What is the best thing you love about your work? I love that I get a chance to connect with moms around the world, find a common ground, learn about different cultures, and motivate moms to live their dreams while being a mom. I love the fact that I can explore foods, hobbies, services and bring it back to the moms so that they can begin to know that their dreams are possibilities that can turn in to reality. 

What is my idea of perfect happiness? Once upon a time, after my divorce I would have said stabilizing my 5 children and providing for them and seeing them happy. After having a small stroke and subsequent visits to the hospital, battling anxiety as a result, I would say my idea of perfect of happiness is great health, enjoying time with my kids, family and friends, loving and being loved unconditionally, traveling, and enjoying my creative work of helping others. 

What is my greatest fear? My greatest fear is that there will come a time when all of my kids

What is the trait that I deplore most in myself? I deplore the fact that there’s this tiny part of me still trying to “fit in” with society by allowing my creative side of me to not be free.

Which living person in my profession do I admire the most? Michelle Obama. I think she sets such an incredible example of living a purpose filled, joyous, vulnerable, loving life while being a mom. I say while being a mom, because sometime we as moms tend to forget about ourselves, but she takes great care of herself, her family and others and that’s what we need. Self Care then you have plenty to give to others. 

What is my greatest extravagance? My greatest extravagance is exploration. (gas money) It keeps me sane when I can roam and explore many places then I’m at my best.  

On what occasion would I lie? I would love to say none, however if I did, it would be to protect my children from any type of harm. I’m terrified of lying, this was a huge deal growing up, you face your consequences and tell the truth always. 

What is the thing that I dislike most in my work? I dislike marketing and the weirdness of people not being true. It can be felt the moment you introduce yourself. I’m a relationship person and I quickly found out that not all networking is relational, it really is just about business. I’ve learned not to judge. 

When and where was I the most happiest in my work? I was most happiest when I kicked off the #SelfCareNovember campaign for moms and I had women from all over the world participate by filming Facebook live videos about self care. It created a unity amongst moms on a global level. 

If I could, what would I change about myself? If I could change anything about myself it would be my workaholic mode. I love what I do, I love so many things and with each, (including motherhood) I give it my all and not always take the time to stop. I would love to relax, really relax not just my body, but my mind as well. 

What is my greatest achievement in work? The fact that I started my own company and even when things were and sometimes are difficult and challenging, I continue to work The Innovative Mom anyway, because this is what I love doing and is one of my purposed assignments here. 

Where would I most like to live? My motto is “I belong to the world and the world belongs to me”, there are many beautiful places in this world, and if I could, I would travel and live., but for now, I’d like to purchase a home in Milton, Georgia for all of my kids to come home to, then travel the world. 

What is your most treasured possessions? My health, my children and my family & friends. With them, I’m the most content and with great health, I can enjoy the contentment. 

What is my most marked characteristic? Kindness and love for everyone no matter the age, race, religion, sexual orientation, or “class”.  I take people on a case by case basis with unconditional love being the originator. 

What is my most inspirational location in my city? The most inspirational location in my city for me is Jeju Sauna and Spa. It’s a Korean style bathhouse and the fact that in the common area there are people from all ages, races, religions, and class that will just grab a mat & pillow and sleep on a heated floor together, spend time with one another, get work done, eat, sit in the sauna is inspiration to me on a different level. It brings a certain type of  unity to light, even if we’re all doing our own thing.  

What is my most favorite place to eat and drink in my city? My favorite place to eat and drink is my city is at friends homes. I have a really cool friend that was a Food Network Chef, her food is delicious, and another friend that cooks Southern Korean Cuisine and I love it! Commercially it would have to be Shayona Cafe, it’s authentic Indian food and it’s really delicious. 

What books influenced my life and how? Your Sacred Self, The Language of Letting Go, The Bible and Traveler’s Gift all had a profound effect on my life. Your Sacred Self influenced my life because it confirmed for me that I wasn’t as odd as I thought, and it was ok to be a bit of a nonconformist to the way society has taught and to really dig deeper and look at things from a spirit level. Travelers gift influenced me because as a single mom, there were many times I felt defeated and at my lowest and this book helped me gain a different perspective on life and the choices I’d made and it gave me hope that life would continue and be great. The Language of Letting go was and still is my favorite, it gave me permission to just BE FREE, to forgive myself, set boundaries and really enjoy life. The Bible because even if I didn’t believe it at times, it set a foundation for me to believe. 

Who are my favorite writers? Wayne Dyer, Marianne Williamson, Eckhert Tolle. 

You only die once, what music would you listen to on your last day? Film Scores because they are strong, encouraging, and full of hope, and somehow I would probably think that it wouldn’t be my last day and if it were to be, I would go confidently knowing that my children would be ok. 

Who is my hero or heroin in fiction? In fiction my hero would be the HULK. He has an incredible discipline, kind, loving until you push him too far, it’s kinda like how I am. 

Who are my heroes and heroines in real life? My children are amazing and will always be my heroes and heroines, then my mom and dad. 

Which movie would I recommend to see once in a lifetime? Buen Dia, Ramon. Excellent show of how love and kindness will overcome language, race and age to build an incredible bond of friendship. 

What role does art play in my life and my work? Art plays a huge role in my work, I’m a visual person as well as a person of deep feeling so whether it’s music or painted/drawn art it speaks to me and help me dive into this incredibly wonderful land of creativity.  

Who is my greatest fan, sponsor, partner in crime? My greatest fans are my children , without fail they believe in me and trust me, sponsor, my kids lol they have helped me build my dream as I have helped them build theirs, partner in crime my childhood friend of 48 years Harriet! 

Whom would I like to work with in 2018? I would love to work with Ava DuVernay and Oprah. I’ve been working on a documentary and I think it would be amazing just to even have a conversation with both of them. 

Which people in my profession would I like to meet in 2018? Oprah, Ava Duvernay, Tia & Tamera Mowry, and Kimora Lee Simmons. Oprah and Ava for their sheer down to earth love, wisdom and genius. Tia, Tamera, and Kimora because they are amazing, living their dreams while being moms. 

What project in 2018 am I looking forward to working on? My documentary. It’s such a baby right now, but I’m most excited about this, more than anything else this year. 

Where can you see me and my work in 2018? You can see me on my website http://www.theinnovativemom.com Instagram  The Innovative Mom and soon my Youtube Channel

What does the words “Passion Never Retires” mean to me? Passion Never Retires means that you have found your purpose and will enjoy life doing it and be enough until you leave this world. 

Which passionate professionals should Peter invite to tell their story? Betty Ouyang …

How can you contact me?

Please feel free to contact me @ elenataylor@theinnovativemom.com