MOMMY BLOGGER •MOTIVATOR• ENTREPRENEUR
By India Powell
As a single mom of five children who has been through homelessness, divorce, and a stroke,48-year-old Alpharetta resident Elena Taylor knows that being a mother under any circumstances takes ingenuity, resourcefulness, and a whole lot of support.
It was that understanding and her passion for motherhood that spurred her to leave her job as a patient advocate for Hospital Corporation of America and start her blog,TheInnovativeMom.com, on Mother’s Day 2016. From reflections on never-ending to-do lists, to posts filled with pick-me-ups and body positivity, Elena describes the site as “a hugehug and encouragement for moms.” It was the birth of an idea she had been holding onto for years.
“I wanted to connect with other moms and let them know that while we are always thinking about taking care of others, we need to think about ourselves, as well.Motherhood is not about being a martyr,” she says.
The loving support of her kids and watching her own parents set aside their dreams for their family inspired her. “I saw my mom and dad give to the five of us. They worked in equal partnership in parenting, selflessly giving it their all,” Elena says. “I always wanted to see them have their dreams; being a provider and caretaker took precedence over their dreams.
”Three months after starting her blog, Elena had a stroke. The illness triggered anxiety about being taken away from her children. So during this time, it was a period of solitude and reflection for her. “The anxiety forced me to be still and I was able to think about life and what it had to offer me and what I had to give,” she says. Elena learned to lean on other moms, which made her appreciate their support and encouragement even more. “It turned out to be the best of times and the worst of times. It was the worst because I didn’t have control and the best because I had to stopand take care of myself. Fortunately, I had great friends who had lots of expertise to help me staythe course with my healthcare and continue to move forward.”
To date, her site receives 100 hits per day. And in an effort to grow the brand (think seminars, product line including T-shirts, coffee mugs, and more), Elena can be found working on Innovative Mom at spots such as Collet French Pastry Café.“They have the best potpie and it’s a cool place for work or downtime,” she says. For pampering time,SF Aesthetic Studio has become a fast favorite, along with Anderson Center for Hair & Aesthetics.
