We were lucky to catch up with Magdaliz Gonzalez recently and have shared our conversation below.
Magdaliz , thanks for joining us, excited to have you contributing your stories and insights. Let’s start with the story of your mission. What should we know?
My mission is to provide mompreneurs (a mom who is a business owner) with virtual assistance and personalized solutions to reclaim balance in business and life. We aim to give mompreneurs peace of mind, allowing them to be fully present both in their business and at home. By sharing the load with mompreneurs, we alleviate their immense responsibilities, enabling them to prioritize self-care.
Thriving Moms is not just about personalized solutions for mompreneurs; it’s a community and a movement. The world’s expectations of moms are often unbearable, but we are powerful enough to change this trend. We can set boundaries, share the load, ask for help, and let go of control. We can lie down and watch TV without feeling guilty and prioritize self-care without feeling like bad moms.
This mission is meaningful because it will change the narrative of women’s and moms’ roles, creating a world where responsibilities and expectations are more balanced. Additionally, it provides the next generations with the opportunity to grow up in a healthier and more balanced environment. Thriving Moms is here to support mompreneurs in creating a new narrative where they can thrive, both personally and professionally.
Magdaliz , before we move on to more of these sorts of questions, can you take some time to bring our readers up to speed on you and what you do?
My name is Magdaliz Gonzalez, I’m dedicated, creative, and decisive, and I love watching cooking shows and helping others.
I was born and raised in Puerto Rico by a single mom, and I’m the oldest of two sisters and a brother. I earned my Bachelor’s Degree in Hotels and Restaurant Administration and worked in the hotel industry for over 10 years, starting as a banquet server in Puerto Rico and eventually becoming the Director of Events in Dallas, TX.
In 2016, we moved to Dallas, TX, but I realized that the hotel industry didn’t provide the life balance I desired. So, I decided to become a nanny, a role I cherished for six years. In 2021, my fiancé Jeremy and I moved to Connecticut, where we became the primary caregivers for his mother, who has dementia, and an active stepmom to a wonderful and energetic 9-year-old girl.
These experiences have shaped my understanding of the unique challenges mompreneurs face, which led me to create Thriving Moms Life Coordinator LLC. My mission is to support mompreneurs with personalized virtual assistant solutions to help them reclaim balance in both business and family life.
Since I was in college, I’ve dreamed of having my own business. Initially, I imagined owning a restaurant or a food truck. But in 2023, I decided to stop dreaming about it and start doing it. Life presented me with the right circumstances and mindset to create something that would allow me the flexibility to care for my mother-in-law and, one day, raise my children—being a mom is one of my biggest dreams.
I went to Google and searched for jobs for moms from home. I saw a list of options and couldn’t decide at first, but when I read about virtual assistant work, it clicked. I realized I was already doing that job for my dad, who lives in Texas. He often relies on me to handle various tasks like getting new quotes, making changes to his insurance, and translating documents from English to Spanish. It dawned on me that I could turn this into a business, I always strive to be different and I want it to support moms not only with their jobs or businesses but also with life.
I initially considered supporting the elderly, given my experience helping my mother-in-law and my dad. Many elders lack the support they deserve. However, I felt a stronger connection to moms, who also work tirelessly and often need an extra hand. I decided to create Thriving Moms Life Coordinator LLC to support moms, helping them balance their responsibilities and thrive both at home and in their businesses.
Recently, I pivoted my business to focus on supporting mother entrepreneurs, famously known as mompreneurs. I always emphasize that Thriving Moms is not a one-size-fits-all service. Every mom has different challenges, goals, lifestyles, strengths, and weaknesses, so my services are tailored to meet those unique needs. I support mompreneurs with life tasks, business tasks, or a combination of both. Here are some examples of the services I provide:
Household Management: Including shopping, appointments, menu planning, and services research.
Events and Travel Planning: Helping with organizing events, vacations, and business trips.
Small Business Administrative Support: Offering assistance with various administrative tasks to help keep your business running smoothly.
And so much more.
At Thriving Moms, we focus on solving three main problems for mompreneurs: not having enough time to accomplish all their responsibilities, the need for personalized support, and the lack of self-care without feeling guilty.
What sets Thriving Moms apart from others includes several key aspects:
Empathy and Recognition: I want mompreneurs to feel seen, valued, and heard. Understanding their unique challenges and celebrating their successes is at the heart of what I do.
Customer Service Excellence: My background in the hotel industry has instilled in me a deep appreciation for exceptional customer service. This is not just a transaction; it’s a trust-based relationship. I strive to provide an experience where mompreneurs feel truly cared for and supported.
Personalized Support: The tailored assistance that Thriving Moms provides is amazing. I tailor my services to meet the specific needs of each mompreneur, taking tasks off their to-do lists so they can focus on what really matters to them.
Cultural and Social Understanding: I understand how difficult it is to navigate the cultural and social expectations placed on us as women and moms. We are often not used to delegating, asking for help, letting go of control, or prioritizing self-care without feeling guilty. I get it, and I’m here to help change that narrative.
