that I can't go handle my children. Because you're a little company something. 

Mandy:

Yeah. 

Damire:

And that's one thing that I'm huge on. Yeah, I'm like, nope, family comes first. Yeah, whatever it is, you handle that we'll figure it out.

Mandy:

Right? To be able to, who was that I heard, say something about “make your business work for you and not you work for your business”. So you work, you know, your business needs to work around your life, instead of being your life and controlling you, you know, because then you're going to be right back into corporate America again, like oh, yeah, we're sure with that. Then controlling that was one thing. You know, for me, it's like I don't want somebody controlling when I can and cannot do something. It's not like I want to just go off and you know, party, I'll do whatever. I'm gonna be responsible. But, and I didn't like feeling guilty about it, either feeling guilty about when I can take my paid time off. That was given to me right? Or that I earned really, like, I didn't like feeling guilty about taking that time off. That's ridiculous. I shouldn't have felt guilty, but I always did. I mean, in later years, I started really good, whatever, I'm not gonna worry about it. But like, early on, it was like, and some they made you feel guilty too, so Oh, glad to get out of that. Thank you, Jesus.

Damire:

Yes. Amen to that.

Mandy:

So I think I probably already know the answer to this, but who or what motivates and inspires you?

Damire:

Ooh, okay. So it's funny. Of course, my children do motivate and inspire me because they, I call them my president and VP of chaos. They definitely run my business. I'm not even going to lie about that. If you go on my Instagram, you will see, they have, they are. I call myself twice. Yeah. And it's very fun. It's a lot of fun disciplining myself. Because they're just as sassy as moments. Yeah, so hard because it's so hard not to laugh whenever I'm dealing with right and I have to like to be serious, right? Like No, you shouldn't do that by being hilarious. But really, besides them of course, they're always definitely on top of mine because now my daughter's in pre-k, God, she's in school. Thank you, Jesus. But I still have my son with me. And so for the longest time, I had them full time with me at home. Then I'm running my business from home, right? So the motivation and inspiration are like okay, you're doing it for them every time I was like, Oh my gosh, I'm so tired. I do this. No, you're doing it for the babies? You want to take them to this. You want her to do a cheer dance. 

Mandy:

Yeah. 

Damire:

My son just started ninja warrior class. 

Mandy:

What? 

Damire:

Yeah, it's perfect. So moms, if you're listening and you have a very active child, for three years and up, look in your local community for Ninja Warrior classes, ale, hire them out.

Mandy:

Nice.

Damire:

Wipe them out, just throw them out there. Little unpaid advertiser, little club fat. But really what motivates me is my clients. And it's because nothing makes me get easier than watching my clients go from when they start all lost confused, not really knowing. Then when we end the journey, they're so confident and very grown. And they're just like, yeah, this is what I do. This is my business. And this is bla bla bla bla bla, or whenever I see them when we're wearing their own merchandise, and people start commenting on their merchandise, and they start getting like I have a client that I created for sure for her that says I love my box, PS It's me. And she was like, you have no mate. He/she was like you have no idea because she's in network marketing. And she was like, I have no idea how many leads I got. And just one trip to the target. Wow, I have so I got so many leads just because people liked my shirt. Yeah, don't say, Oh, I was like “all I can say is your welcome”. But I love that. It makes me giddy just like watching this smile on their faces and just how excited they are like that. I'm like, I love that. It fills my cup, really does. I know it sounds cheesy. And you probably hear that. It really does.

Mandy:

That's awesome. Awesome. What big obstacles Have you overcome in your life? And how did you do that?

Damire:

Oh, I've so many obstacles. But I think the one that really resonates the most is when I was in college. Before that, like when I was nine I went through a situation where I had back surgery and I had to learn how to walk again. 

