Hello and welcome back!

In today’s conversation, we are chatting with my friend Lucy Wang. I met Lucy in person at a photography workshop years ago and collaborated with her for a bit when we both dabbled in the newborn prop industry. She is a wife and mama of 3 residing in the LA area. She's also a self-proclaimed iron chef, SYSK binge-listener, and crazy plant lady. You will most likely find her in her kitchen cooking for her family. Otherwise, she is tending to her indoor jungle, heading to a hip-hop class, browsing the aisles at Trader Joe's, or entertaining in her backyard. Occasionally you might find her, camera in hand, helping other families document those small but significant moments in life.

Main Topics included in this Episode

  • Lucy’s background and journey into mompreneurship
  • Discussions of CRMs and goals to be able to scale her business
  • How she is reevaluating her work and mom life to align with her heart
  • What she is looking forward to in the next few years in both family and business

Connect with Lucy

Resources Mentioned

  • CRM platforms discussed: Honeybook, Dubsado, Iris Works and Go High Level
  • Book: Hunt, Gather, Parent by Michaeleen Doucleff

Connect with Alysha

Music Licensing Info

Music by Eli Lev - Dancin' on the Lawn

Link

Episode Transcription

Speaker 1

Hello and welcome back to the Messy Mompreneur podcast. I'm your host, Alysha Sanford, and I'm so happy to have you here in today's conversation, we're chatting with my friend Lucy Wang. I met Lucy in person at a photography workshop years ago now and collaborated with her for a bit when we both dabbled in. The newborn prop industry for a couple of years. She's a wife and Mama of three residing in the LA area. She is also a self-proclaimed iron chef. A crazy plant lady, an SYSK binge listener, and you will most likely find her in the kitchen cooking for her family. Otherwise, she's tending to her indoor jungle, heading to a hip hop class, browsing the aisles at Trader Joe's, or entertaining in her backyard. And occasionally. You can find her with camera in hand, helping other families document those small but significant moments in life. She is a fellow photographer, and with that we will jump into our conversation with Lucy. Hi, Lucy. Thank you so much for joining us today as we get started, I'll have you share a little bit about yourself and your family.

Speaker 2

OK. Hi Alysha, everyone. My name is Lucy Wang. I am a wife and a Mama of three kids. Should I should I say this, yeah. And then Teddy, who's five months old. Uh, I don't know. I'm not sure how detailed to get, but I went to school in a totally different field. But you know, sometime in the last 10 years decided that I actually want to do something completely different. So I pursued something in the creative arts, and now I'm a photographer. Well, when we met, I was a pretty new photographer I would say and the new thing that we're looking into now is actually starting back up a commercial studio space. Now that we're officially done having children, so there's a I guess a shift of focus and back to the career. So we're actively looking in the LA area and actually it's just been such a headache. So catching me in a in a very busy time, I guess.

Speaker 1

Yeah, well, I've I would not have guessed that you were new to photography when I met you. Because you were doing some killer newborn work already, so I had no idea you were new.

Speaker 2

That's very kind. I yeah, I was. And it was I. It was not only new to you were photography, but I was also new to just, I think just being an entrepreneur and a, you know, woman entrepreneur at the time and no kids then. So there was a lot more time to focus on sort of pursuing this and now it's, yeah, now it's so interesting juggling this many hats, right? But yeah.

Speaker 1

And I only have one, kiddo, so I can only imagine how 3 plus all the ventures and endeavors can. Fill your time.

Speaker 2

Yeah.

Speaker 1

Well, OK. So you shared a little bit about your journey into your, you know, entrepreneurship and whatnot. If you're comfortable, I know that you experienced HG and I don't want to butcher how you pronounce the actual full term, but you experienced that with all three kiddos through pregnancies, right?

Speaker 2

Yes, that's correct.

Speaker 1

Yeah. How did that? I know I'm putting you on the spot. How did that play into? How you are running your business and? Spending your time that way.

Speaker 2

Yeah, it's. I mean, it's really interesting I think at least for me, the challenge is well, first of all, the experience, something I wouldn't wish on my worst enemy. I know it's like a really cliche saying, but there is just no. This is a family friendly podcast. There's just it. It's absolutely terrible in ways I think. Unless you go through something similar. And when I say similar, I mean just a very challenging, physically challenging, but chronic situation. I think that's the thing that. Really was very eye opening for me. It's that it's this you know, minute by minute, day by day, weeks on end, months into just there's never sort of a relief and that's something I've never experienced with physical challenges. And I you know for me I think it only sort of spurred me on to be a bigger hustler, I would say I hustle. And I think I think the experience of having kids in general for me, whether or not there was HD attached, was one where it made me tougher. Like I literally feel like with each new child, and certainly when Uncle was born, that's when I think the biggest change happened. But I feel like a new woman. Like, I feel like they're, you know, real changes to obviously the way I view the world and certainly the way I, you know, look at my business, but also it just they're, you know, they're the reason, again, more cliches. But they're the reason why I worked so hard. I am because I do want to provide financial assistance to my family, I know some women. You know, one way or the other, right, whether you pursue your career, whether you're a. Stay at home, mom. And I'm I want. I want both, you know. So I think for me, having the challenge of bringing them into the world with being HG. Only makes me want to work. I think that much harder to be able to. In fact, just last night or two nights ago, my husband and I were sort of dreaming about what? This new studio space could. Be what direction I want to take my business in, because so far it's really been very heavy. We find our studio newborn, but I think in order to accommodate a wider client base there, we're just sort of brainstorming a lot of ideas and it's scary, but it's really exciting and again the reason for all of that is, you know the three of them and how difficult it was to have them.

