We were lucky to catch up with Nanekia Ansari recently and have shared our conversation below.

Nanekia, thanks for taking the time to share your stories with us today Let’s kick things off with talking about how you serve the underserved, because in our view this is one of the most important things the small business community does for society – by serving those who the giant corporations ignore, small business helps create a more inclusive and just world for all of us.

I want to serve African American mothers in obtaining the desired life and leaving a legacy of extraordinary motherhood experiences with their families.

Awesome – so before we get into the rest of our questions, can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers.

My name is Nanekia Ansari, and I am a Mommy Coach. I became a Mommy Coach through trial and error. I had my first daughter when I was 18. At the time, I went to a prestigious all-girls catholic high school, so being pregnant and unwed gave me my scarlet letter. The recommendation of my guidance counselor was that I attend teen parenting classes. Luckily these classes were offered for free at our local clinic. There I was unapologetic about my circumstances, eager to learn about motherhood. THE BIGGEST RED FLAG about motherhood hit me that day. No one received a parenting manual when they left the hospital. We are all learning. The class gave us the bare minimum of what to expect in labor or motherhood. I knew from that moment on I would document my journey into becoming a mother and share it with others. As my family grew, I would share the stories of my parenting triumphs and difficulties in the hopes of helping another mother. This grew into a blog and podcast.

Fast-forward a few years, I was approached by a co-worker who knew of my community work and how I wanted to empower mothers to take care of themselves and manage their families by their own rules. She asked if I’d ever thought about coaching and offered a program allowing me to explore coaching as a career. Two certifications later and I began to practice coaching. A few years go by, and this co-worker approaches me again about a different coaching style, one she feels will take my coaching to the next level. I’d escaped student loans the first two times, but this time the program would require some funding on my part. Here’s where connections and being excellent at what you do come into play. I would have to come up with half the tuition as she secured me a grant for the first half. Still a lot of money, but I’ll figure it out. Then this same co-worker, who has watched me grow in this field, went above and beyond and had my entire program funded. In January of 2023, I completed the program, and as she promised, this program took my coaching skill set to the next level.

I apply the skills I learned in coaching corporations to family life. Moms have hopes, dreams, and aspirations for their families and themselves. As moms, we sometimes forget about ourselves and only focus on the family. As a Mommy Coach, I get moms to look at the life they are currently leading and their legacy. Is it what they want it to look like? If so, how can we sustain it? If not, how can we improve it? The mom and I work closely together to achieve their desired life and legacy. It’s a fantastic job, and I’m glad I get to do it.

We often hear about learning lessons – but just as important is unlearning lessons. Have you ever had to unlearn a lesson?

Parenting can only be done one way. I come from an amazing home. Our family had its ups and downs. Once I became a parent, I looked at some of the rules and traditions my family had instilled in me. There were a few things I wanted to do differently in my child-rearing that were not a part of how my family raised me. I wanted to create an environment for conversations with my children. I am not their dictator. I am respected as their parent, and they are respected as my children. I recognize my children as individuals and act according to who they are as a person, not just as family members.

I never conformed to my family’s “what goes on in this home stays in this home” mentality. If you need help outside of the home, get it. If something is going on in the home that is hurting or hindering you and you have access to relief, obtain it. There were moments in my childhood I knew I needed a safe space to talk to someone about what was going on with my body, sexuality, and menstruation. Everything I talk casually with my children about now was taboo in my home. I did not want that environment for my children.

One of my greatest parenting gifts to myself, my children, and my clients is my willingness to be transparent. If you can learn from my mistakes or joys, so be it. Start your own manual with these lessons to help the next generation.

How’d you build such a strong reputation within your market?

Transparency! Nobody wants to listen to stories that say I have it all together, and so can you! That would be a lie. I do not have it all together. I struggle just like everyone else. You do not have it all together, and you will struggle, allow me to teach you how to have the most effective plan for balance in your life. I do not present myself as a flawless mom. That is a damaging concept that sets other mothers up for failure. Instead, I display my truth. I develop tools in my parenting toolbox that have helped me navigate motherhood. These things have helped cultivate relationships and conversations of moms taking control of what they want motherhood to look like for them and not what society or social media dictates their motherhood journey should look like.

I named my business Just One Hot Mom Coaching Services because I am just like every other mom. I am passionate about pursuing my dreams and learning as I go, and I want that for my clients. I believe in community sharing, and if I can share my story and help other mothers, I will do so. If I cannot, I will connect them with the resources to help them. In collaboration with other female-owned wellness businesses, I started The Hot Mama Spot, a collective of these resources in one area so that moms can get the help they need. When I think of wellness and helping moms, I think of their life 360. You can’t work in one area of their lives and then consider that everything will fall into place. We must work collectively to best serve clients.

Contact Info:

• Website: https://nanekia.com/
• Instagram: justonehotmom
• Facebook: Nanekia Ansari: Mommy Coach
• Linkedin: Nanekia Ansari
• Twitter: just1hotmom
• Youtube: Just One Hot Mom

Image Credits
Marcia Craggett Natasha Herbert