Empowerment and Change: I believe in the power and impact that we, as women and moms, can have. We have the ability to change societal trends and create new, healthier expectations for our daughters and future generations of women.
I’m most proud of deciding to found Thriving Moms and believing in myself to keep going even when the results aren’t immediate. I think every mom and mompreneur deserves an extra hand to support them where they need it most, allowing them to be present with their families, feel seen and supported, and prioritize their self-care without guilt.
The main things I want potential clients to know about me, my brand, and my work are:
Personal Connection: Everything starts with a consultation to understand how I can help and where the support is needed most. This personalized approach ensures that the services I provide are tailored to each mompreneur’s unique challenges and goals.
Holistic Support: While delegating tasks, we often address so much more, such as handling emotions, letting go of control, overcoming mom guilt, setting boundaries, improving communication, and creating a balance that works best for them. It’s about supporting mompreneurs in every aspect of their lives.
Empathy and Understanding: I understand how challenging it can be to delegate, ask for help, and trust that someone else can meet or surpass your expectations. I’m here to support you in taking small, manageable steps toward easing your workload. Through our workspace, you receive real-time updates on task progress, ensuring you stay in control and informed every step of the way.
Empowering Moms to Thrive: I believe in the immense power and impact that moms have in this world. My mission is to help them recognize and embrace this power without losing themselves in the demands of motherhood. By providing support, giving them time back, and encouraging them to pursue their goals, I aim to help moms nurture their relationships with their partners and make the most of every precious moment with their children.
Thriving Moms is about more than just getting tasks done; it’s about transforming moms’ lives one task at a time, building a trust-based relationship where mompreneurs feel genuinely cared for and supported in their journey to thrive both personally and professionally.
Any insights you can share with us about how you built up your social media presence?
One of the things I am most proud of is an Instagram series I created in May 2024 called “Celebrating Motherhood: Real Stories with Real Moms.” I organized 27 live sessions with mostly moms I had never met before. The idea was to celebrate motherhood and share these incredible stories with a broader audience. I started by sending DMs to various moms, and the feedback was amazing. I had moms from Canada, and different states in the U.S., a doctor, mental health practitioners, and Hispanic moms.
Every mom has a story worth sharing, and this series provided a great opportunity to collaborate, build community, learn, and connect with new people. The experience was incredibly fulfilling and helped me build a stronger, more engaged audience on social media.
Any advice for those just starting to build their social media presence?
Absolutely! Here are some tips for building your social media presence:
Define Your Key Points: Identify the three main problems your business solves. This clarity will guide your content and messaging.
Create a Posting Schedule: Decide how many posts you will make per week and stick to that schedule. Consistency is key to maintaining an active presence.
Diversify Your Content: Plan the type of content you will create—entertaining, informative, promotional, or inspirational. This keeps your feed engaging and varied.
Craft Your Descriptions Carefully: Use a structure for your post descriptions: start with a hook to grab attention, provide a short description, and end with a clear call to action.
Connect and Collaborate: Engage with other entrepreneurs and your target market. Remember, your audience is made up of people who appreciate genuine connections.
Use Templates: Create templates for what you are going to post each weekday. This helps streamline your content creation process.
Leverage AI: Use AI tools for content ideas and inspiration. It can help you stay creative and relevant.
Be Consistent and Persistent: Consistency is crucial. Don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Keep at it and don’t quit.
Building a social media presence takes time and effort, but with these strategies, you can create a strong, engaged community around your brand.
Can you share a story from your journey that illustrates your resilience?
Recently, I faced a challenging period where I lost my part-time job, and our family was struggling financially. I had the option to return to my previous profession as a banquet director or find work as a nanny. However, pursuing those paths would have put my dream of building my own business on the back burner.
Instead, with the unwavering support of my fiancé, I decided to push through with my business. We both believed in its potential and could see the positive impact my services had on my clients’ lives. Starting a business, especially as a female and minority entrepreneur, often means facing significant obstacles, including the difficulty of finding grants and other financial support.
Despite these challenges, I stayed committed to my vision. I focused on networking, collaborating, and spreading the word about what I do. Recently, I successfully pivoted my business to focus on supporting mompreneurs. This led to the creation of the Empowering Mompreneurs Collective, a community where mompreneurs can support each other not only in business but also in life.
Additionally, I developed an ebook titled “Keeping Your Sanity as a Mompreneur this Summer” and introduced a trial offer of one hour of my services, along with a 10% discount on the first purchase. These initiatives have helped me connect with more mompreneurs and provide them with valuable resources and support.
My journey has not been easy, and I know I’m not alone in facing financial struggles while trying to develop a business. My advice to fellow entrepreneurs is to find a community, seek support, and openly discuss the challenges you face. Resilience comes from believing in yourself, pushing through the tough times, and continuously working towards your goals. You are not alone—others understand what you are going through and are willing to support you.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.thrivingmomsva.com
- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thrivingmomsva
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/thrivingmomsva
- Linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/in/magdaliz-gr
Image Credits
Jeremy Berberena