Speaker 1

Yeah, I'm really sorry that you went through that. I remember watching you, you know, shared bits about it. And I just, I hate saying I can't imagine because it I don't want that to feel like it's just alienating or whatnot, but I really. I'm just so sorry you went through it, but it's inspiring that you have that outlook after going through it and three times.

Speaker 2

Yeah, that's sad.

Speaker 1

Well, and I'm going to separately, I'm going to pick your brain a little bit on the studio thing because I feel like we're kind of. Potentially on the. Same path there and anyway.

Speaker 2

Yeah, yeah.

Speaker 1

Yeah, that later. So you've just recently welcomed baby #3 into the family, and I know you've shared a little bit about where you guys are kind of focusing studio wise. You also though have a lot of other passions. And I want you to mention because I know about them, but listeners don't. You're great at everything. You seem to touch, but I really want you to highlight the other passions of yours.

Speaker 2

Ohh no, that's very kind. And it's funny because in in passing a friend had mentioned that I was and again I think it's social media, right you share these things and then people see a very small subset of your life and obviously I'll share the hobbies that I tend to. Do OK with, but a friend had highlighted that I was like a Jack of all trades but the but the phrase actually after that is that I think like master of none right? So it's funny. But that's kind of how I am. I mean, I get I think I think it has a lot to do with my upbringing and when I was growing up, I was not given allowance. Try anything so to great to you know, explore hobbies, to explore things that interested me. I was very heavily directed towards sort of academic pursuits, so I it's almost like I'm revenge discovering that side of me as an adult now that I get to, you know, call the shots. So I mean, I love everything. I love baking and that's sort and that sort of led into because I never, I didn't grow up baking. At home, you know, baking with mom with. Siblings, which I think is such a common part of childhood now that I observed that through the lens of a mother, but that led me into discovering that I really like to, you know, bake and cook and make food fun for my kids, because ALCO was an extremely picky eater. And him being my first, I just. I mean, you know, now having multiple kids, I realized, but that was always who he was gonna be. Nothing I could do would change that. But as a mom of 1, one child, I did backflips trying to make him eat right. So then the. The cute Bento boxes and the extra things and then. So that's a, I have an Instagram page for that, and then another pursuit again was born out of just a hobby and interest, which is doll houses. I can never seem to keep my house clean, so I keep my doll house clean and I, you know, get my sense of accomplishment and worth and satisfaction from, from keeping the mini. And clean and then and then and then. It's funny because the dollhouse was purely for me. It was a toy for me. It was therapy for me. And then one day I caught. I'll go playing with it, although I told him, you know, this is not a toy. It's, you know, Momma's thing. And he just as a very young 2 year old at the time, spend hours, you know, just sitting in front of it and just the way that he can grab his attention, that imaginative play being, you know, so good and so keeping their attention for so long that I thought, man, I, you know, maybe I should sell this. Maybe I could share with other moms. You know and looking into again, I feel like every time I have an interest, I then immediately want to capitalize and you know monetize that interest. It's sort of because I went. I went to school for business, so I feel like there's sort of that, that business mindset, that gear turning constantly in my mind. But I mean, there's so many things I love. I love to, you know, knit. I started it during COVID. I think as many people did. And looking into dancing but it. But again, you know not that I can turn those things into sort of a business, but I definitely think about it. So that's just kind of how my brain works, I guess, yeah.

Speaker 1

Well, you mentioned that you're always hustling, and it makes sense that you're thinking about that. OK. So you touched on the fact that you really enjoy cooking and baking, but I do want to know on a day or an evening that was like a crazy day you were out of the house, you don't have any time to. Really worried about cooking a fancy meal? Are there any quick? I don't know kitchen hacks or go to like meal plans or recipes that you try to. Have on hand.

Speaker 2

If for the kiddos like or for. All of us.

Speaker 1

Either or both.

Speaker 2

No, I have, so it's OK. So my one true joy and love it, it's food. So no matter how busy I am and I will always turn on the stove. But I also think and for every meal. So I cook. Every single day, three meals a day, sometimes more, because the snack time. But I also think I do that because cooking to me is I always look at cooking as a very fast, simple sort of a non-hassle thing and that's why no matter how busy the day will get, that will never sort of leave the, you know, the premise of what I do really quick hack. So I have. One that's a surprisingly, I think easy thing to make that I don't think people realize which is very kid friendly is chawa mushi, and it's the Japanese steamed egg custer. So the texture is really like tofu, but obviously more nutritious because the base like where you can use a stock. So even like the store bought, you know, chicken stock works well or you can make your own which then? Store it right but. Essentially, you just crack an egg, scramble it in a container that is able to be heated. Like in a steamer. And then you literally just add one part egg. So however you know much because eggs are different. Sizes right to. Three-part liquid and you can just use water. But again, stock would make it more nutritious, and sometimes I also hide little chopped up veggies so you can buy the frozen one right? Or you can just chop up broccoli and carrots. And then you literally steam it for 10 minutes and it becomes this. It's almost like a chiffon. I mean, it's not cake. It's like a soaking tofu texture with all the, you know, veggies in it. You can add like chicken bits or sausage bits in it like. It just depends on how fancy you want to make it and if you have all those. Things sort of prepped and chopped already. You just literally throw it in, crack an egg, and then it's, you know, a filling enough meal for an adult too, depending on the size you make. So maybe 2 eggs, but my kids it's like a without fail the piggies eaters will eat. It in fact. Non Asian friends of ours will come and the moms will immediately be like there's no way they would eat that like they've never had that they're very like. Extra sensitive, but it it's always been a crowd pleaser. I've never met anyone who didn't like it so, and it's just it's so fast, right? Like a. Meal in 10 minutes, so yeah.

