Sports Biz Mom – An Intro
June 12th, 2017 was a day I had dreaded for entire pregnancy. Not the specific day exactly, but the idea of it. After 12 weeks, I was headed back to work. I was officially a “Sports Biz Mom”. I choked back tears the night before while I packed up my things for the day. I cried as I put my son in his car seat. I cried as I dropped him off at daycare. I cried as I drove away and pumped on my way to the office. I cried when I called my boss to check-in. I cried when we got home from daycare that night because he was so sleepy from his first day, he went to bed almost immediately. I was just as exhausted, and incredibly overwhelmed with the thought of our new schedule of ;bottle washing, pump bag packing, bottle making, nighttime feedings, and…oh yeah, also working. How in the world was I going to do this? How in the world did anyone do this?
But, we did do it. One year later, I have a healthy almost 15 month old; we’re on our second daycare; have weathered our first winter of ear infections and pink eye; and I learned to pack a pumping bag, diaper bag, and computer bag like a pro. I’ve officially been a Sports Biz Mom for 365 days and I am proud, grateful, humbled and wonderfully exhausted. I’ve learned a lot over the past year, but also know I have so much more to discover and share about life as a working Mom in the Sports Industry. So, here I am – officially writing and putting these thoughts out in the open. Thoughts that are probably at least 8 months in the making. Thoughts that I have doubted were of any value time and time again. However, I believe that if an idea just won’t leave the crazy, scary corners of your mind, it’s worth exploring – so here goes – my official entrance into “Mommy Blogging” and your introduction to Sports Biz Mom.
WHY: I think no matter the project, Why is the most important place to start – without it, we have no purpose. First, my “why” is Fraser Steven Jacobs – my sweet, sweet, son, who turned one on St. Patrick’s Day. This boy lights up my day and I could probably find a way to incorporate every Mom cliche into this section – but I’ll spare you. Since he was born, I have felt an immense obligation to leave this world better than I found it. And while the summation of that is “don’t be a jerk”, to me, it primarily means striving for equality for all. One of those areas where I think I can help to make a big impact is for women’s equality in the workplace – particularly those working in the sports industry. So, here you go baby boy, this is my gift to you (one you’ll probably hate come junior high).
WHO: Sports Biz Mom is me, Abby Jacobs – native Nebraskan, current Milwaukeean, and former New Yorker. My husband, Ben, and I have been married since 2014 and are both proud alumni of the Ohio University Sports Administration Program. I received my undergraduate degree from the University of Nebraska and have worked in professional and collegiate athletics, as well as on the agency and brand side of the industry. I love running, bad documentaries, baseball, scotch tape, and spicy food.
WHAT: Sports Biz Mom is where I plan to shine a light on some of the amazing things Moms in the sports industry. Yes, there are challenges, but my goal is for this to be a positive, uplifting site that focuses on what we as Moms can do, not what we can’t (Please call me out if I get to be a Negative Nancy – we all have bad days). I want this blog to be a resource for Moms in the sports industry, or women who someday want to be one. It takes a village to raise a child, and my hope is that this will become a community and platform to share ideas, ask questions, and empower others.
HOW: This is going to be real. I want to be REAL honest. I don’t want to sugar coat my experiences nor make myself or other working Moms out to be martyrs. But folks, THIS. IS. HARD. I am going to touch on awkward subjects (Pumping at Work), sensitive subjects (Deciding NOT to Return to Work), and practical subjects (Maternity Leave Prep Checklist). I plan to interview current Moms in the business, highlight employers that are Mom friendly, and showcase Mom/Baby/Kid related Sports Biz activations. Some days it will be based on my personal experiences, sometimes on those of others.
WHEN: A goal is just a wish until you write it down, right? Well, my goal for the first 6 months of this blog is to publish at least one post per week. The day of the week things will go live is TBD; but, I plan for this to be consistent. I’m a Type-A type of gal and I work well on a deadline!
There you have it. My blog plan in a few paragraphs. Thank you to anyone who is still reading this. It is PETRIFYING that someone out there still actually is.
Story ideas? A connection you’d like to share? Cute baby pic? Please comment below or email me at sportsbizmom@gmail.com or share your ideas on social media using #sportsbizmom and/or #sportsbizbabies.