Today we’d like to introduce you to Auriel Kelley.
Hi Auriel, we’re thrilled to have a chance to learn your story today. So, before we get into specifics, maybe you can briefly walk us through how you got to where you are today.
I started out as a hustler. It sounds cliché, but I was always thinking of ways to make money. I remember applying for a cashier position at the age of 10 and writing “no experience “but willing to learn” on the application. Ambition at an early age. It’s been proven that our early years really mold us into who we’ll be in life, so let’s revisit. Being the only child for close to a decade kind of had me used to a lot me “me” thinking. Growing up, my mom was not the type to be overbearing in parenting. She recognized my independence and treated me accordingly. I can recall being eight or nine, getting myself to cheer competition tryouts, and making captain of the team my first year cheering.
Cheerleading and basketball between the ages of 8-12 provided me early lessons in discipline, perseverance, and dedication. Having a super strict coach gave me structure that I’m now glad I experienced.
By middle school, I was running for class president, and in high school joined the dance line.
By 16, I had my first job and was so excited to finally be making my own money. My small candy side hustle was becoming a thing of the past.
By 18, I had become a server and accustomed to faster money. Leaving a shift with $400 was alright with me.
Being the extremely independent person I was, I went to Statesboro, GA one day with a couple of friends and decided to put a deposit on a one-bedroom apartment for my freshman year of college.
Never considering myself a “group” type of person, I didn’t want to take a chance on roommates.
By my second year there and struggling to pay my $700 rent and $330 car payment along with phone, food, fuel, and daily expenses I took a chance on roommates.
It wasn’t so bad afterall.
I did not like the brokenness that college bought me. I felt like I had to choose between school and money. I moved back home and began to commute to Brunswick. Then decided to take a college break and work two jobs.
By 21, I was back on my own. In Pooler enjoying my 1-bedroom life again. I met my now husband a few months later. He was and still is the most considerate guy I had ever met. He was the pusher behind me going to finish college, and in 2015 I was 7 months pregnant with my second son. I graduated with my bachelor’s degree in Behavior Analysis. My husband was also and the biggest encourager and supporter for me to start my business, Mommy Hustle Lifestyle Brand.
Can you talk to us a bit about the challenges and lessons you’ve learned along the way? Looking back, would you say it’s been easy or smooth in retrospect?
Mommy Hustle Lifestyle Brand is my baby. The road has definitely not been easy. However, it has been rewarding. Not just financially rewarding but mentally. Mommy Hustle has really allowed me to find what I lost in Motherhood, me. Creating community for moms to feel seen, safe, and confident in their new bodies has been my goals. The feedback is the most heartwarming. The Love shown after each curated collection drop has been phenomenal. The vendor trials and error, Custom order wait times, and amount of unsolicited advice has been challenging. In business you have to study your competitors and with this current internet climate with clothes everywhere, that has been challenging too. Managing my social media and being transparent online also came with any challenges.
We’ve been impressed with Mommy Hustle Lifestyle Brand, but for folks who might not be as familiar, what can you share with them about what you do and what sets you apart from others?
Mommy Hustle Lifestyle is an inspirational Brand that motivates moms to go for it. Whatever their Hustle looks like, handle it gracefully. I share lots of relatable memes via social media and have met many people from various networking events whom admire what Mommy Hustle offers and respects what it stands for. Although we sell comfortable sets, tees, and pieces catered to be mom-body-friendly, we also curate pregnancy and post-partum packs for new and expecting mothers. This Brand is here for the busy on-the-go moms to stop, shop, relate and keep on their daily hustles.
Pricing:
- $25 (Tees, sets, sweatshirts, hoodies)
- $100 (Postpartum essentials Packs and Pregnancy Packs)
Contact Info:
- Website: www.mommyhustlelifestyle.co
- Instagram: @mommyhustlelifestyle
- Facebook: Mommy Hustle Lifestyle Brand. Auriel Kelley
Image Credits
Ramona Cook Photography