Mandy:

Wow, 

Damire:

How to sit,  how to bend over. And that was kind of traumatic, I would say it would have been traumatic, but I was nine and children are so resilient. That I didn't even see it as an obstacle. I was just like, okay, I did that. That's just like a little thing in my life. But when I was in college, I went to Parsons School of Design. I was in fashion design. Like I was getting my BFA in fashion design. But they mean business. I mean, the program is hardcore, like you, yes, you have the life of a med student. I've said you're just, you know, you're making clothes, and you're designing and you're learning all these things. So you do learn a lot, you do get a lot of experiences, but it's expensive. It's expensive to do that, right? And so at the time, I had signed a contract that I was going to do that. We're going to give me their version of a full scholarship. But I needed to finish in four years. And so I had to take 21 credits. 

Mandy:

Oh God, that’s a lot. 

Damire:

Yes, that's brutal. So really getting a job and baseball. It was not going to happen. I was getting to school at 8:45 in the morning for my first class at nine and I wouldn't leave until two o'clock in the morning.

Mandy:

Oh my Lord. That's insane.

Damire:

Yes. So it was it was hardcore. It was intense. And so I had a situation with my roommates at the time. And basically I ended up homeless for a few months. And like I said, I'm from Puerto Rico. So my parents are 3000 miles away, right? I don't know anybody in New York City. Like when I moved to New York City, I was 18, seven boxes and two suitcases. That's how everything went down. Yeah, so at this time I was in my sophomore year and it was brutal. I was you know, I was homeless and then we had to spend roughly about $300 a week on supplies and a week. 

Mandy:

Oh my god. 

Damire:

Yeah, because in a way it's kind of my fault because of my specialty. I ended up, of course, with my idea when I was younger because my first experience in fashion was with a designer for the Miss You know. He was linked with the Miss Universe organization. So he was doing the evening gowns for Miss USA and the Miss Federico Universe. So that was a lot so that was my thing. I was like, I'm going to be doing two more bridal lingerie design. So that's a specialty I selected. So with that, it says a fabric expose of applications and you know, it comes with that and so basically every little penny that I had that I would get, I would have to spend on that so I would go hungry a lot. So I was homeless and hungry. And so I started picking up whole habits like I started, I picked up smoking which I do not recommend, especially if you're asthmatic like myself. My logic at the time was, I can always borrow a cigarette, which is free, and then it would curb your appetite. But I didn't always have money to eat. And that's kind of my thing. And so it was until I was, I want to give up, I was like, You know what, this is too much, I should just go home, go back home, tell between your legs, go back to your parent’s house, just go to school in Puerto Rico. And it'll be easier because you can live at home and you won't have to worry about any of this. You'll be able to get a job and but then I was like, you know, you've worked so hard. You work so hard to come to the school. I mean, my senior year of high school, I spent my whole winter break working on the portfolio to get into this. Wow, I didn't go out and do anything. I worked my patootie off to get into the school. And I'm like, you're here. You're doing it. You can't go back now. Yeah, just you can, you know, it's fine. Just figure out what to do. So I started asking friends, right? If I could crash on their couches, and they were awesome. I spent a week sometimes at different friends' couches. Then I finally was able to find roommates that weren't crazy. Hey, and you know, we were able to do that. And I was able to live with them. And I remember whenever I would be hungry. I had a roommate that was doing that Nutrisystem. Oh, yeah. But she would eat out all the time. So she wouldn't eat that stuff. So she would get the food and wouldn't eat them. So, like, I lead, I get food. But I'm so happy that I overcame that because it made me more resilient. You know what I mean? I was like, you've worked so hard. So every time I feel like giving up, it's like, look at all the work you've put in, you're gonna give up now. Are you serious? What's wrong with you? Mom, you have this. So I think that was my biggest thing. Go back to that.

