Bahia Akerele
Mom to Edward, age 6
Silver Spring, MD
Bahia is a strong, confident mother
who knows what she wants. She’s
devoted to her family and her
community, and she’s constantly
hard at work bettering both.

Occupation: Small-business owner (On the Purple
Couch, LLC)
What’s the best parenting advice
you’ve ever received?
Like everyone, I got a lot of advice
once I had Edward. One piece of
advice that stays in my mind is that you
should always trust your intuition as a
mother. I think this is so very true and
something to keep focused on. I talk to
my son a lot and am always asking him
questions about a number of topics, all
at his level. I want to always be able to
engage with him and let him know that
I am here to talk with him. Through our
conversations I get to understand a little
about what is going on in his world and
how it may affect him.

How has motherhood changed your
outlook on life?
Becoming a mother has changed
how I see myself and the notion of what
it takes to be a mother. For one thing, I
respect my mother so much more now
that I have a child and a family. The role
and importance of a mother towards
her children and family is almost
inconceivable. Growing up, my mother
was a senior official at the United
Nations and had to raise two daughters
while traveling around the world, and
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Becoming a mother has truly
humbled me and given me a larger
perspective of what it means to be a
mother and the responsibilities we have.

moving to different countries and
school systems internationally. I have
no idea how she did it. I can barely get
out of the door on time in the morning.

Becoming a mother has truly humbled
me and given me a larger perspective
of what it means to be a mother and the
responsibilities we have.

grow others. This year, I launched a
monthly Creative Business Meet Up at
my store for women who are exploring
entrepreneurship or who are already
engaged in it. These sessions have
been very well received and we are
now moving into our next phase, which
will be one-on-one mentorship and
‘partnerships’. What goals do you have for yourself?
Professionally, I would like to do more
speaking and consulting engagements
with creative small businesses
entrepreneurs. After five years,
three stores and lots of marketing,
strategic positioning and social media
experience, I am ready to share and
What goals do you have
for your child?
My goal for Edward is for him to
love life and to be able to have great
friends, relationships and an awesome
life. A strong education and Christian
foundation are at the base of this.




Jocelyn Bataille
Mom to Camden, age 5,
Holden age 4, Corinne, age 1,
and Shane, due in August
Leesburg VA
Jocelyn understands that
motherhood isn’t about perfection
or glamour; it’s about showing up
and doing your very best. When her
eldest was diagnosed with cancer,
she shaved her head in solidarity so
he wouldn’t have to go at it alone.

Since his diagnosis, she has become
a fierce advocate for childhood
cancer patients, research and
funding. Occupation:
Consultant for Usborne Books and
More. Usborne Books & More is a
division of Educational Development
Corporation (EDC) that distributes a
variety of popular and educational
children’s books through independent
consultants. Research
everything and trust your
intuition. It’s never
wrong. What’s the best parenting advice
you’ve ever received?
Follow your gut.

What goals do you have
What advice would you give to
new or expectant moms?
for your children?
Research everything and trust
your intuition. It’s never wrong.

– my son’s oncologist.

How has motherhood changed
your outlook on life?
Who is your role model?
Anyone who challenges the
mainstream-parenting mold.

I’ve realized how precious time
truly is.

What would you say your secret
is to balancing life/family/work/
motherhood? What goals do you have for yourself?
Describe a favorite mom “moment(s)”
“No detectable Leukemia ”
Above all else, I want them to be
happy; that will mean different things
for each of them and I will support each
one in whatever that may be.

Not to “survive” raising my kids; to
enjoy it.

Having various villages of mom
friends to lean on; we are all in this
craziness together.

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