Speaker 1

That sounds really good and. I'm not the greatest with steaming anything outside of vegetables in a steam tray, so I might have to.

Speaker 2

You can so you can.

Speaker 1

Look into how to do that.

Speaker 2

You can microwave it. OK, if the container can withstand microwaving you literally. Yeah, so you don't have to use. We use steamers a lot because it's such a healthy way of cooking and fast, but you can literally pop it in the microwave and it'll steamed egg for you, like it'll cook it. So it's really.

Speaker 1

Good to know. I'll definitely try that. That's really good. OK so. I want to hear a little bit about like back to business and managing like you said all the hats that you wear, have you outsourced anything, whether it was in your home or within your business like back end admin, that kind of stuff work life in general that you swear by or that has really helped?

Speaker 2

You know, I have not, but that is not because I don't want to. As far as the business things of admin and editing, because that's a huge, I feel like that's probably the biggest, it's the front end, right when you're sort of in the in the inquiry section and then sort. Of the post work. I have that part of it is because I am such a control freak, so I would love to listen to other guests of yours who share their hacks, but also my business. Up until this point wouldn't have been able to financially. Saying it so, I feel like part of being a photographer. And I won't. Speak for the entire photography community, right? But I feel like what I've seen I. Can speak to. At least in. The newborn sort of smaller sphere is that sometimes people are not looking at it like a business in the sense of you have to constantly think about your bottom line. And that's one thing where I feel like again, it's maybe that training, you know back in college, but I'm constantly running this sort of cost analysis right cost of goods or cost of doing business and up until really honestly at this point still my business would not could not have sustained the cost of hiring help essentially. But I would love to get to a point where the 2nd is sustainable. I would look into it and then maybe work through the control freak side of it. You know, in therapy or something. So, but no, I have not. But I would love to very soon.

Speaker 1

I completely understand that and to be honest. And I'm admitting this to obviously you. And I guess whoever is listening, uh, I've been. Kind of in that same boat trying to justify the cost of specifically investing in a CRM platform and I really need to, I really want to. I understand the benefits and how much it would. Drastically lower the amount of time that I'm on my phone trying to e-mail back and forth. For example, it would just automate a lot of things and help me to spend that time in a better way. So that's my next step. But up until now it's. I don't know. I specialize in, you know, babies and newborns and then family photography. And there is definitely a busy season and a slower season in that for whatever reason, it's just. I don't know. It's just always been that way for me at least. And so I'm coming into a busy season and I'm making my first priority to implement the CRM platform and invest in it because then I know that during my slower season I can really dive into it and set it. Up and just hopefully going forward, make the next year a lot more seamless and be on my phone.

Speaker 2

Yeah. Can I? Ask actually what platform you're looking at?

Speaker 1

Well, there's obviously a few that are popular. A lot of people I know use honey book or Dubsoto or I think the other one is Iris.

Speaker 2

OK.

Speaker 1

Works and then recently one of my.

Speaker 2

Got it.

Speaker 1

Guests actually told me about, I think. Go high level. I want to say that's. Anyway, I'll put the information in the show notes just in case people want to check them out. But I think she had mentioned that that one the new one go high level, I think it's. It's even more encompassing than the other ones in different ways, so I'm kind of cross comparing. I just need something that's user friendly.

Speaker 2

Yeah, no. That's so again, selfishly, I was asking you because in the beginning when we were sort of just chatting and I was mentioning that I just loved, you know, for an average of 2. Hours for that. Past two nights, what I was doing actually was exactly the sort of fun end of the work I would need to do to automate, and we were looking at how. Look, because I actually, I have not heard of any of the other platforms you mentioned. But again looking because it's again it's that it's that business, right? So I when I started newborn photography, one of the first things I. Did was write up a very. Comprehensive business plan, incredibly large and in fact I worked on an. Excel spreadsheet that I now very lovingly refer to as my big Bertha that was her name and it was, you know, I don't even know how many tabs, hundreds of tabs, and this might account in training, right, Excel and formula driven and running all sorts of scenarios and numbers and predictions and all of it because I don't want to be in the red for the first few years of business. Even though that's, you know, even if that had happened to someone else, that's totally OK, right. But I wanted to make that first dollar net income as soon as I can so. I think one of the things with automating is that I think with the new studio and where I want to take my business, when we start a new studio is operating at a volume and at a price point where it would more than at this point, you know it would bring a monthly five times more than overhead sort of, you know, rent all those. Fees and it would be so then with that in mind, there's no way I would be able to do that like it's almost like our hands are pushed towards automation, but because I also want to save money. I told my husband that what I would like to do is front load all the work so that the first day that automation is charging me right, that first day the subscription. Starts I want to make sure everything is loaded and we're already. Online, instead of right getting this and then trying to make sure those things are in place and again for the last two nights after I'm done being a Mama and everyone's asleep, I stay up all night trying to, you know, template and, you know, pricing guides and welcome emails and follow up emails and yeah.

Speaker 1

All of it.

Speaker 2

It's been really fun, but yeah, but it, it just got me so excited to kind of talk to you about it and to know that you're sort. Of in the. Same space, right? Like that's really cool, but yeah.

Speaker 1

I know I'm looking at it and I, like I said, I'm aiming for getting started on it by fall because falls where it just gets crazy. Over here, which I'm grateful for the crazy. But there's just. It's a rough time to take on a new project and it. Seems like it's just a lot to try to merge. I don't know. So I don't know. We'll maybe stay in touch on that progress too.

