Before and After

One night before having kids (pregnant with my first) my husband told me we have to go out for dinner with a guy who he does business with, and his wife. I thought, ugh. Seriously? I can't drink and I have no interest in making any new friends. Do I have to? I sat through dinner quite miserably - as did the other wife at the table. I couldn't figure out why she was so miserable, but I didn't care. We obviously didn't connect and I later found out she too was pregnant, expecting twins. Since we were both only about one month into the pregnancy we couldn't talk about it so who knew?! 3 years went by and I got a call one day from her. She told me I inspired her to start her own business and that she'd like to connect with the photographer I'd been using. I gave her our photographer Raquel Langworthy's info and the two ended up becoming best friends. Raquel took her photos, designed her website and helped to launch Lisa's career as an interior decorator and stylist.

When Lisa's site was ready to launch Raquel showed it to me and I lost my marbles. I had never decorated my apartment and it looked like I was still living in a college dorm. I immediately hired Lisa to come in and decorate my apartment that we were renting which was later featured in Style At Home Magazine.

Next, was the basement in my home out east. It was an unfinished space that I wanted Lisa to turn into a rec room for my kids, a hang out for our friends and storage for the business. I also wanted her to turn one of our garages into a cottage feeling bedroom. She nailed it and the space was not only featured on Domino.com but is so magnificent sometimes I take drives out to the house to work for the day just so I can see it.

Everyone who was coming over to see my newly decorated spaces was asking who I used. It took no time for Lisa's phone to start ringing off the hook. That's the goal in starting a business and she succeeded. So much so that when it was time to transition my kids bedroom in the apartment to a big boy room...I worked with Lisa's assistant on it.

My kids were outgrowing their bedroom in the apartment. They were turning 6 and 3 so it was time to get rid of the change table and toddler beds. Their room now has a gorgeous bunk bed, desks, a chalkboard wall to write all over, a robot book shelf and plenty of storage for all of their toys. It turned out exactly how I envisioned it would.

I'm a firm believer in what's meant to be will be. When I met Lisa, we were not meant to be friends. But I was meant to meet her for our connection later in life.

It's so wonderful connecting with other Moms who are doing what Michelle and I are doing here in this world of being "Mompreneurs" and trying to run our own businesses while caring for our family and children.

I am so proud of my friend Lisa and all that she has accomplished in such a short period of time. I love nothing more then seeing the people I love succeed.

Photo credit: Raquel Langworthy of Untamed Studios.Lisa Hershman's business is called Abaca Interiors.My hair + make up in this photo above was done by Beautini by B. Lo. A small business started by Brittany Lo who is crushing it and is in her early 20's. Credits to the boys room in the apartment go to:Tape dispenser: Nate Berkus for TargetDesks and Dog tail hooks:  IkeaBunk Bed: Oeuf - the Perch BedLucite desk chairs and Robot Book shelf:  The Land of Nod Cork board: CB2