Amanda Abergel, a vibrant 31-year-old embarking on a new journey as a Realtor and navigating the equally new terrain of first-time motherhood, believed she had mastered the art of multitasking. Her days were a whirlwind of client calls, property showings, and the ceaseless demands of a newborn. This perceived mastery, however, met a comical, yet profoundly relatable, moment of truth during a routine grocery run. Engaged in an important client conversation via her headset, she glanced down only to discover a breast pad conspicuously stuck to the bottom of her shoe. A small, sticky emblem of the beautiful chaos that had become her life, signaling a victory for mayhem and a temporary penalty for the ambition of juggling it all.
Navigating the Uncharted Waters of Motherhood in a Pandemic
This incident, far from isolated, was emblematic of the unexpected twists Amanda’s meticulously crafted plans often took. Her journey into motherhood itself became a powerful testament to this, unfolding in a manner dramatically different from her expectations. Like many expectant parents, Amanda had invested considerable time and emotional energy envisioning and planning for the arrival of her baby. “You spend your whole life imagining and planning for having a baby,” Amanda reflects, her voice hinting at the depth of those preparations. “We had a midwife. We did so much planning. But none of that happened.”
The unforeseen disruptor arrived not as a personal misstep, but as a global crisis: COVID-19. The pandemic descended, reshaping every aspect of life, including the most intimate and anticipated moments. For Amanda, this meant her birthing experience, a pivotal life event, was stripped of its expected warmth and communal support. “It was a scary experience. Our birth plan completely fell apart,” she recounts, the memory still fresh. The hospital, usually a place of joyous anticipation, transformed into a sterile, restricted environment. “My husband could barely join me at all in the delivery room. Everyone in the hospital was wearing hazmat suits and masks. So many areas of the hospital were closed off. You couldn’t even go and get a tea. I could not share the experience, could not be visited by family. It was just me and my little guy going through it ourselves. And a chair. And a clock.” This stark, isolating experience deeply underscored the vulnerability and resilience inherent in new motherhood, especially amidst unprecedented global challenges.
Launching a Real Estate Career Amidst Life’s Biggest Changes
Undeterred by the tumultuous start to motherhood, Amanda channeled her resilience into a new professional endeavor. At the dawn of this year, she embarked on her real estate career, joining the esteemed Allin Real Estate Group. This all-female team, part of Royal LePage Your Community Realty’s Richmond Hill, Ont. branch, represented a strategic choice for Amanda. Yet, her decision to pursue a demanding career while raising a newborn often invited scrutiny, highlighting prevalent societal biases. “People asked me repeatedly how I would balance having a new baby and starting a business. My husband says he didn’t get that question once. Men don’t,” she points out, underscoring the enduring double standards faced by working mothers.
Fortunately, Amanda’s meticulous advance planning for her professional life proved more robust than her disrupted birthing preparations. She harbors a sincere hope that her story will serve as a beacon for other “young mom-preneurs” who might be grappling with the profound sense of isolation that often accompanies becoming a new mom during a pandemic, all while striving to launch or sustain a business. Her narrative offers not just a glimpse into her personal struggles but also a blueprint for navigating the intricate dance of career and family life.
Essential Wisdom for the Modern Mompreneur
Amanda’s experience has distilled into practical, empathetic advice for fellow mompreneurs. She observes, “A lot of new moms work 24/7. You have to have the ability to say no, to put strong boundaries in place.” This isn’t merely about time management but about self-preservation and strategic focus. She advocates for unwavering focus on one’s core mission and, crucially, on self-care. Acknowledging the inherent unpredictability of life with a baby, she concedes, “There will always be some juggling. Babies are unpredictable…Sometimes it comes down to getting enough sleep!” This simple truth often gets lost in the aspirational narratives of entrepreneurship, but Amanda emphasizes its fundamental importance.
She further advises against the pitfalls of information overload, a common challenge for new parents and business owners alike. “You can read up so much that you feel overwhelmed. Just take the nuggets you need,” she suggests, promoting a mindful and selective approach to advice and resources. Practical environmental organization is also key. “Organize your home in a way that makes sense for your business. For me, that was having a workstation next to the nursery so I can pop between the two.” This simple, yet effective, strategy allows for seamless transitions between mothering and working, optimizing precious time and energy for the busy new mom realtor.
The Unparalleled Strength of an All-Female Team
A significant factor in Amanda’s successful integration into her new real estate career has been her decision to join the six-member Allin Real Estate Group, led by the visionary Desiree Tomanelli-Allin. One of the biggest advantages of this setup is that the necessary resources and understanding for working mothers were already woven into the team’s fabric. Amanda explicitly chose this team because she recognized the immense value of collaborating with like-minded women, having a built-in support system where ideas could be freely exchanged and challenges understood. This dynamic environment, she explains, is vastly superior to the isolating experience of “trying to balance the entire world in one hand” — a sentiment many female entrepreneurs can deeply relate to.
