Alright – so today we’ve got the honor of introducing you to Elisa Robin. We think you’ll enjoy our conversation, we’ve shared it below.
Elisa, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
I am a mom of 4, oldest of 4 siblings, raised by a single mom from West Baltimore. In my child life, I’ve witnessed my mom controlling her own narrative with working, being supportive in our schools, attending events and still having a “life”. Being the oldest sibling (and the first girl) subconsciously we take on a lot mentally (that has been proven through generation of families of first girls ha!). ….With my child hood, I grew up wanting to be a Therapist (to listen to people and provide positive ways to navigate), however, my mother saw a bigger vision: to become a mentor for young ladies, which birthed my first business baby, Diamonds On The Rise (DOTR). DOTR is a youth non profit and mental health agency that provides positive out of school time programming and activities for inner city youth. My organization aides as a support to youth and families to help them obtain skills/techniques to navigate a changing world for families who lack support and or also for families who may just want their children to continue to gain positive life skills.
Second, I birthed MomE Moments, online mommy blog/vlog/ podcast where business and personal becomes one in the mommy hood. I also have sell merchandise (mommy calendar). MomE Moments continues to grow has I become creative. I have so many ideas and always thinking, how I can be different with telling my story.
Third, I am a Licensed Maryland Real Estate Agent, I want to provide generational wealth for my children and teaching them fundamentals of different strings of income. I became an agent to help families obtain their dream of home/land/business buying.
My mission in life is to be a flexible mom, wife and worker. I created my businesses that allows me to be actively present in my children life and also show up for me.
Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.
I am Elisa!! Boy mom of 4, Mompreneur, I love to DIY, and Social Worker. I always wanted to give back to others who lack support/resources. The vision was given by my mother to be a mentor to young ladies which grew to both males and females (and their parents). My industry is non-profiting and Mental Health (Children, Families and Adolescents). Being in this field and working with all types of families takes empathy and being considerate/understanding of both poverty and mental health and understanding how they both can go hand in hand.
What set me apart from others is that I am diligent about my work ethics. When I worked for others and even presently in my businesses, no one can not take that I am not a hard worker. In addition to my work ethics, I am actually providing quality services to the best of my ability. I do not just speak about what is trending related to mental health, I am in the trenches with individuals who are struggling with everyday obstacles and providing them lifeskills. Im my first business, I started Diamonds On The Rise 2010, within 12 years my business has adapted to the changes of the community to ensure we are meeting the needs of our participants.
Entrepreneurship is hard, You have to continue to learn your industry, you have to be open to constructive criticism and be receptive. Everyone is not hating and some people want you to succeed. I am continuing to build a team of people who are receptive, understanding, and have my best interest at heart.
I am most proud of being a supportive of others and being a mom. My children give me light and guidance. My first business is providing programs and services for youth/families. Having kids, I see first hand the struggles they have in school, struggles I have being a mom and I am able to provide my personal experience in teaching other parents, able to understand puberty and be relatable for other youth to open up. Being a mom, having a business for 12years I have been able to managed by time to allow me be present with work and my family.
Has your business ever had a near-death moment? Would you mind sharing the story?
As a business owner you are consumed with alot of tasks. Although I have been in business for several years, I am still considered a small business owner. In the past I use to be very diligent in sending my staff reminders about missed punches. This particular pay period, I remembered reviewing payroll and still have missing information (despite reminders). I remember waking up the day before Payroll saying “oh sh**” I didn’t submit payroll” so I did it before 6am and praying it will process and it did but the company my payroll company uses gives very much ghetto. I sent my Admin to the store to purchase check paper in case I have to print checks myself. I was so nervous and scared because since the beginning of my business, I always put my staff before myself in regards to payroll. For three years I never paid myself, I took care of all business expenses so in year 12 to make this mistake I was appalled and nervous. However, I had to boss up, I took action by going to pick up actual checks and also communicating to staff because communication is key that checks would be delayed by an hour of normal pick up time. After this incident, I made it my business to make sure payroll was process by a certain date and always before 4pm. I do not play about people money and I for sure do not want anyone to play about mine.
Do you have any insights you can share related to maintaining high team morale?
Managing a team can be very stressfull as you are dealing with many personalities and their own beliefs. I have learned and continue to learn that it takes alot of patience, understanding and education. I continue to be educated through mentors, attending seminars that relates to team building and techniques to implement in my own business. I lean heavy on my Board of Directors to help to assure I am not being emotional with decisions and choices when it comes to reprimanding and or setting policies in place for business. My advice is to build you a sound advisory team who is for you and your business, who can guide you to make good business choices and not afraid to tell you No. In building and maintaining high morale you must set standards early on expectations of your business and also promote positive healthy relationships among your staff. Allow your staff to be open but respectful, take some of their constructive criticism and implement it in your business. You do not want disgruntle employees who talk negatively about their boss and or job. I implement team meetings and allow an open floor discussion at the end, we have events for staff to attend in the community to increase colleague engagement and also quarterly staff and 1:1 meetings to assure their supervisor is aware of any stress.
Contact Info:
- Website: www.diamondsontherise.org
- Instagram: @diamondsontherise; @MomEMoments
- Facebook: Diamonds On The Rise
- Youtube: MomE Moments