Speaker 2

Yeah, I would love to. I would love to.

Speaker 1

And as the.

Speaker 2

Yeah, it isn't that funny that that's part of Adulting. Just trying to figure out right because kids wake up each day and just like what's happening, and then for adults, we have to plan so far ahead, right. And prioritize and manage.

Speaker 1

Well, just like today I'm recording right now. She's upstairs with her dad while he's, you know, helping with her for a sec while I record. I'm already thinking, OK, nap time. I've got to get this, this, this and this done, I am finally starting blogging because, you know, I'm 10 or 20 years behind everybody else on. So now I'm trying to figure out how to turn blog posts into social media posts and schedule it and automate and batch. Because if not, I'm just on my phone 24/7 and my kid is so upset with me. And I feel so guilty. It's a full time job trying to do it all anyway. I'm glad we're talking about it.

Speaker 2

Yes, you're in good company. And I truly think you know a lot of mom entrepreneurs and just moms in general like will 100% relate to what you're saying. You know, it's like it's crazy, it's yeah.

Speaker 1

It really is hard.

Speaker 2

It's yeah.

Speaker 1

Speaking of honey book, if that's the way you're leaning, I'm pretty sure I saw a code out there like cause you know, it's the retargeting ads. Once you visit a website, they follow you and so I got a coupon code in my news feed that said like 90% off. So I don't know. I'll share that with you in case that's helpful, OK.

Speaker 2

I would love it, yes.

Speaker 1

OK. So switching gears a little bit, I want to know how you make time for editing? Like what is your, you may not have like a dedicated routine, but is there any kind of a rhythm to your week that you've found yourself? Kind of cruising through to get everything done.

Speaker 2

No, it's OK. A really big question for me because and. And it's funny, you're just catching me at a time where I'm almost like rethinking everything. So I'm currently reading, so I love to read it. Read for pleasure, read for whatever self-help. Right and currently. And of course, as a mom now I only do audibles, because write audio books because I do not. I cannot. OK, you get it. So I'm currently listening to Hunt, gather parent. And I know I'm behind because I know it's been all the rage for years now. But it's gotten. It really is giving me a lot to think about what the chapter I was listening to last night as I was working at 3:00 AM was heavily talking about how to involve young toddlers in essentially adult life and how beneficial that is to them, and not only to them, but also to you, because now you're not. Saying let Mommy fold the laundry, you go watch TV for a second and now you're folding laundry together and you know and how and how can you even get them to? Because she talks about how, you know these societies. Outside of Western culture is able to have essentially A seamless and wonderful and cohesive and helpful family life, even with very young children involved. And it just totally piqued my interest because my life isn't like that. And what I mean by that is my. Life is during the day me trying to do some chores. Essentially, you know, shoveling. It's off to read or watch TV or screen time so that I can fold laundry and, you know, do sort of family chores. And then at night is where. I need to be super focused because editing I need I, you know, cannot have sort of interruptions. So it is just not a sustainable model in the sense that So what happens with editing is that it happens again when the house is asleep, when everyone is asleep in their beds, not anywhere near my computer or, you know, constantly being. Interrupted. It's such a mind. Drain that. That's when the editing starts and I actually edit for a plastic surgeon in LA. She has her own private practice in Beverly Hills. She's on the TV show botched, so she has very consistent work that I and it's a really supplementary income, right. So I edit for her. And sometimes it's a lot because it's a batches of patients, right? And again no schedule just basically when everyone is asleep, that's when. I get started. But listening to the book, and again, it's as recent as last night. I would really like to go into a model where throughout the day because she even mentioned bring how beneficial it is to bring children into the adult world. That is your job. So if your job allows for the children to come visit like once a month, if your children can see you like a secretarial, if they can see you. Sort of. You know, put envelopes together, stamps on. Then help with that. And it really got me thinking because, you know, my job. Is fun. I mean, I think it's fun cause I'm biased, but I feel like to a child, right? If it's Mommy's job as a photographer or daddy's job as an engineer, I mean, as in a photographer's job, more fun and why am I not bringing them onto this journey? Right. And when we do open the studio to have them play in the studio space and help clean up after a photo shoot. You know, so. It again, it really is getting my mind going about how more I think integrated I can make my family and work life because it is integrated, right? Like I'm a stay at home Mom who also has a full time job. It's not a side hustle and. And why am I separating it and thinking that that's the only way that I can make it work so we don't have the right solution yet. But I think the current book is really getting me brainstorming a little bit.

Speaker 1

And you said that's called Hunt gather parent. OK, I'm going to find that link for the notes too. That sounds like and I think that's awesome.

Speaker 2

OK. Yes.

Speaker 1

That's such a refreshing take on it because I mean, right now I've got, well, she's not quite 2, but she's a handful. And I have a very small studio. And I just, I feel like I immediately picture anxiety having her down there. But I'm also thinking why I have other kids there when I'm doing. Photo shoots. Why am I worried about my child in the studio? Ohh like if she makes a mess.

Speaker 2

Yeah, yeah. And honestly, I if you have the time to listen, I truly highly recommend this book. And I'm actually reading with one other Mama, and we're starting a book club again. You're. It's funny. You're catching me at a time where I feel like a lot's happening. Like meaning first, first time. So she and I actually meeting in August. This book, and I'm supposed to have finished it by then, which is why I'm. Like actively listening to it. But it really is giving me a lot to think. About especially because. Of all these real life stories. You know, I that's what I love. It's I don't like advice when it's very theoretical. I love practical advice. And when you also tell me before giving me the advice that there's. Proof in the pudding, right? That like these societies and these families and you see it in your own life, hmm. That these sort of active wisdom you're passing on is why? So maybe we can check back in a few months and I'll tell you. How it's going in our house, yeah.