The synergy within the Allin team extends beyond mere professional camaraderie. Amanda found invaluable mentoring from more experienced colleagues, a crucial asset for any new agent. Moreover, the team provided practical, tangible support, with members readily stepping in to cover for her when needed, and even offering occasional childcare. This level of mutual understanding and assistance is rare and deeply appreciated. “We understand each other,” Amanda affirms, highlighting the unique bond among the women. “Working with other young professional women a few levels up has completely opened up opportunities.” This supportive framework allows each member to thrive, confident in the knowledge that her professional and personal needs are not just accommodated, but celebrated.
#ALLIN4WOMEN: Empowering Female Entrepreneurs in the GTA
Among the innovative opportunities fostered by the Allin team is #ALLIN4WOMEN, a groundbreaking initiative recently launched to champion other entrepreneurial women across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA). This initiative systematically selects an inspiring and community-minded businesswoman to profile and promote across all team members’ social media platforms. The promotion is comprehensive, often including giveaways of the profiled businesswomen’s services or products, strategically designed to amplify their reach and forge stronger community connections.
“We want their stories and voices heard. We’re selective in who we choose to feature. We’re looking for women with amazing stories,” Amanda explains, emphasizing the depth and authenticity behind each selection. In an era increasingly dominated by digital interactions – “a world laser focused on Zoom meetings, clicks and impressions” – the #ALLIN4WOMEN initiative strives to reintroduce a vital human element to business. “It’s so important to bring a very human experience to business. We launched #ALLIN4WOMEN to share the stories of local female entrepreneurs who help strengthen our communities,” she adds, highlighting the initiative’s dual goal of promotion and community building. This powerful platform not only showcases incredible talent but also cultivates a network of support and inspiration for female entrepreneurs, reinforcing the idea that success is often a collective journey.
Amanda’s overarching advice for other new agents, regardless of their personal circumstances, is rooted in the principle of genuine connection: if you find authentic ways to meet people and offer meaningful assistance, “it will benefit both of you.” This approach builds trust and lasting relationships, which are the bedrock of a successful real estate career.
Still in its nascent stages, #ALLIN4WOMEN has already featured several remarkable women. Among them is Jennifer Rogers of Fitmom, whom Amanda proudly refers to as “my find.” Jennifer, a certified birthing and fitness instructor, embodies the very spirit of the initiative. Amanda explains the profound need Jennifer addresses: “New moms really need community. Many think, ‘Am I the only one going through this?’ Jennifer works with new moms and understands their struggles.” Her work exemplifies the vital support networks #ALLIN4WOMEN aims to highlight and strengthen.
Personal Triumph and the Drive to Build More
Today, Amanda’s son, Isaiah, is thriving at just over a year old, a vibrant testament to his mother’s resilience. Amanda meticulously worked on obtaining her real estate license during what she describes as “the crazy period” – a demanding phase punctuated by late-night feedings and the physical recovery from a challenging delivery. Her prior extensive experience in sales and marketing provided a solid foundation, but it was the autonomy and substantial income potential that truly drew her to a career in real estate. This wasn’t merely about making ends meet; it was about building a better future. (“Just getting by was not enough for me. I wanted to have more for my son.”)
As if the monumental tasks of giving birth and launching a business amidst a global pandemic weren’t enough, Amanda also navigated the myriad of considerations that confront any new working mother. From the strategic implementation of time blocking and securing reliable childcare, to understanding maternity benefits and managing the practicalities of feeding and breast pumping, her plate was perpetually full. Her journey underscores the immense mental and physical load carried by women striving for both professional success and fulfilling motherhood.
Reflecting on her journey, Amanda offers a powerful message of self-compassion and the courage to seek assistance. Balancing professional aspirations with family life is an intricate, often challenging, endeavor. She urges: “Be gentle with yourself and don’t be afraid to ask for help.” This isn’t a sign of weakness but a testament to strength and self-awareness. In the face of overwhelming odds, her wisdom shines through: “Step back and celebrate the little wins, like getting through the day and having happy clients.” These small victories accumulate, providing the necessary fuel to persist. And for those moments of despair when the world feels like it’s crumbling, Amanda’s unwavering conviction offers solace: “In times of despair when things seem to be falling apart – they’re not.” Her story is a powerful reminder that with resilience, community, and self-kindness, even the most daunting challenges can be overcome, paving the way for both personal and professional triumphs.