I’m a Mom, and I’m also a Chemist Entrepreneur – Elizabeth Cruz

We believe mothers in their various lines of businesses, professions and handy jobs are not celebrated as often as they should. Raising good humans while handling a professional and entrepreneurial life like a superhuman need some applauds and cheers. It isn’t easy but these moms do it and do it well.

We are introducing a series where we will be featuring amazing women we have come across who are handling and rocking working or running a business perfectly well along side “mommying”.

Meet Elizabeth Cruz! Mom to 6 month old happy, funny and loving Nadine and Chemist.

How many kids do you have and what are their ages?

One, Nadine, my beautiful happy baby girl that is 5 months old

Tell us a little about you and what you do.

I am a Chemist. Having a baby in my field poses risk for the baby pre-pregnancy, during pregnancy, and postpartum as I work with chemicals. When I found out I was pregnant I had to let my job know right away as I could not be in the lab around chemicals. I really wanted to wait until I was 3 months to tell everyone but I could not just be standing outside the lab for 3 months without them noticing something was up. I was reading all about the chemicals in my lab and freaking out ! But my baby came out really healthy as you always have to be very safe in this field, it also helps that I am the lab’s Safety Representative. I was put on desk work which was really hard for me as my whole life I was used to just running tests and exciting experiments. I managed to make it through after many back aches and carpal tunnel. Now 5 months postpartum I am wondering how I am going to go back to work while breastfeeding because I still can’t be around chemicals. I will most likely go back to desk work until I am done. However, for the rest of my career I will have to take a shower right before I grab my baby when I get home which will be hard not to just run to her and smother her with kisses. Also, I am starting my own embroidery clothing line for babies, children, and adults. I feel like becoming a mother has opened my eyes to the beauty of the world and I want to spread it in some way. Plus it helps to know how to make clothes with how fast my daughter is growing out of them. I love my new job of being a Chemist Mother Entrepreneur. I feel all mothers should add the Mother title to their occupation because being a mom is the strongest career one works towards and loves.

How do you maintain work – life balance?

I am learning how to balance it all while introducing my daughter to my world! I got her periodic table flash cards of chemical elements and she is now a very fashionable baby. It has become so much fun for us to explore this new lifestyle together. It’s all about balance ladies! And SUPPORT SUPPORT SUPPORT! Reach out to other mamas! It has helped me so much to relate or at least just talk to other moms. I found one mother through your Instagram that has helped me in the little messages we send each other even though she lives in another country. So thank you for all the support you have given us mamas thus far!

What keeps you going?

My daughter keeps me going. That smile I wake up to, the look she gives me when she sees me come in the room… it keeps me going that this little human being loves me so much because I gave her life and now I nourish it. Knowing that I’m the only one that can support her as a single mother is what drives me. Especially that she will be a young lady that I have to be an example for. She has brought so much love and happiness into my world. It’s the indescribable feeling I have been searching for my whole life, why would I ever look back? That is what drives me…Everything about her.

To you, what’s the most beautiful part of motherhood?

The most beautiful thing about motherhood to me are how a newborn uses all her 5 senses to show how much she lovingly appreciates her mother. The way she TASTES my breastmilk and she stops feeding just to look up at me with a smile as if she is thanking me for nourishing her growing body. The way she TOUCHES my face when she wakes up from a nap then touches hers to see how alike we are. The first thing she did when she was born and was put on my chest was she SMELLED my milk and starting crawling towards my nipple which was such a beautiful way to observe how nature works. How she HEARS my laughter and automatically she kicks with excitement. Especially, the way she opens her eyes just a little while she’s sleeping to SEE I’m still next to her and falls back asleep with a big smile and a giggle.

One product you are craving from our online marketplace and why?

One product I’ve been craving from your marketplace is the Baby Buddha smart breast pump because it would make life so much easier with a baby that is starting to learn how to roll over. There has been so many times when I’m pumping and I spill the liquid gold to jump up and get my baby because she’s crying. Don’t get me started on how useful this would be for me when I return to work! I mean come on! I wouldn’t have to feel like a robot plugged into a wall to pump.

Who inspires you the most?

My mom inspires me the most because even though all her kids have grown up and started their own families she still continues to be such a giving mom with the help she has offered me as a new single mom. She comes into my room at 3 am when she sees I have not slept to let me sleep while she tends to the baby on those teething nights all while having to get up 2 hours later to cook and go to work. She does not have to go through this again yet she chooses to do it all over again for her daughter and granddaughter with a loving smile on her face. I hope that I will be the mother to my daughter, when she has her first child, the way my mom has been with me

What do you do for fun?

I embroider for fun! When my baby turned 3 months and I tried going out I just found myself wanting to go home to be with my baby. What used to bring me fun changed. I just always wanted to be close to her. She honestly is my best friend. So I found embroidery and that I can do while being around my baby. I get to create beautiful clothing that brings me joy. Also I make sure to go out with my baby. I try to do things with her that my parents did with me as well as try new things. It’s such a unique feeling to see it from the parents side of view. It makes me appreciate those moments my parents gave me way more than I already do.

Advice to other moms intending to follow a similar career path as you?

My advice to moms intending to follow my career is to always be safe and vocal about your wants/needs at work. Women, scientifically, are more at risk for child defects because of the airborne elements you are exposed to so always read the safety sheet behind everything you are exposed to. Many women feel that becoming a mother in this field will put a pause in their career since you can’t work in the lab. However, that does not mean you can not do your research. Don’t be afraid to explore. Many women have made great discoveries in the scientific field and so can you. Take advantage of the time you have outside of the lab with your hobbies, adventures exploring, and your baby. And have fun with it! It’s always fun to tie all these new mom experiences with scientific reasoning.

If we’ll all love to follow you on Instagram, how can we find you?

@Elizcruz 🙂

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