Motherhood can change everything. Edina resident Molly Peterson recognized this soon after the birth of her son Landon. Seizing a bright idea, she has managed to realize her dreams, and help others grab on to theirs too.
With a decade of career coaching under her belt, Peterson assumed it would be a breeze to return, after a year of motherhood, to the job she loved. “I had no idea how fulfilling and consuming being a mom could be,” she explains. Taking her own career advice, she did some internal evaluation and realized a desire to make her work with clients more personal, spiritual and purposeful.
Surrounded by thoughtful, intelligent moms who wanted to make a difference but didn’t know where to start, Peterson had an epiphany. She possessed the perfect storm of skills in helping others find fulfilling careers and she had the personal perspective of motherhood. Thus began a new business that helps moms launch themselves in a new direction, aptly named Mom Launch.
The new venture, birthed last October, has experienced a vibrant infancy. Peterson has nurtured the discovery of dreams in moms at every stage of mothering, but especially among empty nesters—a time when parenting responsibilities shift and many women flounder.
Kristen LeNeave, a stay-at-home mom for 22 years, was thinking ahead when she took a workshop at Mom Launch. Her youngest is a year and a half away from college, but “it seemed like a great way to get started in this new phase of my life,” she says. LeNeave credits the program with helping her to understand her strengths and interests, but most importantly, to know how to take the next step into the working world.
Making a difference has become a siren of both men and women whose experiences, not unlike Peterson’s, drive them to want meaningful activity in their working world. “A common complaint I hear is that work feels draining,” says Peterson. “When you are doing what is right for you, it feels energizing.” She stresses the importance of taking the time to discover what type of work brings satisfaction.
During the ‘discover you” phase of Mom Launch, women uncover natural strengths. A response Peterson hears often during this beginning exploration is, “Doesn’t everyone do that well?” Upon realizing that they have unique talents, moms open up to possibilities they had not considered or knew existed.
The next three parts of the process begin the “launch.” From there, women create concrete options that fit a whole-life vision of themselves. This leads to practical steps in “test driving” the dream. The testing phase also comes with secrets for creating conversations that are easy and effective—the gateway to making important connections. The plan comes finally to life with timelines and action steps, accompanied by a good dose of community.
The company of others is an important element of moving through big transitions. Mom Launch workshops become a supportive think-tank environment where insights are generated, brainstorming multiplies and new ideas can be explored without judgment.
Peterson developed a 12-week at-home version of the program, but strongly encourages those who go it alone to form a support group. Her work with individual clients also contains camaraderie that is vital to growth. As one coaching client explained to Peterson, “I know that you are walking in the water with me. At times you hold me up and at other times you make sure I am swimming like mad.”
Peterson describes the women she works with as courageous in their endeavors—getting past fears and moving toward fulfillment. “Give yourself permission to check out your ideas in small ways and see what unfolds,” she encourages. You can bet that this mom knows a thing or two about dreams.
Launch Yourself This Fall
Mom Launch Dream Party
6–8 p.m. September 15, Arneson Acres Park, Edina
Mom Launch Workshop
10 a.m.–noon Mondays October 3-24, St. Louis Park
Visit Mom Launch's website for details.