Mandy:

Absolutely. Well, and the fact that you and this, hope the listeners get this, too is like, you had to talk yourself through that, and probably a lot of prayers or whatever, too. But like you had to do a lot of self-reflection. And like you said, like, no, look how far I've come. I can't give up now. I can't give up now. You know, I'm sure it was hard, especially when you're hungry, especially when there was a really,

Damire:

Oh my gosh, I cried. Yeah, you get in that funk of like, what are you doing? What's wrong with you? Look at you, you're nothing. You go through all that. And it was tough, like, especially now how that's one thing. But I think it's been like a constant in my life to one side, like in my adult life, the whole not having a support system. I don't know how I keep finding myself in that situation. But it's always because I want to go, to do something. There's a lot of times when you have a goal and you have a dream, and you want to go for it. A lot of the time not a whole lot of people are behind you because they don't think you can do it. They don't agree with you. Or they, but it's really up to you. They don't exactly, but it's up to you, to be like, you know what, this is what I want, and I'm just gonna go for it. And then whatever happens, at least I try I want you to be in regret.

Mandy:

Right. That's kind of what I told my boss and friend last year when I was telling her I wasn't coming back. I'm like, I don't know what's gonna happen. Like, I just need to try to do my own thing. And if I fall flat on my face, I don't know, maybe what so? But I gotta try or I'm gonna regret not trying. And so yeah, that's and I don't regret it at all.

Damire:

Aren't you happy?

Mandy:

Yes, I'm very happy. 

Damire:

So you don’t need to  worry about your lesson plans

Mandy:

Oh, Lord and that’s the least of the worries. Sheesh,

Damire:

Well, especially now you're not worried about the whole mess thing and all that right?

Mandy:

Yeah. And I had decided to finish out my contract at the time of course, but like I decided this thing before spring break that I wasn't going to come back. So it was before we knew we were kind of like, oh, there's this COVID thing or whatever, you know, kind of looming, but we kind of thought we might be gone for a couple of weeks from spring break. Yeah, we never went back. So yeah, I kind of thankfully. I mean, I finished up that year. And then I didn't have to deal with last year's pretty much, which is what I've been hearing from a lot of my teacher friends. It's like it was just a nightmare for a lot of them. Now for the ones that were working at a virtual school anyway, it wasn't quite as bad. But they had such a huge influx of students, though, because of COVID. And so then they were dealing with that, like shores overwhelming. It was this overwhelming all the way around. Yeah. So anyway, I was able to like dodge that.

Damire:

So that's awesome. Yeah.

Mandy:

Oh, man. So speaking of that, speaking of the pandemic, how has that affected you and your family? Like did you turn any negatives into positives? How did that go for you?

Damire:

Well, it's very interesting because, this whole pandemic, my husband's an essential worker. He works for the post office. So on that end, nothing really changed for us. He still had to go to work. Monday through Friday, sometimes Monday through Saturday. He had to be there, especially with a pandemic in the lockdown because everybody needed their goodies, right? And then it was funny because right before the start, so early January, the first week of January of last year, my son had, he was 18 months old at the time, and he had, like, a massive asthma attack. It was crazy. I mean, It was best to take it. Yeah, it was very serious. I took him to the emergency room, and his oxygen levels won't go above 85%. So they looked at me and they're like, he's staying here. So we were at the hospital for about three days. And then when we finally got discharged, the pediatricians were like, okay, and mind you, I live in Georgia. So these were the restrictions or the conditions they gave us. If it's too muggy, raining cold, or crappy outside, you can’t go outside.

Mandy:

Is that pretty much the way it was all the time?

Damire:

If it's there's too much pulling out, which again, we're in Georgia, where spring, it's kind of like winter, everywhere else except as yellow. You can't go anywhere. If it's too hot, you can't go anywhere because the drastic temperature change can trigger it. And I'm just like, okay, so we can't go anywhere. I had to give him three breathing treatments a day.  It was just kind of intense. At least I had to do that for at least two or three months. So when the pandemic hit, I'm like, oh, welcome. Everybody had a nightmare. I've been stuck in my house since January. But it's such because everybody was on lockdown. And I was ready to get out. All right, I have cabin fever. I'm just ready there. But it's just, I mean, they say misery loves company. So that was kind of unlike Okay, so I'm not the only one locked in. So everybody, let's do this. And it was just kind of like, it became interesting because I had to figure out a way to connect myself to the outside world. Right? 