Speaker 1

Definitely well, and not to hijack the conversation, but I grew up around that too. So my mom was a private caregiver for a very long time until she ultimately ended up physically hurting her back too much from lifting. But we went along with her until she had to take us to school, and that was basically her break time was to run us to school, but we were there, and so we were exposed to. Watching her work and we knew that, you know, we needed to behave and we were still able to play, but. It also introduced us to the geriatric community early on, so that was kind of cool in a different aspect. But and then if we were with my dad because they were divorced. My dad worked for my grandparents. Who were they design and manufacture medical equipment and that was their entire life. Like that was their day-to-day life. And so when we were with my grandma because she was watching us, she wasn't just there to entertain us. We were there, fitting into their day-to-day life. As an operating business out of their home and. Side note, I'm hoping she'll let me have her on the podcast for National Grandparents Day in September because I she's the first entrepreneur I ever saw as a model. So, well, female entrepreneur. But anyway, yeah, it's so beneficial for kids to grow up seeing, I don't know, the family business, the family. Work life and not just be. Having it happen during nap time only.

Speaker 2

And not again, not to turn this into a complete. Sort of a. Book club discussion, but some of the things that really struck A chord with me, like the author, mentions that children, young toddlers, right where you're not talking about sort of A5. Year we're talking about two year olds. That they're inherently helpful, but sort of why are Western moms are just because I, you know, I want to speak for my husband. But why are we looking at that as cause? I definitely look at it as not helpful. You know what? When I'm starting cooking like I. Want to help? I'm like no things but that, that, that it's in them. But we almost breathe them into thinking. And my role in the family isn't to be helpful. My role in the family is to play with Legos or watch TV when Momma is doing things to benefit the family. And why is that? And every I mean it honestly. Again, it totally blew my mind to sort of have this paradigm shift of no, they're a member because you would ask these other societies, right? And they would say. What do you mean? I help because I'm a member of the family and I was not. You know what I mean? And it's like, how do we train them at 2:00? Because again, right when they help at 2, they're gonna make a mess sweeping. They're gonna make a mess at 5:00, but by the time they're seven that you trust them to clean the house. You know, they come and make your bed and. Again, just sort of knowing the end goal. It's really making me very excited to try to implement in our family and she would. Even say like. You know, she talks about sort of this adult world and kid world and how we shouldn't do stuff that's focused in the kid world, for example, making play dates just for children. Like you should go. The kids should go on a. Play date because you and their mom are friends. You know. And she even says, like, the way you judge it is after an activity, right. Is your child sort of better, calmer, you know, more integrated, more with themselves, or are they sort of having sort of a hangover, a mini hangover of sorts and if, and the hangover activity should be minimized or diminished altogether? And it really got me thinking, you know, when they come back from the playground, are they more settled or are they out of control? And sort of wanting to sort of revamp everything because she would even say we would go to the playground because I actually love the playground. So it's an adult activity, but I don't want to play on the playground, so I will work. So she's a writer, so she types on her computer. And her child. Will play where you know they'll just sit there. And read together and. Again gave me a lot to think about because I think my life the reason why it's so full and extending into the wee hours of the morning is because I'm trying to do all of their activities and then at night I do my activity and there just isn't enough time in the day, you know, that for us that there needs to be more integration so.

Speaker 1

I'm so glad our conversation went direction. It did. That's such an important topic. That's so good.

Speaker 2

Yeah. And I want.

Speaker 1

And you said you're in the middle of it, and that's the point is to. Share What you're learning as you're learning.

Speaker 2

Exactly, exactly. And what I mean, I think parenthood like I, I now feel like no matter how old you get, you just kind of constantly learn, right? Because your children are constantly hitting a new milestone and new challenges and. Definitely very humbling, that's for sure.

Speaker 1

Yeah, for sure. Well, you so talking self-care, you already mentioned that you like audiobooks, and I know that you enjoy your hip hop dancing classes. I love watching them, by the way.

Speaker 2

Yes. Ohh no, it's yeah.

Speaker 1

I love what you. Should mind. It's so fun. You're so good.

Speaker 2

No, I'm not. I'm terrible at, you know, it's funny because I'm the one who puts them out there, so of course I should expect people to watch it, but whenever someone mentions it, I feel deeply. Embarrassed because the class is made-up of I predominantly I would assume non moms. You know, they look like they're in college and their minds are just. So sharp. I cannot keep up, but really it's great for physical and mental exercise for me. So yeah, thank you for being very kind.

Speaker 1

Well, yeah, shared. Well, you shared like you know, your various passions. Is there anything else that you really love to do to recharge that you haven't talked about?

Speaker 2

So I also started I, you know, I think I'm. I'm just in a phase where I'm trying to discover what those things are because for so long. Right. I wasn't given the freedom and then as a mom. I just was. So busy, but I think I'm really looking around at other moms in my life and sort of what they're doing and just kind of dipping. Toes into all sorts of area and see what sticks. So another lesson, if you all that I recently started is the vocal, so vocal singing classes and actually I ran out to get Boba last night and ran into my vocal teacher at Boba, which was really funny, but. And really, again, it's because we sing or I sing to the kids every day. You know, we Disney. Songs on loop and. At this age, they just love it. They think you're the greatest, right? Like they always say Mama, you sing so well and. And I know I don't. So I think you know, I told my vote. Cause she's like oh, what brings you in and where do you want to get to? And I just said, you know it's not for performing. I just want to sing. They're in front of my children because one day when they get to a more honest and sober judgment of that thing skill, I would like to. Still match that. Ohh Mama. You sing so well, right? So I'm looking into that. I I've been dying to pick up a guitar, but again, just maybe there's so many things I want to try, but there isn't enough time in the day. But I honestly I think any time when I'm truly alone, I know it's horrible because I love my children. But when I'm by myself, when the space that I occupied. They do not occupy and I can do anything. It feels very recharging. You know, it feels very, yeah, because it's just me, you know? And so much of my life is them. So yeah.

