Meet: Annie Makhanlall
Annie is the Co-founder and director of Broward Mom Collective, LLC. There is no down-time because I am super busy being a wife, mom of 2, daughter, friend, sister, granddaughter, aunt, volunteer, business owner, and the list goes on. I am a very family-oriented multi-tasking creative MOMPRENEUR!
How many kids do you have? What are their ages?
I have two girls, ages 7 & 11.
A brief description of what a day in your life looks like.
From day one, as soon as that alarm goes off at 5:00 am, I hit the snooze button. I honestly take like twenty minutes to get up. I’m the first to wake up in my house, and I make sure the house is picked up a little then I start making breakfast and lunch for everyone. Yes, I make lunch for my husband to take to work every day, and I also leave him random lunch box notes, and yes, I’m that wife! I usually listen to my morning affirmations and then music while I’m chef mommy. My oldest, Isabella, wakes up at 6:00, and my youngest, Anabella, wakes up at 6:20. They are usually in the kitchen with me by 6:45, dancing, singing, and helping with their lunch/snack. Anabella is very creative, so it’s a themed lunch with sandwich cutouts and flower-shaped fruits most days. Before the girls leave for school, we ALWAYS pray together.
Now, off to work I go; every day is different, every week is other. I try to stay in the office at least one day a week, but it gets complicated, from meetings to ballroom tours to grand openings and volunteering. I usually have my lunch while I wait for my girls in the car line. After school, we go back to the office, they do homework, and I work on the orders for my upcoming events. My days are always fun, overfilled, and never boring. Anabella loves to help me create things and think of new ideas. Can you believe I have to pay her $10 a day to make a mess in my office? Well, that’s mom life at its finest.
On the days I don’t have any evening meetings or tours, we usually cook dinner together and have family time. When I’m working late, my mom or husband cooks dinner. After I get home, it’s a struggle sometimes, but I try to separate myself from work. We bake or make a new recipe about two to three days a week. From wontons to milkshakes, we like to try and make it all. At 8 pm, we usually play scrabble, do a word search, have a dance-off, play Uno, or whatever else we come up with. At 8:45, they start their bedtime routine, and then me and my husband spend some time together; some days, we watch a movie, and other days we clean up the BIG MESS leftover from baking.
How do you manage mom life while being an entrepreneur? Share some of your tips and tricks with us.
Manage? What’s that? I used to have a tough time with this, especially when we start a new business or project, because it requires a lot of planning and work. I’ve learned that you need to stay organized and use a daily planner or my favorite Google Calendar. Take the time to plan out your week and set yourself up for success. Take it one day at a time. I add everything to my calendar, early release, birthdays, grand openings, meetings, etc. Everyone has access to view my calendar, including my girls. Anabella knows that if mommy has a meeting at 5 pm, we can’t bake that day. This practice has been really helpful for all of us, and especially now that my girls are a little older, they understand. Always try and spend as much time with your children as possible; they grow up so fast!
What’s been your greatest joy in motherhood?
My girls give me purpose in life. The love, giggles and laughter I receive currently outweighs their eighteen year-old attitude.
What have you found most challenging in your motherhood journey?
Finding time for myself has been my greatest challenge. I learned to accept this and shave my legs with an audience. Mamas, make that time for yourself, add it into your schedule, it’s important to take care of yourself so you can take care of your family.
If we peeked in your purse right now, what would we find?
Whoa you wouldn’t believe it I had a bottle of spilled glitter in there once I will never forget that! Currently, gel pens, business cards, bows, Chapstick, lip gloss, paper clips, notebook, hair clips, receipts, gum, half eaten lollipop with the wrapper falling off, and a bunch of other random stuff.
Being a mom is no easy task. How do you relax?
Hmm. Relax? Honestly, I love to take long hot showers for as long as I can until everyone notices I have been gone for way too long. I love watching my favorite shows on Netflix and winding it down before bedtime. Listening to music always helps me relax, too. It depends on what mood I am in for that day and the type of music I choose.
My Business: Spectacular Creations – South Florida
Spectacular Creations specializes in turning your vision into reality – your event will be the talk of the town from the moment your guest open their invitations or personalized gift box! Our designers create unique invitations, stationery products, custom gifts and décor for Weddings, Baby Showers, Anniversaries, Birthdays, Sweet 16’s, Bridal Showers, Bar Mitzvah’s, Grand Openings, Private Parties and all types of celebrations. The possibilities are endless.
Broward Businesses I Love…
Restaurant
Coffee Shop
Bakery, Donut, Dessert Shop, etc.
Park, Playground, Splash Pad, etc.
Must-Have Product
Is there a Hidden Gem is Broward County that you LOVE?
Community Enhancement Collaboration – They are doing amazing things in our community.
My Favorites…
Things to do on your free-time (except laundry)
Make a charcuterie board, pop some popcorn, make a cup of coffee, snuggle with my family in bed and watch a movie.
Quote
People often attempt to live their lives backward; they try to have more things, or more money, to do more of what they want to be happier. The way it works is the reverse. You must first be who you really are, then do what you need to do to have what you want.
Hobby
Definitely glittering things
Mom Tip
Take the time to listen and talk to your kids; listen to all the little things they tell you; it means the world to them. You may think that picture they just drew was just another picture, but for them, it’s more significant than that; it was thirty minutes of imagination and hard work. Listening to them when they explain their picture to you means everything. If you say you’re busy, or I’ll look at it later, it takes that excitement away from them and makes them feel like they can’t show you or tell you things because you are always “too busy.”
TV Show
Family Movie
Family Activity or Game
Self Care Tip
Learn to say NO!
Life Hack
Take some diapers with you to the beach! Put your phone, money, keys, etc., in the diaper when going in the water. This helps keep your valuables a little safer and cooler.
