Meet the #motherhustlers: Irene McKenna

Irene is a parenting coach for moms who want to stop yelling but want their kids to listen.  She truly believes that peace in parenting is possible and in that peace kids thrive and cooperate naturally. Irene understands the challenges of parenting and is inspired daily by her two little boys.  Irene is the founder of Irene McKenna Coaching and guides parents through her signature program: Creating Peace in Parenting: 10-week Intensive.

Tell us about yourself, your business, and how you got started!  

After working as a physical therapist for the past 18 years, I wanted something different.  I was turned onto coaching on the journey of rediscovering myself after 2 boys in 15 months.  I became a certified health coach with a passion for working with moms. But when I found parenting coaching the true magic happened and I knew I had found my passion.  I am in the early stages of my business having recently received my parenting coach certification. I work with clients 1-1 over the phone/zoom. I also give talks locally and am developing a webinar.  I have a podcast and facebook group in the works as well.

What inspired you to start your own business?

Control over my schedule. Finding my passion and being so sure of myself that this is my pathway.  Wanting to be home with my boys as much as I can. Create our dream life with my husband.

What struggles do you face when it comes to balancing your work and family and how do you deal with them?

Time.  Focus. It is a weekly plan of fitting in the business and my family’s needs. But planning ahead, being specific with the time I do have available.  Asking for help when I can. I have also simplified grocery shopping and meal prep and my husband is amazing around the house!

What do you think is the secret to raising a healthy business and a healthy family?

Radical self-care.  And that can mean very different things to different people. For me it means getting 8 hours of sleep, meditation, journaling, eating to nourish my body and getting down time with my family.

What is one piece of advice you could give to help other mompreneurs out?

Start with your why. Hold that above anything else. Realize as Tony Robbins says, you overestimate what you can do in a week but underestimate what you can do in a month or a year or two years. Keep moving forward even when the steps seem small.

What words of encouragement do you have for your fellow mompreneurs?

You absolutely deserve the life of your dreams. You are amazing and have the power to create anything you desire.  It takes work, commitment, and determination but it can be yours.

Do you have any great / inspiring stories from your own experience that you would like to share?

I thought I began the journey as a parenting coach to serve my clients but have found that the transformation in my own family has been the amazingly unexpected worth every penny part of my story.  I’m parenting in peace and my boys are thriving (and I honestly thought things were good and “normal” before this program)

Any fun facts you want to share?

My alarm clock is Wonder Woman and when she wakes me up every morning it reminds me I’m a heart warrior (and a #motherhustler:-)

Where you can find Irene:

Learn more about Irene’s work over on her website, Irene McKenna Coaching, and hang out with her on Facebook, Instagram, and Twitter!