Mandy:

Right. 

Damire:

Kind of like we all did, right? And so I think that was my positive. Just kind of knowing that you're not limited to those where you live right? To these four walls, you're not limited, you can go further than anything. But yeah, the pandemic really end since I run my business from home online, so I was kind of already having to make certain shifts. I started out with my T-shirts. I had to make a shift of adding other revenue streams income, because when we were doing the products, it was kind of like the pandemic, we're now so certain warehouses shut down. And inventory was low and shipping. There was a lot of shipping. 

Mandy:

Yeah, 

Damire:

So I was like, Okay, I need to pandemic proof my business. We just fixed that. But it was cool, because it kind of turned into like, Okay, I got to do a brain dump and come up with as many ideas, brainstorm, and it helped me. I think it just kind of helped me get a little bit more creative. 

Mandy:

Sure. I think it forced a lot of people to do that, to get more creative. Tons of businesses, if they didn't want to go under, and unfortunately, some of them, a lot of them did, but it did force them to pivot and think, Okay, how can we deliver this to people? How can we make it to where they can pick up? How can you know, whatever. So yeah, I mean, in hardship, sometimes the most interesting, innovative ideas and products and services and things like that. So you have to like learn how to roll with it instead of Oh, well, that's it, throw in the towel and all that.

Damire:

Yeah, I think when you go through hardships like that, there's two things that can happen. Either you're like, Okay, that's it. This is the end, I'm done. There's nothing for me and you just got to give up. Or you're like, Okay, how am I gonna make it happen? Right? And just use the think enemy. I'm not saying it's easy. Oh, no, but that's when you have those two kinds of people, though, people that are like, Okay, this didn't work. Let me just the whole, you know, the whole the quote, but it's kind of like, you know, I learned 99 ways not to do it. 

Mandy:

Oh, yeah. Yeah, yeah. 

Damire:

What's his name? Thomas Edison. I think it was. Maybe I could be wrong on that one. But it's kind of like, Yeah, when he was inventing the light ball, and he failed nine, nine times. He says, I didn't fail. I learned 99 ways not to do it. 

Mandy:

Right. 

Damire:

Yeah. So I think it really pushes people you know, there's two kinds of people or people I get given or that people are like, Okay, let me learn how to do this. Oh, that didn't work. Okay, let me do this in a different way. 

Mandy:

And keep trying. Yeah, keep trying. Try and try. Yeah, cool. Do you have any favorite books or podcasts that you listen to, or watch or read?

Damire:

Well, one of my favorites Books is the compound effect by Darren Hardy. I love it because it really makes you kind of self reflect and hold yourself accountable. 

Mandy:

Okay. 

Damire:

Like I'm a huge believer in having accountability partners, for sure, yeah. But you also have to hold yourself accountable. And I think that's self discipline, like stop blaming your circumstances and the world for where you're at. You know, because it's really up to you. I mean, definitely get a support system. Definitely. You know, whatever you believe in, like, for example, I have my faith and hold on to that for sure. But you need to hold yourself accountable. It's like, okay, Did that really happen? Because my circumstances were a certain way, or did it happen because I was just an EDD happened to me, sometimes. I was just too lazy to do something about it. to do something about it. Like when you're in a certain circumstance, if you don't like it, then it's up to you to do something about it to change it. 

Mandy:

Yeah. 

Damire:

So that's what I like about that book. It really makes you kind of self-reflective. And it's like, it's not the world. It's you. You know, but I mean, and again, it goes back to my personality, right? Like, tell it like it is really odd. So it's kind of like I love being called out. So I don't know if that's bad or whatever. But I love being called out

Mandy:

But I think it's insufficient. For sure. 

Damire:

Yeah, 

Mandy:

You don't waste time on him or piddling around, you can just get right to it. Oh, what's your go-to beverage?

