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Top 10 Most Inspiring Women 2016

Mona Liza Hamlin

The Baby Space | Owner, Lactation Consultant | Visit Website

Jane Clark, Co-Founder & Creative Director of Brandswan, a Delaware web design agency

Why We Chose Mona Liza Hamlin

“I adored Mona the moment I met her. She has a very calming and warm presence. Yet at the same time, she is a gal who knows her stuff. As a mother of 1 bulldog and 2 cats, I’m often in awe of moms who have it all: running their own business and raising their children! Not only is she a lactation consultant, but also a pediatric nurse. That alone makes her an authority in her industry and increases my adoration of her 10 fold. I love that she uses a real, holistic approach with her customers and in her life. Please meet Mona below…”

Jane Clark, Co-Founder of BrandSwan

Mona Liza Hamlin

The Baby Space | Owner, Lactation Consultant | Visit Website

 

The Story

Tell us how it all started. Why? What’s the story?

As a lactation consultant, NICU nurse and mom, I have a passion for helping other moms and babies get off to a good start. Through my lived experienced both personally and professionally, I know how challenging, frustrating, beautiful and rewarding breastfeeding can be. I also know that too often moms aren’t prepared for the breastfeeding journey. They may fall into “booby traps” even before their baby is born. I am eble to use my skills as both a nurse and IBCLC to help moms navigate the journey and reach their goals. The type of quality care that I wish I had with my own babies. Through The Baby Space, I give moms expert support and guidance from the comfort of their home in those early days, in my office space and even virtually.

Biggest Success

What is your biggest success so far?

Partnerships! Creating a network of partners and collaborators has been key to reaching moms and babies. I’m excited to be connected with others who are also vested in providing optimal care and experiences for families. It takes a special person to understand the needs of expectant, new and growing families. Doulas and other birth workers along with, physicians, chiropractors and other IBCLCs have been amazingly helpful along the way. Together we are able to create a supportive community for the families we serve.

Biggest Challenge

What is the biggest challenge in your industry? What are you doing to deal with that?

Right now my biggest challenge as a lactation consultant is getting all moms the breastfeeding support that they want and need. I am dedicated to providing equitable care for all. Currently policies such as the Affordable Care Act lack the legislative support needed to ensure that all mothers receive care that is 100% covered by insurers. This causes a hardship for many moms. Very few insurers cover lactation services leaving many moms to have long wait times to see an office based IBCLC or having to pay out of pocket with the hopes that insurers will reimburse at least some of the cost.

I participate on the Breastfeeding Coalition of Delaware and the US Breastfeeding Committee where I serve as an advocate for this and many other issues that negatively impact families. I encourage moms to tell their insurers and employers how this impacts them and the changes they would like to see. I feel strongly that breastfeeding support is a woman’s right and a united front will bring about the change needed to get there.

Advice

What advice would you give to a business owner starting out in your industry that you wish you would have known going in?

Get help with the technical behind the scenes items like taxes, filing legal documents, etc. I had no idea what it entailed and it was learning process.

Surprise Tidbit

What don’t most people realize about you or your company?

There are awesome things to come! The Baby Space is growing behind the scenes and will be adding some additional services in the near future!

Stay tuned for another #bossbabe featured tomorrow!

More 2016 Most Inspiring Women

Day 10: Jennifer McMillan — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 10: Jennifer McMillan — Inspiring Women 2016

[Jennifer] has made enormous leaps and bounds as a woman business owner. Just last month she was invited to Amazon headquarters in Seattle, WA by senior management. They chose several women-owned companies who have been successful on their site — and Jennifer was one of them. They also wanted to know more about the launch of her new brand, JennyGems. Wow! This girl knows how to market her products and I’m so thrilled and honored to be apart of the journey.

Day 9: Stefanie Roselle — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 9: Stefanie Roselle — Inspiring Women 2016

From her animal fostering, amazing new office design to the rockin’ women’s organization she co-founded along with Amber Shader, she motivates me to grow on both a personal and professional level. She has a killer team of fellow #ladybosses for her company Social Butterfly. On top of all of this, she’s amazing at what she does. I had the opportunity to sit with her on a social media panel… this girl knows her stuff! I love love love how she supports other local businesses — even competitors. Her collaborative and embracing real life and online persona makes her a joy to interact with.

Day 8: Angela Kovall — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 8: Angela Kovall — Inspiring Women 2016

Angela is a ray of sunshine. Always beaming, she makes it her mission to know and help the people she meets along the way. (Apparently we went to the same high school!) She is is the inspiration for changing how I approach marketing — think not what people can do for you but how you can people. She is an excellent teacher on spreading feelings of goodwill and increasing others self-esteem. Angela genuinely wants to see people succeed and I find that energy to be absolutely contagious. She is wonderful to have in your corner. I can’t say enough positive things about her. Simply, she makes you feel good.

Day 7: Anne Green — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 7: Anne Green — Inspiring Women 2016

What impresses me most about Anne is that she moved from Canada to Delaware and totally started what no one else has here in Newark: a very popular, resident-owned news page. With over 7,000 likes on Our Newark Delaware’s super active Facebook page, Anne has quickly become known for knowing what’s going on in our local hood. I first met her at a Wonder Women Tea event at the Blue Hen Bed and Breakfast, so we already had something in common. What I love most about her is that she builds people up. Always supportive of local businesses and meeting new people, she is a genuine joy to be around and I’m proud to know her. As a client, she is absolutely delightful to work with. Read on

Day 6: Vicki Lam — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 6: Vicki Lam — Inspiring Women 2016

[Vicki] is reliable, always professional, and present. Seriously, she is everywhere. Vicki is my go-to resource for new and awesome networking groups and events. I personally use Vicki for all my promotional products because she gives you awesome ideas and the best advice. She understands branding and so she is an awesome partner for me. I am also very proud to call her a friend.

Day 5: Nancy Dibert — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 5: Nancy Dibert — Inspiring Women 2016

Everyone on #netde knew her and looked to her as an authority in the twitter universe. If you’re an entrepreneur in Delaware, you have most likely seen Nancy’s diligent social media outreach on Google Plus, Twitter and even Facebook. Every post is thoughtful, relevant —and for me, enlightening. Every day I learn something new, which in the marketing industry is basically a necessity… Nancy is a true gem. I was humbled that someone as successful as her was building me up and took notice.

Day 1: Jessica Barnak — Inspiring Women 2016

Day 1: Jessica Barnak — Inspiring Women 2016

[Jessica] is lovely, bubbly, inviting and always composed. She continued to impress and inspire me as managing director for the networking group Polka Dot Powerhouse. Her positive energy is absolutely contagious. The biggest reason Jessica is on my list — her brand is absolutely on point: the perfect amount of professional, modern, and as creative as her interior designs.