Today we’d like to introduce you to Shannon Lazovski.
Hi Shannon, it’s an honor to have you on the platform. Thanks for taking the time to share your story with us – to start maybe you can share some of your backstories with our readers?
When I became a mom, I worked full time for the Human Resource department at an automotive headquarters in Auburn Hills. Our infant daughter attended an in-home daycare five days a week while my husband and I both worked on our careers. One day, I learned the daycare where my daughter had been attending for a little over a year was being investigated for alleged child abuse & neglect. We realized this wasn’t the best place for our baby girl so I decided to quit my corporate job and be a stay-at-home mom. The worry and anxieties of keeping her there were way too intense to bare and trust was broken. I knew I needed to be home to take care of my little girl.
As a multi-tasker and someone who loved motherhood, the job of being a mother was incredibly rewarding and was quite easy for me. I loved every minute! While at home, I started a blog called Glamorous Moms – with the thought in mind, “all moms are glamorous.” I wrote about fashion, beauty, and travel, all the things I enjoyed outside of motherhood. The idea was to encourage moms to embrace their passions and themselves. To be true to their own identity and not let it go, once they become mothers.
Glamorous Moms quickly became a business. One that I could manage on my own and manage my own schedule. This was important especially after having my second child, our son. I took my product specialist training from the auto shows (in my earlier years) and became a product specialist online for my blog. Very quickly, companies and professionals would hire me to represent their brands in person at their conferences and rooftop parties. The blog opened so many doors for me and allowed for in-person representation, great blog content, and professional partnerships, along with keynote speaking opportunities.
A few years down the road, I learned more about the Michigan fashion community and realized our local community needed a “go-to” place online to learn about the who’s who of Michigan fashion. So, I then created Detroit Fashion News – an ezine that celebrates the who’s who of the Michigan fashion industry. Detroit Fashion News just celebrated its 10th year anniversary last year and is still going strong.
After I created a large network both locally and nationally, I began to perfect my marketing, public relations, content, blog layouts, and branding. As social media platforms started to form, local businesses started hiring me (behind the scenes) to manage their social media, their content, and brands. This was a job I fell into and I loved it! What I was doing for myself, I began doing for others. That’s how my social media management agency was born. It’s called, The Lazov Agency and has been running for 10 1/2 years.
Since the The Lazov Agency came about in 2011, I have purchased Detroit Mommies – a parenting blog, and I launched a lipstick company called Glameselle – offering gluten-free, vegan lip products. A portion of each sale is donated to my new nonprofit organization (which received 501 (c)(3) status in 2019) called The Glamorous Moms Foundation.
It’s common for a professional blogger to have a product and 3-4 professional blogs. Nowadays – it’s common for many to be social media strategists and digital experts too. But over the last 18 years, the social media world has majorly evolved. And, I’ve evolved both as a professional in the digital space, as a woman, and as a mom.
Since the “digital product specialist” job has evolved into what we now know as this new thing called “influencer” status – I’ve decided to take the Glamorous Moms brand a different route with the same original meaning in mind. To remind my audience – all moms are glamorous. We aren’t here for great bikini shots on this new thing called Instagram. We are on this earth to think of others, support others, and understand that our job here on earth is beyond any shallow opportunity, reason, or photo.
The Glamorous Moms Foundation – is a foundation that consists of a board of local, professional moms who are eager to give back. We are a women supporting women nonprofit organization. Our main goal is to provide support, inspire, and build confidence in women and children in our community to enhance their quality of life, leading them to health, happiness, and safety. We are also proud to support other service organizations to create a community of giving and unity. We strive to bring comfort and life necessities (education, daily needs, and monetary support) to women and children to make meaningful change.
Today, I stand before you with three professional blogs, glamorousmoms.com, detroitfashionnews.com, detroitmommies.com, a beauty brand called Glameselle, and a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization called Glamorous Moms Foundation.
I work hard to support others, support their businesses, and their professional efforts. And, I strive to take care of others. My blessings in life aren’t just for me. My blessings are for everyone God brings to me whether in professional circumstances or on the streets of Detroit. When I’m not helping businesses grow, I’m supporting women and children in the community by passing out blankets to the homeless and donating life necessities to expectant mothers & infants in vulnerable situations.
Alright, so let’s dig a little deeper into the story – has it been an easy path overall, and if not, what were the challenges you’ve had to overcome?
Not always. No journey is perfect. Learning how to manage a career, a marriage, healthy friendships, and two healthy, happy kids can be challenging. Just being a working mom with much responsibility on her plate can be challenging in itself.
Making sure everyone is happy including yourself can be challenging too when others have high expectations of you & your time. I’m an intense worrier, a perfectionist, and I have suffered from anxiety and depression in the past. So, for me, making sure I’m the healthiest and happiest I can be, both physically and mentally has always been important so I can take care of others. We have to always remember; we have to put the oxygen mask on ourselves before we put it on those around us. As a people pleaser, remembering this sometimes has been challenging for me.
Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
Glamorous Moms is a brand with the devotion “all moms are glamorous.” The “women supporting women” brand instantly gained a large network of community supporters. For almost two decades, I have been able to use my platform to help and support several Michigan-based non-profit organizations as well as individual women in need who have suffered from addiction, homelessness, human trafficking, domestic violence & abuse, and illness. I’m on a mission now with the Glamorous Moms Foundation, my closest friends, network, and followers to support women and children to make lasting and meaningful change where it’s needed most. A full volunteer initiative, the Glamorous Moms Foundation board consists of educators, medical professionals, PR professionals, and philanthropists, all with giving hearts, focused on helping women and children. I’m bringing like-minded people together to help individuals in need.
Our Mission
To provide support, inspire, and build confidence in women and children in our community to enhance the quality of life, leading them to health, happiness, and safety. We are proud to support other service organizations to create a community of giving and unity. We strive to bring comfort and life necessities (education, daily needs, and monetary support) to women and children to make meaningful change.
Our Vision
A giving and comforting community that educates, strengthens, and supports moms, expectant moms, women, children, and families who need it most. We lead positive social change and deliver support to members through love, advocacy, and service.
Can you talk to us about how you think about risk?
If you want to be successful, risk-taking is important. I say, “yes” to almost everyone and figure out how to do the task later. I don’t allow myself to shy away from new opportunities. I force myself to take the risk, even if it’s a new task or subject I know nothing about.
I encourage myself to keep moving forward. To continue to learn and grow in both relationships and in knowledge. I also make sure I surround myself with supportive, happy, and successful people. When we love ourselves and surround ourselves with supportive people, there’s no stopping what we can do. Giving yourself the gift of a loving tribe, helps you take risks and conquer roadblocks so much easier.
Contact Info:
- Website: http://www.glamorousmoms.foundation
- Instagram: @glamorousmoms, @glamorousmomsfn
- Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/glamorousmomsfn/
- Twitter: https://twitter.com/shannonlazovski
- Other: http://www.shannonlazovski.com
Image Credits
Shannon Lazovski
The Lennon Pregnancy Center
