We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Monica Pittenger. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Monica below.
Alright, so we’re so thrilled to have Monica with us today – welcome and maybe we can jump right into it with a question about one of your qualities that we most admire. How did you develop your work ethic? Where do you think you get it from?
Where do I get my work ethic from? That is a great question. If I am being completely honest it comes from a combination of my upbringing and raising my 3 boys. You see, I’m dyslexic so I always had to work a little harder than my peers to achieve the same results. What I thought was a disability has become my greatest strength. My whole life I had to figure things out, dig a little deeper to understand something, and work a little harder. So when I am presented with a difficult task, like starting a business for scratch, I can figure it out. I sit dawn and break it into small pieces and then I work hard to complete my goal. Also, I am raising 3 teenage boys. They are watching me daily and they are learning from my mistakes and my accomplishments. If I fail. from trying, that’s okay. But if I fail because I did not do the work or prioritize my day, that is unacceptable. The difference between ordinary and extraordinary is a little “extra”.
Thanks, so before we move on maybe you can share a bit more about yourself?
A little about me: My name is Monica Pittenger and for 7 years I was a middle school math teacher and cheer coach. I loved being a teacher and coach but after having my second child, staying at home was the best decision financially for our family. I then had my 3rd son and was a full time stay at home mom. That was the hardest chapter of my life. 3 babies in diapers, and a husband who traveled all week. It was extremely difficult yet rewarding. When the kids got a little older, my sisters and I started a company called “Busy Beauties”. It is a hair care and skin care company designed for busy women. I am so proud of this company and what it stands for. It is real beauty products made with clean ingredients that actually work. Through this company, we have allowed women to trust a brand and regain confidence in products that actually work. In turn they have regained their own confidence. It brings me so much joy.
My second company, Wash Yo Self was started a few years ago. It has a funny story on how it all started. My oldest son was starting middle school sports. I’m talking football in Texas heat! And get this, they had practice in the mornings before school and during first period. Then, they were not given time to shower before class. Can you imagine! 150 middle school boys walking around smelling like, well, middle school boys! Being a former teacher and coach I need to find a solution. I started looking for body wipes made with clean ingredients. You see, you can’t rub alcohol or harsh chemicals on exposed pores after a workout. I did not like what I was finding so I decided to make my own. Because I own a beauty company, I am very particular on the ingredients that are in products. So I made wipes with clean ingredients and made in America. After all, I was making these wipes for my children, they needed to be the best. They are oversized and individually packaged. It’s all about convince.
My oldest is in high school now, and still uses the wipes daily to freshen up. And get this, my sister is an OBGYN, so these wipes are safe for all athletes to use everywhere! I think you can tell Im prod of this company. I made something for my kids that they actually need and something that I actually trust. And they watched me do it! Hopefully they will look back on this and realize that they can do anything.
One more thing to brag about, we just got on Amazon! So these wipes can be delivered to your door tomorrow. Proud of everything we accomplished in less than two years.
Thank you for taking the time to read about me and my journey. I am proud of my accomplishments and excited about my future and the future of Wash Yo Self.
If you had to pick three qualities that are most important to develop, which three would you say matter most?
If you are staring your own company and need a little advice, I got you! 1. Make a list
2. Hire slowly and fire quickly
3. Give yourself grace
The best advice I have for people starting out is to make a list. Make of list of everything that has to be done to accomplish your goal. Highlight everything on the list that you can not accomplish yourself. It can be from taxes to web design. Then outsource those items. Do not try to do it all yourself, you can not be an expert at everything. It is important to have knowledge in all the different areas, but being in expert in all, is not reasonable and overwhelming. Revisit and update the list daily.
Take time when you are hiring someone. Make sure they are a good fit and they add value to your company. If they do not, release them quickly. Do not be afraid to make the hard decisions. I have to remind myself of this all the time. I am not designed to be the bad guy, but I have to do what is best for the future of my company.
Give yourself grace. You are going to make mistakes. Some mistakes will cost you money and it is easy to doubt yourself. Just give yourself grace,
Alright so to wrap up, who deserves credit for helping you overcome challenges or build some of the essential skills you’ve needed?
I have to give a shoot-out to my sister Katie! I could not have done any of this without her. She is my business partner and a practicing OBGYN. She is also our web designer and computer expert. Remember how I advised you to make a list and outsource all the items you can not do yourself…. well I had a special highlighter for Katie. It is all things computer and she rocks it all! She is my rock and I am grateful to be doing life with her. Love you!
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.washyoself.com
- Instagram: 3.crazy.sisters wash.yoself monicapittenger busy_beauties
- Other: Amazon https://a.co/d/4Z19adi
Image Credits
Audrie Dollins Jesus Gutierrez