Speaker 1

Well, there's no guilt or no shame in that cause. I'm right there with you. The solitude for even 5 minutes is awesome.

Speaker 2

I appreciate that. Yes, yes, I, you know, Once Upon a time, I never understood moms who said for Mother's Day, they just want to like be alone or, you know, go to a hotel for the weekend because I just thought, well, no matter how fun that hotel or whatever is like, don't you want to be with your family? And now I'm just like, oh, like I told. Yeah, let me please put me on the hotel for the weekend, you know, for Mother's Day, because just being able to be alone and you know, sort of not have thoughts or anything interrupted, right. The interruption is what really. Drains me throughout the day because at this age they're so constant and incessant and I love them, but sometimes it's like. I can't, you know, but yeah. So I'm still. Still trying to figure those things out, but before me I realize it's not necessarily the typical self-care or sort of getting your nails done or getting your hair done or getting a massage. Those things are. Wonderful too. But if I have the time to do that, I sooner go take a class and, you know, learn something new. And yeah, so those are really fun.

Speaker 1

It's inspiring.

Speaker 2

Ohh thank you.

Speaker 1

I admire that. I really do. It's so fun to watch all the all the adventures that you do, I feel like you should rename your, I don't know your Instagram account, adventures of Lucy.

Speaker 2

Thank you.

Speaker 1

So at night time when you're not editing, if you had a free hour for TV time, do you have a favorite guilty pleasure?

Speaker 2

Ohh man. OK so I'm not sure that everyone can relate to this, but we really love Asian drama. So Korean dramas, Chinese dramas and for the longest time, I feel like maybe the more popular or, you know, the more well known are the Korean dramas. I feel like culturally, they've done such a. I mean, I don't know how they did it, but they very successfully outsourced culture, right? K Pop is all the rage. Like, I feel like. In America, like American teens and whatever American people. I'll just say. Very much embrace, I think Korean pop culture. You know, they've just done a very amazing job of selling and packaging it, making it mainstream, making it fun. I feel like China sort of historically has not really been on the world. But really I feel like I have seen little steps. Board and very recently there are two dramas in particular that we watched that was Chinese and it was just wonderfully done. In fact, I would say it has overtaken my favorite Korean dramas that I've watched. We don't have our sort of Netflix subscription. Many more now that we have kids, we try to just stay on. One so. So I feel like so it's Disney for us now. So I feel like I'm not as up to date about the new sort of Netflix releases. But if we have the time we actually try to pick a Chinese drama and you know, sort of episode by episode, get through what we can. But it's very it's like a, it's like a complete it's all. It's funny because there's almost a culture shock every time I start one because it's so different, right. The content is so different, but it is so entertaining. Like, yeah. So that's our guilty pleasure.

Speaker 1

We just ditched Netflix, too.

Speaker 2

Are we twins?

Speaker 1

Big decision in our house.

Speaker 2

Like we like always talked about that.

Speaker 1

I feel like but, yeah, I know my husband was advocating. He's like, I'm so tired and it's like there's just junk. I don't know. He just he was compared to our other platforms. He was like, let's just ditch it. Let's ditch it. It's just getting more and. More expensive anyway. Side engine we're not on Disney yet. I'm really looking forward to that stage. I feel like she's still too young to really be able to enjoy the Disney movies, so until she's ready. We are, I don't know. What do we watch? We do a lot of the live stuff on YouTube for her. That's kind of fun.

Speaker 2

Ohh, OK, OK.

Speaker 1

And we just discovered Daniel Tiger has some live and we're very.

Speaker 2

Ohh yeah.

Speaker 1

Excited about that?

Speaker 2

I love that. Yeah, unfortunately, for whatever reason, my kids never really got into cause. You know how kids kind of go through phases. Right. With shows. For whatever reason, they never got into it. But I love dance because, I mean obviously right for Rogers. And but my kids are into Bluey right now. That's their thing.

Speaker 1

We I keep hearing about that.

Speaker 2

OK, so same. So I kept hearing about it. So, you know, we got Disney. They watch it. And we actually watched the Mandarin version cause you can you. Can change audio. But it is it. It is so entertaining that as an adult I would sit there and. Watch it and. It's so funny the content like the storyline. It's so real. It is so real it it's. It tickles me because as an adult, I'm tapping into the realness that they're portraying. And the kids are just entertained, right? But it's definitely one of those shows where, like if you sat there and watched it with your children, you wouldn't be like, oh, my gosh, why, why am I here? You know, it. I yeah. It's a great show. So very well written and obviously the graphics are really cute, so that helps. But yeah, I can't wait for. You to get on the blue train with your little one and then we can talk about how funny and. How real the show is, but it's great, yeah.

