We were lucky to catch up with Cheyenne Smith recently and have shared our conversation below.
Cheyenne, we are so happy that our community is going to have a chance to learn more about you, your story and hopefully even take in some of the lessons you’ve learned along the way. Let’s start with self-care – what do you do for self-care and has it had any impact on your effectiveness?
Juggling motherhood and running two businesses is like being a superhero without the cape(I stole that from my own mom). It’s non-stop action from dawn till dusk. At first, I was all in with my businesses and my family, 24/7, thinking I could do it all without a break for me. That was a recipe for disaster. I quickly learned that not taking a little time out for myself wasn’t doing me any favors. In fact, it was the opposite. Without a pause, I’d end up either glued to my bed for a week or sneezing and coughing with some random bug. So, I started making some changes. I began to block out little blocks of time in my calendar –moments for just me. It sounds simple, but it was a game changer. Moving my body and getting some fresh air became my non-negotiables- DAILY. There’s something magical about taking a walk, feeling the sun on your face, and just breathing. It’s my go-to stress buster and productivity booster.
Scheduling this “me time” wasn’t about being selfish. It was about keeping my tank full so I could be there for my family and my businesses without running on empty. And, honestly, it’s made a world of difference. I’m sharper, more focused, and way more energized. Plus, I think it’s good for my daughter to see their mom taking care of herself. A close friend of mine gave me this advice when she could see me struggling to keep up, “You’re kids are happiest when you’re happy.”
Turning self-care into a regular part of my routine has honestly been a lifesaver. It’s not just about staying healthy; it’s about staying happy, productive, and, most importantly, sane amidst the chaos. And let’s face it, in this crazy world of entrepreneurship and parenting, a little sanity goes a long way.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
My focus is scaling my brand, Dakota Ridge! We are the first to market cowboy rain boots for kids but we are in the process of launching our adult line. We have over 400 pre-orders and are scheduled to be done with production in the late spring! We are so excited to continue to grow the brand now that we have a full size range.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
I believe there are three main things that set entrepreneurs apart: first, their savvy in weighing risks—figuring out what is worth the jump and what is not, second, their ability to pivot when needed because let’s face it, things change at lightning speed; and third, this rock-solid belief in their idea’s success—it’s the drive that keeps them going. Now, for those just embarking on this adventure, here’s a piece of advice that really resonated with me: trust yourself. You’ve got a pretty good sense of what your business needs. But remember, it’s completely okay to ask for help. No one’s an expert at everything, right? So, while you’re trusting your gut, don’t hesitate to seek advice from others too. It’s about striking the right balance.
How would you spend the next decade if you somehow knew that it was your last?
Right now I am really focusing on cash flow. My first business was a service based business and Dakota Ridge is a product based business : totally different games! Access to capital can be tricky especially if you are a brand new business.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://shopdakotaridge.com/
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/shopdakotaridge
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/cheyennesandler/