Damire:

Oh? It depends on the time of day or the type of day I'm having. So we can go, I love water. I drink like a gallon of water a day. So that's another thing. You never have time for drama when you go to the bathroom. I'm drinking a lot of water. I love water. But sometimes I need my coffee. Because you need that cup of coffee really good. You're like, Ah, yes. Then of course and I know a lot of people are like that is so bad for you. But I'm a diet coke person. And then if I'm having a really rough day, or I feel like celebrating, you can give me a margarita on the rocks. No salt, and I'm in love for some Margarita.

Mandy:

Margarita. So Yes. Do you have favorite shows that you binge watch?

Damire:

Yes, so I'm a huge history buff. Like I love all that stuff. I love me some “Outlander''. Some “bridgerton'' love that “The lost kingdom”. I mean, you know, a lot of people if you've watched those shows, there's also some eye candy which doesn't. But I love shows like that. Like I love history shows. 

Mandy:

Yeah. Yeah. 

Damire:

And I love it. I think I love it more for the costumes really than Yes. But you know, it can't be doesn't hurt, but the costumes are exactly my thing. Yeah, cuz that goes with

Mandy:

your, you know, your whole design, knowledge and stuff. So what is your vision for your life for the next five years?

Damire:

This is always fun. So the next five years, I envision myself just have definitely grown my business to and none of this pandemics that's going on. So we're able to move my business outside of my home. And my goal, really, and the vision is to have a team of moms. So my thing is, I want to hire moms, but I also want to make sure that they're able to stay connected to their children. So it'll be to where we are at home, like not at home, but we'll have a daycare, right? Yeah, so that way, they don't have to worry about who's gonna keep my baby, or who's gonna watch my child. They'll have their baby, they can bring them to work, drop them off at the daycare, or go upstairs, get some work done, then every time they take a break, they can go and be with their job. Yeah. And that's really, because that's one thing that I knew as a mom, when I became a new moment I started my business, that's one thing that also helped me start my business because I didn't want to miss out on it. Yeah,

Mandy:

It breaks my heart to know when people have, you know, have their babies and they have to go back to work after a certain period of time and you can't be there with your child. And it's I mean,

Damire:

Don't get me wrong, some ladies are ready for it. I know I've met some moms that are like, Oh my gosh, I can't wait to go back to work. This is driving me insane. Yeah, but I always think I feel like moms will be, are always a little bit more productive, or they just feel better about themselves when you have your child nearby. So even if you're ready to go to work, you're ready to go to work as but especially when it's that new transition. When you're kind of done with maternity leave and you're going back to work. You're like I'm ready to go to work. And then two hours into, 

Mandy:

You missed your baby.

Damire:

Well guess what you can say about your 15 minute break or whatever break. You want to go down there and you can see them. So that's really the vision for this. So I really want to make it a community of moms. So it's like, yeah, moms for moms.

Mandy:

Yes. I think that's awesome. So if you're in the Georgia area, moms, you need to seek her out. Because Yeah, yes, let's just get a good vision here. I love it. What's one one thing you'd like to leave with our listeners any kind of valuable lesson or anecdote, any in addition to what you've already given to us?

Damire:

I think what I would love to leave them with is always just be mindful. Just don't necessarily jump to conclusions right away about some money and always think, how can I sort of feel that the fee comes from a heart of service and just really be that person that you need when you start it, but do not compromise. Who you are, what your beliefs are, and what your goals are for anybody, even if it's family, I don't care who it is. Do not compromise yourself and just be you unapologetically you, no matter what.

Mandy:

I love it. I love it. So where can people get in contact with you

Damire:

You guys can find me on Instagram. My handle is www.instagram.com/thesassymomdiariessassy We're also club house in my clubhouse handle @damirecwinn. And just visit www.thesassymomdiaries/com

Mandy:

Awesome. Love it. All right. So Damire thank you so much for being here today. I really appreciate it and I really appreciate your time. And I love Love, love what you are doing with your business and as a mom and reaching out to moms and and I just wish you the very, very best.

Damire:

Thank you so much for having me. This was so much fun, and I totally appreciate the opportunity. 

Mandy:

You're welcome.