Speaker 1

Well, so technically we are on the Bluey train. We're at the very beginning, cause I discovered that they have live bluey on YouTube too. And I watched it and I was sitting there honestly, so confused for the first little bit that I was introduced to it because it was so different than Daniel Tiger or Blues Clues or any of the stuff that's just. Let's sing a song and teach you. Uh, you. A good moral and you know, I don't know all the good stuff, of course, but. It is so real and I'm like the banter between the dad and the girls. I don't know. Part of me was like. Is this OK? And then I was like, wait, yeah. It's OK. It's real life.

Speaker 2

Well, my kids are a little bit older and. Yeah, so, but yeah, yeah, it's, I mean, for me, I'm just it's funny because I'll like if I'm doing dishes.

Speaker 1

That's so funny.

Speaker 2

And I hear. Certain things I'll just chuckle to my. Itself because it's so funny to me, but I'm sure the joke is kind of over their heads, right? Yeah, well.

Speaker 1

Yeah, that's OK. We could keep talking about kid shows all day long, I'm sure. Ah, geez. Well, let's. I've got a couple more questions for you. As we wrap up, if you could go back and tell yourself something as a tired fresh first time parent, what would it be?

Speaker 2

OK so. You know. I OK, I immediately know what I would say, but I also know I would immediately if I was that, you know, first time for an entire parent. I wouldn't have taken it because when I was that parent, this advice was given to me, which is again sort of enjoy the moment, you know, when you're because I'm will go. By so fast. Don't do anything right. Just stop and be with the baby. But of course, even with Teddy, I mean, you know, third time around, I constantly like, again, knowing that this is advice I want. This is advice I wish I can go back because those moments are now gone right with my two older kids. Teddy is now, you know, one day old, two day old yet. During those one day old, two day old was I just holding him, cuddling him, you know, spending a whole day staring into his eyes. No, I was hustling. So it, you know? But it. But he. But this is, you know, true to myself from my heart. I wish moms. Could really listen to that because you will have time to do those things and preaching to the choir here because. OK, then why don't I do it right? You will have time, right? To get the new studio to start dinner to whatever play with your other kids. Because again, I couldn't with Teddy. Just look into his eyes. I have two other sets of eyes. Who I also, right, because I still want to catch that moment at three moment at 5:00 with my oldest. I definitely did more with Teddy. There were definitely moments when I said I would say to my husband, please take. The kids out. I just want to hold Teddy. I just want to sit here and hold. Him for an. Hour, you know, but because that's the whole of it, right? I feel like if you chose to be a mother, if you became a mother, that little human. You know, no matter what shape or form that looks like, but it takes up your whole universe, you know, and I just time passes too quickly. Like it's such a thief. And it's just here and gone tomorrow and again. I'm sure that's why you and I do what we do, right. We try to capture those moments that it's just gone tomorrow and but now you have to prove you have, you know, a piece of paper that can hang on a wall that you can look back on. And that's that moment that, you know, cause I feel like neither of us take. Photos where everyone's posed. Smiling into the camera right that, that, that fake moment where we want to capture. His real connection and. And real moments. And I even tell my mom, you know, don't pick the photos where your toddler smiling back at the camera. I know that's your attempt. You look through your gallery. You want to pick that one smiling photo? Pick the one where that expression is. The one where in 20 years you're gonna be like I want to remember that at three, he constantly, you know, growled or grimaced or whatever. Both his eyes. Like take that photo, because you'll have a million. Smiling photos in your own phone, you know. But again, it's just time is so precious you no matter how hard you try, you cannot hold. On to it. So you being that first time tired, you know, crazed, desperate mom. Just hold your baby, you know, don't do dishes, literally go to Costco, buy those, you know, bulk plates, right? Toss it all when you OK, just. Not green for a second. It's fine. You're allowed and just spend time with your baby. Just hold your baby. Cause your baby right? Just your baby. Like, put everything else aside. Everything the back burner. Just take a break from life. And enjoy those new tender moments, because again, in the blink of an eye, they're I'm going to start crying, but they're just gone, you know. Seriously makes me so sad this is. What like sleeve? Deprivation and, you know, postpartum hormones and would do to you. But I really mean it and I really hope moms would take it. But I know that, you know, it's very, very difficult. And me being that first time Mom would not have listened, you know, but.

Speaker 1

Yeah, yeah, same. I know that's probably the same thing I would tell myself because I asked this question to every guest and. I don't know. Does everyone say this this? It seems to be the common theme and if for whatever reason so many of us, if not all of us probably feel guilty because we were preoccupied with other things and it just felt like. I don't know, I found my. Daily I don't want to say self-worth, but I found my daily. I guess I will say it self-worth in how productive was I and now I'm looking back and I'm like I knew I had people telling me to slow down dishes can wait. I get it. But then in that moment I just tuned it out and. Just kept worrying about everything else that I shouldn't have been, and I look back and I'm like, I don't even remember doing much skin to skin with her and I don't. I can't get that time back. I didn't do much skin to skin. I wish I wore her more just in the little like Moby Wrap type wrap. Just having her on my chest when she was small instead of laying her down and needing that moment to go do something separate and I'm like, I just wish. Go back and I can't. So anyway, I feel like maybe the mayor, the more that we all share this similar advice, people listening might be able to implement it more I don't know.

Speaker 2

And I mean on the flip side too, I feel like the fact that this advice is because again, as on new time Mom, it's not like, oh, why didn't anybody tell me like people there's so many voices telling me this.

Speaker 1

OK.

