Page 208 - South Mississippi Living - September, 2022

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story by Holly Harrison and Shannon Stage photos courtesy of Sarah Harrison
Southern women are a tough breed. There’s not much we can’t do. We can bring home the bacon, fry it up in a pan, and still look good at the end of the day. Isn’t that how the song goes? We can give you a good dressing down with just our eyes. But then there’s nothing like the warm embrace and sweet words of encouragement from the woman that makes every day a little brighter. Grandmother, mom, sister, wife, it doesn’t matter which one she is, most Southern gals can do it all.
It is no surprise to us that one of the fastest growing segments of the business world is home-based businesses owned by women. Over 50 percent of the businesses
in the United States today are home-based businesses. Enterprising women are navigating the working world by staying at home and becoming their own bosses. Say hello to the Mompreneur.
Moms and wives have been holding down the fort forever. We manage kids, housework, cooking, and cleaning, all while bringing home the additional salary needed to make ends meet. For those not financially dependent on a second salary, we’ve been doing everything needed to support the one job that does provide for the welfare of the family. We are very capable multitaskers, with organizational genius that doesn’t require a chart to tell us who should be doing what. Being a mom requires patience and deliberateness – skills that are valuable assets in the working world.
Mompreneurs are putting their talents to work for themselves in record numbers. They are creating ways
to balance family life and work life from home. Sarah Harrison is one of those moms. “A year ago, I was unceremoniously let go from my job and I was crushed. After a lot of soul searching, I figured out that I was never happy working for other people.”
With a mom and a sister that own their own businesses encouraging her, Harrison decided to join the ranks of the self-employed. “I am an artist. All my life, art is what has brought me peace. It is how I feel connected to God and the natural world. It was time to for me to pursue my passion.”
Harrison credits her family role models and her endless curiosity for giving her the confidence to start her home-
208 | September 2022
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Sarah Harrison.