Speaker 2

Right. I didn't do it. So I think. On the flip side, maybe a listener who hears this right over and over again on every episode can not necessarily just think ohh, I'm going to take it. But, but maybe give herself the grace. Right, because all of. Us didn't do it even though we. Knew better and not beat. Herself up over the. Missed snowball times and the missed. You know, baby wearing and forgive herself and allow herself to sort of process that right that the regrets of motherhood, if you will, because that's the other thing, Mom. Guilt and mom regrets. It's just it's like another soul crushing element of this journey, right? It's like the business of juggling and then at the end of the day we beat ourselves up and you know we. I feel like our moms. Really need to give each other the allowance to let it go. Forgive ourselves, right? Extend the grace you would extend to your friend, to yourself. And we're doing our best, right? And you're a great mom, Alysha.

Speaker 1

Yeah, for you.

Speaker 2

Thank you. I'll take it.

Speaker 1

Well, OK, as we wrap up, I know you've talked about your studio ventures coming up soon. Is there anything else that you're really looking forward to over the next like couple of years, whether it be goals or projects for family or home or more business plans?

Speaker 2

Yes, actually. So part of that, you know studio endeavor is again now that we're sort of done focusing on expanding the expanding the family we want to I want to expand the business. In fact, I said that my goal is to essentially out earn my husband, hopefully in the next year. Or two, he's the sole. Winner right now and I'm so grateful, but I would just love to do that. Not because I think women need to do that and not because he or anyone is pressuring me to do that, but I just. Feel it within me to be a very successful career woman. I, you know, I went to NYU. I have my masters. I feel like there's always a part of. That is very ambitious and driven. But I also solely want to pour. I told my husband this that one day when I become a mom, I want. To pour all of that. Innate talent and also all of that drive, you know, and the fact that you know the effort into being a mom a full time mom, I want to give all of myself into building a family. So, so on this new journey of sort of we're done sort of growing our family. And now what do we do with the business? All of it is to fund, I think what I would like to enjoy, you know, in this short time on this earth with my family. And it's so funny because at the end of going into 2020 so like that. That New year resolution, right January 2020, we said we're not, we're no longer going to focus on the material things of life. We're going to focus on experiences. So no more choice, no more. Saying we're going to take trips, we're going to, you know, explore and then COVID hits and sort of for three years we've been very we. We're also on the very extreme side of COVID precaution, so it's funny because now that when we couldn't take trips, when we were whatever, we went back to the gifting and in fact extra gifting because of COVID right feeling bad that they were so. Secluded and. So now as our family is coming out of. The horribleness of the last three years we now want to again like sort of revenge travel. So what I would love to do is be able to get to a place where financially, maybe my husband can pivot off his sort of, you know, 9:00 to 5:00 and we can be a very mobile. I really want to show my kids the world. You know, I want them to see that the world is bigger than their city, their whatever daily activity is even bigger than America. You know I want. Them to really. Learn firsthand how other people live. And sort of expand their horizons, right? So yeah, so those are those are very, I guess, intangible and big goals. And then again, I'll, I'll keep you updated on how those are going, keep me accountable. So yeah.

Speaker 1

That is so exciting. I love that.

Speaker 2

Yeah, we'll see. So.

Speaker 1

Well, it'll be fun to follow along. Well, Speaking of following along, if you'd like to allow listeners to follow or connect with you, can you tell us where to find you?

Speaker 2

Yes, so I am most active on social media and I would say specifically Instagram, I do have a business Instagram which is at Lucy Liora Photography. But my personal one is Mama Goosey. Wait is it? Mama Lucy Goosey or Mama Goosey Lucy. My goodness, I don't know my Instagram account. Hold on. Sorry, can I just pull it up really quick?

Speaker 1

No, it's fine. I'll definitely put the links in the notes that way, it's. Connection with you.

Speaker 2

It's OK. It's Mama Goosey Loosey. So that's where I share, you know, life and whether that's my new hip hop routine or, you know, cooking for my kids, the chaos of, yeah, being a mom of three. And because oftentimes I'm the one. You know, taking them around, all three of them, that's been so fun, especially swim class. Is where the stroller is poolside and I'm just like stroller in the water. Stroller not in. The water. So that's where you can find me. And then you know, if they're potential or. Listeners who is in the LA. Area and looking for a photographer I would love to be considered but yeah.

Speaker 1

I'm so excited that we got to chat. It's been so long.

Speaker 2

I know and I felt like it was just a hangout, you know, just catching up with you because we're.

Speaker 1

I know, yeah.

Speaker 2

Yeah, it's long overdue. For us to catch up so.

Speaker 1

Well, thank you for letting me record our catch.

Speaker 2

Of course, that was my pleasure.

Speaker 1

Well, I hope you have a great rest of your day and that tonight's sleep is a little better than the last two.

Speaker 2

Ohh thank you. I know I should just take my own advice, you know and things can weigh and pace myself and yeah.

Speaker 1

Nap with the baby.

Speaker 2

Yeah, for sure. Yeah.

Speaker 1

All right, well. Yeah. Thank you.

Speaker 2

Thank you. Thanks for having me. This has been fun and I can't believe I, you know, get to be on your podcast. And I love that you're doing this. I am a pretty big podcast listener, although I like when I say that I don't mean I know a lot, but I very religiously listened to one I have for years. And I've, yeah, I've always wished a part of me sort of got into it and, you know, was running a successful podcast because the one I listened to, I enjoy so very much. But yeah, I wish you all the success and in in this endeavor and this creative outlet. And I can't wait to check out your other guests and you know, hear what they have to say and their wisdom. And apparently the repeated advice of, slow down and be with your little ones, right?

Speaker 1

It sounds like we're all united in.

Speaker 2

That, yeah.

Speaker 1

Ohh man well. Yeah, thanks again. I hope you have a great day.

Speaker 2

Thank you. You too. Bye.